January 2025
What Causes Breasts To Harden After Breast Augmentation?
When you chose to have breast augmentation, you likely envisioned feeling confident, comfortable, and happy with your new look. It’s a deeply personal decision, one often tied to a self-esteem boost with limitless clothing options.
That's why encountering complications like capsular contracture of your breast implants can feel so frustrating and worrisome. If you’re experiencing pain, tightness, or changes in the appearance of your breasts, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to navigate this alone either.
What Is Capsular Contracture?
Capsular contracture occurs when the scar tissue that naturally forms around a breast implant tightens excessively. While it’s normal for the body to create a capsule of scar tissue as part of the healing process, in some cases, this capsule becomes abnormally thick or hard, leading to discomfort, visual changes, or even pain.
You might notice that one or both breasts feel firmer than they should or that their shape seems different from what you expected. For some women, this can be a mild annoyance, but for others, it may become a source of daily discomfort, pain, and self-consciousness. The good news is that this condition is treatable, and modern surgical techniques have significantly reduced the likelihood of it occurring in the first place.
Why Does Capsular Contracture Happen?
Understanding why capsular contracture happens during breast augmentation surgery can help ease some of the fear and uncertainty. The body’s response to a breast implant is a natural part of healing. However, certain factors can lead to an exaggerated response:
Tissue Response and Healing
When the body recognizes the implant as a foreign object, it forms scar tissue around it to protect itself. For reasons that aren’t fully understood, this process can sometimes go into overdrive, causing the capsule to thicken and contract.
Infection
Even a very mild, undetectable infection can spark inflammation, which increases the risk of capsular contracture. This is why meticulous surgical techniques and diligent post-operative care are so critical. While infections are rare, they can happen, making it essential to choose a qualified plastic surgeon and carefully follow all aftercare instructions.
Learn More: Time For An Upgrade? Three Signs You Need New Breast Implants-
Recognizing the Signs
Capsular contracture can vary in severity, and doctors use the Baker Classification system to describe its progression:
Grade 1: The breast feels soft and looks natural.
Grade 2: The breast feels slightly firm but still looks normal.
Grade 3: The breast is firm and appears visibly distorted.
Grade 4: The breast is hard, painful, and significantly misshapen.
If you’re noticing any changes during your healing process, especially discomfort or distortion, it’s important to contact your plastic surgeon promptly. Early intervention can make a significant difference in both comfort and outcomes.
Schedule A Complimentary Consult with Dr. Burns To Know For Sure
How Common Is Capsular Contracture?
You might wonder how often this happens. In the U.S., capsular contracture affects about 5% to 10% of women with breast implants. Fortunately, advances in surgical methods and implant technology have made it much less common. By choosing an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon and following their recommendations, you’re already taking important steps to minimize your risk.
Read What The ASPS Says About Capsular Contracture
Before and After Capsular Contracture Repair in Dallas, Texas- Dr. John Burns
Preventing Capsular Contracture
Prevention starts with expert surgical care by a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon. Additionally, modern techniques and innovations have significantly reduced the risk of capsular contracture:
Bloodless Electrocautery Dissection: Creating a bloodless implant pocket minimizes inflammation and bacterial contamination, two major contributors to capsular contracture.
Triple Antibiotic Irrigation: Rinsing the implant pocket with an antibiotic solution helps eliminate bacteria that could lead to a greater risk of complications.
No-Touch Technique with Keller Funnel: This breast augmentation surgery tool allows the implant to be inserted into the breast pocket without direct contact, further reducing the risk of bacterial contamination.
Advanced Implant Technology: Next-generation implants, like those from Motiva, feature surfaces designed to minimize scar tissue formation.
Schedule Your Complimentary Consult with Dr. Burns For Capsular Contracture Evaluation
What to Do If You Suspect Capsular Contracture?
If you think you may be experiencing capsular contracture, don’t panic. Early-stage cases (Grades 1 and 2) may not require surgery. In fact, non-surgical options can often improve symptoms:
Implant Massage: Regular, gentle massage can help keep the capsule soft and pliable.
Medications: Drugs like Singular (montelukast) can reduce inflammation and may help slow or reverse early-stage contracture.
For more advanced cases (Grades 3 and 4), surgical intervention is usually the best solution. This might include:
Capsulectomy: Removing the hardened capsule and replacing the implant in breast augmentation revision surgery.
Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM): Placing a supportive layer around the implant to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Restoring Comfort and Confidence
Dealing with capsular contracture can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Many women have faced this challenge and come out on the other side feeling more confident and comfortable than ever. Revision surgery, performed by a skilled and compassionate surgeon, can restore both the aesthetic results you originally desired and your sense of ease in your body.
In our practice, we’ve helped countless women correct capsular contracture, using meticulous techniques to ensure the best possible outcomes. Whether through preventative measures, early intervention, or revision surgery, our goal is always the same: to give you beautiful breasts that help you feel like the best version of yourself.
Why Experience and Trust Matters
One of the most important factors in addressing capsular contracture is choosing a plastic surgeon who understands not just the technical aspects of the procedure but also the emotional impact it can have. We’re here to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and guide you through every step of your journey. Our experience with revision cases has given us the tools and insight to tackle even complex situations with confidence and care.
Take The Next Step & Get Beautiful Breasts
If you’re struggling with capsular contracture, reach out. Let’s have a conversation about your symptoms, your concerns, and your options. Together, we can develop a plan to help you feel comfortable and confident again. You deserve to love the way you look and feel.
About Dr. John Burns
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