Is massaging breast implants necessary?

Massaging your breast implants after breast augmentation is one of the best ways to ensure that your implants remain healthy and natural in their appearance. When performed correctly, breast massage after implant surgery can not only create a pleasing aesthetic, but it can also speed up the healing of your breasts.

What happens if you don't massage your breast implants?

Massaging your breasts at regular intervals can prevent the onset of capsular contracture. Although rare, the post-surgical complication causes the soft tissue that surrounds the implants to harden and tighten. Many patients with this complication find that their breasts become painful to touch.

Do all breast implants need to be massaged?

No, that is a myth. Massaging your breasts after breast augmentation with implants is not necessary and I recommend that you don't do it because it can actually cause more harm than good.

How often should I massage my breast implants?

You should massage your breasts for 5 minutes two to three times a day during the first two months after surgery. Afterward, you should massage for 5 minutes at least once a day or as often as recommended by your doctor.

How long does it take for breast implants to soften?

The softening process is referred to as “fluffing”, and can last anywhere from eight weeks to six months. If your breasts feel hard longer than six months, see your plastic surgeon. Postoperative swelling contributes to the firmness of newly-placed breast implants, as does their placement.

Do I need to massage my breasts after Breast Augmentation? | Nina S. Naidu, MD FACS - NYC

What helps implants drop and fluff?

To help the process along, your surgeon may recommend you massage the implants or use a breast band to aid recovery. As you can see, there are a range of factors that affect the drop and fluff, but understanding the process and the outcomes is an essential part of your preparation.

How do you massage breast implants?

Proper Breast Massage Technique

Gently squeezing the breast, encourage the implant upward, towards the collarbone, hold for a few seconds and release. Using the same hand, place fingertips near the armpit and gently press the implant towards your sternum, hold for a few seconds and release.

Can you over massage breast implants?

This is probably because there is just no clear evidence that implant massage works to decrease the risk of capsular contracture, and too much massage early on may increase the risk of bleeding (or hematoma).

How do you make implants drop faster?

You'll notice the first signs of implant drop after a few days, and this process can be moved along by using a breast band and massaging your implants to promote faster dropping. (Silicone gels and sheeting may minimize your scarring as well.)

What are the early signs of capsular contracture?

When should you start massaging breast implants?

Most practitioners advise patients to begin daily massages around the first or second week after surgery. Make sure you don't perform just any massage; there is definitely a safe, beneficial way that will help your breasts heal.

How can I soften my breast implants?

To help the softening process, Dr. Ellsworth recommends that patients carefully massage the breasts several times every day. Not only will this help your implants relax into ideal position, but it can also aid in preventing complications during breast implant recovery.

How do you break up scar tissue around breast implants?

Massaging scar tissue helps the body to remove built-up collagen from the site, leaving the scar flatter to the surface of the skin. Repeated massaging can keep the scar supple and flexible. It is also an excellent way to help the scar remain moist, which aids the overall healing process. Scars are notoriously itchy.

How do you prevent capsular contracture?

Do implants drop at the same time?

Because the amount of time it takes for breasts implants to drop can be so different, it is impossible to say if your breast augmentation is dropping normally — there is no “normal.” Your breasts will likely go through regular changes for the first few months as they begin to settle in; one of your breasts may even ...

How soon can capsular contracture occur?

Capsular contracture can occur as soon as 4-6 weeks after surgery and is uncommon to begin developing later than six months after surgery unless some sort of trauma has occurred to the augmented breast.

Why do implants get hard?

A breast implant that is hard, painful, rippled and high riding is a sign of capsular contracture. Early capsular contracture (within 3 years of placement) can also be related to bleeding and low-grade infection around the implant.

How tight should band be after breast augmentation?

The compression strap does not need to be very tight- even gentle pressure over time is helpful, and if it is too tight, it will cause indentations in your skin. For Strattice™ patients, some sort of downward compression is advised for 6 weeks after surgery.

Do breast implants look bigger after drop and fluff?

After dropping, the implants relax or “fluff” into the lower breast areas, taking on the natural teardrop shape which is more projected. The breasts begin to look larger with normal contours, taking on the appearance the patient had in mind when she started the process.

How do I know if my implants have dropped and fluffed?

When they are done “dropping” and the lower pole is done “fluffing,” you should be able to feel the edge of the implant at or just above the inframammary crease. That means it has fallen into the pocket.

Are you supposed to massage scar tissue?

Do not massage until your incision has fully healed and is a scar (not just a wound or scab). If you massage your scar prematurely you could cause it to reopen or tear, leading to an infection. Do not massage a scar until at least 2 weeks after a surgery or injury.

Can you massage scar tissue away?

Massaging your scars is important. It keeps the tissue around the incision loose so it doesn't “stick” to the tissue underneath. Wait until after your skin has healed before you start massaging your scar. Your skin will be healed when the edges of the scar are well closed with no gaps, and have no drainage.

Why does my breast implant feel like it's in my armpit?

Breast Implants Can Shift In a Variety of Ways

With lateral breast implant displacement, your breast implant or implants move towards the armpit and this is sometimes uncomfortable for the patient.

Do implants drop before they fluff?

Generally speaking, implants begin to drop and fluff after a few days, approach their final position after six weeks, and settle entirely after three months.

When will my implants feel soft?

When you first wake up from your breast implants surgery, your new breasts will likely be high up on your chest and feel hard to the touch. Don't be alarmed; this is completely normal, and your newly augmented breasts will eventually settle and soften, typically within 6 months.