Capsular contracture after breast augmentation is a condition that occurs when the scar tissue around a breast implant hardens. Scar tissue not only results in changes to the appearance of the breasts, but it can also cause discomfort that affects your quality of life. To lower the risk of capsular contracture, there are several measures we can take.
Dr. John Sherman is a board-certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience helping patients achieve natural-looking results. His innovative body procedures have helped thousands of patients improve their self-esteem and appearance.
Contact our office or call (212) 535-2300 to learn how we can lower the risk of capsular contracture.
Contents
About Capsular Contracture
Capsular contracture is when the scar tissue that forms around breast implants becomes too tight. This condition affects approximately 10% of women who have undergone breast augmentation. (1) Capsular contracture can cause breast pain and affect the position of the breast implants, causing them to shift upward because the scar tissue puts pressure on them. Although capsular contracture cannot be cured, several different treatments can help prevent it.
Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM)
Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is a material that creates a protective scaffold around breast implants and helps promote new, healthy tissue growth. It acts as a barrier that reduces inflammation and scarring, which also helps minimize the risk of capsular contracture. ADM is a biocompatible mesh composed of allograft (donor) cells–it contains growth factors, collagen, and elastin to help your body generate new tissue. (2)
ADM can also improve breast shape and projection by acting as a protective barrier between the implant capsule and breast tissue. (3) Dr. Sherman will ask about your aesthetic goals to create a treatment plan based on your desired look.
Implant Placement
Implant placement is important for determining the most suitable approach for your aesthetic goals because it affects your appearance. The breast mounds are composed of both granular and fatty tissue. Dr. Sherman will change the placement of the implant based on your underlying anatomy for optimal results:
- Submuscular Placement: With this technique, Dr. Sherman can place the breast implants beneath the chest muscle (pectoralis major). This leads to a more natural feel and beautiful aesthetic outcomes. Submuscular placement can also reduce the visibility of the implant’s edges in slimmer patients with less body fat. (4)
- Subglandular Placement: Dr. Sherman can place the implant in front of the muscle, but beneath the breast gland, which is advantageous for individuals with sufficient breast tissue who desire a fuller appearance. (4)
Motiva Implants
Motiva Silk Smooth 6th generation implants are pioneered with a Microthane® surface that creates nano-texturing to lower the risk of capsular contracture, whether Dr. Sharman places the implant above or below the muscle. Motiva implants are filled with an advanced elastic silicone gel that mimics the natural feeling of breast tissue. The implants’ smooth, ergonomic shape adapts to your body’s natural movements:
- ProgressiveGel PLUS®: A firm gel that provides a rounder shape, fuller cleavage, and improves breast projection
- ProgressiveGel Ultima®: A soft, flexible gel that creates a teardrop shape that mimics the look and feel of natural breast tissue.
The ProgressiveGel formula can also reduce the risk of rippling in patients who receive a subfacial implant for more natural-looking results.
Motiva Implant Profile
Breast projection is an important aspect of breast augmentation that focuses on the contour of the breasts. Implants come in several different profiles to help you enhance your appearance:
- Motiva SmoothSilk® Round: Dr. Sherman can increase your breasts’ projection for fuller-looking cleavage and a plumper appearance. This firmer implant can fill out the upper breast pole, which is ideal for patients who prefer a rounder breast shape and natural-looking cleavage.
- Motiva SmoothSilk Ergonomix2®: Dr. Sherman can create a softer look with more definition along the lower breast fold (inframammary crease) with an implant that takes a teardrop shape when you are standing up, and a round shape when you are lying down. This implant contains a slightly more flexible silicone gel that provides beautiful volume.
During a Motiva implant procedure, Dr. Sherman will make a discreet incision along the natural creases of your skin to place the implant. Motiva implants are specifically designed to minimize scarring for a natural-looking appearance and beautiful volume. Dr. Sherman may make deeper sutures to prevent the implant from shifting, also known as “bottoming out,” and he will create a close-fitting pocket to prevent the implant from expanding. (5) After placing the implant, he will close the incision with sutures so you can return home to rest.
Candidates & Consultation
Suitable candidates will need to be prepared to discuss their symptoms and share details of their medical history so that our team can make sure you are eligible for this procedure. If you are experiencing pain from capsular contracture and/or you notice changes to your appearance, we can help you address them with personalized treatments. The best candidates are also nonsmokers and take good care of their bodies for optimal results. Patients who smoke must be willing to quit temporarily.
