Capsular Contracture I

Stage I capsular contracture is essentially a normally soft breast implant. There are no signs of any breast implant hardening. The breast implant can move comfortably inside the breast implant pocket. Breasts are not painful and not tender to touch. Visible or palpable ripping of the breast implant shell may be present, but they are not an indication of breast implant scar capsular contracture.

Excellent communication with your plastic and reconstructive surgeon is paramount before your breast augmentation surgery. Patients must select the appropriate size, style, and shape of implant which most suits their figure and needs. Excessively large implants increase the chance of capsular contracture. Placing the implants under the pectoralis muscle decreases the chance of capsular contracture. Textured breast implants have also been shown to decrease the risk of capsular contracture. Consultation with a plastic and reconstructive surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery is the first step in assuring the best outcome. Patients must discuss their ideal breast size and look as well as implant type and location in order to optimize their outcome.

Prevention of breast implant capsular contracture is the most important task after breast augmentation surgery. Patients should regularly massage breast implants, as breast massage has been shown to decrease the incidence of breast implant capsular contracture. If patients notice development of any change such as slight firmness at one or both breast implants, they should contact a plastic and reconstructive surgeon as soon as possible for an appointment. Close follow-up appointments with a plastic surgeon are important to treat timely and even prevent post-operative complications. So be sure to return for all of your follow-up appointments!

Prophylactic antibiotics are indicated for any dental procedures or tooth cleaning within six months of breast augmentation surgery. Bacteria can travel via bloodstream to the breast implant causing an inflammatory reaction which can be the beginning of capsular contracture.

Prevention of capsular contracture begins even prior to your breast augmentation surgery. Your plastic and reconstructive surgeon must discuss your ideal implant size, shape, material, location, and incision before breast augmentation surgery. Breast augmentation methods which reduce capsular contracture include placement of the breast implant under the pectoralis muscle (versus over the muscle), using textured implants (versus smooth implants), limiting handling of the implants and minimizing skin contact prior to breast implant insertion, and irrigation of the implant pocket with antibiotic solutions. If patients wish to have breast implants removed or exchanged, and they have normal breasts with a Stage I capsular contracture, patients' insurance company will not likely cover the expenses of patients' surgery. However, some insurance companies do cover the elective removal of normal breast implants. Insurance companies will never pay to have breast implants replaced. A patient's plastic and reconstructive surgeon can write a letter addressed to the patient's insurance company to request pre-authorization for implant removal surgery. Pre-authorization will improve the chances of insurance companies paying for implant removal surgery.

Breast implant capsular contracture may occur anytime after breast augmentation surgery. Prevention of capsular contracture or tight scar formation around breast implants is the main goal in Stage I. Breast massage should begin by the second week after surgery once any pain has minimized. Regular breast massage, annual physical examination by a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and mammograms after the age of forty are all imperative to excellent breast health.

Conceirge Breast Care

Concierge medicine goes by many names, boutique medicine, retainer medicine, executive health, VIP medicine, and personalized medicine. By any name, concierge medicine is the solution for doctors trying to maintain their integrity and independence in today’s difficult healthcare environment. Concierge medicine is a new style of practice with old roots, in which doctors limit their patient base in order to provide patients with personalized service, high quality care, 24-7 availability, and other amenities. In exchange for this enhanced personal attention, patients pay physicians an annual fee. This concierge fee enables physicians to increase their compensation while managing their workload. In addition to receiving an annual fee, most concierge physicians continue to receive reimbursements from health plans and private pay clients. Concierge medicine is a relationship between a patient and a primary care physician in which the patient pays an annual fee or retainer. This may or may not be in addition to other charges. In exchange for the retainer, doctors provide enhanced care. Other terms in use include boutique medicine, retainer-based medicine, and innovative medical practice design. The practice is also referred to as membership medicine, concierge health care, cash only practice, direct care, direct primary care, and direct practice medicine. While all concierge medicine practices share similarities, they vary widely in their structure, payment requirements, and form of operation. In particular, they differ in the level of service provided and the amount of the fee charged.