Capsular contracture: Any one with experience or advice?

Options
Mominator
Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
edited July 2017 in Breast Reconstruction

Left breast has developed a very hard lump around 1:00 area. It feels like the implant has rotated and is coming out of the pocket.

After some back and forth between Breast Surgeon and Plastic Surgeon, plus an MRI and an Ultrasound, Plastic Surgeon now says that this is capsular contraction. PS says he'll go in and take the hardened capsule out, and then reposition the implant.

I'm guessing the surgery and recovery will feel a lot like the exchange surgery. PS did a lot of pocket work during my exchange, and again, I'm guessing, that taking out the capsular contraction will be similar.

I was wondering if anyone has any with experience or advice? Did you have capsular contraction? Did you have surgery or some other treatment? If you had treatment, did it work? Did the contracture come back? 

Also, is there is anything to do to avoid contracture? I don't have any of the risk factors associated with contracture: radiation therapy, hematoma, or seroma, and I don't smoke.

Thank you, Mominator / Madelyn

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited May 2017

    I never had capsular contraction (bilateral mastectomies with delayed reconstruction with TEs and silicone implants).

    Do you exercise? I had physical therapy after my mastectomies to regain stretch and flexibility. After being dismissed from PT, I started a regime of exercising with light weights and other exercises and stretches (yoga is great).

    I had no problems with my implants and my plastic surgeon tells me my good results and lack of discomfort is due to the fact that I have made the exercising and stretches part of my life.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited May 2017

    mominator - PM marketingmama, she had CC and replaced the implant. Some of the ladies have taken Singulair, the asthma med to prevent CC.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ABeautifulSunset
    ABeautifulSunset Member Posts: 990
    edited May 2017

    mominator, I took singulair but still got capsular contraction. I did have radiation so I think I that played a big part. Radiated tissue..all bets are off on healing. I had it removed and did fat grafting, but they left a small TE in to fill a gap and it also capsulized..and due to some progression, my ONC say she it's not a good idea to have surgery again...so I'm sticking with my hard sideways lump for now.

    STefanie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HoneyBadger47
    HoneyBadger47 Member Posts: 98
    edited May 2017

    I'm sorry to hear you got CC. I have heard of the use of singulair (as mentioned), taking high dose Vitamin E, massaging every day to keep the pocket from building scar tissue, and taking Celebrex immediately following surgery.

    I don't know if there is any science to back that up. Don't do it without discussing with your doc. The vitamin E and Celebrex are blood thinners. Seems all PS's have their own "recipe" to prevent it.

    It always seems counter intuitive to me when I hear about breaking up the capsule (ouch) because clot is a risk and doesn't breaking the capsule (I'm not talking removal. I am talking squeezing the heck out of it by PS) cause bleeding which would seem to make it worse?

    I do have a friend whose PS had her lay on a book or hard surface several times a day to try to improve it. I don't think that completely worked.

    I asked my PS if I should massage daily and he stayed since they are under the muscle working out or using you arms massages them. Suppose that makes sense but who knows.

    Good luck. Let us know how it goes.



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marketingmama
    marketingmama Member Posts: 161
    edited May 2017

    Hi there. As noted by Special, I had grade 3-4 CC about 6 months ago on one side. Prior to that I had lost my implant in that breast due to infection. Not sure if any connection since PS removed implant and we waited then started all over with TEs. Anyway, nothing cured my CC and the evidence for Singular is spotty. If you're going to try it, use immediately after surgery. Also they recommend massage. So weirdly after surgery to correct my CC, I bottomed out on that side big time 3 months later. Also less significantly on opposite side. Apparently this is very weird and sometimes I question if I was too aggressive with massage after my CC procedure. Or maybe implants were too heavy. Honestly recurrence of these kind of complications is tough to predict. I definitely stumped my PS. Recovering now from bilateral capsulorrhaphy to correct bottoming out (think, internal bra with alloderm). Much much harder procedure than any previously. The good news is you'll be much more comfortable after the capsule is removed and a new implant is inserted. Best of luck

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marketingmama
    marketingmama Member Posts: 161
    edited May 2017

    one more thing... I don't think many docs break up the capsule any more. my research showed that they're more likely to remove it, completely cleanse and sterilize the pocket and put in a brand new implant. this wasn't a difficult procedure for me

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited May 2017

    Thank you Sassa, SpecialK, Stefajoy, and HoneyBadger47.

    Sassa: I didn't do exercises or PT per se, but after BMX and EX I returned to normal activities as soon as I was cleared by PS. Normal activities includes playing the flute professionally. (PS knew I was a flutist from the beginning and there was no additional restrictions in regards to playing.)

    SpecialK: Hi! I looked up marketingmama's posts on CC. She had no rads and doesn't know what caused her CC.

    Stefajoy: I'm sorry for your hard sidewise lump, and also for your diagnosis. My grandmother had a similar experience.

    HoneyBadger: PS's nurse said that my CC would need a high dose ultrasound to break it up, but that US wouldn't remove the scar tissue. PS is going in to remove the scar tissue/CC altogether. I will ask what my PS's "recipe" is for avoiding/treating CC.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HoneyBadger47
    HoneyBadger47 Member Posts: 98
    edited May 2017

    Glad to hear they don't break it up anymore.

