Capsular Contracture 3 months after exchange surgery???

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FrannyM424
FrannyM424 Member Posts: 55
edited April 2015 in Breast Reconstruction


Hi Ladies.  Could really use some advice here.  Just had an appt with my PS 3 months after my exchange surgery. I had a textured, silicone implant placed on Oct 29th.  My breast is hard and tight, riding high, has not dropped and become anything close to soft and supple like I expected.  Actually feels like a baseball was inserted in my chest. I have also began to have sharp, burning pain along the lateral side of my breast. My PS thinks that I most likely have a capsular contraction and wants to do a complete capsulectomy to remove the scar tissue capsule and implant and replace with a new implant.  I am beyond frustrated and can not even fathom undergoing a 5th surgery right now.  I had to take 14 weeks off from work last year, just returned from medical leave Dec 3rd and can't be off for 5 more weeks right now.  We have decided to give it 3 months and reassess early May.  In the meantime she wants me to start on Vitamin E 400mg 3x/day to help possibly break up the internal scar tissue.  Can anyone else please share their experience with a capsular contracture?  Anyone else used Vit E?  What about other medications such as Accolate or Singulair?  Thanks!  Fran

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  • Stanzie
    Stanzie Member Posts: 1,971
    edited April 2015

    I wish someone had responded to you. Have you had any success with the VitE? I have that as well on one side and my Doc put me on asthma medicine for 6 months!! I've been on it for 3 months and no change other than getting worse.. I do not want another surgery and more scars and more everything again. I am so surprised there isn't more information about this on this site. I don't even understand why it happens.

    This was a second PS and she made a comment like oh this must have happened on your original surgery as well - but it didn't. so made me feel like she was saying it was my fault or the way my body reacts is what causes it. But I had the other surgery for 3 years before having the revision and reduction in size - and now this a year and a half later. I'd love more information, please let me know how you are doing now. Thank you!

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited April 2015

    Franny, I had a direct to implant mastectomy, then rads, and I have moderate encapsulation too. I had my plastic surgeon refer me to a lymphedema Physical Therapist....I did want to stay on top of Lymphedema, which is a common side effect from any surgery, and especially when lymph nodes are removed. Although I am fortunate that LE has not started, the PT was able to show me stretches and massage to stay proactive...PLUS....she was awesome with my encapsulation. She did a treatment called A Stym, where she slathered my chest with shea butter, and dragged a tool shaped like a small smooth banana over all my scar tissue and breast tissue area to break up the scar tissue, and promote proper healing of this area. I saw immediate benefits. I am like you, just not ready to go back under the knife. She said that women just do not know how beneficial PT is, and that plastic surgeons do not refer often enough to her. As I said, I had read here on BCO how helpful PT was post mastectomy, and the treatment for encapsulation was just icing on the cake. Ask your PS for a referral to a lympedema specialist PT, if there is not one in your area I would ask to send you to a regular one, do some homework on A Stym for encapsulation and bring it with you. Best wishes and let me know how it goes.

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited April 2015

    Franny I just read in your Bio that YOU are a PT lol! Love that!

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