Are Rubbing "Squeaky" Noises 3 Weeks Post op Normal?

Your new implant sliding against the stretched moist tissues causes a friction rub (sound) that can be felt as well as occasionally heard. This is termed "bourdonnement" and was definitively described in the plastic surgery literature: "Bourdonnement and other benign temporary breast implant sounds", Annals of Plastic Surgery, Vol 43 p589, 1999.

The inflammation that causes this sound resolves as the healing process goes forward. It generally goes away in a few days to weeks, but can occasionally take longer, depending on how long your healing process takes.

Those of us who still use a stethescope for listening to patients' chests will occasionally hear distinctive sounds such as this that indicate lung/chest (pleural) inflammation that can aid in diagnosis. In your case this sound only indicates that your healing is incomplete. Best wishes!

Totally normal. It does not happen in everyone but it has always gone away in all of my patients in whom it occurs. 

When a patient experiences sounds from the breasts, often it is
early in the recovery period from breast augmentation surgery.  This is normal and is a reflection of some of
the irrigation fluid that has remained in the breast pocket.  Over a short time this irrigation fluid
becomes absorbed, and the sounds go away. 
Your situation is different in that the timing is 13 months post-op.   Fluid in the breast pocket is still likely
the reason for these sounds. However, newly accumulated fluid in a breast
pocket over a year after surgery is called a delayed seroma and should be
investigated.  A breast ultrasound can
confirm the diagnosis of seroma.  Delayed
seromas are associated in the majority of cases with having textured gel
implants.  Delayed seromas can also be
associated with a rare implant-associated cancer called anaplastic large cell
lymphoma.  I would suggest following-up
with your original plastic surgeon so that he/she can evaluate you for these
new symptoms.

The sounds may be caused by the development of a capsule around the
implant, or even a rupture in the worst case. 
I would encourage you to schedule an appointment with your surgeon
immediately to determine the source of the sounds.

Hello and thank you for the question.

Squeaky noises following breast enhancement surgery is quite common and can persist for several weeks and up to a few months in certain instances.  The cause is likely due to post-surgical fluid surrounding the implant which will absorb into your body with time. My advice would be to show patience, and always follow-up with your surgeon should you have serious concerns.

Kindest Regards,

Glenn Vallecillos, M.D., F.A.C.S. 

In the early weeks after breast augmentation there may be some fluid around the implant and a slightly larger implant pocket which allows some implant slip. The fluid will go away and the noises with it. You might give up on the massages as this may help things clear up faster.

Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com

Thank you for the question.


I would suggest that you have “fun with it”  since these noises do tend to go away within the first few weeks after surgery.  This is  probably related to fluid around the breast implants.




Best wishes.

Rubbing noises like you describe are normal and usualy get better with time.  if the implants are below the muscle, you are feeling them rub against the rib cage.

Depending how much fluid there is around the implant the noises can persist for up to 2 months.  Don't be alarmed as most people can't hear the noises unless you tell them to listen.

The "noise" is the shell of your implant rubbing on the rib cage, making friction and that is what makes the squeak.  There will be a smooth slippery layer of tissue forming between these two surfaces soon and the bothersome squeaking will go away. I have never had a patient where it didn't eventually disappear.

If you are still bothered by tis after 6 to 8 weeks be sure to go back to your surgeon