I got breast implants 7 days ago. Should i be massaging them or do any kind of exercises? (photo)

With all due respect, "I heard" is the most overused and worthless phrase by itself, unless clarified with the "from whom?"As you can tell from answers here on RealSelf, different surgeons have different training, different habits, different experience levels, and frankly, different skill sets based on all the above. So even online research should be considered carefully!The bit of information that is lacking, yet critical, is whether or not you have smooth or textured implants. Sientra makes both.If you have textured implants, they are designed to adhere to your tissues and cannot work properly if they are disrupted by "massage" or displacement exercises (which may be why you were not "give you any instruction in massaging them or any massage techniques." They also cannot be expected to drop or change position much at all over time, so proper placement is entirely different than with smooth implants.If you had smooth Sientra implants, many surgeons still do not recommend "massage" or displacement exercises. I personally do, as I create an implant pocket slightly larger than the implant, and do not use a tight bra, Ace bandage, or wrap to compress the tissues around the implant (careful surgery and precise hemostasis is preferable to pressure bandages or tight bras to try to stop bleeding). Since my patients truy have very little pain post-op (yes, the implants are submuscular), I see them the next day and have then start displacement exercises immediately. After 2 weeks or more there has already been too much healing and capsule tightening--the optimum time to begin is immediately!So you should ask your surgeon what type of implant surface you have--smooth or textured--and if smooth what you are recommended to do about massage or displacement exercises, since it is to him or her that you will go if you develop capsular contracture. Some surgeons do not use massage or displacement exercises even with smooth implants, thinking that muscle movement is "enough" to minimize CC. They may be right, but I like the safety margin a slightly larger pocket capsule allow my patients. Neither is "right" or "wrong" but should be tailored to your surgeon's technique and recommendations. Call your surgeon and find out; all we can do is speculate or tell you our thought processes. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Thank you for your question.If you find that your breast is tight and particularly if you went up a few cup sizes, then breast massage will help your implants settle. I typically recommend waiting a week as it sooner may be too uncomfortable. However, if you can tolerate it earlier, then you can do so. I also recommend lymphatic massage as this helps to reduce swelling much faster in the breast.As far as how to massage, I recommend displacing the implant in all four directions (up, down, left and right). Example, pinch the breast on the top to displace the implant downwards. For the lymphatic massage, it is much more of a light gentle touch. We often recommend a massage therapist to help with this or we show patients how to do this at home. You can repeat this several times a day for the first several months.

Not
every plastic surgeon recommends implant massage following breast augmentation,
but the vast majority of surgeons believe it’s extremely important. Implant massage is also known as implant
displacement and is designed to stretch the implant pocket to avoid the
development of capsular contracture.Implant
massage is started one week following surgery and is typically performed
approximately three times per day.The
implant is displaced superiorly, inferiorly, medially and laterally.This is done for at least one year following
surgery.Variations in implant position, type
of implant and patient anatomy make every patient unique.For these reasons, implant massage isn’t
indicated for every breast augmentation patient.Before proceeding with implant massage
discuss this issue thoroughly with your plastic surgeon.He will teach you the proper technique for
implant displacement and will monitor your progress