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
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Plastic Surgery
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Christopher Ernst Attinger, MD
Plastic Surgery & Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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Stephen Bradley Baker, MD
Plastic Surgery, Craniofacial Plastic Surgery & Facial Plastic Surgery
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Carol Deane Benedict, MD
Rheumatology, Plastic Surgery & Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine
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Eugenia Chu, MD
Otolaryngology, Plastic Surgery & Plastic Surgery Head and Neck
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Lucy Maria De La Cruz, MD
Breast Surgery & General Surgery
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Gabriel Alfonso Del Corral, MD
Plastic Surgery, Gender Affirming Care, Microvascular Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Microsurgery, General Surgery, Gender Surgery & Family Medicine
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Min Deng, MD
Dermatology, Plastic Surgery & Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery
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Karen Kim Evans, MD
Plastic Surgery
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Kenneth L Fan, MD
Plastic Surgery
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Maen Jamal Farha, MD
Breast Surgery & General Surgery
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Amy Marie Fernow, DO
Breast Surgery & General Surgery
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Kelly Lynne Fritz, MD
General Surgery & Breast Surgery
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Meghan Letts Milburn, MD
Breast Surgery & General Surgery
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Jennifer Daniella Son, MD
General Surgery & Breast Surgery
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Angelis Vazquez Perez, MD
General Surgery & Breast Surgery
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Patricia Barbara Wehner, MD
Breast Surgery & General Surgery
Show All Plastic Surgery
Our locations
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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 Health Plastic Surgery at McLean Elm Street
6862 Elm Street Suite 800 McLean, VA 22101
866-990-5516
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18101 Prince Philip Dr. Olney, MD 20832
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7503 Surratts Rd. Clinton, MD 20735