Patients who have come to our Darien plastic surgery center know that they can expect great results from surgery. They also know we take corrective procedures seriously. Sometimes when a complication arises, a corrective procedure such as breast implant revision surgery is the only way to alleviate pain and improve overall appearance.
With that in mind, we want to consider capsular contracture, a potential complication following breast enlargement surgery.
About Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the world. During breast augmentation surgery, implants are placed in the breast pocket in order to increase the size and enhance the shape of the breasts. Breast augmentation surgery can also increase the prominence of cleavage and address problems with asymmetry.
Thanks to breast augmentation, women can improve their body contour and appearance, and in the process experienced increased self-confidence and self-esteem.
What Is Capsular Contracture?
Capsular contracture is a complication of breast augmentation that occurs after the procedure has been performed. When a foreign object (such as a breast implant) is placed in the body, scar tissue forms around it. This scar tissue can compress this foreign object. In the case of the breasts, this compression can lead to changes in the texture and appearance of the breasts.
When capsular contracture occurs, a follow-up surgery will be necessary to treat the problem. Capsular contracture should not go unaddressed.
Signs of Capsular Contracture
The most common signs of capsular contracture include the following:
- Pain and soreness around the breasts
- Hardening of the breasts and implants
- Changes in breast shape and symmetry
How Common Is Capsular Contracture?
Capsular contracture is thankfully a relatively rare complication after breast augmentation surgery. That said, it's important that patients be aware of capsular contracture. This allows patients to have a realistic expectation about the results of surgery and concerns that may arise while healing.
Treating Capsular Contracture
As noted above, a secondary surgery will be necessary to properly address capsular contracture should it occur. During this revision surgery, the breast implant or implants that have been compressed by scar tissue will be removed and replaced. This may necessitate the surgeon making a new breast pocket to accommodate the implant.
Plastic surgeons will attempt to work through the same incisions used for the initial augmentation procedure when possible. This is common if the patients underwent breast augmentation that involved areolar incisions or inframammary incisions.
How Capsular Contracture Can Be Prevented
The best way to prevent capsular contracture after surgery is twofold.
Patients should follow all pre-op and post-op instructions closely. This will help ensure ideal healing conditions after surgery has been performed, making infection and other complications less likely.
Plastic surgeons can prevent this and other complications by carefully assessing a patients needs and considering how these needs can be met. Sometimes surgeons will need to consider implant type and placement options in order to enhance aesthetics while also considering a patient's overall wellness.
Learn More About Breast Augmentation Surgery
To learn more about breast augmentation and how you can have enhanced curves, be sure to contact a skilled cosmetic plastic surgeon today. The team at our practice will help you look and feel your best, and will work to prevent complications.
