Vigorously massaging breast after silicone BA and was squeezing downward, heard and felt a pop. Should I be worried?

Question

I was instructed by my PS to massage my silicone breast as hard as I could tolerate due to riding high. When squeezing downward I felt and heard a pop. Now my breast feels softer and appears to be lower. Should I be worried that I popped my implant or capsule? Could it have been scar tissue that I popped?

Richard H. Fryer, MD · Answer

Implant massage after breast augmentation may be recommended by your plastic surgeon. This can help breast implants relax into the correct position as instructed by your plastic surgeon and can also help the scar tissue around the implant stay softer, longer.Hearing and feeling a pop while performing these massages is typically a band of scar tissue or possibly a suture releasing when it is holding things too firmly.  I doubt it was injury to your implant, but contact your plastic surgeon to make sure both you and she/he are comfortable that everything is OK.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

It is difficult to say you should be examined by your plastic surgeon to determine what happened. Best of luck.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Typically this would be from a small capsular
(not implant) rupture and in fact, in the past surgeons would purposely do this
for tight pockets associated with capsular contracture. This was called a
“closed capsulotomy” but is no longer done due to increase risk of implant
rupture. If you wish to be sure there is nothing wrong an ultrasound exam is
probably the easiest and least expensive way to find out. Consult with your
plastic surgeon to see if this is recommended.

Nicholas Husni, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

If your implant is now in a better position, and the breast is softer, you have likely achieved what your surgeon wanted you to! It's very unlikely that you ruptured your implant by doing displacement exercizes. Make sure you go to your follow-up appointments.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

WIthout knowing exactly what you surgeon did, it might be difficult to say. It could have been scar tissue your broke up or even suture rupture. Always best to review with your surgeon.

Anh Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

You really need to be examined by your plastic surgeon to determine what happened with the vigorous massage.  Could be any of the reasons you already stated but it does take much force to rupture a silicone implant.

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

Thank you for your question.  The most likely explanation for the pop is that you were forming a capsular membrane which you popped or broke during your vigorous massage.  The result sounds as though it improved the feel of your implant.I do suggest you see her plastic surgeon for visit and and opinion.  As long as you have had not had undue swelling or bruising which could indicate a bleed you should be fine.

Vigorously massaging breast after silicone BA and was squeezing downward, heard and felt a pop. Should I be worried?

Answers (7)

More Breast Augmentation Questions

Can you get a skin rash from a tissue extender?

I am getting hives on my incision line months after surgery. Should I see the dr and which do I see?

Do "Scientifically Perfect" Breasts Exist? (photo)

My surgeon won't give me my ID Cards. Is this normal?

Extreme pain and numbness in left arm following breast augmentation. Is it nerve damage?

Would 3 weeks off work as a nurse be long enough to recover from breast lift with augmentation?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS