Breast implants have become very popular over the years. Many women decide to enlarge their breasts or possibly fix their breasts if they have had a change in them due to childbirth, injury, or deformity. Breast surgery is a fairly simple procedure but there are risks, and there are possible complications. One complication is a breast capsular contracture. Capsular contractures can be preventable in many cases. By following certain recommendations by your doctor and specific techniques, you may be able to avoid developing them.
What Is a Capsular Contracture?
A capsular contracture is considered a complication after breast implant surgery. Although capsular contractures are an unpredictable complication, it is common. Every woman will form scar tissue after their surgery, but some women will form more than others. After implant surgery the capsule of where the implant sits has the potential to become hard and contract. This will make the breast feel hard and firm rather than soft and easily movable.
Capsular contractures are rated on a scale of 1-4, with 4 being the hardest contracture. They can be very painful for the woman. They can also be prevented in many cases.
Tips for Preventing Capsular Contracture
One way to prevent a capsular contracture from forming is by the physician using a textured implant. This discourages capsular contractions. Contractures can also be discouraged from forming by where the implant is placed. If the implant is placed on top of the breast muscle, contractures are more likely to happen. To prevent contractures, the implant should be placed either under the top layer of the muscle, or subpectorally. Or for more assurance, they should be placed completely under the muscle. This is known as a total submusculofascial implant.
Breast massages are recommended to help keep the contractures from developing. Your doctor may recommend that you vigorously massage your breasts, and start early after the surgery so that the contractures do not have time to form. It may even be recommended that you continue massaging your breasts for as long as you have them.
Vitamin E is another way of possibly helping contractures. Although it is not proven, signs point to vitamin E helping. It is recommended, however, that you do not take vitamin E for two weeks before or after surgery due to the risk of possible bleeding. Antibiotics are also a way of treating contractures. If these treatments do not work, you may need a capsulectomy. This procedure is a surgical procedure where the doctor removes the capsule by removing the implant first, then the capsule. He must then replace the implant.
Tags: after surgery, Capsular Contracture, from forming, implant placed, implant surgery, many cases, should placed
