Am I Doing the Correct Breast Augmentation Post-op Massage So As Not to Widen Pocket?

I have sub- pectoral saline implants 360-380cc. I am seven weeks post-op. I have only been doing massage of implants inward to encourage implants to come together more and sometimes downwards to encourage implants to settle. Will these types of massage put me at risk for widening the pocket? I am nervous to do the wrong thing and have the pocket widen resulting in implants spaced too far apart.

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by Jennylea in Albany, NY

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Displacement Exercises for Smooth Breast Implants Does Not Affect Pocket Size

The displacement of breast implants is recommended to reduce the risk of capsular contracture. Perhaps that is unproven, but I have seen a few isolated cases where aggressive massage has helped to loosen a tight pocket that has begun to form when displacement was not being performed adequately. Displacement of breast implants is done for smooth surfaced saline- and silicone gel-filled implants; it is not recommended for breast implants with a textured surface. Smooth breast implants will... more

Post implant massage

It is extremely rare to change a pocket after breast implant surgery. The main goal is to prevent a visible or painful capsule. If there were technical problems with creating the pocket, overaggressive dissection or muscle release, release of the fold beneath the breasts, a collection of blood or even a mild infection of the implant (which is referred to a biofilm), then an abnormal capsule can result. At seven weeks, you will not harm the pocket. more

Displacement exercises fro breast augmentation

Some doctors recommend displacement exercises and others do not., and still those that recommend them may alter the exercises based upon what type of surgery the patient had performed. Your best bet is to ask your surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Massage

Hello Jennylea, Implant massage has no proven benefits, and I don't ever recommend it to my patients. It will not prevent capsular contracture and it will not cure a tight or contracted capsule that has already formed. Massage will not stop or prevent implant malposition toward the sides/armpits. Saline implants have a propensity to drop with time, more than silicone gel implants, so there is no need to encourage them to drop either. By this time, your breasts... more

Massage keeps implants soft after surgery

I recommend that my breast augmentation patients massage their implants after surgery. I typically recommend they start 2-3 weeks after surgery with this. I recommend they feel the implant at the outer, inferior aspect and squeeze the implant superiorly and centrally. I don't like for my patients to massage the implant outward or downward. The most important thing is breaking up any healing scar around the implant to keep the breasts soft and not allow significant scar tissue to organize... more

Breast implant massage advice

There are two reasons why massage to the breasts after augmentation might be recommended. One,as it sounds like you are doing, is to help keep the implants in the right place during the initial healing. Once the scar capsule forms,which takes about 6 weeks, this should no longer be necessary or helpful. The other reason is to prevent capsular contracture, which is a completely unproven idea.

Breast Augmentation Plastic Surgery Specialists of New Jersey

Dear Jennylea The massage techniques after breast augmentation has to be done correctly both in specific technique and frequency. The main issue is to perform the massage correctly and frequent enough to obtain the desired result. The massage should start as soon as you are comfortable. Your plastic surgeon should review with you how it is done. Essentially you gently push the implant towards the direction where you want the pocket, hold it inplace for 10 seconds and repeat... more