What is a Capsular Contracture?
Capsular contracture is a surgical procedure that corrects complications from breast augmentation, developed from internal scar tissue that has formed a capsule compressing around an implant.
Capsular contracture is the result of a breast becoming rigid and painful due to the shrinking and contracting of the scar tissue capsule around the implant.
What is the Procedure?
A Palm Desert capsular contracture is required when a capsule around a breast implant has become too tight and thick reducing the space for the implant. There are three types of procedures to correct the problem of a capsular contracture:
Capsulectomy: This is a procedure where your implant and the surrounding tissue capsule is taken out. A new implant made of dermal matrix collagen-type material is inserted and your body forms a new capsule of scar tissue around the new material.
Open capsulotomy: This is a procedure where a small incision is made to remove part of the tissue capsule around your implant. When the capsule is opened, it allows your implant to expand and have more room to move around.
Autologous reconstruction: This procedure removes the implant and reconstructs the breast with tissue from another area of the body such as your stomach or buttocks. It eliminates the risk that a capsular contracture might happen again since the tissue capsule will not form around a flap of tissue. Autologous reconstruction is complex and has a longer recovery time than a capsulectomy or open capsulotomy.
Most of the capsular contractures takes place during the healing process with approximately 75% within two years of an implant procedure. To discover how severe a capsular contracture is, you and your surgeon can use the Baker scale that features four grades:
- Grade I – Asymptomatic, meaning showing no symptoms: the breast feels soft to the touch and looks natural in shape and size
- Grade II – Features a minor cosmetic symptom: the breast is slightly firm to the touch but still looks normal.
- Grade III – There are more obvious cosmetic symptoms: the breast is quite firm to the touch and looks abnormal, including too round.
- Grade IV – The breast is hard and feels sore and painful to the touch and clearly looks abnormal.
What are the Non-Surgical Options?
Ultrasound is a non-invasive and non-surgical procedure that can treat capsular contracture by softening the scar tissue with the use of soundwaves that increases blood supply to the area.
Capsular Contracture FAQs
Am I Candidate for Capsular Contracture?
Any woman in good physical health and who has a realistic expectation about a capsular contracture is a good candidate. If you are experiencing pain in your breasts or have noticed changes in the size and shape of your breasts, you should definitely consider this procedure.
Is it Safe? What are the Risks?
You are at risk of developing capsular contractures if you have the following symptoms:
- If you are pregnant since researchers have found a parallel between a pregnancy and capsular contracture
- If you have an autoimmune disorder because your body has an overactive immune system and more vulnerable to an implant
- If a periareolar incision is done around the nipple because it increases the risk of bacterial contamination
- If you have a silicone implant since it can result in molecules seeping out of the breast implant and causing inflammation, all factors that increases the risk of capsular contracture
- If you have a big implant because the bigger the implant, the more at risk you are of getting capsular contracture
- If you have hematoma and seroma, both of which can lead to capsular contracture
Will there be a Scar?
Your scar in the breast area will fade and recede over time.
How do I Prepare for Surgery?
A couple of weeks before your Palm Desert capsular contracture procedure, you should stop drinking and smoking as both increases the possibility of bruising and swelling. You should also stop taking all of your medications and supplements. It is a good idea to have someone who can drive you home on the day of your procedure.
How is the Recovery?
You may experience swelling and pain in the breast area but pain medication can be prescribed by your surgeon to help with the discomfort. To prevent a recurrence of capsular contracture, drains may be placed to remove any excess fluid. A surgical bra may be used to wrap around your breast area to decrease swelling and bruising, which can take up to two weeks to vanish. You can return to work once you feel up to it. Most patients do so within a week. But do avoid strenuous exercises and activities for three to four weeks after your surgery.
What is the Cost?
The cost of a Rancho Mirage capsular contracture varies based on the practice, location and what is required for your surgery. You will be examined physically to determine the best option for you. Make sure you choose a board-certified Palm Desert plastic surgeon who understands your specific needs and what changes you need.
The CareCredit program is an affordable healthcare financing program often used exclusively for healthcare-related expenses. Not every cosmetic procedures are covered by insurance so CareCredit offers an alternative line of credit that offers no interest if you pay the full payments.
Finding the best Capsular Contracture Surgeon
It is important that you feel confident and get the best Rancho Mirage capsular contracture surgeon available. You want to trust a board certified and experienced capsular contracture surgeon who will make your breasts look and feel more natural and get you long-lasting corrective results.
Dr. Ordon and Dr. Chopra are experienced capsular contracture surgeons who knows what it takes to perform this procedure safely and successfully.
Dr. Ordon is currently an associate professor of surgery at Keck/USC School of Medicine, and assistant professor of plastic surgery at Dartmouth School of Medicine and The University of Connecticut. Dr. Ordon is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Double Boarded Society of Plastic Surgeons and the California Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Ordon is a diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Board of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and the National Board of Medical Examiners. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the International College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
After graduating with an Engineering degree, Dr. Chopra received a Master in Medical Sciences followed by his Medical Degree from the prestigious Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Chopra received many accolades during his Medical School career, including the Alpha Omega Alpha award given to the top 10% of medical students followed by the award for top surgical student in 1999.
Dr. Chopra returned home to Los Angeles to complete a six-year general surgery residency at the world famous Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills where he excelled and was named Chief Administrative Resident for the 2005-2006 academic year followed by being named the most outstanding resident of 2006. Dr. Chopra continued his expertise in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York where a plastic surgery fellowship provided him with extensive experience in complex aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the entire body.
“Capsular Contracture: Although the formation of a scar-tissue capsule around the implant is a common occurrence, it can become harder and thicker over time resulting in capsular contracture, an uncomfortable and dangerous condition. Revision surgery can be used to release the capsule or remove it entirely to make the patient more comfortable.”Dr. Ordon
Consultation
During your Rancho Mirage capsular contracture consultation, we review your unique situation and your medical history, including past surgeries. Please bring a list of all the medications you are currently taking or have taken recently.
You will also have a chance to ask questions and discuss why you need this procedure done. During your visit, we will listen to your concerns and show you before and after photos to see how we've successfully performed a Rancho Mirage capsular contracture for many years.
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