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

Hi New Boobs,Congratulations!  You look great in your photo.  It depends on exactly what you have. This is a question that should be directed to your surgeon or the office.  If textured Sientra, you do not massage, and if smooth, then you can massage.  So check it out at your next visit.  All the best in your healing, "Dr. Joe"

Thanks for your question and photo.  This is really a question that should be asked of your surgeon.  Many plastic surgeons will recommend massage/displacement exercises with smooth implants under the muscle.  Your result looks good so far.  I would follow up with your surgeon for more detailed instructions. 

If you have the textured surface implants, you do not need to massage.  At all.If you have the smooth surface implant, many surgeons, including myself, recommend implant massage.  The protocol may vary slightly from one office to the next - so give your surgeon a call and ask.  In our office, we start massage on the smooth implants at around 2 weeks post op.All the best,

That question is best answered by your surgeon because he or she knows what type of implant is in there. In general, textured implants do not require massage, but smooth implants do.  So ask at your next appointment. Everything looks excellent in your photo.

In my practice we do not truly massage a textured implant. We have patients do shoulder rolls and arm raises. No massage of textured you want them to "adhere". They begin medial mobilization massage after 3-6 weeks. Smooth implants we have our patients begin massages at 4-6 days Postop.  

At 7 days post op you have to do 2 different set of  instructions  depending on the kind of implant placed.If they are Smooth surface you have to wait 3 weeks to do an smooth massage.If they are Texturized you have to wear an elastic stabilizer brand in the upper pole of the breast for one month only during the day, and no massage at all.The rubbing effect between the textured implant and the tissue may cause  accumulation of inflammatory fluids.

should always be directed to your surgeon so you are following your surgeon's instructions rather than some one else who may have different opinions on how to get to the same goal (perfection).  We all have different opinions about massage but I've never had problems with massage creating problems.