AboutAlan M. Engler, MD, FACS Expertise Dr. Engler has answered over 2700 plastic surgery questions for Allexperts. His expertise is in cosmetic plastic surgery including breast surgery (breast enlargement with implants, breast reduction, breast lifts), liposuction, eyelid surgery, tummy tucks, facelifts etc.
Dr. Engler has been listed as one New York`s Top Doctors, and as "One of the World's Most Famous Aesthetic Surgeons" (Aesthetic Surgery, TASCHEN Books, Angelika Taschen, Editor). He is the author of 4 books, including "BodySculpture" (a best-selling plastic surgery book on breast surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks), "EyeScapes" (Plastic Surgery of the Eyelids), "Restylane," and "The Slim Book of Liposuction."
Dr. Engler has two US Patents for surgical instruments that he's designed, and has appeared on numerous television shows, including The Tyra Banks Show, The Ricki Lake Show (four times), and the Dr. Keith Ablow Show. Videos of his appearances are available on YouTube (SEARCH FOR "DR. ENGLER"). His website is www.bodysculpture.com.
Experience Dr. Alan Engler is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York and the author of BodySculpture - Plastic Surgery of the Body for Men and Women (ISBN 0966382749) one of the top-selling plastic surgery books on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, etc.
Education/Credentials Dr. Engler graduated from Yale University (undergraduate) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University (medical school). He did his residency training in General Surgery and, after that, Plastic Surgery, at the Montefiore Medical Center in New York. He is on the faculty of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.
Question Hi - I had breast augmentation approximately 5 months ago. Unfortunately at the weekend a drunk friend of mine grabbed me and hugged me incredibly hard. It noticeably hurt my right breast and I pushed him away. The next day it was tender and ached. I wore my sports bra to support it but my concern is that the bruising will cause capsulation? The pain subsided after approx 2 days and it is not swollen. What are the chances for capsulation and is there anything I can do to help prevent it? Should I take vitamin e (I already take evening primrose oil) and continue wearing the sports bra? Many thanks
Answer from Dr. Alan Engler
www.bodysculpture.com
Dear Clare,
Yikes - sorry about that!
I understand your concerns but, unfortunately, I do not know of a way to prevent encapsulation, whether or not in the face of bruising. It is believed the bleeding and subsequent bruising like this does increase the risk of capsule formation, but even that has not be completely proven.
At this point, I would just suggest massage of the affected breast until the remainder of the blood (bruising is, of course, blood under the skin and within the deeper tissues) is absorbed, and for some time (a few months) thereafter. Again, this is not based on absolute, hard date but is empirical. And a sports bra makes some sense, too. The vitamin E doesn't necessarily, as, if anything, it can increase some bleeding.
Aside from that, I'm not sure what else to say. Certainly, you should contact your PS and alert him/her as to what's happened; there may then be some other suggestions.
And keeping away from overly drunk people is probably a good idea from many standpoints!!
