Fear of capsular contracture. Does smoking increase the risk?

Capsular contracture occurs when the capsule that forms around the implant thickens and tends to "shrink wrap" around the implant. There are varying degrees to this and we are still learning more about why this occurs. Smoking can contribute to issues with breast augmentation. You are encouraged to stop using any nicotine several weeks prior to as well as after surgery. I've included a video about capsular contrcture that I hope you find helpful.

Yes, smoking can increase the risk of developing capsular contracture after breast augmentation surgery. Capsular contracture is a complication that occurs when the tissue capsule around the breast implant becomes thickened and tight, causing the implant to feel hard and potentially causing pain or discomfort.

Smoking can impair blood flow to the breast tissue and interfere with the body's healing process, which can increase the risk of capsular contracture. The nicotine in cigarettes can also cause blood vessels to constrict, reducing the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reach the breast tissue and delaying healing.

For these reasons, many plastic surgeons recommend that patients stop smoking at least four to six weeks before breast augmentation surgery and avoid smoking for several weeks after the surgery.

In general, it's recommended that patients quit smoking altogether to reduce the risks associated with smoking-related complications and to promote overall health and well-being.

If you have concerns about capsular contracture, it's important to discuss these concerns with your plastic surgeon. They can provide personalized recommendations and advice on how to reduce the risk of this complication based on your specific situation.