What can I do to prevent capsular contracture?

Massage: Gently massaging the breasts while they heal from breast augmentation surgery may help to prevent capsular contracture by encouraging the breast tissue to remain pliable.


What increases risk of capsular contracture?

Frequently cited causes include infection, radiation, hematoma, and biofilm. Indeed, an abundance of research suggests that the inadvertent introduction of bacteria at the time of breast implant surgery can over time lead to the occurrence of capsular contracture.

Why do I keep getting capsular contracture?

Capsular contracture is caused by an excessive fibrotic reaction to a foreign body (the implant) and has an overall incidence of 10.6%. Risk factors that were identified included the use of smooth (vs. textured) implants, a subglandular (vs. submuscular) placement, use of a silicone (vs.


Does vitamin E help with capsular contracture?

Vitamin E appears to be a safe, simple, and inexpensive means of reducing the number of postoperative capsular contractures following breast augmentation.

Can exercise make capsular contracture worse?

The causes are unknown, but inflammation is thought to contribute to capsular contracture formation, and exercise of the pectorals can lead to inflammation. So don't work out your chest for at least four weeks after surgery.


How to Prevent Capsular Contracture | Straith Clinic



Does massage help prevent capsular contracture?

Various breast massage and implant displacement techniques are believed to reduce the incidence of capsular contracture and are commonly recommended after breast augmentation.

Who is most at risk for capsular contracture?

A retrospective review by Marques et al8 found that patients who are 54 years old and beyond are at risk for capsular contracture.

What are the early signs of capsular contracture?

The most common symptoms of capsular contracture include the following:
  • Breasts that seem to sit high on the chest.
  • Misshapen or unnatural looking breasts.
  • Breasts that feel firm and tight.
  • A round, ball-like shape of the breasts.
  • Rippling.
  • Pain or discomfort, especially when lying on the breasts.


What medication helps capsular contracture?

The current study demonstrates that Accolate therapy reduced capsular contracture formation when used in the first 3 months after breast augmentation with smooth surface silicone gel implants.

Does heat help capsular contracture?

Answer: Capsular contracture of the breast is usually painless. Capsular contractures almost always painless. If you are having discomfort it is unlikely that cold or heat treatment would penetrate enough to make a difference. Anti-inflammatories probably will help until the problem has been surgically treated.

Can you reverse early capsular contracture?

Capsular contracture can be treated both non-surgically and surgically. Non-surgical options include the use of Vitamin E, Milk Thistle, asthma medications such as Accolate or Singulair, ultrasound treatments, and sometimes spontaneous resolution. The efficacy level of the above methods averages around 50%.


Can lifting weights cause capsular contracture?

No, lifting weights does not cause capsule formation. There are some unproven theories that a submuscular implant pocket actually protects against capsular contracture formation. This is thought to be as a result the internal massage effect of the pec muscle on the implant and pocket.

How fast can capsular contracture develop?

Capsular contracture can occur as soon as 4-6 weeks after surgery and is uncommon to begin developing later than six months after surgery unless some sort of trauma has occurred to the augmented breast.

Can you feel capsular contracture happening?

Early signs of capsular contracture may include a firm or tight sensation, pain, or asymmetry. As the condition worsens, you may notice more obvious symptoms, including: Breast pain.


Does compression help capsular contracture?

Breast augmentation: compression--a very important factor in preventing capsular contracture.

How much vitamin E per day for capsular contracture?

Vitamin E 800-1200 mg a day. This is believed to interfere with the formation of collagen and thus, soften scar tissue and prevent contracture. There is no proven efficacy once capsular contracture is established.

Can capsular contracture disappear?

Can you treat capsular contracture without surgery? Yes, the Aspen Ultrasound System is a unique non-invasive treatment that combines deep sound wave therapy (ultrasound) with targeted massage to help painlessly break up the excess scar tissue and release the capsule.


Can capsular contracture happen overnight?

Capsular contracture occurs on one or both sides and can develop any time – either in the weeks after having breast implants (this is most common) or in some cases years later. However for the most part, you do not have to worry so much about the possibility of capsular contracture 6 to 12 months post surgery.

How do you reverse capsular contracture at home?

Once capsular contracture starts developing, massage may help reverse some of the hardening. Anti-asthma medications may help soften the capsule. This is thought to work because of the medications' anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin E may also be beneficial.

How common is breast implant capsular contracture?

Research has shown that around one-sixth of breast implant patients experience some form of capsular contracture, though symptoms may not always be obvious. In most cases, capsular contracture happens sometime during the initial healing process.


Can you live with capsular contraction?

In less severe cases of capsular contracture, the patient will be able to live with the scar tissue without any discomfort or changes in their appearance. They will simply need to monitor their breast implant for further indications of progressing scar tissue.

Can ultrasound break up capsular contracture?

External ultrasound has been used to successfully treat all stages of capsular contracture. It is also recommended as a preventative treatment following breast implant surgery, and as a pre-surgical treatment to improve the outcome of closed capsulectomy (surgical treatment for capsular contracture).

Where do you feel pain with capsular contracture?

The capsule tightens around and squeezes the implant. This condition, called capsular contracture, can cause chronic pain and distortion in the shape of the breast, and it can make the breast rise higher on the chest.


What happens if you don't massage your breast implants?

What happens if you don't massage your breast implants? In theory, breast implant massage is intended to reduce the risk of capsular contracture, which is the scar tissue that normally forms around an implant. Scar tissue only becomes a problem when it tightens and puts pressure on the implant.