What do you think about Zyrtec helping with early CC? I'm 2 months post op. Right breast still tight and not dropping.

Question

I went to see my PS and discussed why my right breast is still sitting up high and feeling tight. He never told me to massage until I was having this problem around 5 weeks post op. I'm 2 months now and told to keep massaging and try taking Zyrtec. He says he doesn't really give this recommendation but it wouldn't hurt to try. And it's been mentioned in, I guess, plastic surgery conferences. I'm worried. What's your experiences with this issue and taking Zyrtec?

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry, I do not know of a role for Zyrtec which is an over the counter anti-histamine for allergies.  There is an asthma medicine class with two drugs Accolate and Singulair that may help. These are prescription drugs.  Please clarify with your doctor.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,The fact is that implant massage does not prevent or treat capsular contracture. Nor do any medications, including Singulair, Accolate, or Zyrtec. So you do not need to massage or take Zyrtec. At 6 months if you are still having an issue, you should visit a few ABPS certified/ASAPS member surgeon who specializes in revision breast surgery. Best of luck!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear brownizx2,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 so you might want to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Marc J. Salzman, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question. I have not heard of using anti-cholinergi's such as Zyrtec in the face of early capsular contracture. There is some data suggesting that leukotriene inhibitors, specifically Accolate may be helpful. In our office, we have had great success using acoustic sound wave therapy from machine called Z wave to treat early capsular contracture.  We have had our patients have weekly treatments with the soundwave and have seen progressive improvement ready over a 4 to 6 week protocol. Hope that's helpful.

What do you think about Zyrtec helping with early CC? I'm 2 months post op. Right breast still tight and not dropping.

Answers (4)

Answer: Early Capsular Contracture

Answer: Early Capsular Contracture

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What do you think about Zyrtec helping with early CC? I'm 2 months post op. Right breast still tight and not dropping.

Answers (4)

Answer: Early Capsular Contracture

Answer: Early Capsular Contracture

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.