I have a hard spot at my incision site. Could this be capsular contracture?

I had a breast augmentation two weeks ago. Now, I have a hard spot at my incision site. It is only on the left side; my right breast is nothing compared to it. Could this be capsular contracture? Should I call my surgeon's office, massage the area, or leave it alone until my next appointment in 5 days?

Answers from doctors (15)


More About Doctor Alton E. Ingram, MD

Published on Oct 06, 2021

Don't even bug out! This is a localized spot at the incision which doesn't involve the majority of your breast tissue right after surgery. You probably have three layers of sutures, and the hard spot is likely a suture or a little localized inflammation. Call your doctor today and let the office know - they'll probably want to check it out to be sure it's not a little bitty infection in the suture line. If you get a fever or generalized swelling and pain go right in to see him or her.

Answered by Alton E. Ingram, MD (View Profile)

Don't even bug out! This is a localized spot at the incision which doesn't involve the majority of your breast tissue right after surgery. You probably have three layers of sutures, and the hard spot is likely a suture or a little localized inflammation. Call your doctor today and let the office know - they'll probably want to check it out to be sure it's not a little bitty infection in the suture line. If you get a fever or generalized swelling and pain go right in to see him or her.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor David J. Levens, MD

Published on Jan 29, 2020

Capsular contracture would be highly unlikely at only 2 weeks post-op. Most likely if the hardness is limited to your incision site, it is typical early scar tissue developing as the scar is healing or simply the feel of the dissolvable stitches deep to the skin which will definitely go away with time. Your plastic surgeon will be able to confirm and reassure you at your post-op visit.

Answered by David J. Levens, MD (View Profile)

Capsular contracture would be highly unlikely at only 2 weeks post-op. Most likely if the hardness is limited to your incision site, it is typical early scar tissue developing as the scar is healing or simply the feel of the dissolvable stitches deep to the skin which will definitely go away with time. Your plastic surgeon will be able to confirm and reassure you at your post-op visit.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Joseph Cruise, MD

Published on Aug 19, 2019

Capsular contracture does not present itself at the incision site. It is typically noticed at the upper breast pole and symptoms typically are hardness, misshapen breast, discomfort or pain.

It is always recommended to contact your plastic surgeons office whenever you have a concern. You are still very early on in the recovery process so you may notice a variety of unusual symptoms that are normal as part of the healing.

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Answered by Joseph Cruise, MD

Capsular contracture does not present itself at the incision site. It is typically noticed at the upper breast pole and symptoms typically are hardness, misshapen breast, discomfort or pain.

It is always recommended to contact your plastic surgeons office whenever you have a concern. You are still very early on in the recovery process so you may notice a variety of unusual symptoms that are normal as part of the healing.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Y Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Published on Jun 06, 2019

It is too early for a contracture. It is much more likely a stitch under the skin. The safest answer is to go to your surgeon so they may examine the area and tell you what is likely the cause.

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Answered by Y Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

It is too early for a contracture. It is much more likely a stitch under the skin. The safest answer is to go to your surgeon so they may examine the area and tell you what is likely the cause.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Barry J. Kaplan, D.O.

Published on Jun 02, 2016

Where is your incision? Most likely this is your body working on dissolving the sutures. Massage won't help. Yes, ask your surgeon at your next appt.

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Answered by Barry J. Kaplan, D.O.

Where is your incision? Most likely this is your body working on dissolving the sutures. Massage won't help. Yes, ask your surgeon at your next appt.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


ELLIOT B. DUBOYS, MD, FACS

Published on May 31, 2016

Leave it alone until your next appointment. Typically, capsular contractures take weeks to develop and usually isn't seen at two-weeks post op. If it is just a spot (painless I hope), I would bring it to your surgeon's attention. Good luck.

