Will Massaging Implants Two Years Post-op Help to Lower the Higher, Harder One?

This is more than likely capsular contracture which should be examined by your surgeon or a board certified plastic surgeon.  Most likely it will be treated surgically. 

Unfortunately a high, hard breast implant 2 years after surgery is a capsular contracture.  This is a known complication and one that requires a reoperation in order to fix.  When I address this problem I will usually remove the old implants, remove as much of the capsule and scar tissue around the implants, and the place new implants in a different plane.  What this means is if your implants were in the prepectoral plane (above the muscle) I would move them to below the muscle.  This surgery usually requires a few weeks of limited activity but most patients can return to work a few days after the procedure.  Sometimes if a capsulare contracture is suspected early after surgery massage and medications may help but at two years surgery is the only option in order to see any significant change.

Hello Chrissy,

I am sorry but you have capsular contracture.  This is a condition that is not treatable by implant massage, taking asthma drugs or high doses of vitamin E, or using either external ultrasound or infra red devices.  A surgical procedure will be necessary to remove the scar tissue around the implant.  Total removal of the scar capsule and using a new implant will minimize, but not eliminate, the risk of a recurrent capsular contracture.

Although implant massage is recommended by many doctors, there is no evidence that it will either prevent or treat capsular contracture.

In general, minimizing the risk of capsular contracture is achieved by a three pronged system of choosing the appropriate sized implant for your anatomy, performing meticulous, non-traumatic electrocautery surgery, and implant delivery with a 'no touch' technique.  Done well, there is no bruising, minimal discomfort, and a risk of capsular contracture that is one tenth the national average, about 1.5% to 2%.

Please visit a few well qualified and experienced surgeons who have an excellent reputation in revision breast surgery. These doctors will be certified by the ABPS, and are members of the ASAPS.

Best of luck.

 

Unfortunately, I don't believe that massage will be of any benefit. It is best that you consult with the operating surgeon. If you indeed have a capsule contracture, you may benefit from removal of the scar tissue and replacement of the implant. Even with this, you may be at a higher risk for a recurrence of the problem.

Two years out means that your hard implant (capsular contracture) will probably not respond

at this point. It can't hurt but probably will not help much. Are you a smoker? - I ask that question as the risk of harness is up to 30X greater and stopping nicotine would help as would certain medications such as Singulair. However it would be an off FDA usage and you would have to have a thorough discussing and informed consent to use it. 

I suspect that you will need surgery to correct this decision. Make sure you see a surgeon board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery with experience in secondary breast problems.