Capsular Contracture Treatment
Capsular contracture causes aesthetic problems such as misshapen breasts and, in some cases, pain in the breasts. Dr. Vitenas can treat the condition by removing and replacing the implant to maintain your breast’s volume and shape, restoring your confidence and figure with capsular contracture treatment in Houston at his private practice.
What is Capsular Contracture?
A membrane or capsule forms around any implant or foreign body that is placed in the human body. This is a normal part of the healing process as the body attempts to isolate foreign objects, it creates a barrier of tissue around them. For breast implants, this capsule of tissue keeps the implants isolated in the space where the surgeon placed them at surgery.
Capsular contracture occurs when this capsule of tissue becomes unusually thickened and contracts around the implant causing the implant to ride up superiorly and feel hard. The implant itself is not changed but it is being circumferentially compressed so it feels firm and may become fixed to the chest wall.
Grades of Capsular Contracture Severity
The severity of capsular contracture is categorized into one of the following four grades:
- Grade 1: Asymptomatic and does not interfere with the breasts’ size, shape, or texture; the breasts look natural and are soft to the touch.
- Grade 2: Minor cosmetic symptoms; regular in shape but feel somewhat firm.
- Grade 3: Obvious cosmetic symptoms; the breasts are firm to the touch and appear overly round, and the nipples may be misshapen, implants may be malpositioned.
- Grade 4: Hard and misshapen breasts fixed to the chest wall. Patients with grade four capsular contracture also can experience soreness, and their breasts can be tender and painful to the touch.
Ruptured implants are the most common cause of late-onset capsular contraction. Other causes of capsular contracture include the following:
- Genetic predisposition
- Poor immune system response
- Hematomas
- Seromas
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How is Capsular Contracture Treated?
The best way to treat capsular contracture is with breast revision surgery called a capsulectomy.
During his capsular contracture treatment in Houston, Dr. Vitenas makes an incision in the fold beneath the breast removing the capsule and the implant from the surrounding breast tissue. He then places a new breast implant before closing the incision. In patients that have recurrence of their capsular contracture or in patients who want the best chance of not having a recurrent capsular contracture a second step is taken.
In the second step, Dr. Vitenas uses an ADM (Acellular Dermal Matrix) to cover the new implant in an internal bra technique which shields the breast implant from the surrounding breast tissue. This effectively reduces the chance for recurrent capsular contracture down to about 1-2%, which is significantly better than performing a capsulectomy and replacing the implant alone.
Am I a Candidate for Capsular Contracture Treatment?
Ideal candidates for breast implant revision to treat capsular contracture will:
- Be in good general health
- Want to change their breast implants and have realistic expectations for the results
- Be a nonsmoker or be willing to quit before surgery, as smoking increases the risk of capsular contracture
Capsular Contracture Treatment Recovery and Results
Recovery following your capsular contracture surgery in Houston with Dr. Vitenas can take up to two weeks. You can expect mild pain immediately after the procedure, and you will wear a surgical bandage for the first several days to help minimize swelling.
Mild bruising can be seen after capsular contracture surgery but dissipates in 10 to 14 days. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for four to six weeks, and follow all aftercare instructions carefully. Dr. Vitenas will monitor your progress, and you will have follow-up appointments with him to ensure proper healing.
The final results from breast implant revision will be visible six weeks to three months post-op when the swelling has reduced, and the implants will have settled into place. It may take 6 to 12 months before the scars fully fade and mature.
Why choose Dr. Vitenas for Capsular Contracture Treatment in Houston?
