Is it possible with a lot of manipulation and pressure for me to force the implant into the pocket? (Photo)

Question

Implants made in Great Britain, company name Nagor, They are Impleo extra high range texured, under muscle. Early as 7th day I noticed that my one breast was high in the pocket. My surgeon told me to massage, I've been doing but I guess I didn't understand exactly how to do it . I am now pushing with great pressure at the top of my breast hoping to get it to move into pocket. For the past 4 days I've been doing this 5 times per day. It's a little sore now but does not appear to have moved.

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. It's too early to talk about final results. After seeing your photos, i noticed that you have the double bubble sign in your right breast. This sign occurs when the implant placed behind the muscle remains up, but the breast content is down, this will cause a similar effect to a bubble above and below.Also, you are a candidate for breast lift. Best regards, Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

The obvious answer to your question is that you need to go back and talk to your plastic surgeon about exactly how he or she would like you to massage the implant to make it migrate down into the breast implant pocket.That being said, I personally am not a fan of breast massaging even when it is called implant displacement.  Aggressive massaging at this point has a greater chance of causing injury fluid to fill your breast implant pocket than it does in moving your implant down.  In the alternative, if you were my patient, I would recommend some form of constant pressure such as a one-sided bando or ace wrap to gently stretch out whatever impediment is inhibiting your breast implant from falling into the pocket that your plastic surgeon created during the surgery.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Some massage may help with implant position.  Each breast may respond to the implants a bit differently. Usually with time the implants come down.

Robert B. Louton, MD · Answer

You seem to have a capsular contracture on the affected side.  In a smooth walled implant vigorous massage can produce softening.  This may not be the case for textured.  I instruct my patients on yoga maneuvers to stretch the capsule when they have textured implants.  The results are usually limited. See your plastic surgeon.  If you are six months or more from your surgery date, it may be time for a surgical alternative to correct this problem.I hope this helps.

Peter Kreymerman, MD, FACS · Answer

Textured implants typically don't move much. You need to go back and discuss with your surgeon what he/she exactly wants you to do. Where did you have your surgery? I have a feeling it wasn't in the U.S.

Is it possible with a lot of manipulation and pressure for me to force the implant into the pocket? (Photo)

Answers (5)