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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Stephen Bradley Baker, MD
Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Craniofacial Plastic Surgery & Plastic Surgery
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Alayna Marie Blazakis, AGPCNP-BC
Wound Care & Plastic Surgery
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Nicole Annmarie Casale, PA
Plastic Surgery
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Karen Kim Evans, MD
Microvascular Plastic Surgery, Surgical Wound Care, Limb Lengthening And Reconstructive Surgery & Plastic Surgery
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Kenneth L. Fan, MD
Plastic Surgery
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Samer Jabbour, MD
Microvascular Plastic Surgery, Breast Surgery, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery & Plastic Surgery
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David Zachary Martin, MD
Surgical Wound Care & Plastic Surgery
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Kimberly Ann Miller, FNP-BC
Plastic Surgery
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Kerry Shumanski Moose, CRNP
Wound Care & Plastic Surgery
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Rajiv P. Parikh, MD
Microvascular Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery & Plastic Surgery
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Julie Perta, PA
Plastic Surgery & Breast Surgery
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Ailyn Grace Bernabe Sims, CFNP
Plastic Surgery
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Laura Kate Tom, MD
Microvascular Plastic Surgery, Breast Surgery & Plastic Surgery
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Mimi Yue Wu Young, MD
Plastic Surgery
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Rafael J. Convit, MD
Plastic Surgery
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Alan John Weiss, MD
Plastic 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 Montgomery Medical Center
18101 Prince Philip Dr. Olney, MD 20832
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7503 Surratts Rd. Clinton, MD 20735