Before and after bilateral breast revision in a 47 year old woman. She had a previous mastopexy and augmentation. Some years later, she developed capsular contracture of both breasts. Her right breast implant had been pushed upwards by the surrounding scar tissue, and the left side had contracted lower.
A bilateral capsulectomy and implant exchange was performed as an outpatient procedure. All breast implant companies offer patients a 10+ year warranty on their breast implants. This means, if they experience a complication in the first 10 years, new implants will be provided to patients by the breast implant company.
A sample of scar tissue on the inside (from the capsule) was sent for analysis. Thankfully, no bacteria were detected. The current hypothesis of what causes capsular contracture is bacteria – the “biofilm theory”. If bacteria had been detected, we would prescribe antibiotics for two weeks and initiate aggressive massage and close follow up. Read additional precautions we recommend to patients to prevent capsular contracture here.
This patient had drains in place for 4 days after surgery and she took 3 weeks off exercise. Follow up photos are shown 6 weeks after surgery. She is left hand dominant – note the increased swelling on her dominant side. She will achieve greater symmetry with time, usually around 3 months.
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
