Virginia Breast Augmentation Blog

Capsular contracture is a potential risk of breast augmentation. An abnormal response of the immune system to foreign materials in the body, capsular contracture occurs when the collagen-fiber capsule tightens and squeezes the breast implant. This can cause both pain and implant disfigurement and may result in having to have your implant removed and replaced.


How Common is Capsular Contracture?

Capsular contracture is one of the more common risks associated with breast implants, but its incidence has been decreasing as surgical techniques improve. Some studies indicate that the risk of capsular contracture is lowered with the use of saline breast implants instead of the old silicone gel breast implants, but it is not known how the capsular contracture rates of the new cohesive gel breast implants compare to the older style.


Treating Capsular Contracture

Some instances of capsular contracture are minor and do not require any treatment. Others may be treated with the use of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medications. If nonsurgical options do not work, your collagen-fiber capsule may need to be removed to allow new tissue to form around your implant. When this is the case, often times the implant is replaced and repositioned to reduce repeat contracture.

While uncommon, capsular contracture is still a potential complication and should be a consideration prior to undergoing breast augmentation.

If you live in or around Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Reston, and Richmond, Virginia, Annapolis, Baltimore, Bethesda, and Columbia, Maryland, or Washington DC and are interested in learning more about breast augmentation, please contact the experienced cosmetic surgeons at The Austin-Weston Center for Cosmetic Surgery to schedule a consultation today.