Capsular contracture pain

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SweetpeaJ
SweetpeaJ Member Posts: 9
edited November 2020 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hi ladies! Talk to me about capsular contracture please. I have developed a grade 2 capsular contracture in my right breast.
Backstory: I had my implants placed on June 30 and then developed an infection 6 weeks later on my radiated breast. On August 18, I went back to surgery to have the pocket washed out to clean out the infection and a new implant placed. Two days later I was admitted to the hospital with an infection. The cultures taken on August 18 showed 4 different types of bacteria so I was treated with IV antibiotics for 6 days. I was sent home on a three week course of oral antibiotics. At this point there is no sign of infection, just the tightening of my right breast and a great deal of pain. The pain radiates into my armpit and down into my ribs. Instead of feeling like an implant, this feels like a tissue expander – very rigid and uncomfortable. I am being told that the only way to fix this is to have the implant removed and let the area settle down for 6 to 12 months. It seems like daunting and frustrating. Can anyone share their experience with capsular contracture? What remedies were you offered?


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  • Mwgirlintx
    Mwgirlintx Member Posts: 9
    edited November 2020

    Hi SweetpeaJ,

    I’m so sorry! I have no advice or answers to offer, as I am going through the same thing but my infection was more recent. The difference is that I did not have my pocket washed and implant replaced. All I can offer is knowing your not alone. I hope someone can chime in and provide some insight. I am also interested in knowing options.

    What is interesting is that although my pain and discomfort from the stiffness is exactly as you are describing, my PS is insisting that it’s just inflammation that will take a while to settle down, but not capsular contracture. He says that because I don’t have enough lymph nodes on that side, it will take a while for the fluid from the inflammation to drain, but that it will eventually and the softness will return. I’m skeptical of this explanation and am seeking a second opinion.

    I really hope you find some answers that you are comfortable with.

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  • prepmom
    prepmom Member Posts: 31
    edited November 2020

    Hi Sweetpea and Mwgirlintx -

    I'm in a similar boat with no good solution to offer. I had my implants put in last Nov 4, 2019. The infection didn't show up until 5 month later in April. Fortunately, oral antibiotics worked, but I'm still left with a tighter, harder feeling breast on one side. My PS also assured me that it was from inflammation, not capsular contracture, and that it would soften, but it's been over 6 months and the change is very slight. It's so disheartening because otherwise I'm doing so well. I don't notice the right implant all that much, but I never not notice the left one! Sometimes it's exhausting! Like you sweetpea, I'm scared to complain because I don't want to lose this implant and start again. Who knows what could happen and I'm not willing to take the risk.


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