Capsular contracture develops when excessive scar tissue forms and tightens around the breast implant, causing it to become full, hard, and possibly misshapen and distorted. Your breasts may feel stiff and painful. While the condition can happen at any time, it often begins in the months following your original breast augmentation. When it occurs years later, it may be a sign of implant rupture.
At MedStar Health, we take steps to help prevent capsular contracture when performing breast augmentations by minimizing the risks of infection and bleeding. If your breasts feel firmer and appear to be becoming more rounded or moving higher on your chest, consult with a MedStar Health surgeon.
How is capsular contracture repaired?
In some cases, nonsurgical treatment may prevent the condition from progressing. In more severe cases, revision surgery is used to release the tightened capsule.
During surgery, the breast pocket is opened, and scar tissue is either cut or removed, and the implant replaced. Your surgeon may also suggest using a biological mesh-like strattice to help prevent the condition from recurring. Your surgeon will discuss with you the approach that he or she recommends.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
Plastic Surgery
-
Alayna Marie Blazakis, CRNP
Plastic Surgery
-
Samer Jabbour, MD
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery & Plastic Surgery
-
Kimberly Ann Miller, CRNP
Plastic Surgery
-
Kerry Shumanski Moose, CRNP
Wound Care & Plastic Surgery
-
Karen Frances Kim Evans, MD
Surgical Wound Care, Limb Lengthening And Reconstructive Surgery & Plastic Surgery
-
Laura K Tom, MD
Plastic Surgery
-
David Zachary Martin, MD
Undersea And Hyperbaric Medicine, Surgical Wound Care & Plastic Surgery
-
Simcha Gratz, CRNP
Wound Care & Plastic Surgery
-
Robert Thomas Howard, MD
Breast Surgery, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery & Plastic Surgery
-
Kenneth L Fan, MD
Plastic Surgery
-
Allison Marie Hayes, FNP
Plastic Surgery
-
Konrad L. Dawson, MD
Plastic Surgery
-
Andrew L Hodge, PA-C
Plastic Surgery
-
Genevieve S. Petraglia, CRNP
Wound Care & Plastic Surgery
-
Ravi Kumar Aloor, MD
Plastic Surgery
-
Rajiv P. Parikh, MD
Plastic Surgery
Our locations
Distance from Change locationEnter your location
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Rd. NW Washington, DC, 20007
MedStar Health: Plastic Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center
106 Irving St. NW POB North Ste. 3400 Washington, D.C., 20010
MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
9000 Franklin Square Dr. Baltimore, MD 21237
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18101 Prince Philip Dr. Olney, MD 20832
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7503 Surratts Rd. Clinton, MD 20735