Are Rubbing "Squeaky" Noises 3 Weeks Post op Normal?

Your new implant sliding against the stretched moist tissues causes a friction rub (sound) that can be felt as well as occasionally heard. This is termed "bourdonnement" and was definitively described in the plastic surgery literature: "Bourdonnement and other benign temporary breast implant sounds", Annals of Plastic Surgery, Vol 43 p589, 1999.

The inflammation that causes this sound resolves as the healing process goes forward. It generally goes away in a few days to weeks, but can occasionally take longer, depending on how long your healing process takes.

Those of us who still use a stethescope for listening to patients' chests will occasionally hear distinctive sounds such as this that indicate lung/chest (pleural) inflammation that can aid in diagnosis. In your case this sound only indicates that your healing is incomplete. Best wishes!

Totally normal. It does not happen in everyone but it has always gone away in all of my patients in whom it occurs. 

When a patient experiences sounds from the breasts, often it is
early in the recovery period from breast augmentation surgery.  This is normal and is a reflection of some of
the irrigation fluid that has remained in the breast pocket.  Over a short time this irrigation fluid
becomes absorbed, and the sounds go away. 
Your situation is different in that the timing is 13 months post-op.   Fluid in the breast pocket is still likely
the reason for these sounds. However, newly accumulated fluid in a breast
pocket over a year after surgery is called a delayed seroma and should be
investigated.  A breast ultrasound can
confirm the diagnosis of seroma.  Delayed
seromas are associated in the majority of cases with having textured gel
implants.  Delayed seromas can also be
associated with a rare implant-associated cancer called anaplastic large cell
lymphoma.  I would suggest following-up
with your original plastic surgeon so that he/she can evaluate you for these
new symptoms.

The sounds may be caused by the development of a capsule around the
implant, or even a rupture in the worst case. 
I would encourage you to schedule an appointment with your surgeon
immediately to determine the source of the sounds.

Hello and thank you for the question.

Squeaky noises following breast enhancement surgery is quite common and can persist for several weeks and up to a few months in certain instances.  The cause is likely due to post-surgical fluid surrounding the implant which will absorb into your body with time. My advice would be to show patience, and always follow-up with your surgeon should you have serious concerns.

Kindest Regards,

Glenn Vallecillos, M.D., F.A.C.S.