Massage: Gently massaging the breasts while they heal from breast augmentation surgery may help to prevent capsular contracture by encouraging the breast tissue to remain pliable.
Though it's impossible to eliminate the risk of capsular contracture for every patient, plastic surgery has come a long way in reducing the dangers. To that end, Dr. Armijo employs several preventive strategies to help ensure your implants are healthy for years to come.
If you've had radiation therapy at any time in the past — and particularly if you had it after your initial breast reconstruction surgery — it can greatly increase your risk of developing capsular contracture.
Blood is a natural host for bacteria, therefore it is no surprise that blood accumulation around an implant is the number one cause of capsular contracture. While surgeons are able to prevent bleeding from arteries and veins after surgery, they can't prevent capillary leakage.
Move your breast 360 degrees in a full circle. Repeat on the other breast. Rotate each breast two or three times a week. This simple massage can help keep the capsule around the implant flexible and prevent the scar tissue from becoming too stiff and thick.
Furthermore, excess massaging may increase the risk of capsular contracture by causing micro tears in the soft capsule. This could result in small amounts of blood forming around your implant, which is a potential cause of capsular contracture.
Various breast massage and implant displacement techniques are believed to reduce the incidence of capsular contracture and are commonly recommended after breast augmentation. Some of these techniques include varying methods of displacement, manual pressure, and massaging of the implant into the cavity.
Most cases of this condition occur within the first two years of your breast implant surgery. In fact, about 75% of cases of this condition occur within this two-year time frame, which is generally the time when all scar tissue associated with the surgery has finished internal healing.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Prevent Breast Implant Complications, Like Capsular Contracture.
There has been many studies done on capsular contracture. The factor with the most evidence is submuscular placement of the breast implant (under the muscle), which showed approximately 4% incidence of capsular contracture, compared to 14-20% incidence in subglandular (above the muscle) placement.
About 75% of all capsular contractures will occur within two years of the patient's implants being placed. Sometimes capsular contractures occur many years after breast augmentation surgery, but this is the exception rather than the rule. If this does occur, the patient's breast implants should be checked for ruptures.
Capsular contracture can occur in one or both sides at any point after mammaplasty, and most cases are likely to occur within the first 6 months after surgery. The incidence rates of capsular contracture have been reported to vary from 2.8% to 20.4% [2-6].
There are a couple of prescription medications that have demonstrated some effectiveness for preventing the progression of capsular contracture. Depending on the individual case, medications may even soften the tissue enough to completely reverse the condition.
Vitamin E is known to inhibit the inflammatory phase of wound healing and to decrease wound tensile strength. For these reasons, vitamin E has been suggested for the prevention of breast implant capsule contracture.
Capsular contracture can be treated and is not life-threatening. Nevertheless, if it's not treated, the scar tissue will likely progress to become more hard, tight, and in some cases, painful. It can eventually lead to deformed breasts in those who have had breast augmentations.
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements offer a simple and promising method of preventing or reducing capsular contracture after silicone breast implant surgery.
Typically, patients who develop capsular contracture begin to notice the symptoms in the first several months – up to about two years – after surgery, though it can occur at any time.
Symptoms of Encapsulated Breast Implants
Visible distortion or asymmetry of the breast. Swelling, redness, and warmth in the breast area. Dimpling or wrinkling of the skin over the breast. A feeling of tightness or firmness in the breast.
Capsular contracture can happen at any time after the surgery however it's very unusual that is going to happen within the first weeks after the surgery. There's no specific test to determined if you have one, a physical exam should be enough.
Therefore, during the initial four weeks after surgery, breast augmentation patients should avoid overusing their pectoral muscles. Typically, this means lifting nothing heavier than 10 pounds. No heavy pulling or pushing of objects such as car doors or even heavy purses, and no weight training.
Whatever your reason for using lactation massage, remember that it should always be comfortable—it should never hurt or leave red marks, says Henning. Try to be firm but gentle because you could cause minor tissue damage if your massage is too vigorous.
In general, the breast implant massage, or compression exercises, help maximize the space around the implant to allow for more mobility and decrease your risk of developing capsular contracture. This preventative measure also allows the breast to become softer and fall into place for a more natural appearance.