Breast implants cause the formation of a collagen tissue capsule around the Breast implants. Normally this is very soft and is unnoticeable. However, in 7% of individuals, it can tighten and squeeze the breast implants and cause "capsule contracture". Capsule contracture may be more common after infection, hematoma or seroma formation, or may be related to genetic factors. It is more common with gel breast implants, smooth breast implants, and subglandular placement. It can occur any time after the original breast augmentation and can involve one or both breasts. Symptoms range from firmness and mild discomfort, to severe pain, distortion, rippling, or displacement of the breast implant.

Capsular contracture can be graded from Baker I to IV depending on the severity:

Grade I: No palpable capsule.  Breast feels soft as an unoperated breast.

Grade II: The breast is less soft and the breast implant can be palpated, but is not visible.

Grade III: The breast is harder, the breast implant is easily palpated, and the breast implant is visually distorted.

Grade IV: The breast is very hard, tender, painful, and cold. Distortion of the breast implant is severe.

Surgery may be required for Grade III and IV capsules. This may include exchanging the breast implants for a different type, removing gel breast implants and replacing with saline, changing the location of the breast implants from subglandular to a submuscular position, performing a 'capsulotomy' by cutting the capsule in several places, or performing a 'capsulectomy' in which the capsule is completely removed.

29 yrs · Smooth Gel · 500cc

Inframammary · Under Muscle

Left Grade IV Capsule Contracture

Left Capsulectomy