Capsular Contracture

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Lake Forest and Chicago, IL

Capsular Contracture in Chicago, IL

Capsular contracture is a condition that occurs when the scar tissue around a breast implant hardens and tightens. This can result in changes to the appearance of your breasts and can cause discomfort. Approximately 10% of women with breast implants experience capsular contracture. (1)

Dr. Michael Howard, a board-certified plastic surgeon, has helped many patients address capsular contracture with innovative procedures that can improve their quality of life with minimal downtime.

To learn more, contact our office online or call (224) 271-4250 to schedule a consultation.

About Capsular Contracture

In capsular contracture, the scar tissue naturally formed around the implant tightens excessively, potentially causing discomfort and altering breast appearance, although it is not always obvious.

Dr. Howard can address capsular contracture by removing the scar tissue. Many capsular contracture treatments are also combined with breast implant removal or replacement. Implant removal is a procedure that removes your current breast implants. Some women find that they feel more comfortable removing their implants to reduce the risk of capsular contracture recurring.

Capsular Contracture Treatments

Capsular contracture treatments involve removing scar tissue from the breasts. To address scar tissue, Dr. Howard can perform several types of capsular contracture treatments:

  • Capsulectomy: Dr. Howard can perform surgery to remove the scar tissue around the breast implant(s).
  • Capsulotomy: Dr. Howard can surgically release the tightened scar tissue around the implant to reduce pressure without fully removing the capsule.
  • Implant replacement: Dr. Howard can remove your breast implants and place new implants into your breasts to reshape them after removing the excess scar tissue.

Benefits

Patients can enjoy many benefits after addressing capsular contracture, including:

  • Balanced proportions: Treatment can help restore natural symmetry and shape while using modern techniques that support a smoother recovery.
  • Increased daily comfort: Capsular contracture can cause discomfort in your chest and other parts of your body. Addressing it can alleviate any pain you may experience.
  • Improved self-confidence: After breast implant exchange, you can enjoy an improvement in the way you feel about your appearance.
  • Enhanced quality of life: Removing painful scar tissue can improve your overall quality of life and daily function.
  • Long-lasting results: Breast implants can last for several years, and if you take care of yourself, you can enjoy lasting results. While breast implants are not lifetime devices, many can last 10–15 years or more with proper monitoring and care.

Candidates

Candidates for capsular contracture treatment will need to be prepared to discuss their symptoms and aesthetic goals openly. Patients must share their medical history to ensure that they are in good overall health before receiving treatment. You will also need to have a healthy body mass index (BMI) and be prepared to discuss your expectations for the procedure. Suitable candidates are typically non-smokers or are willing to stop smoking temporarily to promote optimal healing. We can discuss your body goals in-depth to create a personalized treatment plan for your desired look.

Personal Consultation

During your consultation, we will perform a physical examination and discuss the results you would like to achieve with the treatment. Please come prepared to discuss your body goals in depth to help us personalize your treatment plan. We will also discuss different types of incisions for your treatment and whether or not you will need a breast lift to address your goals. Many patients choose to receive a breast lift to reposition their breasts for a curvier, more youthful-looking appearance. We can also discuss combining capsular contracture treatments with other procedures to help you address multiple aesthetic goals during a single appointment.

To learn more, contact our office online or call (224) 271-4250 to schedule a consultation.

Preparation

The preparation process for your procedure will vary depending on your specific treatment plan. You must discontinue medications and supplements that thin the blood and stop smoking, if applicable. You will also need to wear comfortable clothing on the day of your procedure; ideally, a shirt that buttons down in the front that you can easily remove. You will need to arrange for a reliable adult to drive you home and care for you for the first 24-48 hours afterward.

Treatment Process

The execution of your capsular contracture correction will depend on your specific treatment plan and whether you receive a breast lift as part of your procedure. During a capsular contracture treatment, we will cleanse your skin, and Dr. Howard will mark it for surgery. You will receive anesthesia, and Dr. Howard will make thin incisions in the natural curves of your skin to remove the painful scar tissue from inside the breast pocket. In some cases, samples of this tissue may be sent to a lab for analysis to provide deeper insight into the source of the contracture.

