Surgeon doesn’t require massaging. Is this normal?

Question

My surgeon has told me not to do any massages post op (it’s been close to 3 weeks since mine). Is this normal? Does anyone else have a surgeon who doesn’t recommend? I FULLY trust my team, but lee seeing posts about massaging and it helping to soften the breasts. I really want to have a speedy recovery and drop & fluff faster. Thoughts?

Jeff T. Healy, MD · Answer

The best advice as others have stated is to follow the protocol that your surgeon recommends.  I personally don't have my patients massage their implants after surgery because there is no proven benefit of speeding recovery, preventing capsular contracture, etc.  However, if the muscles feel tight I allow my patients to massage the muscles to help them relax.

Richard J. Restifo, MD · Answer

I think that this depends upon whether your implants are smooth or textured; for smooth implants I recommend massage but for textured I do not.  You should have a discussion with your team about the type of implants you have and what is the best approach.  Best wishes.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

In most cases, I do not recommend massage after breast augmentation; but plastic surgeons will have different post-op protocols. Recommend that you follow the guidance from your plastic surgeon.
Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

You will find that surgeons have varied opinions on massaging after breast augmentation, based on their own personal experience. You should follow your surgeon's instructions who knows you best. Good luck.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry, honestly each surgeon is different in the creation of the pocket,  each patient is different in their anatomy and implant selection so the need for massage can be varied.  In my practice, I decide which patients need massage instead of a blanket rule--good luck.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  The question of implant displacement exercises is often discussed on Realself and the fact remains that each surgeon uses their own respective recovery protocol based on experience.  There has never been any paper to describe that massaging improves results, speeds healing, or minimizes complications.  I would recommend following your surgeons advice.  Hope this helps.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear NathaGraves,every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Jennifer Harrington, MD · Answer

Great question. The bottom line is that whether or not massage after breast augmentation provides benefits is still up for discussion, so it’s really up to your plastic surgeon to recommend it or not. So I would suggest sticking to his or her specific recovery guidelines, or inquiring as to why they’ve chosen to forego breast massaging.

And congratulations on your breast augmentation!

And congratulations on your breast augmentation!

Garrett A. Wirth, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

So many ways to answer this question, especially as each surgeon has slightly different perspectives.  Not all surgeons suggest massage.  I do recommend it and start is much sooner with smooth implants.  Continue to work with your surgeon and follow that plan as a team member as he/she knows what works well for the procedure performed and implant type placed.  Best wishesWirthPlasticSurgery.com

Thomas J. Lee, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I know many surgeons who believe both sides of the issue, and I feel that there is no wrong answer.  To massage or not to massage has not been proven to be beneficial or detrimental in preventing certain complications or improving outcomes.  Massage can help alleviate the soreness when the implants are placed under the muscle, but there is a theoretical risk that extremely aggressive massage can shift the implant out of position or cause wound strain.  I encourage light massage and light exercise about a month after surgery in most cases.  Every surgeon has a reasonable opinion, and I would go with whichever protocol your surgeon chooses.

Surgeon doesn’t require massaging. Is this normal?

Answers (16)

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