How Do You Massage Breasts After Breast Augmentation?

Many of the other responders have mentioned that breast massaging is a controversial subject. I see no controversy; it is a total waste of your time. Breast massaging was invented back in the early 1960s when we knew very little about capsular contractions, their etiology, and their possible treatments. When I was at Stanford, I did a casual survey of women who massage their breasts and women who didn’t have the time to massage their breasts. I found that capsular contracture occurs in those who massage and those who don’t. Therefore, I believe this is the wrong modality to increase the chances of a soft breast.
Since the formation of a capsule around an implant is an immune phenomenon, the treatment of choice is to modulate the immune response biochemically and not mechanically. In 2003, Schlesinger et al, described the use of Accolate or Singulair to treat capsular contractures. Today, I give Accolate aka Zafirlukast immediately post-operatively to all my patients and I find it works very nicely to prevent capsular contractures.

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Breast massages are not mandatory and will depend on your surgeon's preferences. Many surgeons feel that it is a waste of time and that there is no evidence to suggest that it lowers your risk of contracture after surgery. Those that believe in massages feel that the gentle movements can displace the the implant within the pocket and allowing it to sit within a more natural position. Discuss this with your board certified plastic surgeon to determine what he/she recommends. I hope this helps.

We have the patients refrain from any massage for the first week.   At that time we show them the technique.  Essentially the concept is that you are moving the implant in the space to push against space that the implant sits, gently molding the scar as it forms around the implant.  For smooth round implants, you want the space to be larger than the implant, which give the softness and mobility.  Using your fingertips, you hold the implant and move it down and then up, passing it back and forth between your left and right hand.  This is done 5 times a day for 30 seconds to a minute per side.  After the implants are stable and soft, the message is performed once a day forever.  Think of it like therapy.

I have my patients squeeze the implant toward the the breast bone medially, as well as from the top squeezing the implant inferiorly. This is not to prevent a capsule. I think it helps the breasts feel better via the muscle movement. Good luck!

I like to ask my patients to allow the initial healing and swelling to diminish before they begin to massage. The patients are instructed after two weeks then begin to massage the implants for several weeks to follow under my supervision.

SO the truth is that there is NO data, proof that massaging your breast reduces capsular contracture.  The enemy in breast augmentation is hardening and lots of doctors will have you massage in an effort to reduce the risk.  That being said no one actually knows if it works.  So dont over think massaging!Hope that helps

Although implant massage is not endorsed by all plastic surgeons, with smooth implants it seems to be helpful for improving implant mobility and softness.  I do not start massage until one week after surgery because of soreness.  I have the patients perform the following Five movements twice each day.  Each session should take between 6 and 7 minutes.Moving the Implant In a Downward Direction:Start with the opposite hand stiffened, palm facing the breast with the little finger one inch above the nipple at the 12 o'clock position.  In a wiping motion wipe the skin up and push in toward the chest.  This will create pressure and stretch on the fold beneath your breast and pinch the implant downward.  Hold in place for a count of 20. Repeat this a second time for 20 secondsMove the same hand to the 10 o'clock position and repeat the same wiping motion twice for 20 seconds eachMove the same hand to the 2 o'clock position and repeat the same wiping motion twice for 20 secondsMoving the Implant In an Upward Direction (I usually start these after 2 months when the implants are more mobile)Start with the oppisite hand, stiffened, palm facing the breast with the index finger at the level of the nipple at the 6 o'clock position.  Push straight in toward your chest wall causing the implant to glide upwards.  Hold your hand against the chest (or as close as you can get) for 20 seconds.  Repeat once more.Move your hand to the 4 o'clock position (slightly toward the outer aspect of the lower breast) and perform the same motion twice.That's it!  Do this twice each day until your doctor has you stop or change.  Things to remember:There is no proof that massaging the breast does anything.  If your breast begin to get sore, decrease to once per day or stop for a few daysIf you miss a day or two, don't worry.  Nothing will happen.This is one way to perform these movements which has helped my patients for 20 years, but there are others that work.

While some surgeons advocate for post-breast augmentation massage to potentially prevent capsular contracture and promote implant settling, it's important to note that there is no conclusive evidence supporting the benefit of massage. Techniques and recommendations can vary significantly among surgeons who recommend it. Any massage should only be initiated after receiving specific guidance and approval from your surgeon.

I don't recommend massage for my patients after breast augmentation. There's no enough evidence that it prevents capsular contracture. Capsular contracture can be minimized by sterile, no-touch technique when inserting breast implants. That's why I used the Keller funnel to place my implants. The implants are open and placed into the breasts within 1 minute, without the implant ever touching my gloves or the patient's skin.

There is no evidence that breast massage helps in any way in preventing capsular contraction. People who use smooth implants tend to advice breast massage. In my practice i sue nano textured implants and do not advocate breast tissue massage. this has a risk of implant malposition to rotation.
I recommend massage of the scar tissue once all wounds are healed. I advice applying monitoring cream from 3weeks and use of silicone gels from 4 weeks. The scar massage to be done twice a day 5-10 mins gently with moisturising creams . No fancy creams, even E45 can be applied and used for moisturising of the scar areas.

I highly recommend massaging your breast one week after surgery. Start by massaging all around and avoid to massage on top the wound.