Breast Becomes Smaller when Removing Capsule Scar Tissue?

A capsular contracture will artificially supports the volume of the breast implant. A breast capsule has negligible volume. With capsular contracture when corrected the breasts may seem smaller because the volume is distributed differently.

Removing a capsule does little to change breast volume. The increase in size was probably based on your surgeons judgment. He or she is the only person that can answer that question.

Good luck.

Dr. ES

Thank you for the question. Removing breast implant capsule tissue does not necessarily lead to a smaller breast size, but the shape of the breasts can be changed significantly after capsulectomy surgery. As you know, this change in breast shape may make the breasts seem smaller or larger.

Also, when patients undergo revisionary surgery and have implants exchanged (from saline to silicone gel) they may require a larger silicone gel breast implant to achieve the same “look”. Although there is no direct “conversion”, I have found clinically that a moderately larger silicone gel breast implant is necessary to achieve the same breast size/projection, compared to the saline breast implant that is being removed.

 Again, there are many variables involved when it comes to revisionary breast surgery. Hopefully, you will be pleased with the long-term outcome of the procedure performed, regardless of the specific cup size achieved. As you know, cup sizes can vary from one bra manufacturer to another.  Therefore, I ask my patients not to base their preoperative communication and/or judgment of the final (postoperative) outcome of the breast surgery on achieving a specific cup size.

 Best wishes.