Everything you need to know about Capsular Contraction after Breast Augmentation
Cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular as women and men seek to enhance their physical appearance and boost their confidence. Silicone breast implants can be a wonderful solution to achieve a more voluptuous silhouette. While these implants can create beautiful results, it’s essential to also be aware of potential complications. At Cosmetic Surgery Zürich we are all for honest and open communication, so let’s talk about capsular contraction; a rare but challenging complication of silicone implants.
Understanding Capsular Contraction
It is an absolutely normal and natural response from our body’s immune system to form a protective layer of tissue around any foreign object imbedded in our tissues. Its goal is to protect our body for intruders! Whether it’s a splinter in our fingers, a dental implant, a joint replacement, or in our case; a breast implant. The body forms a capsule to isolate the foreign object from the surrounding tissues. Once this capsule is finished, the ‘foreign body response’ should stop. In some cases however, the response continues, leading the capsule to contract and tighten. In cases where the foreign body is hard and solid (like an orthopaedic joint prothesis) this probably doesn’t become noticeable. But because breast implants are soft and flexible, it causes a visible deformity. This includes a strange shape and / or the implant slowly migrates higher up the chest. Often pain in the surrounding breast tissue occurs, and the implant plus capsule become firm and hard to the touch. This process may progress over months to years and occurs in 8 – 15% of all women with silicone implants worldwide according to studies.
What causes the ‘foreign body reaction’ to overreact?
A lot is still unclear, but these factors have been identified:
- An infection around the implant can trigger an abnormal or heightened immune response.
- The accumulation of blood (a hematoma) or fluid (a seroma) around the implant may lead to increased inflammation, promoting an abnormal or heightened immune response.
- A ruptured or leaking implant.
- Some individuals may be genetically predisposed to forming thicker capsules, increasing the risk of capsular contraction.
- Some studies show a relation between smoking and capsular contraction.
Capsular Contraction Treatment Options
At an early stage, there’s a few non-surgical options that can be tried. These include gentle massaging to prevent the tissue to tighten, this may alleviate mild cases. In some cases inflammation reducing medications can be used to prevent contraction. When the symptoms become too severe, a surgical intervention may be necessary. Officially, the surgical options are a capsulotomy where to capsule is incised to reduce tension which allows for a more natural positioning of the implant. Or a capsulectomy, meaning removal of the entire capsule plus implant. In the same procedure a new implant can be placed, although it cannot be excluded that the same problem reoccurs. At Cosmetic Surgery Zürich we don’t believe in capsulotomies as this leaves the inflamed tissue in place, meaning the abnormal immune response potentially (probably?) continues.
What YOU can do to prevent
As you see, once the problem occurs there’s not much that can be done, except undergoing another operation. However, there’s a lot you can do before getting breast implants! It’s all about decisions and let us help you with the decision-making.
Last but not least
Whether you’re considering a breast augmentation in the future or have already undergone the procedure, understanding capsular contraction is crucial. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options, you can make informed decisions to achieve and maintain the aesthetic results you desire from your silicone breast augmentation.
And don’t forget, if you’re worried about implant related complications, or don’t like the idea of ‘foreign bodies’, an augmentation using fat transfer may be a solution for you!
Did we leave anything out? Feel free to ask us anything. Make sure you watch our informative videos on our Youtube channel and Instagram on this topic.
See you soon in our practice and wishing you all a beautiful day, Dr. med. Dr. Phil. Annemarie Nijboer & Dr. med. Michael Wolfgang Payne Cosmetic surgeon Plastic and aesthetic surgeon Certified High Performance Coach Certified High Performance Coach
See you soon in our practice and wishing you all a beautiful day,
Dr. med. Dr. Phil. Annemarie Nijboer
Cosmetic surgeon
Certified High Performance Coach
Dr. med. Michael Wolfgang Payne
Plastic and aesthetic surgeon
Certified High Performance Coach
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