American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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LisaGee
10 months ago
Answered

Sudden pain for contracture?

My breast augmentation was 9.18 w/mentor silicone, textured implants. Over time, the right breast became bigger than the left. In a mammogram and u/s 12.19, there was fluid around the right implant - non-septic & negative for BIA-ALCL. I had a repeat mammo & u/s 8.22 and things were stable or improved. A cpl days ago, the right breast suddenly enlarged & is now quite painful. Is this contracture?

Procedure: Breast Implant Revision
Location: Gilbert, AZ

Replies 5

Samir Shureih

Based on your history with the right breast, you need to see your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for complete evaluation.

The problem could be capsular contracture, However it could be recurrent seroma. An ultrasound of the breast and most probably an MRI is needed. If seroma is diagnosed need to aspirate the fluid and sent for thorough tests for ALCL and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Then your plastic surgeon will discuss all options with you along with the risks and complications. Need to know what type and make of the implant.

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Daniel Allan

In the photo, it actually looks like your left breast is larger. Regardless, you should return to your plastic surgeon and be re-evaluated.

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Kenneth Francis
ASPS Surgeon

Dear LisaGee,

Capsular contractures do not happen over a couple of days. There is likely a recurrent seroma. Although the natural history of ALCL is usually on the order of 8 years or more, there are reports of shorter time frames for developing the disease. To date, it has almost exclusively been found in textured implants (macrotextured mostly, which Mentor is not). You need to return to your surgeon for an examination and guidance. Good luck!

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Alfred Antonetti
ASPS Surgeon

You need to have an evaluation by your plastic surgeon

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Tanongsak Panyawirunroj
ASPS Int. Surgeon
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The problem could be capsular contracture, I recommend you to do ultrasound of the breast and most probably an MRI is needed. If seroma is diagnosed need to aspirate the fluid and sent for thorough tests for ALCL and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Then your plastic surgeon will discuss all options with you one of the treatment for capsular contracture is revised breast implant with capsule removal.

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