Singulair + celebrex to help capsular contracture

Question

I understand why I’m on Singulair. But why am I on Celebrex? I thought Celebrex was for pain. I’m Not in any pain - just feels tight.

Keith Hodge, MD · Answer

I'm so sorry that you have developed a capsule. Although there are no great studies to support Singulair and Celebrex to prove that it helps a capsule, there are many surgeons with anecdotal reports of improvement. The celebrex has been recommended as an anti-inflammatory agent.I have personally seen improvement and a nice relaxation with Singulair and Ibuprofen. If that regimen does not help, then a capsulectomy will be needed to remove the excess scar tissue. Good luck!

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,CC is a consequence of bacterial contamination of the implant, and periareolar incisions put patients at highest risk. Massage, Singulair, antibiotics, NSAIDs like Celebrex, and vitamin E do not affect the outcome. If you are out past 6 months from  your initial surgery, you should have a revision surgery through an inframammary incision to remove the entire scar capsule in one piece with the implant inside of capsule (total en bloc capsulectomy).  Your best outcome to minimize recontracture will occur with surgeons who specialize in revision surgery. Best of luck!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Lucinda1234,Capsular contracture affects people approximately one in 20.  No one knows exactly what causes it and what can prevent it completely. It's important for your doctor to use a minimal incision and a Keller funnel as a sleeve to protect the implant from touching anything before goes into the breast pocket.  Singulair has been shown to prevent it but it would be best to ask your plastic surgeon why he recommended Celebrex. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

with your regimen Singulair and Celebrex.  You have nothing to lose except the costs associated with obtaining those medications.  If this doesn't work, your only options are to have surgery with release (better for removal but not always possible) of the scar, new implants, and even possibly, new pockets, depending on your needs and wishes OR an attempt with the Aspen ultrasound.  If you choose the latter, make sure the provider has some protection for you if it doesn't work as advertised.  I am all for avoiding more surgery but there are way too many technologies out there that do not work and you shouldn't be paying for them.

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

It is not surprising that your surgeon placed you on SIngulair and antiinflammatory medication (Celebrex). Capsular contracture appears to develop as a response to bacterial biofilm exposure during surgery -- not enough bacteria to cause an infection, but an excessive inflammatory response on one or both implant pockets. Symptoms may improve with these medications though I do not think they reverse the actual contracture. I have seen the pain substantially improve or even resolve with these medications but if capsular contracture is visible, it commonly needs capsulectomy surgery (removal of the old capsule) to correct.

David Rosenstein, MD · Answer

Hi,Celebrex is a pain medicine but more importantly it is an anti-inflammatory medicine as well. That is what it was prescribed for. Celebrex is similar to Ibuprofen . An anti-inflammatory medicine along with the Singular can help prevent capsule contracture from re-occurring in a lot of patients. Best wishes!

Christopher L. Hess, MD · Answer

When implants are placed under the pectoralis muscle there is a 5% lifetime risk of developing capsular contracture.  It's a strange condition that may not show up for 30 years or could a year after surgery.  Many studies have be done to determine the cause of capsular contracture.  Unfortunately, we still don't have a definitive answer.  Theories tend to center around a biofilm that develops around the implant and leads to inflammation.  Anecdotal evidence has suggested that Singulair helps stop the capsular contracture from progressing.  In my practice it has worked in all but one patient in whom we have caught the CC in the begin stage.  Celebrex is an anti inflammatory and my help with the inflammation that occurs with CC.

Payam Jarrah-Nejad, MD, FACS - Account Suspended · Answer

So sorry to see what you are going through. Unfortunately capsular contracture is a risk for breast augmentation which is unpredictable and challenging is there is no definitive way of preventing it.  There are some medications that anecdotally has provided improvement.  Singular is one.  Anti-inflammatory medications such as indomethacin helps as well.  Celebrex is also an into-inflammatory agent.Based on your photo, at this stage, you may benefit mostly from removing the capsule surgically (capsulectomy).Would have a follow-up with your surgeon.

Singulair + celebrex to help capsular contracture

Answers (8)

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