For the last couple decades, breast implants have been one of the most popular and common plastic surgery procedures. Tens-of-millions of women get breast augmentation every year. Over time, the techniques, tools, and technology for breast augmentation have improved by leaps and bounds, which has reduced instances of complications.
However, the most common issue with breast implants is something called capsular contracture, which can be corrected with a breast revision surgery. Surgeons and patients want to minimize the chances of capsular contracture developing, especially if the patient has already had breast revision to correct it once.
What Is Capsular Contracture?
During a breast augmentation, a “pocket” is created underneath the breast for the implant. After the implant is placed, the body begins to heal around it. The body doesn’t know what the implant is, so it forms a protective scar capsule around the implant. This is good because it gives the implant a soft, natural feel. However, in some cases, the scar tissue will start to contract around the implant and harden. This squeezes the implant and can cause it to look distorted, tight, and raise the implants higher up on the chest.
How to Correct It
Capsular contracture can potentially be corrected with breast revision surgery. In most cases, the inframammary fold incision is used, which is the preferred location to perform the initial breast augmentation. Typically the breast implant is removed and replaced. However, this is not absolutely required, and some patients choose to keep the same implant. The capsule of hard, fibrous scar tissue that created the capsular contracture then has to be removed.
In some cases, the breast pocket can be allowed to heal without replacing the implants. In other cases, the implants will be replaced with new ones. Sometimes, the location of the implants gets changed – for example from being sub-glandular to sub-muscular.
Although the capsular contracture can be corrected, there is a risk it can return. Dr. Comizio uses strategies and techniques to try to minimize it returning and works with patients to help them try to avoid it in the future.
How to Get Started
As a woman, and one of the America’s top surgeons by the Consumers’ Research Council of America for 5 years, Dr. Comizio offers an insightful perspective to all of her procedures. Her kind, gentle and efficient approach throughout the entire process of surgery is a great comfort to patients. As a respected innovator in her field, Dr. Comizio has developed a unique patient care system that uses shared decision-making. This system gives our patients more control and confidence in their decisions.
Our office is ready for your call and can answer any questions – 973-775-9248. We also have patient testimonials on our Case Studies page of our website if you would like to get an idea of what your experience will be like with Dr. Comizio.