    Sounds like you are in good hands. Good luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited May 2017

    Mominator - I can't remember what implants you have, but my PS said definitely do NOT massage anatomical implants. Good luck with your corrections.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited June 2017

    Mominator, just saw this when I searched for removal of implants. I am off to bed but will let you know my experiences tomorrow.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited June 2017

    Had capsular contracture which developed over about a year and a half along with very bad cording that not doubt caused/made worse the contracture. I had to wait a year for surgery which was done in Dec./17. 6 month checkup on Thursday shows tightening and new implant still high and uncomfortable. Also first ever lymphedema right upper arm. Yay~~PS agreed to take it all out and also implant on good side. I tried for all these years and have learned I am no longer attached to having what looks like a boob and can't wait to get this done. Looks like not another year wait as it only takes an hour or so says my PS.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited June 2017

    marketingmama: sorry to hear of your CC and other problems. I hope your recovery is going smoothly and this last surgery does the trick. 

    MinusTwo: I have anatomical implants. I don't message much, just normal activities.

    marianelizabeth: this has been a rough road for you. Wishing you all the best on your next surgery.


    My surgery is coming up this Friday, June 30. Been on the phone all week with last minute details. My PS group works both out of the hospital, and in their own outpatient surgery center. Due to some scheduling changes, they've changed my location twice. It's a little nerve-wracking. Also, I'm tracking down my anesthesia records from previous surgeries b/c I don't want a repeat of the horrible nausea I've had on two surgeries.  

    In other news, my son with autism graduated from High School on June 13. My daughter (with MDD and GAD) graduated from High School on June 20.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited June 2017

    Mominator - my last two surgeries I asked for a scop patch from the anesthesia group. What a difference. No 10 hours in recovery due to nausea, vomiting, etc.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sunrisefish
    Sunrisefish Member Posts: 67
    edited June 2017

    Hi ladies, I am so sorry to hear of those of you that are dealing with capsular contracture. I just had BMX with direct anatomical implants above the muscle on May 15th. I did have previous radiation a little over two years ago. Because of the radiation I am especially concerned about cc. Can you feel it when it's happening? I'm not sure how I would know.... ? My radiated side is much harder than the non radiated side and it does sit up higher. I feel like the non radiated side has dropped and tje radiated side has not. The hard parts are sore. I also do feel a tightening from time to time. Almost feels like the muscles having a spasm. I am not sure if this is the start of cc, or just healing from the masectomy. Any ideas??? When did you know you had it?? I am 6 weeks out from surgery, but don't know when cc would start or if I would feel the process.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited June 2017

    Scheduling nurse says that I am second on the schedule, but the first case is long. They will call me 1 hour before report time. She "guesstimates" that I will be called between 9 and 10, for a report time of 10 to 11 am.

    Anesthesia doctor received all my records and compared medications from different surgeries. The doctor didn't see any reason why I was so nauseous during some surgeries. Doctor said that every surgery is different, and the same person can have a different reaction to the same medication in different surgeries.

    Doctor thinks that I may have been dehydrated for the ones when I was nauseous, and has recommended that I drink between 1/2 and 1 gallon of water today.

    I broke that down into 8 X 16 oz bottles. (Actually, my bottles are 16.9, so I only need to drink 7.5 bottles.)

    MinusTwo: I did have the scop patch but was still nauseous. Hoping the super-hydration does the trick.

    Sunrisefish: I think at 6 weeks you are still in the healing phase. My CC didn't develop and/or was noticeable until 14 months after exchange surgery for me.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sunrisefish
    Sunrisefish Member Posts: 67
    edited June 2017

    Mominator, thank you so much for your reply. Good luck on your surgery Friday. Sending healing vibes and good wishes. Please let us know how it goes. Also congrats on the graduation of your son and daughter! You must be so proud! My son graduated from high school last year and is now attending University of Washington. My daughter will be a sophomore in high school this year. I have to admit I'm glad to have one still home. I'm not ready to be an empty nester. They grow so fast!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited July 2017
    Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers. I couldn't have my index card (with your names) with me in the OR, but I did have it in my locker and in my mind.

    It was a long day, and the previous surgery ran quite late.

    Good news, while waiting for previous case, I received an entire liter of IV fluids, plus I drank 7 whole 16.9 bottles yesterday. I was well-hydrated.

    I wasn't nauseous after surgery. Yeah!

    I'm home and resting.

    The hard lump on Lefty is gone. I've taken 1/2 pill of Percocet, and left is very achy right now, and much worse if I move my arm. Trying to keep my left arm still.

    Some funny stories, but I'm to tired to post.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sunrisefish
    Sunrisefish Member Posts: 67
    edited July 2017

    Mominator, so glad to hear it went well and that you didn't get sick!! Rest well! We are with you! Health and healing vibes!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited July 2017

    Glad it went well and that being well-hydrated worked!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories