The photograph shows capsular contracture in the right breast of a 29 year old woman. The 560cc silicone gel implants are subglandular and the capsular contracture is grade IV.
What is Capsular Contracture?
As part of its immune system, the human body encapsulates any foreign object in a fibrous capsule. This will happen naturally with your breast implants. In the majority of cases, the capsule will remain soft and unnoticeable. Your breasts will look and feel natural. Unfortunately, in some cases, the capsule contracts to the extent that it becomes hard. It may cause discomfort and even pain. If this happens, your breasts may feel hard and may not have a natural shape. In some cases, the implant may need to be replaced through revision surgery. However, sometimes, a firm massage may resolve the problem.
The risk of Capsular Contracture
Capsular contracture is the most common cause of further surgery being required following breast augmentation but it is rare. Patients who smoke and those who experience complications such as an infection following breast enlargement surgery are at a higher risk of developing capsular contracture. Also patients choosing to have the sub glandular implant placement (overs) are at a higher risk.
It is reported that the introduction of breast implant shape, profile, texturetextured breast implants has served to reduce the risk of acute capsular contracture.
Severity Levels (Grades) of Capsular Contracture
Capsular contracture will always occur. It just depends as to what extent or severity. In the vast majority of cases, it does not affect the feel or appearance of the breasts. There are 4 different grades of severity of capsular contracture:
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| I | The breasts still appear natural and soft. |
| II | The breasts are starting to feel firm, but still appear natural. |
| III | The breasts look abnormal and feel very firm. |
| IV | The breasts look abnormal, feel hard and are painful. |
Treatment of Capsular Contracture
The extent of the capsular contracture will determine which procedure the surgeon will choose to correct the issue. There are two main treatments:
- Closed Capsulotomy
This involves manually squeezing the contracture from the outside in order to tear the scar envelope. This technique provides instant relief, though it is not possible with all cases of capsular contracture because the scar envelope may be more resistant to tearing in some patients. In addition, there is a risk that of breast implant rupture when using this technique, which may require going through an additional surgery in order to remove and replace the implant. - Open Capsulectomy
This procedure is considered to be less risky than the closed technique. With the open capsulectomy, an incision is made in order to allow the surgeon to cut into the scar tissue and release the tension that has built up around the implant. The implant may also be reinserted before the incision is closed. In most cases, the patient will need to stay overnight in the hospital following the procedure.
Provider |
Price Guide |
Initial Consult'n |
Location |
Overnight Stay |
Aftercare Period |
Post-op follow up |
Next Steps | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rubicon Medical | £3295 | Free | London | £290 | 3 yrs | 7 to 10 days and 3 months | 
| |
| The Hospital Group | £3295 to £3995 |
Free | Throughout UK |  |
3 yrs | 7, 30, 60, 90 days |
| |
| £700 off in March £3,295 (normally £3,995) with 3yrs aftercare. Save 30% on 2nd procedure booked at same time. Breast augmentation & liposuction £5,495. Breast augmentation & tummy tuck £7,495. | ||||||||
| Surgicare | £3450 | Free | Throughout UK | |
5 yrs | 6 to 10 days then bespoke |
| |
| Price includes current £750 discount offer. Interest free loan for up to 10 months (not available in conjunction with any other offer). | ||||||||
| Redrose | £3500 | Free | Bolton, Preston, Liverpool | |
Lifetime | 7 to 14 days then additional follow up |
| |
| £3500 offer until Feb 2010. Finance options available. | ||||||||
| Whygoabroad | £3595 to £4095 |
Free | Bromsgrove Nr. Birmingham |
|
6 mths | 7 days, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months |
| |
| 3 years aftercare available for £400 extra. £4,095 applies for large implants. | ||||||||
| Transform | £3695 | Free | Throughout UK | |
3+ yrs | 2 weeks, 3 months then annually |
| |
| 3 yrs implant replacement with lifetime consultation aftercare. £500 to £15000 over 10 months interest free credit loan. 15.9% APR over 36 months. Daycare option available. £50 voucher with consultation. | ||||||||
| The Cosmetic Clinic | £3850 | Free | Throughout UK | |
5+ yrs | 1, 4 and 6 weeks |
| |
| 5 yrs implant replacement with lifetime consultation aftercare. Fixed price. Includes aftercare. Interest free credit over 10 months with £500 deposit or 11.49% APR over 24 or 36 months with £500 deposit. | ||||||||
| The Harley Medical Grp | £4200 | Free | Throughout UK | |
2+ yrs | 7 days then additional follow up |
| |
| 6 yrs capsular contracture cover. Finance options available | ||||||||
| Make Yourself Amazing | £4250 | Free | Throughout UK | |
5 yrs | 1, 6 and 13 weeks |
| |
| Up to £600 off. Interest free loan for up to 12 months; deposit required. | ||||||||
| MyBreast | £4250 to £4850 |
£25 | England & Wales |
|
Lifetime | Bespoke |
| |
| Lifetime aftercare and lifetime implant replacement against capsular contracture or rupture. | ||||||||
| London Bridge Plastic Surgery | £4500 to £5000 |
£150 | London | £450 | 1 yr | Bespoke |
| |
| £150 consultation fee refunded when procedure booked. Lifetime implant replacement for capsular contracture and rupture. | ||||||||