Capsular contracture happens when the scar tissue around a breast implant (the capsule) tightens, affecting how your breast looks and feels. The good news is, there are several treatment options available to restore your comfort and confidence. Dr. Matthew Steele, MD, offers personalized surgical solutions for capsular contracture treatment for patients in Mansfield, giving you natural breast augmentation results while supporting overall well-being.
As your body heals after a breast implant insertion, scar tissue normally forms around the implant, known as the implant capsule. This capsule is important for maintaining the implant in its proper position with time. However, sometimes the capsule shortens and tightens around the implant. This compresses the implant, so the area becomes firm, causing discomfort and changes in the appearance of your breast. This is capsular contracture, making your breasts feel hard, distorted, and uncomfortable.
Capsular contracture can be progressive. Experts categorize it using the Baker scale, from Grade I, in which your breast tissue has normal softness and appearance, to Grade IV, in which your breast tissue is hard to the touch, painful, and misshapen. Patients with a Grade I or II contracture appear normal and do not typically require surgery.
Mansfield patients can schedule a consultation at our office to discuss capsular contracture treatment. Dr. Matthew Steele, MD, our board-certified plastic surgeon, can determine whether your implants must be removed or exchanged, and which type of procedure to use, based on the severity of your contracture. He tailors treatment to your situation, avoiding a cookie-cutter approach.
The extent of treatment will be determined by the severity of your contracture. In all cases, Dr. Steele will discuss an implant exchange or removal. It is necessary to remove the old implants if the goal is to decrease the risk of a recurrent contracture. In some patients, they wish to remove their implants and capsule with a possible mastopexy to reshape the breast. The extent of capsulectomy will depend on the contracture grade, and Dr. Steele will use his expertise and experience with capsular contracture to develop a treatment plan for his patients in Mansfield..
In less advanced cases, Dr. Steele may remove just part of the capsule—leaving some tissue intact to preserve blood supply and reduce risk to your chest wall while resolving the issue.
If scarring is more severe, the entire capsule and implant are removed. Dr. Steele can replace the implant during the same surgery, adjusting the size as needed to meet your goals. You can also choose not to replace the implants. In this case, you may want to consider a breast lift to remove excess tissue, thus raising the breast to a more youthful position on your chest.
When there’s a rare diagnosis like BIA‑ALCL (breast implant–associated anaplastic large‑cell lymphoma), Dr. Steele may use a more extensive surgery. He can remove the implant, capsule, and surrounding tissue in one block. This is a more complex cancer operation used to remove all of the cancerous capsule.
If your aesthetic goals have changed, and you no longer wish to have implants, you can choose a breast implant removal without replacement. Dr. Steele can perform this along with a breast lift to reshape the breast, and also offers a fat grafting procedure to gently restore volume.
Dr. Steele is board-certified and experienced in revision surgery for capsular contracture treatment. When you live in Mansfield and need a partial or total capsulectomy—or want implant removal without replacement—he’ll work with you to choose the surgical procedure that fits your needs and comfort level
If you feel your breasts are firmer, have changed shape, or have grown uncomfortable, you may have capsular contracture, and symptoms can get progressively worse if you don’t address it. Reach out to schedule a consultation with Dr. Steele today. He’ll guide you through your options and help restore your comfort and confidence.
