Capsular Contracture Treatment Seattle

Capsular contracture, is used to describe a post-surgery condition in which scar tissue forms around a breast implant. When capsular contracture develops, the breast hardens and looks or feels different, depending on the "grade" or amount of capsular contraction occurring. The patient may experience discomfort or pain, and visible distortion of the breast. Plastic surgeons like Dr. Javad Sajan are experienced in performing capsular contraction repair to fix this complication of breast implant surgery. Visit Dr. Sajan to get some of the best results from capsular contracture treatment Seattle can lay claim to.

Your breasts should be soft, flexible, and natural looking no matter if you have undergone reconstruction surgery following a mastectomy or breast augmentation. But sometimes, your body goes into "healing overload." It recognizes that a foreign body has been placed in its tissues and begins to isolate the implant. Your body creates a scar tissue sac around the implant to seal it off. This is a naturally occurring process. However, that capsule may begin to contract or thicken and start squeezing the implant, causing pain, shifting of the implant, distortion, and even hardening of the breast. Symptoms can begin to appear at any time after the procedure, although it's most common within the first two years.

Capsular contracture affects about five percent of women who undergo breast augmentation with implants, but the precise cause of the condition is not known. In many cases, it develops without an apparent, underlying reason. However, there are factors that can increase your risk, including:

• A rupture of your breast implant
• Leaking silicone gel
• Bacteria on the surface of the implant
• An infection
• Internal bleeding, fluid accumulating underneath the skin or a hematoma
• Implant paced above the muscle
• Breast trauma
• Smoking
• Radiation therapy

There are two primary procedures that are used to resolve capsular contracture:

Open Capsulotomy

This procedure is used for patients whose implants were placed above the muscle and show no indication of leakage or rupture. The procedure requires a small incision to gain access to the implant capsule and allow it to expand. Dr. Sajan will create a larger pocket for the implant, and close the incision.

Capsulectomy

This procedure is reserved for conditions in which the implant is showing signs of leakage or trauma. Dr. Sajan will make an incision, remove the encapsulating scar tissue and implant, replace it with a new breast implant, and close the incision.

Regardless of the approach used, your surgery will take place in our state-licensed surgery center and typically will not require an overnight hospital stay. An anesthesiologist will administer general (deep sleep) anesthesia or an intravenous sedation and anesthesia, and you'll be monitored closely throughout the procedure to ensure your safety.

Recovery from your corrective capsular contracture treatment will usually take between one and two weeks. You may experience some mild pain and bruising immediately after the surgery and you will likely be asked to wear a compression garment for several days to keep swelling to a minimum. Although most of our patients feel well enough to return to work within about one week, you'll need to continue to avoid strenuous activities for approximately six weeks to ensure an optimal healing process.

Dr. Sajan will give you detailed information on how to care for your incisions, any prescribed oral and topical medications you'll need to take, and your follow-up visits. The results of your Seattle capsular contracture treatment should be fully evident at about three months, after the bruising and swelling have fully resolved. At that point, your breasts should appear natural and soft once again.

After receiving a diagnosis of capsular contracture, most patients are eager to learn about what they can do to prevent a recurrence. Fortunately, Dr. Sajan employs a number of very effective strategies to avoid this complication in the future, including:

Implant placement

Numerous studies have shown that implants placed over the muscle have a higher incidence of capsular contracture. As such, if you've already experienced this complication once, Dr. Sajan will reposition your implants so they're underneath the muscle.

Silicone implants

If you're having your breast implants replaced, Dr. Sajan will most likely use silicone implants as opposed to saline. This is due to the fact that many studies have shown that silicone implants have a lower capsular contracture rate.

Drains

Using drains after surgery can prevent fluid from accumulating in the breast capsule, further reducing your risk of capsular contracture. For this reason, Dr. Sajan will place small drains after your revision procedure to help prevent a recurrence.

Massage

Massaging your breasts after surgery may help to prevent capsular contracture. As such, about two weeks after your revision procedure, Dr. Sajan will talk to you about how to massage your implants to reduce your risk of a recurrence.

Your breast reconstruction or augmentation should give you comfort and satisfaction for years. However, if you suspect that a capsular contracture has occurred, contact Dr. Sajan's office to schedule a consultation appointment. With careful assessment and expert treatment, your breasts may look and feel comfortable and natural once again.

Capsular contracture is a complication of breast implant surgery, and one of the most common reasons patients require revision surgery. It develops when the internal scar tissue that forms around a breast implant becomes tight or constricting, contracting the implant until it becomes hard or misshapen. Traditionally, capsular contracture has been treated by surgically removing the breast implant and the surrounding scar tissue.

Recent research has shown that the use of ultrasound can be effective for preventing and treating this breast augmentation complication. At Allure Esthetic Plastic Surgery, we offer non-surgical ultrasound assisted treatment for capsular contracture.

How Does Non-Surgical Ultrasound Assisted Treatment for Capsular Contracture Work?

The use of ultrasound is a revolutionary treatment for capsular contracture. It is a non-invasive treatment, performed on an outpatient basis, that uses sound waves to increase blood supply around the implant and soften the breast implant scar tissue capsule.

Ultrasound treatment has mechanical, thermal, and biochemical effects. Ultrasound assisted treatment for capsular contracture:

• Improves lymphatic drainage
• Helps resolve edema
• Activates fibroblast production
• Increases speed of cellular metabolism
• Assists the healing process
• Oxygenates tissues
• Promotes development of new blood vessels
• Helps reduce inflammation
• Increases fibrolytic processes (breakdown of blood clots)

External ultrasound has been shown to help prevent capsular contracture in breast implant patients. It is not only an efficient and effective treatment for capsular contracture, it also dramatically reduces the rate of recurrence. There is no downtime with this non-surgical treatment, and it is far more affordable than the costs of undergoing revision surgery.

Non-Surgical Ultrasound Assisted Capsular Contracture Treatment at Allure Esthetic Plastic Surgery

Allure Esthetic Plastic Surgery offers this non-surgical treatment for Capsular Contracture as an option for you to help resolve this situation as a non-invasive possible solution.