Capsular Contracture Treatment

Parker Center for Plastic Surgery in Paramus is the only provider in the New Jersey region trained and licensed to use the Aspen Ultrasound System for nonsurgical capsular contracture treatment. Women from Ridgewood and throughout Bergen County, North New Jersey, and surrounding areas visit us for this effective treatment for capsular contracture.


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What Is Capsular Contracture?

After breast augmentation surgery, the body naturally forms a lining or “capsule” around the breast implant, which the body correctly identifies as a foreign substance. A small percentage of augmentation patients develop capsular contracture, in which this naturally-occurring lining unexpectedly hardens, creates pain, causes breast firmness, and distorts the shape and position of the breast implant. No single cause has been identified for the development of capsular contracture, but it can be treated.

Traditionally, plastic surgeons have treated capsular contracture by surgically removing the breast implant and surrounding capsule. At The Parker Center, we offer non-surgical capsular contracture treatment as well as surgical options.


Can Capsular Contracture Be Treated Without Surgery?

If you are suffering from mild to moderate capsular contracture, you may not need surgery to correct the problem. At Parker Center, we offer the Aspen Ultrasound System Treatment, a non-invasive treatment for this unpleasant condition. We are the only provider in the area trained and licensed to use this technique, which Dr. Parker has found to be an excellent non-surgical approach to resolving capsular contracture. The system has improved the condition in most of our patients who have undergone the treatment.

What Is the Aspen Ultrasound System Treatment?

The Aspen Ultrasound System uses sound wave therapy (ultrasound) in combination with targeted massage to soften the scar tissue in the capsule, which helps to restore a more natural-looking and feeling breast and alleviates the tight or painful feeling that often accompanies capsular contracture.

The Aspen Ultrasound System offers many benefits:

  • It has none of the risks of surgery.
  • It is far less expensive than surgery.
  • It has no lengthy recovery time as does surgery.
  • It is painless.

Developed by a physical therapist, the Aspen treatment differs from the normal diagnostic use of ultrasound, as it features a specialized paddle device that provides for more effective penetration of ultrasound energy. If a revision surgery should eventually be necessary, the Aspen Ultrasound System can serve as post-surgical therapy to reduce the recurrence of capsular contracture.

Before & After: Aspen Ultrasound Treatment*

Woman\'s breasts with capsular contracture
Woman\'s breasts after Aspen therapy
The top photo shows the New Jersey capsular contracture patient before treatment, with capsular contracture affecting the left breast. The bottom photos was taken after Aspen Ultrasound treatment.

How Much Do Aspen Ultrasound Treatments Cost?

At our practice in Paramus, New Jersey, Aspen capsular contracture treatments cost $175 per session. Patients typically need a series of 5 to 10 treatments.

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What Happens During Capsular Contracture Surgery?

Surgical capsular contracture removal is often best for more progressive cases. If we catch it early, non-surgical treatment is usually successful in correcting capsular contracture and preventing it from reoccurring. However, in more developed or severe cases, or if a patient has not responded well to the non-surgical Aspen treatment, surgery will be the most effective option. Dr. Parker is highly experienced in breast implant revision procedures and will tailor the procedure to fully treat the problem while also achieving the most aesthetically pleasing outcome possible.

Breast Capsulectomy With Breast Implant Replacement

During this procedure, Dr. Parker will surgically remove the old implants and the surrounding capsule, and then place new breast implants during the same surgery. He will also address any other concerns and make improvements as necessary, such as:

  • Adjusting the breast pocket to improve implant position
  • Switching from saline to silicone
  • Changing from over-the-muscle to under-the-muscle or dual plane implant placement
  • Changing implant size to better fit your personal preferences and proportions

Before & After: Breast Implant Revision for Capsular Contracture*

Woman\'s chest before and after treatment for capsular contracture

Treating Capsular Contracture With Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM)

One particularly exciting advancement in capsular contracture treatment in recent years is the use of acellular dermal matrix, or ADM, in breast augmentation revision. ADM is a strong, sterile, biocompatible sheet of material that Dr. Parker can place around the new breast implant to reinforce the surrounding breast tissue. Incorporating ADM into breast revision surgery not only helps to support the breast implant, but has also been shown to significantly reduce the risk of capsular contracture happening again.

Acellular dermal matrix reinforcing the lower breast
ADM acts as a “sling” to help support and provide more coverage to the breast implant as well as reducing risk for capsular contracture.

Dr. Parker finds ADM particularly useful for the following patients:

  • those who develop bilateral capsular contracture
  • those who have had prior capsulectomy and implant replacement with recurrent capsular contracture
  • those with very thin breast tissue
  • those with implant malposition in need of additional support when repositioning the implant into its proper location

Before & After: Capsular Contracture Treatment Using ADM*

Woman\'s chest before and after treatment for capsular contracture

Explantation and Capsulectomy

Sometimes, a patient will develop capsular contracture and decide she no longer wants her breast implants at all. In this case, Dr. Parker can perform explantation, or breast implant removal surgery. In addition to removing the old breast implants and surrounding capsule, he can also perform a breast lift to address any sagging that may result from the implant removal process. 

Before & After: Breast Implant Removal (Explantation)*

Before & After: Breast Implant Removal (Explantation)

If you suspect you are suffering from capsular contracture, it’s important to consult with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options to correct the issue. You deserve to have breasts that you love and be free from pain and discomfort. We invite you to contact us for a personal consultation with Dr. Parker. Call  (201) 967-1212 or contact us using the form below.

Dr. Paul Parker

Paul M. Parker, M.D., FACS

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Known for his surgical talent and caring personality, Dr. Parker has been serving the community for over 35 years. He has dedicated his practice to the education, safety, and comfort of his patients—making each one feel as important as family.

The Aesthetic Society; American Society of Plastic Surgeons; International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; The Rhinoplasty Society
The Aesthetic Society; American Society of Plastic Surgeons; International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; The Rhinoplasty Society