Recovery

Recovery time varies depending on the extent of your procedure. While light activities may resume in about a week, full recovery may take several weeks. Dr. Howard will perform a physical examination during your follow-up appointment, and he will provide specific instructions for optimal results.

Results

After capsular contracture treatment, you will enjoy relief from discomfort and enhanced confidence in your health and appearance. You can also enjoy a more balanced figure as breast irregularities are corrected. Maintaining a stable weight and taking care of yourself is the best way to prolong your results, since weight fluctuations can affect the appearance of your breasts.

Corresponding Breast Enhancement Procedures

Breast Lift

A breast lift removes excess, droopy skin from the breasts for a smoother appearance. As you age and the collagen in your skin decreases, droopy skin can affect the appearance of the breasts. Some patients also experience rashes along the lower breast fold that cause discomfort. Including a breast lift in your capsular contracture treatment can reposition the breasts to a higher location on the chest and sculpt a youthful, perky breast appearance. If you take good care of your body and maintain a stable weight, you can enjoy long-lasting results. Eating healthy meals and exercising regularly can help prevent weight fluctuations that could stretch the skin and affect your results.

Breast Reduction

Breast reduction is a treatment that reshapes the breasts and reduces their size for a smoother, balanced physique. Large breasts can cause back pain and affect your ability to participate in exercise. During a breast reduction treatment, we can remove glandular tissue and fat from the breasts to reshape the breast mound. Dr. Howard can excise the glandular breast tissue and/or perform liposuction. He will discuss the most effective treatment plan for your aesthetic goals during your consultation. With breast reduction, we can enhance your quality of life and improve your figure for your specific aesthetic goals.

Reconstruction Revision

Breast reconstruction revision is a procedure that addresses aesthetic concerns about the results of a reconstruction after mastectomy. If you are unhappy with the results of your previous procedure, Dr. Howard can make adjustments to your breasts to improve your appearance and help you achieve your desired look. He can perform several types of breast reconstructions that preserve the delicate network of nerves and connective tissue to help your breasts maintain their sensation. Undergoing breast reconstruction revision can significantly improve your quality of life and help rebalance your body proportions for a curvier appearance.

Cost of Capsular Contracture Treatments in Chicago

The cost of capsular contracture treatments will depend on your individualized treatment plan and whether or not you need additional treatments for your aesthetic goals. We can discuss the most effective treatment plan and provide an all-inclusive quote for your procedure. To learn more about how our customizable treatments can enhance your appearance, contact our office online or call (224) 271-4250 to schedule a consultation.

FAQ

What causes capsular contracture?

Capsular contracture can occur after implant placement, although the exact cause is unknown.

Are there non-surgical options for capsular contracture treatment?

Surgical treatment remains the most effective option for capsular contracture. Some non-surgical approaches have been explored, but they are not consistently effective or widely adopted.

Can I reduce or increase the size of my breasts during a capsular contracture treatment?

Yes, breast lift, augmentation, or reduction can be performed during your capsular contracture treatment, depending on your aesthetic and functional goals.

How soon can I return to regular activities after capsular contracture treatments?

This will depend on your specific treatment plan, and we can discuss any questions you have during your consultation.

Can capsular contracture return after I exchange my implants?

With any breast implant procedure, there is still a risk of capsular contracture. Although recurrence is possible, choosing advanced surgical techniques and appropriate implant types can help reduce the risk.

References

  1. Headon H, Kasem A, Mokbel K. Capsular Contracture after Breast Augmentation: An Update for Clinical Practice. Archives of Plastic Surgery. 2015;42(5):532. doi:https://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2015.42.5.532
  2. Denney BD, Cohn AB, Bosworth JW, Kumbla PA. Revision Breast Augmentation. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2021;35(02):098-109. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1727272