Noise as I massage my left breast implant. Should I be concerned? Only with my left.

Question

I was instructed by my doctor and nurse to begin breast massaging as of today, one week post opp. Massaging right breast feels completely normal, but when I started massaging my left breast I could hear a strange noise. Doesn't sound like a gas bubble or liquid but more like a plastic noise. It is closer to my collar bone to be exact and I can feel the texture of what I can best describe as plastic. Is this normal?

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

The noise that you are hearing and the sensation you are feeling is the implant rubbing on the healing wounds inside.  They will go away once the wounds are healed.  It is common and normal and is nothing to be worried about.  The symmetry from left to right represents swelling on one side more than the other, as does a small bruise on once side vs. the other.  They are two different operations, one left one right, so they behave differently at first, but in the end the swelling will subside and the differences from left to right will equalize.  It is very early to judge the outcome.  It is critical that you do the massage. You should been seen by the surgeon every week until these issues are resolved, the implants soften and you are well on your way to recovery. Implant massage is a critical part of the postoperative recovery from breast augmentation (like physical therapy is a critical part of the postoperative recovery from knee surgery).  The space for the implant is meticulously crafted at the time of augmentation surgery, especially when the operation is performed using the surgical endoscope through the transaxillary approach.  However, the distance from the nipple to the inframammary fold needs to stretch out to accommodate the implant (dropping) and the skin and muscle need to relax to give the desired shape (fluffing).  Implant massage allows you to manipulate the pocket from the inside to direct the forces in the appropriate directions to mold the breast shape to the desired outcome.  If the scar that is actively forming around the implant is allowed to heal without the influence of breast massage, the fold will not stretch appropriately (implant stays too high), the scar will attempt to contract in a linear way over the curved surface of the implant (breast shape will remain too flat), and the space will attempt to heal smaller and tighter than the implant (capsular contracture).  Implant massage influences the scar formation on the inside at the most critical phase of the healing, allowing the space to be larger than the implant (mobility which creates the natural feel and bounce).

Implant massage starts at one week at 5 times per day for one minute at a time and continues at this pace until one month.  I often see the patients weekly during this time to reinforce the technique and help the patients who need extra effort to soften the breasts. During this time period, the massage also breaks up the spasm, relieving the discomfort, particularly upon awakening from sleep (morning breast).  During the day, every time there is the sensation of tightness, implant massage breaks up the spasm and relieves the discomfort, minimizing the need for narcotics.  At one month, the force that can be exerted is increased but the frequency of massage decreases to 3 times per day.  As the wound matures, the massage can decrease to once per day forever as maintenance.  The patients integrate this into their shower routine.

Although some patients can get away with no massage, it is a common issue for those who stop the massage and make none of their follow up appointment to suddenly show up years after surgery claiming that they woke up one morning with a capsular contracture and implant malposition.  Of course this did not happen overnight, but was a slow process that could have been prevented with daily maintenance massage and regular routine follow appointments on a yearly basis (which we provide for free, forever). With this type of perpetual follow up, it is possible to identify a problem early that might need a modification in the massage technique.

Implant massage involves moving the device up against the wall of the pocket, holding pressure against the surface of the scar. The specifics are determined on an individual basis guided by what the patient needs. In some patients it is simple and of little significance.  In some patients it is a struggle to get the implants into the right position and to gain softness and mobility, but with the right technique and the appropriate dedication it is a huge success.  For the patients that do not participate in the massage in a meaningful way, some will get away with their lack of dedication because they were going to have soft breasts no matter what.  On the other hand, some patients will squander their opportunity to have an excellent result because they don't believe that the massage is necessary, or because they have been told by their friends or other doctors that they didn't need to perform massage.  Regardless, they often require surgery that could have been avoided by following the postoperative instructions of a surgeon that has performed nearly 10,000 breast implant operations and has seen the healing of each of those patients and integrated the successes and failures of each one into a postoperative plan that really works.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

What you are describing is quite commonly described after breast augmentation surgery.  The sensation of air trapped in the tissues is also commonly described. However, any significant increase in swelling/size would be of concern.

Best wishes.

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

It's a good question. It's common to have some noise with implant movement early after surgery. Sometimes the sound is related to the implant rubbing across the ribs. As the capsule forms around the implant, the noise goes away. As always, if there are any concerns contact your surgeon to discuss them. Congratulations on your recent surgery.

Francisco Canales, MD · Answer

Early on in your postop course it is totally normal to hear a noise, which patients have described as either a "frog inside" or a "squeegy" noise.  That should disappear with time but keep your surgeon informed. Best wishes.

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It happens to some people and will go away as you heal. It is implant rubbing on your tissues. Please follow instructions from your PS

Noise as I massage my left breast implant. Should I be concerned? Only with my left.

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Answer: Noise as I massage my left breast implant

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Noise as I massage my left breast implant. Should I be concerned? Only with my left.

Answers (6)

Answer: Noise when massaging

Answer: Noise when massaging

Answer: Noise as I massage my left breast implant

Answer: Noise as I massage my left breast implant

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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