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Capsular Contracture
Whenever an implant is placed in the body, there is always a scar tissue capsule that forms around an implant. While this capsule typically remains soft, it can contract causing the breast to feel firm. When this occurs, it may result in one or both breasts becoming only slightly hard. Alternatively, it can cause the breast to become very hard and visibly distorted. This is called a capsular contracture. If there is only a slight hardening of the breast, treatment may be observation. When the breast is very hard, re-operation is considered. Capsular contracture is a frustrating condition for both patient and surgeon. There is no definitive understanding of why this occurs nor can it be predicted to whom this will occur. It occurs less often in the submuscular position. For this reason, when it occurs in a patient with subglandular implants, it is often recommended to move the implants to a submuscular position. When a patient with submuscular implants develops capsular contracture, the scar tissue can be released (a procedure called capsulotomy) and/or removing scar tissue (a procedure called capsulectomy). Depending upon a number of factors these revisions may also involve a breast implant exchange. There is also a medication that may be prescribed which may help slow the progression of the capsular contracture and in some cases, even soften the contracture.
Take the next step: request a FREE Breast Implant Consultation now and call us at 216.227.FACE. You can visit the Western Reserve Center for Orofacial and Cosmetic Surgery at our convenient locations in Canton and Cleveland, Ohio or complete the form and one of our representatives will call you within 24 hours!
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