Capsular Contracture: Understanding Your Treatment Options

Breast augmentation is the second most common cosmetic surgery performed in the United States, outpaced only by liposuction. One of the reasons why it’s so popular is because it uses time-tested techniques to offer predictable results.

Still, like any surgery, breast augmentation does have some risks, including risks that can develop after the implants are in place. Capsular contracture is a good example and one of the most common complications associated with breast augmentation surgery.

As a leading provider of breast implant removal and revision procedures, Rishi Jindal, MD, helps patients at Rejuvenate Plastic Surgery find the right solution for capsular contracture based on each woman’s unique needs. If you have capsular contracture, here’s how Dr. Jindal and his team can help.

Understanding capsular contracture

Capsular contracture happens as part of the natural healing process following breast augmentation surgery. Once the implant is inserted, your body’s immune defenses go to work, creating scar tissue around the implant, similar to how your body creates scar tissue surrounding a splinter or any other foreign body.

For most women, scar tissue formation is a normal and helpful thing: The tough, fibrous tissue forms a natural pocket or sling that helps support the implant and hold it in place.

But sometimes, the body produces exceptionally hard scar tissue or produces an excessive amount of scar tissue. When that happens, the tissue can squeeze the implant, creating a puckered or distorted appearance along with pain in and around the breast.

Treating capsular contracture

In very mild cases, we may recommend self-massage combined with compression therapy. These specialized techniques help disrupt scar tissue formation, softening hard tissue and relieving painful symptoms. 

For women with moderate to severe contracture or contracture that’s progressing rapidly, noninvasive techniques typically won’t help. In these instances, our team recommends surgery.

Capsulotomy

Capsulotomy is a surgical technique that focuses on releasing the tightened scar tissue “capsule” with a series of small incisions. These incisions make the capsule softer and more mobile, so your breasts look and feel normal again.

Capsulectomy

Other times, we recommend a different type of surgery called capsulectomy. This approach involves removing the scar tissue capsule and often replacing the implant as well. In some cases of capsular contracture the patient may or may not also have a ruptured implant which can leave a patient with extra capsular silicone, or silicone that has migrated outside of the surrounding capsule. 

There are two types of capsulectomies that Dr. Jindal can discuss with you at your appointment. A traditional capsulectomy allows for the doctor to remove the capsule in multiple pieces which is sometimes required during more advanced cases. An EnBloc Capsulectomy is a procedure where the doctor removes the capsule in its entirety, with the implant inside, all in one piece. Dr. Jindal will recommend one approach vs the other depending on a patient's individual situation.  

Don’t suffer from the pain and embarrassment of capsular contracture. To learn more about treatments that can help, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Jindal and the team at Rejuvenate Plastic Surgery in San Diego, California, today.