What is capsular contracture? When breast implants (or any foreign object, such as pacemakers or artificial joints are placed into the body, the body forms a fibrous tissue lining around it. Many surgeons refer to this lining as the “capsule”, “tissue capsule”, or “scar capsule”, although it is not exactly the same as scar tissue. This is the body’s natural healing response after breast implant surgery and is to be expected.
Capsule contracture, the most common complication of breast augmentation surgery, can happen at any time, but seems to be more common in the first several months after surgery. During the initial operation, a pocket is created for the implant underneath the breast. During the healing process a capsule forms, which is comprised of fibrous tissue. As the healing process continues during the first year after surgery, the scar tissue within the breast and around the implant will remodel and sometimes will shrink somewhat. Under normal conditions the pocket remains open, allowing the implant to look and feel natural. However, some people can have an exaggerated healing response in the breast tissue during which the capsule will tighten, and squeeze the implant. This may cause the breast to feel hard, and to appear distorted. In severe cases, the implant feels very firm, may become painful, and can take on a “ball-like” look. It’s important to remember that it’s not the implant that has hardened. The shrinking of the capsule compresses the implant, and causes it to feel firm/hard, but once the implant is removed, it’s just as soft as it was the day it was inserted.
You may visit the Beverly Hills Institute of Plastic Surgery website at: www.bhips.com for more information or call 310-550-6886.