Surgeon Squeezed my Encapsulated Breast. 16 Months Post Op. Is This Ok?

Question

16 mtg postop.Dr.said he did not like how high my right breast was sitting or howhard it felt. He was squeezing the tighter breast and told me it was encapsulated with scar tissue? He was squeezing a little harder when I experienced a loud sound. I then felt very light headed. said he never had scar tissue break so easily. Should I have surgery performed to remove the capsule our just assume that the breaking took care if out? pain after the squeezing.could I be bleeding inside? 2nd aug/450cc.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

If you are lucky and your breasts are soft you don't have to do anything else. Unfortunately, the capsular contracture will probably recur. The Pop was your capsule tearing/rupturing.Closed capsulotomy procedures are not recommended as they can cause implant rupture, internal bleeding, distortion and other complications. Off label usage of Singulair may be your best bet and if this does not work capsulectomy, change of implant and its pocket and other options are more acceptable techniques to deal with your problem. Discuss with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The pop was the sound of a closed capsulotomy, which may give temporary relief of contracture.  This does not fix the problem in the majority of cases.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	Breast implant encapsulation is a frustrating problem that can occur after breast augmentation surgery.  Based on the severity of the encapsulation,  treatment options will vary. If breast implant encapsulation occurs, some surgeons would recommend treatment with  anti-inflammatory such as Accolate or Singulair.

	If, at this point, your breasts are soft and the impulsive and good position I would suggest that you avoid any surgery. However, if you have silicone gel breast implants in place you may want to obtain an MRI study to rule out leakage of the silicone gel.  

	If breast implant encapsulation occurs, some surgeons would recommend treatment with  anti-inflammatory such as Accolate or Singulair.

	 Continue to follow-up with your plastic surgeon;  if in doubt about the best route to take, consider in person 2nd opinion consultations with  board-certified plastic surgeons in your area.

	Best wishes.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Hello and thanks for the question. The procedure you described is called a closed capsulotomy. It is still performed, but  not recommend by many surgeons because the capsule tends to come back in the same fashion after it heals. There's also a risk the breast implant could be ruptured by the pressure, so hopefully your surgeon discussed these facts with you. The standard therapy for severe contracture is surgery to remove the scar tissue and exchange the breast implant. See a board certified certified plastic surgeon for a second opinion. Best wishes, Dr. Aldo.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It sounds like you surgeon performed a closed capsulotomy. However this is only a temporary fix.  If you have a capsule and it is tight, you probably need a revision.

Surgeon Squeezed my Encapsulated Breast. 16 Months Post Op. Is This Ok?

Answers (7)

Answer: Capusle popping?

Answer: Capusle popping?

Answer: Closed capsulotomy

Answer: Closed capsulotomy

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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Surgeon Squeezed my Encapsulated Breast. 16 Months Post Op. Is This Ok?

Answers (7)

Answer: Capusle popping?

Answer: Capusle popping?

Answer: Closed capsulotomy

Answer: Closed capsulotomy

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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