"Aggressive" Massaging After Breast Lift/augmentation

It is important to remember that a slow steady stretch is more effective than a quick jerky movement. Don't worry about injuring the implant, you cannot cause a rupture with these breast exercises.Press the breasts slowly and maximally inwards (towards your breast bone) and hold for 10 seconds, then release. Repeat 4 times.Press the breasts apart slowly and maximally outwards and hold for 10 seconds, then release. Repeat 4 times.Repeat for downward movement.Repeat for upward movement.Perform these exercise 2 times per day after your breast augmentation procedure.It takes three to four months for your breasts to drop after surgery, so you still have a bit to go. I would wait until then to determine if corrective surgery is required. Best of luck!

Thank you for your question.If you find that your breast is tight and particularly if you went up a few cup sizes, then breast massage will help your implants settle. I typically recommend waiting a week as it sooner may be too uncomfortable. However, if you can tolerate it earlier, then you can do so. I also recommend lymphatic massage as this helps to reduce swelling much faster in the breast.As far as how to massage, I recommend displacing the implant in all four directions (up, down, left and right). Example, pinch the breast on the top to displace the implant downwards. For the lymphatic massage, it is much more of a light gentle touch. We often recommend a massage therapist to help with this or we show patients how to do this at home.

I would discuss the level of agressiveness with your surgeon. However, it can take up to 6-9 months prior to deciding on the timing of breast revision surgery.

It's best to get your surgeon to answer your questions. "Aggressive" massage can mean something entirely different according to each surgeon. Avoid following the advice of a surgeon who isn't more informed about your situation.

In my practice if I have a patient with a stubbornly high breast implant, I often recommend a bandeau to be worn over the high side. If the capsule is tight, I might have the patient take a Singulair for a limited time and use home ultrasound over the tight part of the pocket. On occasion, despite all aggressive non-surgical measures, a capsulotomy is needed, which is a surgical procedure in which the scar around the implant is released.Of course, we hope both implants settle to the same level, like the case below (click on link).

Hi,

  There are two schools of thought in the plastic surgery community as far as massaging.  Some feel it helps keep the pocket larger in comparison to the implant size and thus the recommendation to do it.

  Others feel that massaging causes an inflammatory response that would help cause a capsule formation and hard breast.  Thus they do not recommend it.

  I personally used to be agressive at massaging but over the years have become less agressive at it.  I am not sure that anyone is right or wrong in either approach.

  Your doctor thinks that agressive massaging is in your best interests in his/her mind.  Ask your surgeon what that means to be agressive.  Then follow their direction and see where it goes.  If there is something that bothers you as time goes on, then you can discuss your options.

                 Steven M. Lynch, M.D.  Albany, New York

Thank you for the question and pictures.

Since you have had the procedure I would recommend that you follow your plastic surgeon's recommendations.  Most  likely he/she has recommended massage of the breast implants  which is felt by many plastic surgeons to be helpful in keeping the breast implant soft.  if you have questions about the  specific technique  your plastic surgeon recommends then address those with him/her during your next visit. Otherwise, I'm afraid you will be confused or overly anxious with online consultants' recommendations.

Best wishes.