Why Does my Implant Feel Stuck?

Question

My right breast developed fluid after 1 month, since then my breast is displaced; firm & sensitive to touch. My PS drained the fluid. The day after the breast returned to its normal state: the next day the breast gravitated upward, felt firm again and sensitive to the touch. It's been one month since, and although, the implant gets soft after an aggressive massage, it immediately gets firm, and it feels stuck to the bottom and very difficult to push upwards. Am I ready for a revision?

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

The essense of a breast augmentation is to create an adequate pocket size for sub-muscular and sub-glandular implant placement. The pocket should be approximately 20% larger than the base diameter of the implant. If immediately after surgery fluid develops it may be a capsular contracture. It is still too early to tell, give it time to resolve. If it does not after 6-8 months the pocket may need to be opened again.

Andrew Smith, MD, FACS · Answer

An exam is the best way to make an accurate assessment to determine your condition although it sounds like you could be experiencing a capsular contracture. Make an appointment to see your surgeon. Then you will have the time you need for an exam so he can rule out infection and go over your concerns and options. 1 month is too soon for a revision. Best of luck!

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

It sounds like you have a capsular contracture. I would recommend continued massage.  There is a medication such as Accolate that can be used for this isssue.  I would at least wait 3 months after surgery to determine if you need any type of surgery.

	Dr. ES

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Pictures would be instructive in your case.  There is not a great way to answer about the relative position of the implant without a visual assessment.  I would not recommend a revision at one month.

Myles Goldflies, MD · Answer

One would not expect capsular contracture to come and go. With the history you gave of immediate improvement after drainage with recurrence after 2 days, this is fluid around the implant until proven otherwise. You don't need a revision.....you need an exploration. Perhaps a mammogram or ultrasound could be done before committing to that exploration. Unfortunately the fact that it becomes very painful when it firms up is more indicative of an infection around the implant.

Why Does my Implant Feel Stuck?

Answers (9)