Can breast massage after explant help with fluffing?

Question

Will it help things return to normal faster if I do a daily massage? Is the massage for explant the same as it is for after implant?

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. When breast implants are removed, the overlying breast skin/tissue tends to contract ( "bounce back") to some degree.  This degree of contraction will vary from one patient to another depending on the patient's skin/tissue characteristics.  For example, the amount of breast skin redundancy and/or elasticity play important roles.  These changes that occur, often leading to an improvement of breast appearance in general, may be referred to as "fluffing";  keep in mind that this is a non medical term and not universally utilized.Generally speaking what breasts look like after explantation depends on several factors such as: the quality of skin elasticity (the better the elasticity the better the skin will bounce back), the size of the implants used (the larger the implant the more trouble you may have with redundant skin), and the amount of breast tissue present at this time (which may have changed since the time of your breast augmentation).Life experience since your breast augmentation procedure, such as pregnancy or weight gain weight loss, will potentially influence the factors discussed above. If you take these factors into consideration and apply them to your specific circumstances you may get a good idea of what to expect after the implants are removed. 
Patience is definitely indicated after removal of breast implants; it will take many months for the skin to “bounce back” and for you to see the final appearance of the breasts.The use of massage and appropriate garment/bra may be helpful during this process.
Consulting with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons in person may be helpful. The attached link (lots of before and after photographs examples) may be helpful to you as well.
Best wishes.

Milind K. Ambe, MD · Answer

It is definitely more important to have compression (like with a sports bra or ace bandage) then it is to massage the breasts after explantation.  Often women need a lift after an explant to help with shaping and to get the best aesthetic result.  Massaging will do little to nothing to help your result unless you are starting to develop a contracture to the skin/breast area after surgery.  Seek an in person consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who performs a lot of revision breast surgeries, especially explantation. Best of luck to you

Bahram Ghaderi, MD · Answer

Compression after implant removal is more important than massage. The pocket where the implant was can form fluid and compression helps reduce that risk. Discuss your specific instructions with your surgeon.

Ciro Adamo, PhD, MD · Answer

Compression is much more important than massages after removal of breast implants. There is no evidence that massages would help, and they would also be quite painful, at least in the immediate postoperative period.

Donald W. Kress, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm not certain what "fluffing" is but after explant, I usually have my patients wear a strap across the chest to keep the breasts supported as the internal tissues reattach. I have consistently been surprised at how little sag is present with this technique.

Can breast massage after explant help with fluffing?

Answers (7)

Answer: Massages after removal of breast implants

Answer: Massages after removal of breast implants

Answer: No massage

Answer: No massage

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Can breast massage after explant help with fluffing?

Answers (7)

Answer: Massages after removal of breast implants

Answer: Massages after removal of breast implants

Answer: No massage

Answer: No massage

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.