Capsular Contracture Treatment In Gainesville, FL

What Is Capsular Contracture?

Capsular contracture is the most common complication of breast augmentation surgery. When a patient receives a breast implant, their body naturally responds by surrounding the implant with a thin layer of scar tissue, called a capsule. In patients with capsular contracture, this scar tissue grows excessively, resulting in a thick, constricting layer of scar tissue that disrupts the natural shape and feel of the breast. While most symptoms of capsular contracture are strictly cosmetic, extreme cases can result in tenderness and pain. Most plastic surgeons use the Baker’s classification scale when assessing the severity of a patient’s capsular contracture:

Grade I: No capsular contracture present. Breasts look and feel natural.

Grade II: Breasts look natural, but are firm to the touch.

Grade III: Breasts are firm and misshapen, but there is little to no pain.

Grade IV: Breasts are painful, hard, and misshapen.

Severe cases of capsular contracture typically become noticeable within two years after breast augmentation. While this complication is not life-threatening, patients who develop capsular contracture may seek revisionary surgery to ease discomfort or revitalize the appearance and feel of their breasts.

What Causes Capsular Contracture?

While studies have found correlations between the development of capsular contracture and implant positioning, type, and other surgical complications, the exact cause of this condition is unknown.

Capsular contracture may form in response to a traumatic breast augmentation surgery. If the patient experiences a hematoma or physical chest trauma during the healing process, their weakened immune system can trigger excessive scar tissue growth around the breast implants, resulting in capsular contracture.

Breast implant leakage or rupture may also be a common cause of capsular contracture. If a silicone implant opens inside the breast, the immune system will recognize the foreign substance and attempt to contain it with scar tissue.

Another theorized cause of capsular contracture is a low-grade, persistent infection in the breast cavity, possibly caused by a biofilm surrounding the implant. While this infection is always asymptomatic, the patient’s immune system is working overtime, producing an exorbitant amount of scar tissue around the breast implant as a result.

Some patients may have more sensitive immune systems, which are more likely to form scar tissue aggressively, making them genetically predisposed to develop capsular contracture. In some cases, there may be no obvious reason for capsular contracture to form after breast augmentation surgery.

What Are The Risk Factors For Developing Capsular Contracture?

While much about the causes of capsular contracture are unknown, there are a few risk factors to look out for. Patients who are prone to or have a family history of deep scarring may be at a higher risk for developing capsular contracture. Additionally, patients with weakened immune systems or who have previously received radiation therapy may be at a higher risk of developing this complication.

How Can Capsular Contracture Be Treated?

A complete capsulectomy is the only way to effectively treat capsular contracture without recurrence. To perform a successful capsulectomy, the plastic surgeon will remove the old breast implants and the entire offending capsule. Patients can opt for a total breast implant removal or breast implant replacement, depending on their preferences. Regardless, our experienced breast surgeons will incorporate breast reconstruction procedures into this process to help return our patients’ breasts to their pre-capsular contracture selves.

Patients will be sent home with a prescription antibiotic to promote healthy recovery and prevent recurrence of capsular contracture due to bacterial growth or infection.

How Can Capsular Contracture Be Avoided?

A good plastic surgeon can reduce their patients’ risk of developing capsular contracture in several ways. Submuscular breast implants, placed beneath the chest muscle, have been shown to result in lower rates of capsular contracture compared to subglandular implants, which are placed between the chest muscle and natural breast tissue. Additionally, textured implants have been shown to slow down scar tissue growth in the breast capsule, reducing the rates of capsular contracture as a result.

Our gummy bear implants have a silicone gel filling and a textured outer surface, resulting in a realistic look and feel without any heightened risks of post-surgery complications. Depending on your risk factors and preferences, our board-certified surgeons offer both submuscular and subglandular implant placements for our patients.

Schedule a Consultation With Our Plastic Surgeon

If you are struggling with tender, painful breasts or are unsatisfied with the appearance or firmness of your breasts after breast augmentation surgery, you may be suffering from capsular contracture. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Tyrone and his team to learn more about the breast reconstruction surgeries offered to treat capsular contracture today!