Capsular contracture, advice please

hi ladies, I've not been on for ages, since my BA really which was five years ago.

I've got a capsule forming in my right breast.  Saw my surgeon last year and he said to keep massaging and that he was happy to leave it until it caused me discomfort as I was in no rush for surgery and it wasn't too bad.

My right boob has steadily got harder, and recently I am getting pain in my right arm.  It's a low level ache that's getting more and more constant.  Do you think this is connected to the CC?  I'd also like to know if there are any other treatments that you know of other than a full capsuletomy?  I earn a third of the money now that I earned when I first had my surgery and I can't afford an op.

I'm feeling really upset about the pain and the situation and that fact I don't really know what to do.  Worse still I'm single now and my boobs are stopping me wanting to meet anyone because I just feel horrible :(((.

Feeling quite alone with this.  We know it can happen but when it does it's just horrible.  

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks x

Hi. So sorry to hear that your experiencing this. I didn't want to read and run but I have no helpful advise on the matter. Maybe post on realself with a photo, you can get some advise from different surgeons. Hopefully someone here will have something more useful for you. All the best x

Hello!! Sorry to hear you are having problems - take a look at the recent posts as wildflower on here has had a similar problem and she has managed to really improve her cc but massage and conpression techniques - she got the info from an American website - I'm on my phone but will try and dig it out for you later. I've seen her trail and the difference is amazing although she was only 9 months post op.

Do you have smooth implants? If so you are advised to massage but it is different for textured implants so worth checking with your surgeon before you try any techniques online.

Hopefully wildflower will be along soon to advise a bit more! X X

Well done Lucy. So totally forgot about wildflower and it was the only other day. Gosh my brain. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] the post is on this forum (is actually the post below this one at the mo) titled capsular contracture improvement by [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. Hopefully she will see this and can off advice x

Heyy,

I did an online test for ASPEN rehabilitation to see if I was suitable, I would recommend doing that too, I was going to go to the states to get this treatment as a holiday as its so much cheaper than revision and no negative side affects atall, but ended up giving it a go myself and had good results, I'll link you to my post anyway.

But look at this paper on the technique 

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This is their web page, read all of it

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And my post

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I'm pretty sure it will work at any time after surgery, and if u caught the CC early then thats good, but I am also pretty sure you need to have smooth implants to be able to do it, but feel free to message me anyway because I have had so much improvement! And it was only last week it all happened.
xox

Ladies thank you so much. I will read everything you recommend wildflower, thank you. I think my implants are textured though :-/. However when I last saw the surgeon he did say to massage it as it might delay the capsules progress. I thought you couldn't massage textured implants, but have done as he said. Thanks for the reading I will make that my job to do tonight. I can't ignore the situation any longer, I've had to hit the painkillers today for the first time so something needs to happen sooner rather than later.
Thanks again, Zoe xx

I had a capsulectomy which is different to a capsylotomy as it's scoring the capsule to release the tightness around the implant. However as your implants are 5 years old you may want to consider changing them at the same time. Certain implants have lower risk of cc. As for money I don't really know what to suggest I'm afraid x

Hmm I had capsulotomy rather than the other hahs

If the boob is getting harder and the pain is travelling down your arm, I really dont think any massage is going to cut it now. You've tried to delay the process, but sometimes these things are inevitable. I would go back to your surgeon and discuss your options. It may be that a portion of the re-op is still covered by your aftercare, so it wouldnt cost nearly as much.

Hi Ladies, thank you all for your responses.

I read the info on the Aspen site.  The massage I have been doing seems very similar in technique.    Does anybody know of anyone who has had External Ultrasound treatment?   Is it available anywhere in the UK ?  I can't find much mention of it anywhere else other than that Aspen site.

Loui1981, thanks for telling me about your capsulotomy.  When I went to the surgeon when I initially felt there was a problem (the time he sent me away to just do massage), he didn't mention that as an option.  But you're right, after five years it's probably better to replace.  I don't know.  Did you have any pains in your arms before your op? I am getting persistent aching in the arm at the same side as my affected boob.

Bkozk,I haven't heard of 'realself', but I'll look into that, thanks.

Can I ask, if I have a capsule in only one breast, but both implants are 5 years old, would they normally replace both implants or just one?  Will they be uneven then?  Do they normally need to replace with a bigger implant?

Also, I had no aftercare/insurance with my first surgery (I know, I can't believe I was that stupid either).  If I was to go to a different surgeon/company for my next op, would they offer aftercare if you've already had a capsule problem?

I'm sorry I've got so many questions.  I know I need to just go and see the surgeon again. 

If anyone can give me any more info on anything to do with my issues I'd really appreciate it. Feeling really miserable about it. 

Thank you x

I can't offer any advise on your list of questions but can only suggest you go back to your PS and make him take more thAt your pain is also in your arm. You could also book a for second opinion with another surgeon and see what they say re re op and aftercare (I'm sure they would cover you, it's a completely new op). Best of luck x