Can I use heat to help the muscle relax after Breast augmentation? (photos)

Question

I'm 2 1/2 weeks post-op with 700cc hp silicone implants under the muscle with a mastopexy. I don't see my ps for another 2 weeks. My left side is settling good I think, but my right side is still square. After surgery I had a bad case of frankenboob, I was worried, but I knew it was too early in the game to worry. I know it's going to take months to settle, but do you think everything at this point looks like it is on the right track? Can I use heat to help the right side relax, it's tight

Mariam Awada, MD, FACS · Answer

I do not suggest heat as this dilates your tissues blood flow and increases sqelling in some situations.  It is helpful to limit your arm activities and important for you to have support as 700 is a significant amount of stress on your tissues.  If your having muscle spasm your doctor may prescribe flexeril which is a muscle relaxant.  Discuss this with your PS.

Sean T. Lille, MD · Answer

Good question following your surgery. First of all, I wouldn't place heat over the area. May induce your swelling even more. Secondly, ask your plastic surgeon if massages and anti-inflammatory medications like Ibuprofen are allowable.In fact, valium may be helpful if you are experiencing lots of muscle spasms. And lastly, give it time. Your surgery looks great and you have to allow the skin to relax and the swelling to subside.  Congrats on your journey!

David C. Yao, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for sharing. Talk with and see your plastic surgeon who will know your specific situation best. Massage and light heat may be helpful for some but it's important to not over do it as heat and massage can cause other healing issues to occur. Sometimes your plastic surgeon will have prescription medications that can help the muscle feel better too. Hope this helps!

David J. Wages, MD · Answer

It may be ok to use heat but you must be careful as the healing tissues are sensitive and could burn or blister in the surgical areas,  Mother nature and time are the best medicine.  Follow your surgeons instructions.  It will take time as you have implied.  Good luck waiting.

Afshin Parhiscar, MD · Answer

Dear mshoppaA warm pack might help you feel better but be careful not to cause burns to your skin. In my experience, it wont impact your long term results. As you stated, it will take months for your breasts to settle. Continue following your surgeons instructions.

Richard J. Brown, MD · Answer

In my opinion heat will not help the muscle relax. In
fact you want to use ice packs to help with the swelling after an augmentation.
If you are weeks out then maybe it will help but early on it will make
swelling worse. The best thing for muscle relaxation that I use in my
patients is one of the Benzodizapine medications like valium. It works
very well for my patients. Some patients prefer a formal muscle relaxer.
Consult your physician for what is best for you.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on having undergone the breast augmentation/lifting surgery.  Based on your photographs, it seems that you are doing well; keep in mind that your plastic surgeon will always be your best resource when it comes to accurate assessment, advice, and meaningful reassurance.  Generally speaking, patients need to be very careful about the direct application of ice or heat) over surgical sites.  These areas may be insensate (numb);  cold or heat injuries may result without the patient even being aware…  Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Time is usually the biggest component of healing and tissue relaxation after and augmentation and lift.  Massage may help the relaxation process but too much pressure on the tissue will not be good for the lift part of your surgery.  I would touch base with your plastic surgeon as he or she will know what happened during surgery and how tight or not tight your tissue may be.  Patience and re-evaluation are important when large implants are used and a lift is performed at the same time.All the best,Dr Remus Repta

Anh Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

You can try warm compresses but not direct heat as your skin has sensitivity changes from surgery.  You have very large implants in and it will take some time for the implants to settle.  Continue to follow up with your PS.

Joseph L. Grzeskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

You are right in telling yourself that it is very early, and we need to wait for things to relax and settle.  With regard to using heat post-op, that can sometimes be helpful as it increases blood flow to injured tissues, helps swelling resolve, and softens tight and firm tissues.  We just need to be very careful this early out because the sensation to these tissues is usually decreased after surgery, and you may not feel just how hot a heating pad or hot pack is, and this could cause a significant burn.  Unfortunately, I've seen this happen in patients who weren't careful about this.  Therefore, I would say it would be acceptable for you to use very low heat, let's just call it "warmth" over the breasts and keep it in contact with some areas with normal sensation, like the inner arm, so that you will always know just how intense the heat really is.  And, most importantly, before you do any of this, please check with your doctor, because he or she may have different recommendations based on his or her experience.  He or she knows exactly what was done and will be able to advise you best.  Good luck.

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Can I use heat to help the muscle relax after Breast augmentation? (photos)

Answers (10)

BREAST AUGMENTATION PROVIDERS NEAR YOU