Why Do My Breasts Feel Hard?

Breast augmentation can be considered the “gold standard” of breast rejuvenation depending on the aesthetic concerns that motivate patients to pursue the procedure. When the breasts begin to stretch or lose volume, implants are often the most effective way to restore a rounder, more voluminous, and younger-looking breast shape. That said, some people with breast implants experience a condition in which their breasts feel unusually hard. This phenomenon, known as capsular contracture, can affect comfort and aesthetics — even causing the breasts to look distorted in more severe cases.

Capsular contracture can be caused by a number of factors, including:

• Genetics: While it’s impossible to predict who may or may not develop capsular contracture, patients who have a family history of autoimmune diseases or thick scar tissue may be at an increased risk of developing hardened scar tissue.
• Biofilm and other complications: Biofilm, a thin layer of bacteria that sometimes develops around an implant in certain cases of infection, can lead to capsular contracture as the body continues to produce fibrous scar tissue. This has been explored in numerous medical studies, and some evidence suggests that complications during breast augmentation — like hematomas and seromas — may also contribute to capsular contracture.
• Poor reaction to implants: Hardened scar tissue is not an issue unique to breast implants. Capsular contracture can occur during any procedure in which a foreign object is placed in the body; however, the condition is highly treatable when under the care of a qualified plastic surgeon.

Scar tissue formation is a normal reaction to breast implants being placed in the body and doesn’t always require medical attention, but treatment from a plastic surgeon may be necessary if your breasts begin to look or feel hard. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani, our skilled Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, can evaluate the state of your implants and offers breast revision, if necessary, to address problematic scar tissue and improve your breast augmentation results. We encourage patients to monitor the condition of their implants and stay vigilant to potential changes in the breast tissue.

Don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani if you suspect a change in the look or feel of your breasts, or if you’d like to learn more about our breast surgery procedures.