How and when does capsular contracture happen?

Hi,
Thank you for your question!
During your surgery, a pocket was made in your breast for the implant. When breast implants are placed into the body, a lining or capsule of tissue forms around the implants as you heal. This is your body's natural response to a foreign object. Usually, the pocket will stay open and the capsule stays soft. However, our body will sometimes want to shrink the "scar" tissue, which is what occurs during capsular contracture. The capsule tightens around the implant, causing it to look differently and feel hard.
It is uncertain when and why this happens, but it is more common in the first couple months after surgery. However, capsular contracture can happen at any time. You may have a higher risk of contrature following an infection or if the implant shell has been exposed to bacteria. Placing the implant above the muscle as opposed to behind the muscle, also has a tendency to put you at a higher risk for capsular contracture.
I hope this helps.

Some folks will develop contracture despite our best efforts, and as long as your surgeon is replacing your implants with new implants, removing the entire capsule, putting on an antibiotic regimen and a massage plan after the procedure, and being meticulous with control of bleeding, everything that can be done is being done. There may come a point then that you will have to decide how bad the contracture bothers you and if you want the implant removed permanently.