Capsular contracture is a known risk that comes with breast augmentation surgery, and it occurs when scar tissue forms, restricting the muscles and causing the breast implant to look distorted and feel hard. While there is no way to prevent it from occurring, there are ways to reduce your risk. And should it occur, there are treatment options - some surgical and others not.

Closed capsulotomy, a non-surgical procedure, calls for the surgeon to forcibly squeeze the implant with the hopes of opening the scar tissue up, allowing it to loosen and soften. But breast implant manufacturers do not recommend it because the pressure applied could lead to implant rupture, and should a rupture take place, the implant replacement will not be covered under the warranty. In addition, you would need to be awake for the procedure and local anesthesia may not be given.

Open capsulotomy is when the surgeon goes into the pocket and cuts the scar tissue, allowing the capsule’s hold on the implant to be released. It should be understood that the scar tissue is not removed. A skilled surgeon is capable of performing this procedure through the transaxillary incision, in addition to crease and areola incisions. Unlike a closed capsulotomy, a local anesthetic with intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia, is administered.

Open capsulotomy requires that the surgeon go in and remove the scar tissue/capsule. With the capsule removed, the body develops a new capsule around the breast implant.

More conservative treatment options include vitamin E, Pavabid (a drug that is intended to relax veins and arteries so that blood can pass through more easily), and antibiotics. But there is debate over whether they are effective.