How can I prevent CC?

Question

I’ve been my augmentation for almost two years. I message them everyday. I was doing twice a day but have lately been doing once before bed. They still feel about the same, should I massage them forever to keep them soft? Is once a day not enough? For the massages, from my surgeon they told me to push them together inward for 20 seconds Secondly, for 20 seconds squeeze up top and down almost like milking a cow I suppose. And lastly to raise the breast up to and then pay downward.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,Contrary to the statement, 'no one knows if implant massage works', data shows us that implant massage works no better than not doing it at all. This has been established for years, and surgeons who adhere to evidence based best practices don't have their patients massage ever. If you want to minimize your risk of cc, then antibiotic prophylaxis prior to any procedure, including teeth cleaning and Pap smears is your best protection against implant contamination and subsequent cc. You can stop massaging now.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

To tell you the truth no one knows for sure if breast implant massage works in providing capsular contracture.  However, it is so easy to do and has worked so far so I would recommend continuing to do what you have being doing.

Daniel A. Medalie, MD · Answer

HI,Really there is no evidence that massage prevents capsular contracture. Also every time you move your arms or exercise or roll over in bed you are in essence massaging the implants. I would stop and just go about your life.All my best,Daniel A. Medalie, MD

Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD · Answer

For most patients, massaging for the first three months is all that is needed.  Once you get through the healing process and everything is settled, massaging doesn’t have much utility anymore.  Massaging initially is helpful to blunt the natural inflammatory response to the surgery and the implant.  However, once they are soft, mobile, and feel pretty normal, most patients will stop.  You are far enough out from surgery that I would not worry about it anymore.  I hope this helps.

Adam Tattelbaum, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. At this point it sounds as though you have done everything correctly to prevent CC. If your implants are under the muscle you are massaging them daily as you live your life just by moving your arms. Continued massage will not hurt, but it may not be necessary. Unfortunately CC can be unpredictible and a certain precentage of women will develop a CC regardless. If thing are going wll, enjoy your new figure and check in with your PS yearly.Best wishes.

Leonard Harris, MD · Answer

Two things are known to cause capsular contractures.  Smoking and Poor dental hygiene.  When you get your teeth cleaned, or have surgery in a "dirty" area, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and adhere to foreign objects - heart valves, prothetic joints or breast implants.  repeated episodes can change the biofilm around the implant causing inflammation and eventually capsular contractures.You can reduce your risk by:1) Stopping or reducing smoking2) Maintain good oral hygiene.  This includes prophylactic antibiotics whenever you go to the dentist for a cleaning or have bowel or gynecologic surgery.

How can I prevent CC?

Answers (6)