Treatment for Capsular Contracture

Breast augmentation is a popular treatment that can enhance the bust line and create feminine contours. Although the majority of women who undergo breast augmentation are happy with their results, some patients may develop complications that leave them unhappy with the appearance of their breasts. Capsular contracture is a complication that can cause the breasts to look uneven and unnatural; it can also result in discomfort. Fortunately, there are treatments available to treat capsular contracture and enhance the appearance of the breasts. To find out if treatment for capsular contracture is right for you, schedule a consultation with Decatur, IL plastic surgeon Stuart Baker.

What Is Capsular Contracture?

Capsular contracture is a complication that affects the tissue around the breasts after breast augmentation. With capsular contracture, the tissue around a breast implant hardens. This tissue is a form of scar tissue that can constrict the implant, leaving the breast looking unnatural and asymmetrical.

After breast augmentation, the breast tissue forms a natural “capsule” around the implant. This capsule forms loosely around the implant, allowing the implant room to move. Capsular contracture occurs when this natural capsule becomes thick and tightens around the implant. This can cause the breasts to feel hard and the implant to rise on the chest or look unnaturally round.

What Causes Capsular Contracture?

The exact causes of capsular contracture are not known. The formation of the capsule around the implant is the result of the immune system responding to a foreign material within the body. Why this capsule tightens in some patients is unclear, but it appears that inflammation, bacterial infections, and silicone implant ruptures increase the risk of capsular contracture.

What Treatments Are Available for Capsular Contracture?

For those with minor capsular contracture, medications may be used to soften scar tissue and minimize the effects of this complication. But more often than not, treatment of capsular contracture requires surgical intervention. Breast implant revision for capsular contracture often includes the removal of the old implant and the surrounding capsule. Next, new implants will be placed. Dr. Baker will choose the new implants based on the type that will be most compatible with the patient's body type. For instance, those who developed capsular contracture with silicone implants may be better served by saline implants. Textured implants may also be recommended because the risk of capsular contracture is reduced with these types of implants. 

Preventing Capsular Contracture

The best way to prevent capsular contracture is to choose a highly skilled and qualified surgeon, like Dr. Baker, to perform your breast augmentation. Also, choosing the right size implant for your frame can help reduce the risk of capsular contracture. Implants that are too large for the breasts can overstretch the tissue and increase the risk of capsular contracture. Finally, patients should take any prescribed antibiotics during recovery to reduce the risk of infection.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Baker

Don't let capsular contracture keep you from having the breasts you desire. Treatment is available. To find out which treatment is right for you, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Baker.