During your consultation, Dr. Sherman will perform a physical examination. Please come prepared to discuss your medical history in depth to help us create an effective treatment plan.
Dr. Sherman may recommend additional procedures, depending on your body goals.
To learn more about our additional procedures, see our blog!
Results
After treatment, you can enjoy relief from capsular contracture symptoms. The projection, size, and position of the affected breasts will appear more natural. Dr. Sherman takes great care to address both functional and aesthetic concerns when treating capsular contracture. Patients who receive new breast implants or a breast lift alongside their procedure also enjoy an enhanced figure and uplifted confidence.
Other Breast Procedures
Breast Lift
Many patients who receive capsular contracture treatment will also choose to undergo a breast lift to redefine the breasts. A breast lift is a treatment that removes excess skin from the breasts and lifts the breasts to help you achieve a curvier, more youthful appearance. As one ages, the breasts tend to droop, affecting proportions and confidence. Dr. Sherman can remove the excess skin and lift the breasts.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is a treatment that increases the volume of the breasts for stunning results. During your capsular contracture procedure, Dr. Sherman can replace your current implants with new implants. Depending on your aesthetic goals, he can place implants that are smaller or similar in size to your previous implants, or he can place larger ones to increase the volume of your breasts.
Congenital Breast Treatments
If you have congenital breast problems, Dr. Sherman can reshape and reposition the breasts with customizable procedures for your specific needs. Congenital breast conditions cover a wide spectrum, which can include:
- Amastia: A condition characterized by an absence of breast tissue
- Poland Syndrome: A condition that causes asymmetry on one side of the body that affects the chest, shoulder, and upper limbs
- Asymmetry: An imbalance of breast tissue that affects your appearance and clothing options
- Tuberous Breasts: Breasts that did not develop into a round shape during puberty
Before a congenital breast condition treatment, Dr. Sherman will schedule a consultation to review your aesthetic goals in depth and personalize your treatment plan for your unique needs.
Cost of Capsular Contracture in New York
The cost of your treatment will depend on your personalized treatment plan and whether you would like to receive additional treatments. We will provide you with a quote during your consultation. For eligible patients, we can discuss financing options that can help make the treatment more accessible.
Contact our office or call (212) 535-2300 to schedule a personal consultation where you can learn the costs associated with capsular contracture treatment.
FAQ
What causes capsular contracture?
Capsular contracture occurs after breast implant placement; as a natural healing response, the body forms scar tissue around the implants. In some cases, the scar tissue can become excessively restrictive, resulting in discomfort, shifting implant position, and increased projection. If you are experiencing capsular contracture, we can discuss the most effective treatment for your situation.
What are my options for treating capsular contracture?
Although capsular contracture cannot be treated, we can take several steps to effectively prevent it. In many cases, complete removal of the implant, scar tissue, and capsule is used to address the issue; this is known as a capsulectomy. For less severe cases, the surgeon may recommend a capsulotomy. During this procedure, they will make incisions that will release the tension in the tissue.
Can I enhance my breasts during a capsular contracture treatment?
Yes, we combine your treatment with other breast procedures, such as a breast lift, or we can replace your implants with a breast augmentation revision to help you achieve your desired look.
How soon can I return to regular activities after capsular contracture treatments?
Most patients can resume most of their normal activities after 1-2 weeks, but patients must wait under their surgeon’s approval until they engage in more strenuous physical exercise. We can discuss any questions you have during your consultation.
References
- 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
- https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-drug/def/acellular-dermal-matrix. www.cancer.gov. Published 2011. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-drug/def/acellular-dermal-matrix
- Samuels K, Millet E, Wong L. Efficacy of Acellular Dermal Matrix Type in Treatment of Capsular Contracture in Breast Augmentation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2023;44(1):26-35. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjad265
- Fardo D, Sequeira Campos M, Pensler JM. Breast Augmentation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482206/
- Sforza M, Hammond DC, Botti G, et al. Expert Consensus on the Use of a New Bioengineered, Cell-Friendly, Smooth Surface Breast Implant. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2019;39(Supplement_3):S95-S102. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjz054