Is it okay to squeeze breast but hard to press/push onto the chest? (photos)

Question

Dear doctors, I have round Mentor smooth under muscle, 1 month post op. My breasts feel soft, but not the implants under. I can squeeze it side way but it feels very firm to push straight on. Is it because of the muscle still stretching? Will it get softer with time or is this how implants are supposed to feel and you will never be able to push on your chest straight on? Thank you so much for your reply.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

Yes, the muscle is still relaxing off of the implant and the skin is stretching. As the skin stretches and the muscles relax, the implants move down and out slowly – about 1 percent a day. It’ll be about six weeks before they even begin to settle down, but they’ll be close to 80 percent settled and softened at three months. At nine months they are almost 100 percent settled and softened. Watching your breasts' progress is like watching your hair grow. You don’t see a difference in your hair growth daily, but all of a sudden you need a haircut. For more information on this and similar topics, I
recommend a plastic surgery Q&A book like "The Scoop On Breasts: A
Plastic Surgeon Busts the Myths."

Joe Gryskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Training Bra,Yes, I believe this is OK, but be sure to keep your PS in the loop.  We purposely have our patients do massage to help keep their implants soft.  I believe you will soften more over time.  All the best, Dr. Joe

Dean Trotter, MBBS, FRACS · Answer

At one month post-op your body is still recovering from the surgery, especially when the implant is under the muscle.  Therefore it is too early to say for sure however most of the swelling will have settled by now so you can start to appreciate how things will be longer term. The implants do feel firm if you push on them from the front.  When you push on them from the front it squashes the silicon gel within the implant tightly against the implant shell, when you push or squeeze them from the side it is more soft and squishy.The smooth round Mentor implant is one of the most soft and squishiest implants available and probably, what you are describing is similar to how the implants will longer term.You can push on them from the front.  This will not harm the implant and in the long term you can definitely sleep on your stomach and do all the usual things you would do with your natural breasts.  I suggest if you are worried you should see your surgeon.  Ask them to show you an implant and you will be able to get an appreciation of what the different types implant feels like.  When they are in the body they do feel slightly different however it is still a useful exercise and helps you understand the different cohesiveness (thickness) of the various silicon gels used in breast implants. It is likely too early for capsular contracture to occur and it doesn't look like you have a seroma or haematoma - these would be the most common reasons at this stage for a firm breast - therefore most likely you are recovering well, however your surgeon will able to examine you and determine this for certain.Kind regards,Dean

Kim Taylor, FRACS · Answer

Your implants look extremely normal.  When you push from the front you are pressing the implant up against your ribcage.  This is like pressing the implant onto a table.  Squeezing side to side has no resistance behind it.  I would not be concerned.  Have your Plastic Surgeon check you for reassurance & show you an implant so you can try similar maneuvers outside the body!  Take care Kim

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Yes, as long as your plastic surgeon has approved that you do breast implant displacement exercises.  I would expect that your implants will continue to soften over the next 3-4 months.  Pectoralis muscle contractions can also be helpful.  Be sure to check with your plastic surgeon.

Is it okay to squeeze breast but hard to press/push onto the chest? (photos)

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