Capsular contracture or just inflamed? (photo)

You appear to have a collection of fluid (seroma) rather than a capsular contracture. Considering that you have had your surgery some time back, the reason for this fluid build up needs to be investigated. You
should see your plastic surgeon who can arrange a scan for you. If you do have
fluid build up inside, it is very important that cause for the seroma is
determined. It is important that ALCL is ruled out as a cause for the seroma. It is
equally important for you to understand that I am not trying to scare
you as ALCL is a very rare condition but can occur following use of
implants for breast augementation. Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin
lymphoma (NHL), a cancer involving the cells of the immune system. ALCL
in the breast is rare; approximately 3 in 100 million women per year in
the United States are diagnosed with ALCL in the breast. In total, the
FDA is aware of approximately 60 case reports of ALCL in women with
breast implants worldwide. The total number of implants worldwide is
estimated to be between 5-10 million. FDA believes that women with
breast implants may have a very small but increased risk of developing
ALCL in the scar capsule adjacent to the implant. Because the risk of
ALCL appears very small, FDA believes that the totality of evidence
continues to support a reasonable assurance that FDA-approved breast
implants are safe and effective when used as labeled. (source: U.S. Food
and Drug Administration, Jan 2011)It is important that you ask
your surgeon to send off the seroma fluid for analysis, within 2 to 4
hours of aspirating it, to the lab to be analysed with Immune staining
for CD 30. If your sugeon is not aware of this please do not hesitate to
give him this information.

Hello,Thank you for your question and photo. It is unusual and unexpected to have sudden swelling/pain/dramatic change in your breast. Capsular contracture does not present this way. I recommend that you continue to follow yup closely with your Plastic Surgeon in person.All the best

Dear JoolieMany thanks for posting your question. From your photograph it looks as if your surgery was some time ago, judging by the scars. Therefore it is unusual to have spontaneous late swelling. This coupled with your night sweats are of some concern, so please see your surgeon promptly.The most likely explanation is a seroma - a fluid collection - and this will need to be investigated to find out why it is happening.In all likelihood, you will need an ultrasound scan and fluid drained to be examined under the microscope. It might then require you to have surgery, for implant removal and capsule excision.I hope this helps

You need to see your plastic surgeon as soon as you reasonably can. The symptoms you are experiencing are not normal and you need to be examined by an experienced surgeon and investigated appropriately.

So sorry to hear about your troubles.  I would advise that you see your plastic surgeon as soon as possible.  This certainly is not normal and a capsular contracture does not typically spontaneously appear.  Definitely important to see your plastic surgeon immediately.

I am sorry to hear that you are now having problems.  Several things can happen to cause this but first and foremost, you need to see your plastic surgeon. There is no one  else who is best at determining what is going on. A physical examination by the PS is most important and will likely result in getting a diagnosis or  assistnace with a  test such as an  ultrasound to rule out a hematoma(blood collection)or  seroma(fluid collection). I have seen this before and it can be quite painful and worsen with  time. It can be treated relatively easily as well. I hope that this gives some clarification and guidance.

Still most likely capsular contracture that has creeped up over time without you noticing
must rule out seroma (fluid collection), infection , hematoma
see your plastic surgeon and obtain ultrasound and possible mri
this will give you the most likely explanation
best wishes

An acute change such as this is not a normal phenomena.  A seroma, a collection of fluid or hematoma, a collection of blood are possibilities that must be ruled out.  It is important that she will insist on seeing your plastic surgeon for an examination and possibly an ultrasound exam.

With an abrupt change in breast size such as you describe, a collection of fluid is the most likely culprit. We call this a seroma. This needs to be addressed by your plastic surgeon. If it was my patient, I would steriley aspirate some of the fluid and get cultures as well as cytology for ALCL. I recommend you go back to your plastic surgeon for treatment.