When any type of implant is placed in the body, a layer of fibrous scar tissue is formed around the implant. In some cases, this scar capsule may thicken and contract. Because breast implants are soft and deformable, a contracting capsule may distort the shape and feel of the breast. Surgery is typically required to treat advanced capsular contracture. However, because of improvements in modern implants, capsular contracture is much less common today than it was decades ago.