My mother is 93 years old and had a subcutaneous mastectomy with silicone implants in 1975. Over the years, her breasts have hardened and the right one is becoming enlarged and misshapen. I found info on your site about capsular contracture. Are there effective alternatives to surgery to help her? She's in exceptional health for her age but we're concerned about having surgery at 93.
Thank you for your question. I am seeing more and more of people like your mother who have had early generation implants with severe capsular contracture. Unfortunately there is no effective non surgical treatment. Effective treatment consists of removal of the implants and capsules.
Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body
Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery
Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery
Active Member, ASPS
Thank you for sharing your excellent question. Unfortunately the best option for such a significant capsular contracture would be surgery to remove the implants and the surrounding scar tissue.
Capsular contracture was almost a given at that time and its incidence has definitely become less. I would unusually recommend a cosmetic procedure at that age.
Dr. Edward Jonas Domanskis is Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Newport Beach, San Francisco,Miami, EU, Anguilla,Nassau
Assistant Clinical Professor of SurgeryWOS-Plastic,University of California (Irvine)
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What you are describing sounds like severe capsular contracture which often times happens with subcutaneous mastectomy. And, if she had implants in 1975, they are the older type silicone implants, and most likely the shell has disintegrated and she has free silicone in her breast pockets. My recommendation would be to have the silicone removed and not to bother with reconstruction because that would be too complicated for a lady in her age. Hope that helps.