Capsular Contracture: What is it and How Can it Be Prevented?

Capsular contracture is a firming of the breast, and is the most common complication of breast augmentation surgery. During breast augmentation surgery recovery, your body will begin to surround your breast implants with a layer of scar tissue. This is your body’s normal reaction to the breast implant. However, the scar tissue will sometimes contract and squeeze the implant, making the breast appear unnaturally firm. This is called capsular contracture. There are four grades of capsular contracture:

1. Grade I – the breast is still soft and looks natural.
2. Grade II – the breast is firm, but still looks normal.
3. Grade III – the breast is firmer than normal, and looks somewhat distorted.
4. Grade IV – the breast is hard, may be sore, and clearly looks distorted.

Preventing Capsular Contracture
Proper exercise and daily breast massage may help to prevent capsular contracture. The theory behind breast massage as a prevention strategy for capsular contracture is that massaging the breast will shift the implant in the pocket; this will keep the pocket open, and make it difficult for the tissue to constrict around the implant.

Breast massage is only used with smooth implants; textured breast implants are not meant to be shifted.

Before attempting breast massage to prevent capsular contracture, talk to your plastic surgeon. He or she can let you know if breast massage is appropriate for you, and show you the proper breast massage technique.

Treatment for Capsular Contracture
Capsular contracture treatment options include the following:

• No treatment
• Remove existing implant; do not replace implant or remove capsule (capsulectomy).
• Remove existing implant; do not replace implant, but perform capsulectomy.
• Remove existing implant; replace implant and perform capsulectomy.

There are advantages and disadvantages to all types of capsular contracture treatment, and there is currently no one accepted standard. Discuss your options with your plastic surgeon.

References
1. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org
2. Ezinearticles.com. http://ezinearticles.com/?Breast-Implant-Massage-Helps-Prevent-Capsular-Contracture&id=1040777

Breast Implant Topics:
Breast Implant Overview | Breast Implant Information | Breast Implant Shapes and Textures | Breast Implant Sizes | Silicone Breast Implant Safety | Choosing Breast Implants | Breast Implant Capsular Contracture | Breast Implant FAQ | Breast Implant Types | Saline Breast Implants | Silicone Breast Implants | Gummy Bear Breast Implants | Sex Reassignment Breast implant