A Guide to Capsular Contracture after Breast Reconstruction
In a world still developing and growing its medical field, plastic surgery and reconstruction are not a rare occurrence. However, these are not merely for cosmetic purposes. With the advancements made, women can avail breast reconstruction surgery much easier than they would have several years back. These surgeries often help women regain their feminine self-confidence.
A risk that women need to know of is capsular contracture after breast reconstruction. What is this? Capsular contracture is a hardening and constricting of the breast implant and causes breast firmness.
When any kind of foreign object is placed in our body, the human body naturally creates a thin skin-like membrane around the thing. Capsular contracture happens when this skin becomes infected or other causes constrict the membrane around the implant.
This can cause the implants to be moved from their original placing and feel firm to the touch. In a worst-case scenario, it can cause the implant to fail and can cause intense pain to the patient.
Here is how you can prevent capsular contracture after breast reconstruction:
Prevention method #1 -
Proper knowledge of the surgery — Talk to the surgeons and discuss the process before going for the procedures. This will help the surgeons know your body type and may be able to give you advice on the best kind of surgery. This should not be a quick decision as it has its risk if not done correctly.
Prevention method #2 -
Vitamin E, Antibiotics, and other medications — If the surgeon asks you to take certain medications, make sure to take them without fail, as the success rate of the surgery will depend on how you prepare your body and how you take care of it. You can also ask your surgeons for medication after breast reconstruction and discuss its usage.
Prevention method #3 -
Massage and physiotherapy after surgery — Ask your surgeons for physical therapy tips if you are comfortable. Or you can ask for references to physiotherapists who specialize in exercises or massages for women after surgery.
Prevention method #4 -
Clothing items that help — Wear clothes to help your body adjust to the new breast implants. You can prevent capsular contracture after breast reconstruction by taking care of your body after the surgery. Some clothes are medically approved, and ask your surgeons for advice, as they will know what care your body needs.
Breast reconstruction implant capsular contracture has many effects on women, but the risks are reduced considerably if preventive measures are taken. There are some major causes and knowing them helps considerably. One is a bacterial infection where a thin layer of bacteria called biofilm develops and affects the breast reconstruction from the inside.
Smoking and radiation treatment can easily cause the new tissue and cells trying to bind over the implants to die and constrict painfully. The genetics of some people causes their body to form thick scar tissue, which is also a major cause. Medical causes like hematoma and seroma (or blood and bodily fluids that collect in areas) are also a cause of capsular contracture after breast reconstruction and may need to be drained in some cases to prevent it.
Even with all the preventive measures, capsular contracture can still occur. Such occurrences can be medically treated or corrected. Surgery centers provide treatment for it, and one such center is Aspen Surgery Centre.
They have a 90% success rate in treating capsular contracture after breast reconstruction, and their website offers many services and information on such treatments. What are you waiting for? Contact them today!
