Eight years ago, I augmented 235 ml round silicon implants. Recently I noticed that my left breast is harder then the right one and that I could really feel the implant (it's shape and hardness). It's very noticable when I'm lying or when I lift the arm. My surgeon told me it's nothing, just a grade one capsule and that I should massage it. My ultrasound doctor told me that there are few cists and I should use cold bandages. What do you think? Is there anything more I could do? Can it go away?
Answer: Breast hardness after augmentation 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.
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Answer: Breast hardness after augmentation 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.
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Answer: Breast implant hardness I would recommend massage and ultrasound. However, if it gets worse you may need a procedure to remove the hard capsule called a capsulectomy.
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Answer: Breast implant hardness I would recommend massage and ultrasound. However, if it gets worse you may need a procedure to remove the hard capsule called a capsulectomy.
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December 14, 2014
Answer: Capsular Contracture 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.
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December 14, 2014
Answer: Capsular Contracture 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.
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May 28, 2014
Answer: Hardened implants and breasts 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.
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May 28, 2014
Answer: Hardened implants and breasts 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.
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June 3, 2014
Answer: Hardening, Capsular Contracture, Reoperation vs. No Surgey 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
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June 3, 2014
Answer: Hardening, Capsular Contracture, Reoperation vs. No Surgey 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
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