Breast Augmentation & Capsulectomy to Treat Painful Breast Capsular Contracture*

Capsular contracture can turn a previous breast augmentation into a painful experience, and revision breast surgery can help restore both comfort and shape. Our patient is a 44-year-old Asian female who had previously undergone bilateral breast augmentation but later developed pain and discomfort in her breasts due to capsular contracture around her saline implants. Capsular contracture happens when scar tissue tightens around the breast implants, which can lead to firmness, distortion, discomfort, and an unnatural feel. She came to Dr. J. Timothy Katzen seeking the removal of her bilateral saline breast implants and bilateral capsulectomies, replacing them with silicone breast implants for a softer, more natural result. Under general anesthesia, Dr. Katzen performed the breast implant revision surgery by removing the painful saline implants, carefully excising the scar tissue capsules surrounding them, and then placing new silicone implants to restore shape and improve comfort. A capsulectomy is an important part of this procedure because it removes the hardened scar tissue that is causing pain and breast distortion. By combining implant removal, capsulectomy, and breast augmentation revision, this type of plastic surgery can improve both breast aesthetics and quality of life. Her photos were taken 1 month after surgery and already show remarkable early results with improved breast shape, softer contour, and relief of most of her pain. At this stage, healing is still ongoing, making her early improvement especially promising.