Did I mess up my textured implants?

Question

I had a bl/ba w/textured sientra implants on Dec. 27, 2016. I'm 2 weeks & 3 days. I started doing some massaging because I was very tight & sore but then read where textured implants weren't supposed to be massaged. Did I mess up my surgery?

Matthias Solomon, MD · Answer

Textured implants are not to be massaged; one wants the surface of these implants to adhere to the breast tissue. However, looking at the photos, I don't see evidence of implant malposition.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

HEALING AFTER BREAST
SURGERY, AUGMENTATION, LIFTS

1.   
pain is variable

2.   
it takes 2-3 months for implants to settle and muscles to relax

3.   
celebrex, motrin, and muscle relaxers can help

4.   
massage and stretching may help

5.   
everyone heals differently

6.   
4-7 days off from work is common

HEALING OF SENSORY NERVES: Tingling, burning or shooting pains, which will disappear
with time and should not alarm you, indicate regeneration of the sensory
nerves. If these sensations cause pain, repeated, local self-massage helps.

ASYMMETRY: The two breasts commonly heal quite differently. One
breast may swell more, feel more uncomfortable, or have a different initial
shape. After complete healing, they will be more similar and natural. You must
have patience, but if this causes concern, ask questions of the doctor or the
nursing staff.

SHAPE AND CONTOUR: The final shape of your breasts will start to look its
best approximately three (3) months after surgery. It takes time for the skin
and muscle to stretch and relax around the new implant. The breast will often
look higher, firmer, and “less natural” in the first three (3) months. It can
take up to a year to see your final result.

FOLLOW-UP EXAMS: These are generally done in 1 week, 2 to 3
weeks, 3 to 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months to 1 year, and 1-2 year intervals. In
our office we include all of your follow up appointments in the initial
surgical fee.

ALWAYS CONTACT YOUR PLASTIC
SURGEON IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT INFECTION, BLEEDING, SWELLING, FEVER,
EXCESSIVE BRUISING, OR ANY NEW AND SUDDEN CHANGES IN THE FEELING OR LOOK OF
YOUR BREASTS/IMPLANTS.

Earl E. Ferguson III, MD, FACS · Answer

I see no obvious issues with your implants in the photo you've provided.  You are correct, however.  You should not be massaging them!  Check with your surgeon to be sure that all is well.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD (retired) · Answer

You are right that we discourage "massaging" textured-surface implants, because we don't want to interfere or disrupt the interaction between the textured surface and the capsule. By "massage," we mean actually moving or manipulating the implant around on the chest, in contrast to massaging the breast or intimate sexual contact, which of course is fine.If you were massaging your breast or the muscle for post-op soreness, you probably did not cause any harm.Do check with your surgeon to be sure all is OK.

Did I mess up my textured implants?

Answers (4)

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