I just had my implants done 8.5 months ago. My left implant has a capsule they told me to take vitamin e and massage. I noticed this first 3 months after surgery, it’s gotten a lot worse since then. I don’t have to pay for this to be fixed do I? Should be covered in the first year isn’t that right?
Thanks for your question. Unfortunately this rarely happens that one develops a capsular contracture this early. Insurance does not cover this to fix it. Depending on which implants you have, a portion of the surgical cost to correct capsular contracture may be covered. However, you may still have an out of pocket cost. My method to correct this is to remove the implant as well as the capsule. This can also happen again. If someone has recurrent capsular contracture several times, then I would consider taking out the implant and leaving them out for several months. I also send cultures at the time of surgery.
Please visit your plastic surgeon to go over all of your options.
Treatment of capsular contracture depends on how far along the contracture is (Grade 2, 3, or 4). Ask your surgeon if montelukast would help. Depending on which implant company warranty you have, some costs may be covered. Ultrasound treatment may help also.
Capsular contracture is not rare at three months out, as bleeding and/or implant contamination at the time of surgery are the likely causes. Massage neither prevents nor treats it, same with vitamin E and ultrasound. Efficacy of Montelukast (Singulair) has no good data to support using, and certainly not in someone who’s experiencing worsening symptoms. Your only recourse is a surgery through an inframammary incision to remove the entire scar capsule and implant, and replace with a new implant using an implant delivery funnel. In other words, going to a very experienced surgeon who is willing to perform evidence based best practices.
I've not found that capsular contracture is a reimbursable expense following augmentation mammaplasty. It is not an uncommon occurrence following surgery and may occur in one or both breasts. It can be due to implant contamination with bacteria or excessive bleeding after surgery. Most surgeons will allow the process to stabilize before re-operating. Release and/or removal of the scar with new implant placement will correct the majority of patients. It is frustrating for patients with significant degrees of contraction but it is an improvable situation. Best of Luck Dr Harrell
As mentioned, the implant companies have different policies to defer some of the costs of treating capsular contracture with surgery. If your condition is worsening, you should return to your surgeon for a re evaluation and discussion of options, including removal of the capsule and implant, then replacement with a new implant.
Thank you for sharing your question and I am sorry to hear of your CC. Unfortunately as a breast augmentation is an aesthetic procedure you may face costs associated with reoperation including surgeon, anesthesia, and facility fees. Some implants have a warranty that can provide you with monies to help defray the cost so be sure to discuss with your surgeon, they should provide you with all relevant information.