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Answered by ELLIOT B. DUBOYS, MD, FACS

Leave it alone until your next appointment. Typically, capsular contractures take weeks to develop and usually isn't seen at two-weeks post op. If it is just a spot (painless I hope), I would bring it to your surgeon's attention. Good luck.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Ralph M. Rosato, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Published on Mar 28, 2016

If you are running a fever, call your surgeon. It is not a capsular contracture. It could be a deep suture that you feel or some swelling. There is also a condition called a Mondor's cord that will go away on its own. If you are worried, a call to the office during hours would be appropriate. However, it doesn't sound worrisome.

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Answered by Ralph M. Rosato, M.D., F.A.C.S.

If you are running a fever, call your surgeon. It is not a capsular contracture. It could be a deep suture that you feel or some swelling. There is also a condition called a Mondor's cord that will go away on its own. If you are worried, a call to the office during hours would be appropriate. However, it doesn't sound worrisome.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Kenneth L. Stein M.D. FACS

Published on Mar 18, 2016

You should call your doctor for advice. However, chances are it will be best to leave it alone. Wound healing takes time. Nothing bad will happen, but if you are concerned, get an earlier appointment.

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Answered by Kenneth L. Stein M.D. FACS

You should call your doctor for advice. However, chances are it will be best to leave it alone. Wound healing takes time. Nothing bad will happen, but if you are concerned, get an earlier appointment.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


David C. Yao MD, FACS

Published on Mar 11, 2016

Thanks for sharing. You should speak with your PS. This is not possible to assess online, but rather best in person. Sutures are a likely issue. Capsular contracture develops much more slowly and is not present this early after breast implant procedures. Best wishes.

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Answered by David C. Yao MD, FACS

Thanks for sharing. You should speak with your PS. This is not possible to assess online, but rather best in person. Sutures are a likely issue. Capsular contracture develops much more slowly and is not present this early after breast implant procedures. Best wishes.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Anita Patel MD, FACS

Published on Mar 02, 2016

A hard spot along your incision would be more likely to be a palpable suture knot (feeling the stitch below the skin) than a capsular contracture. Capsular contracture is felt around the implant, not along your incision, and it refers to tightening of the scar tissue around the implant itself. You can always call for an earlier appointment if you are worried, but if that is the only symptom, you are probably just fine keeping your 5-day appointment. If you have redness or swelling or drainage around the hard spot, you should get evaluated right away.

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Answered by Anita Patel MD, FACS

A hard spot along your incision would be more likely to be a palpable suture knot (feeling the stitch below the skin) than a capsular contracture. Capsular contracture is felt around the implant, not along your incision, and it refers to tightening of the scar tissue around the implant itself. You can always call for an earlier appointment if you are worried, but if that is the only symptom, you are probably just fine keeping your 5-day appointment. If you have redness or swelling or drainage around the hard spot, you should get evaluated right away.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Body by Ravi

Published on Feb 25, 2016

Typically, capsular contracture within two weeks is extremely uncommon. A hard spot may simply indicate swelling. It is best to be seen by your plastic surgeon.

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Answered by Body by Ravi

Typically, capsular contracture within two weeks is extremely uncommon. A hard spot may simply indicate swelling. It is best to be seen by your plastic surgeon.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Larry Leverett, MD, FACS

Published on Feb 24, 2016

No, it is not a capsular contracture. Most likely, it is normal healing of the incision. The breasts heal at different rates.

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Answered by Larry Leverett, MD, FACS

No, it is not a capsular contracture. Most likely, it is normal healing of the incision. The breasts heal at different rates.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Robert J. Brueck MD, FACS

Published on Feb 18, 2016

As long as you are not having a fever or anything like that, you can show it to your surgeon. It just may be a stitch that may want to come out.

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Answered by Robert J. Brueck MD, FACS

As long as you are not having a fever or anything like that, you can show it to your surgeon. It just may be a stitch that may want to come out.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Joel Aronowitz, MD

Published on Feb 10, 2016

You should call your surgeon and discuss this with him or her.

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Answered by Joel Aronowitz, MD

You should call your surgeon and discuss this with him or her.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Boris Bergus, MD

Published on Feb 10, 2016

This would need to be evaluated and could represent a fluid collection.

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Answered by Boris Bergus, MD

This would need to be evaluated and could represent a fluid collection.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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