Capsular contracture is the most common aesthetic complication of breast augmentation. If you have a complication related to your breast surgery, it is most likely you will have this issue. The human body is an amazing structure. Anytime there is a foreign body implanted in the body, the body reacts by forming a protective lining around it. This is what we call a capsule: a layer of fibrous tissue around the implant. This layer forms in any part of the body any time an implant is used. This is a normal reaction, and most of the time it does not cause any serious effects or evolve into a capsular contracture.
Capsular contracture can vary based on symptoms and manifestation. A mild capsular contracture is one where the breast feels a little bit firm; in other words, there is a capsule, but it is not significantly contracting or distorting the breast. The more the capsule progresses, the firmer the breast is going to feel, resulting in a moderate contracture. Then we reach the level where not only does the breast feel firm, but also the breast starts to get an abnormal shape more like a ball, as the implant is being squeezed out of position, typically upwards. Finally, you can have the most severe capsular contracture, where the patient has significant firmness, distortion, and pain in the breast.