Posted March 20, 2019 in Breast Surgery
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Many women who have undergone breast augmentation surgery find themselves satisfied with their new breasts. However, occasionally women who have undergone this surgery may develop discomfort in their chest. Sometimes this is related to a process known as capsular contracture. The body creates a capsule around the implants, which is a normal reaction to a foreign body. In some cases the capsule can become hard and distorted. Some women can detect this issue right away, others may go about their daily activities not realizing their implants are causing them pain. Breast revision surgery can address this issue and restore the breasts to a more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
What Is Capsular Contracture?
When a foreign object like breast implants are placed into the body, it is only natural that it wants to reject it. Capsular contracture can develop when the scar tissue that surrounds the implant begins to harden. This can cause the scar capsule to tighten and squeeze the implant, which can result in pain and discomfort for many women. Capsular contracture can occur in one or both breasts as well as make the bust appear unbalanced and misshapen.
How to Recognize Capsular Contracture
Typically, capsular contracture occurs spontaneously. However, the type of implant chosen for your breast augmentation procedure can slightly increase your risk of developing capsular contracture. While mild cases of capsular contracture are sometimes undetectable, more severe cases are easier to recognize. When capsular contracture happens, you may start to notice that your breasts feel tighter or hard. You may also begin to feel uncomfortable and experience certain side effects like sharp pains or suddenly feeling cold. Lastly, your breasts may start to look distorted and constricted. If you are suffering from these or other symptoms, immediately contact your surgeon so that they can confirm whether you have developed capsular contracture or not.
Your Breast Revision Procedure
Breast revision is performed on an outpatient basis using general anesthesia and can take up to a few hours to complete, depending on the amount of correction needed. During your procedure, the same incision that was made from your previous surgery is reopened to address the affected area. Once the incision is made, the hardened capsule is carefully removed. If necessary, both the implant and scar tissue may also be removed. The breast pocket is then cleaned as the new implant is placed and the incision is closed using surgical sutures. Following your breast revision surgery, you will regain a youthful and more aesthetically pleasing breast shape.
If you are interested in breast revision surgery or to determine if you are an ideal candidate, please contact Dr. Ghere at (225) 412-4774 or schedule a consultation with us online today!