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