Question:
What is capsular contracture (capsule formation)?
Answer:
Capsular contracture - also referred to as capsule contraction or capsule formation - is the most common complication with women who have breast enlargement surgery. Seeing as the breast implants are foreign objects to the body, scar tissue will always form around them, once inserted into the body, which is a natural part of the healing process. In some cases, the scar tissue might shrink so much that the breast becomes hard. There are several degrees of capsular contracture, but in the worst cases, the breast implants can become hard as tennis balls, and a new operation might be necessary. The likelyhood of capsular contracture occuring is not precisely determined. Some say 2 %, whereas others claim there is a 10 % risk. 1 thing that most surgeons agree on, though, is that implants with a rough surface decreases the risk significantly, compared to smooth implants.