Hardened breast implant, can this go away? (Picture)

Capsular contracture will not "go away".  However, there are multiple grades of capsular contracture. Grade 1 and 2 are very subjective and by your picture it would appear as one of those grades as your physician has stated to you.Grade 3 is a contracture that one can see from across the room, with the implant rising up and very asymmetric from the other which is a new change from previous (not your picture)Grade 4 is Grade 3 with pain.It is commonly felt by plastic surgeons that grade 3 and 4 are the ones treated by surgery.  It is very normal to have one breast to feel different than the other as the breasts are glands that change monthly, with bearing children, and with age.Massage will not cure a capsular contracture, nor will ultrasound or singulair.At a grade 1 and with your photo, I agree with your surgeon that observation is the treatment of choice.

I would recommend massage and ultrasound.  However, if it gets worse you may need a procedure to remove the hard capsule called a capsulectomy.

Unfortunately, capsular contracture will not go away. Please watch it and if you notice that it gets worse, consult your surgeon asap. You may require surgery to resolve the issue.

Your photo and description seem to indicate a mild degree of hardening of the scar surrounding the silicone implant, which is not rare, and usually does not require reoperation.  This seems to be consistient with your surgeon's evalution and recommendation.  You will probably not be able to do anything to make it go away.  Surgeons have recommended massage.  Closed capsulotomy (compression of the scar until it tears internally) is not usually recommended.  Vitamin E or other oral medications will not likely change it.The new development of hardening, in the presence of silicone gel implants, may indicate leakage of gel and your surgeon and radiologist may recommend additional monitoring tests such as MRI, so keep in touch with them.  Best Wishes

Hi.  From your description and your photo, you most likely have grade II capsular contracture.  Cosmetically, you result is still fairly symmetric.  However, if left breast is hard and gives you a discomfort, discuss with your plastic surgeon about capsulectomy and implant exchange.  Once the capsule is formed, it is unlikely that it will go away.

Hi Zoey2014Your left breast being harder than your right breast is almost certainly capsular contracture. If your surgeon has told you that it is Grade 1, that is great news. I suspect it is likely to be more like Grade 2 if you can notice it.I also see on your ultrasound the wavy lines of your capsule around the implant. I'm not a radiologist, but from my experience, one of two things is happening. Firstly, the capsular contracture is enough that it is distorting that implant causing the wavy lines. Or secondly, your implant has a small rupture. This rupture would allow the implant edge to look wavy on the ultrasound, and the small amount of silicone that is present would irritate the capsule and cause the capsular contracture.Niether of these two things is going to go away, and both are likely to progress to being worse with time. Irrespective of the cause, your best result would be through replacing the implant and having a surgical capsular release (or excision of the capsule).Good LuckDr Gavin Sandercoe

It really is impossible to tell without physically examining you. Capsular contracture can occur at any time and to any degree of severity. Most patients will not request surgery in an attempt to correct minor tightening of the capsule. If, however, it progresses and becomes more easily visible and perhaps even panful, most patients would prefer to try to improve the situation.Follow your surgeon's advice.

The firmness is most likely to be a capsule (scar around the implant) as suggested by the other answers. This won't go away on it's own. Before going ahead with further surgery you should have a full discussion of the pros and cons of surgery which include the possibility that you may get further contracture in a shorter space of time. Best wishes

Breast firmness after augmentation is called a capsular contracture. They are classified into 4 degrees of firmness. Grade 1 is the most minimal and Grade 4 is the most severe. Your physician has called yours a Grade 1 and your photos support this evaluation. Many plastic surgeons do not suggest surgery for Grade 1 capsules as they are not usually something that concerns the patient that much and are not really noticeable to others. The risk of additional surgery is generally not thought to be worth the benefit. However, if I have a patient that has a Grade 1 capsule or even a Grade 2 capsule and is bothered by it...then we would discuss the corrective procedure pros and cons and come to a decision with the patient about doing corrective surgery or not. The surgery has recovery, risk and cost issues that may be worth it to some but may not be worth it to others. It seems like your firmness bothers you enough to warrant this discussion and perhaps to move forward with corrective surgery should you find the benefits worth it to you. The finding of cyst in the breast is likely to be unrelated to the Grade 1 capsule. Many women have fibrocystic issues with their breast. I don't think this is related to the capsule.I hope this information helps you with your decision and understanding.

Thanks for your question. I agree with other responders that capsular contracture should be high on the list of possible causes for a firm implant.  In addition to the examination and ultrasound that you had your doctor may also consider getting an MRI to look for possible rupture of the implant. When contracture is significant for worsening or if there are concerns for implant rupture removal of the implant and the capsule is occasionally necessary.   Replacing the implant with a textured implants may help to reduce the risk of future contracture. All of these are topics to bring up with your surgeon.   If you still feel like you need more information getting second or third opinions from other qualified board-certified plastic surgeons is also very reasonable.