Can capsular contracture appear after 25 years?

Capsular contracture is always an early postoperative complication (fortunately a rare one nowadays with modern macrotextured implants), and never happens beyond the 6th month postp.When the implants are aged, after 10, 15 or even 20 years, the immune system and the tissues of the patient begin to destroy the prosthesis, penetrating it and calcifying them, like a mummification. This very slow motion process may take 2 to 4 years to full onset, and then the breast becomes a very hard, rock touch, structure leading to an aching breast. This is NOT a capsular contracture (fibrotic reaction) but a defensive and favorable phenomenon to protect from the free presence of silicone. When this calcification happens the patient is safe from any extracapsular migration of siilcone particles and the removal en bloc is easy. This mummification happens in 90% of late degradations of implants; only unhealthy patients do not defend properly from ruptured implants.

Capsular contracture is the most common longterm situation which requires reapportion.  If your implants are silicone, the capsule needs to be removed with the implant.  

Although most capsular contractures occur within the first 2 years of surgery it is certainly possible to have a capsular contracture at any point after breast augmentation including decades later.

Thanks for your inquiry.  Late encapsulation can occur.  Some of the reason include implant rupture, trauma leading to a hematoma, muscle tears, and a low grade infection.  Please seek the consultation of a board certified plastic surgeon in your area.

Yes, although it is less likely as each year goes on it certainly can happen at any point in the lifespan of an implant. If you are concerned, go see a board certified plastic surgeon near you for a formal assessment. best of luck!

The capsule (scar tissue) around a breast implant is dynamic.  The existence of this capsule is related to the immune system's need to wall off foreign objects within our bodies.  Therefore, the comments below are equally true of artificial hips, pacemakers, breast implants etc.The concept of a dynamic capsule around any foreign body means that there is a constant production of new collagen or myofibroblasts and an equally constant destruction or dissolution of old scar tissue.  For one's breasts to stay soft, there must be an equilibrium between new in and old out.  Any presence of a new invader into the body causes one's immune system to actively increase the new collagen, etc. being used to wall off all foreign bodies.  This imbalance can lead to hard breasts.  The most common cause of a capsular contracture after years of soft breasts is the DENTIST, especially teeth cleaning.  Whenever blood enters the mouth, there is a point of entry for oral bacteria into the body.  This is seen as an invader.  The immune system beefs up and walls off all foreign bodies to include breast implants.  I always recommend my patients take antibiotics prior to dentist visits to neutralize oral flora before any blood enters the mouth, therefore decreasing the chance of a cascade leading to hard breasts.

Yes, a capsule may form at any time while an implant is present. A thin capsule forms around every implant soon after surgery.

Capsular contracture can happen at any time, and yes, I have seen it in patients who have had their implants for 20 years plus.  Consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in your area .

Simple answer is YES.  Capsular contraction can occur at any time after augmentation.  The working theory is that a low grade, sub-clinical, bacteria are present in the "biofilm" around the implant.  The body responds to this by making scar tissue and scar tissue contracts causing the hardening.

In my experience, a capsule this many years out is usually associated with a rupture of the implant. As the gel leaks the body responds by creating more scar tissue. You might want to make an appt with your plastic surgeon. A mammogram can usually detect the presence of a rupture.