A capsule of scar tissue may also form around the implant. Scar tissue forms on the outside of all artificial implants when placed in the body. The scar tissue may cause pain and discomfort and make the implant feel hard to the touch. Surgery may be necessary to break up or remove the scar tissue. It may also be necessary to remove or replace the implant.
Capsules can form at any time from a few weeks to many years after the implant has been inserted.
If you undergo breast augmentation, you should realize that the placement of a breast implant in your augmented breast will affect, to some degree, your annual mammograms. If the implant is placed beneath the muscle layer, breast augmentation will not likely have much effect on the quality of later mammograms. However, if you have an implant in your reconstructed breast and you would like to get a mammogram, you should look for centers that are experienced in screening women with implants. Breast augmentation is additional surgery. The implant may develop complications over the years, such as leaks, ruptures, or excess scar tissue formation that may need to be corrected by extra surgery.