Regardless of the skill of your plastic surgeon or how perfectly your implant surgery goes, there is a small chance that complications may arise during or after the procedure. Everybody is unique, and each person’s breast tissue heals and accustoms to foreign objects differently.

From the same surgery, some patients may only see subtle scarring that fades over time while others can develop thick scar tissue. Complications are very rare thanks to the modern advances in surgical techniques, and surgeons’ have developed increased abilities to predict which patients have a higher likelihood of experiencing any complications.

However, a small percentage (under 10 percent worldwide) of women may begin to develop capsular contraction. A natural bodily response to the implant procedure, contracture can progress through four stages if left untreated (though the later stages are incredibly rare). At each “grade” of contracture, you have options to reverse any discomfort and get great-looking results. Dr. Sayed offers several treatments to fit your unique circumstances.

Read on to learn more about which is right for you. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to give our San Diego, CA, office a call today at 1-858-247-2933.

Non-invasive Options for Treating Early Stages of Contracture

Initially, after surgery, several options can treat any early complications and improve implant appearance. Two of the most effective are self-massage and ultrasound therapy. 

Self-Massage

Massaging your breasts as they heal can prevent capsular contracture, as it encourages breast tissue to remain pliable.  However, it is essential to get permission and guidance from Dr. Sayed before massaging your implants. This ensures you conduct self-massage properly so you will not disturb the tissue of your breasts as they heal from surgery, possibly damaging the tissue inadvertently and making capsular contracture more likely.

Ultrasound Therapy

Ultrasound Therapy has been one of the most popular and successful advances in treating early stages of capsular contraction. It is entirely non-invasive, pain-free, and does not increase the risk of capsular contracture in the future.

During the procedure, a special device utilizes precise ultrasound waves to encourage healthy collagen grown. This therapy increases elasticity around the implant and within the breasts, to make them feel more soft and pliable.

Generally, the therapy is completed over two or three weeks in combination with antibiotics to target capsular contracture’s root cause. Studies have shown ultrasound therapy to be effective in treating and reversing grade two and grade three cases of capsular contracture.

Treating Advanced Capsular Contracture

For patients who develop more advanced cases of capsular contracture (grade three or four), surgical interventions may be required. Here are the most effective options available:

Capsulectomy

A capsulectomy is complete or partial removal of the affected implant as well as the surrounding capsule. Dr. Sayed will replace the implant during capsulectomy to avoid any chance of contamination and infection.

In some cases, changing the implant pocket location may decrease contracture. For instance, if your implant was previously beneath the chest muscle, the new implant may be placed above the muscle to lower the chance of recurrence.

Capsulotomy

During a capsulotomy, Dr. Sayed will score or otherwise partially release the capsule, allowing the implant to better settle. In most cases, Dr. Sayed will make an incision into the capsule and perhaps remove some of it. Some patients require an implant replacement during capsulotomy, in which case Dr. Sayed will remove and replace your existing implant.

Implant and Capsule Removal Without Replacement of the Implant

While most clients wish to save their augmentation in the case of capsular contracture, some opt to remove their implants and capsule entirely without replacement. This procedure is known as en bloc breast implant removal and is one of the safest and most proven ways to reverse grade four capsular contracture.

Once Dr. Sayed has completed this procedure, you will be able to undergo a new augmentation process with a healthier pocket. This is a specialized surgery, and not every surgeon can offer excellent results. Dr. Sayed has particular expertise in breast anatomy and surgery and will work to give you the best possible outcome.

Schedule a Consultation

If you have any concerns about capsular contracture or would like to discuss the particulars of your situation, please call our San Diego, CA, office at 1-858-247-2933, or schedule a consultation online.

Dr. Sayed is a board-certified plastic surgeon and has a high success record in the correction and improvement of capsular contracture.