After breast augmentation, should I massage regardless of pain?

Question

I got cleared to start massages two days ago (I'm now 2 weeks post op) and I'm wondering if I should be pushing through the massages regardless of pre existing breast pain (not caused by the massage, just the normal tenderness after BA)? I want to follow my ps exactly so I'm a bit worried about the fact that I'm not able to massage very much at all bc of the pain. Is it ok to that I'm being gentle about the massages and slowly increasing the intensity as the pain slowly goes away each day?

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

I would encourage to follow your plastic surgeon's recommendations, but also use common sense. If any area is too tender then calling your plastic surgeon and checking with them makes sense. Massaging techniques are variable, but they do help round breast implants to "drop and fluff" better in most cases. Best, Dr. ALDO

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I do not recommend massage after breast augmentation in most cases, but plastic surgeons will have different recommendations.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

HERE ARE SOME BASIC POST-OP HEALING TIPS AFTER BREAST
SURGERY, AUGMENTATION, LIFTS:

1.   
pain is variable

2.   
it takes 2-3 months for implants to settle and muscles to relax

3.   
celebrex, motrin, and muscle relaxers can help

4.   
massage and stretching may help

5.   
everyone heals differently

6.   
4-7 days off from work is common

If you find that you are concerned or worried at all about the healing process it would be best to visit your surgeon for a follow-up to have the implants examined and make sure that healing is progressing as it should. Best of luck.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on having undergone the breast augmentation procedure.Massage of breasts after breast surgery is not a universally accepted or agreed-upon  principle. Each plastic surgeon may have his/her opinion that is based on their specific/unique education, experience, and personal preferences. Their opinions may also be shaped by unfavorable results they have encountered in their practices.

Therefore, once a patient has selected her plastic surgeon, best to follow his/her advise/instructions, as opposed to those of online consultants. Your plastic surgeon knows exactly what procedure was performed, how he/she obtains the best outcomes possible, how you are progressing, and is ultimately responsible for your care. Best wishes.

Carolina Restrepo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Every surgeon will have his/her own preferences as to recovery for specific procedures.  I have patients wear a soft bra after breast augmentation for a few weeks to splint everything, and at that point the scars are generally very stable and we move to normal bras (or none) and long term scar management. No massaging is really needed.

The best person to advise you on this is your specific surgeon.

After breast augmentation, should I massage regardless of pain?

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After breast augmentation, should I massage regardless of pain?

Answers (6)

Answer: Massage after breast augmentation?

Answer: Massage after breast augmentation?

Answer: Massaging after breast augmentation?

Answer: Massaging after breast augmentation?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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