Should I do massaging after breast augmentation?

I do feel that most implants placed under the muscle do get somewhat massaged just by their location but also feel like this process of massaging is so easy to perform and will not hurt anything so why not perform it to assure the best chance of reducing capsular contracture. As a plastic surgeon we want to do everything we can to decrease the risk of capsular contracture. So why would we not do everything we can especially when it is so easy to perform.

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. You can repeat this several times a day.

Massage after augmentation is only recommended for smooth implants and should not be done if you have had textured implants. The reason is to keep the pocket large and allow the implant to have some freedom of movement while the body forms a capsule of scar tissue around the implant. This is felt to help prevent contracture of that capsule down the road as well as keep the implant soft and mobile so it can move with the breast. The frequency of massage will depend by surgeon and may range anywhere from 2-10x per day. It would be best to ask your surgeon what they recommend.

Since the rate of capsular contracture at my practice is low after breast augmentation, I do not routinely advise massage. If you are instructed to do massage exercises, it would be a little later on in your recovery so that things can get a chance to settle and tissues are allowed to strengthen a bit. If your surgeon advises that you do massage, it's best to listen to them.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.

Please see the below instructional video that our office has prepared for patients following breast augmentation and below link to post op instructions

I am including a video of the breast massage exercises I recommend after augmentation. First discuss with your surgeon.

After undergoing breast augmentation surgery, massaging can begin after you have sutures are removed or when advised by your plastic surgeon. When massaging meet through the implant in horizontal and vertical directions and move the implant around in its pocket. Massage at least once a day for five minutes. The massage will not break the implant, as long as your not too aggressive. The reason why we have patients massage is to prevent capsular contracture.
Best regards,
Dr.Speron

More often than not, plastic surgeons will not recommend aggressive massage for textured implants but rather for smooth implants only.  I personally feel there is a role for breast massage exercises with both types of implants but I utilize different types of protocols for each of them and for each individualized patient.  In general, I tend to start breast implant massage exercises by the first week after surgery and they're to continue for several weeks/months after the surgery.  Each surgeon will have a particular set of exercises for you to do as a general pattern, and may ask you to do some specific exercises depending on your postoperative presentation.  The overall goal is to help ensure that the breast implant pocket sets up well, and that the tissues remain well positioned over the implant in order to optimize results.

Find out what your surgeon says. If you have textured implants, you won't want to massage. Otherwise it's likely your plastic surgeon will recommend it.To maintain a result like the one below (click the link), I recommend massaging smooth implants to my patients.

I am a big advocate of breast massage.  I like to wait until the first postoperative visit to begin massage for three reasons.  
1.  I do not want excess tension on the fresh incision, which can cause wound healing problems
2.  Massage will increase soreness and I want to get patients off pain medication as quickly and safely as possible.
3.  Early massage can increase the risk of bleeding, which is the number 1 cause of capsular contracture/scar formation.

For this reason, I begin massage therapy at the first visit, which is 4-7 days postop.  I then establish a regimine of 3 minutes of massage 3 times a day for 3 months.  I recommend moving the breast up/down/left/right, then squeeze to minimize scar from all directions.

I do prefer a bra, especially in physically active patients, as I find it helps prevent the implant from dropping too much and causing implant malposition.