Jan 4, 2012
Been told to MASSAGE?
If you have just had Breast Augmentation with implants, you may have been told that you need to massage. Unfortunately it’s not the kind, involving a girls day at the spa.
When your Plastic Surgeon makes an incision into your breast pocket, he/she will also make a large pocket of space where the implant will sit.
If you are getting a ‘smooth’ shelled implant, he will probably make the pocket quite a bit bigger than the implant size.
This means that the implant can move around in the space quite freely. This extra ‘leg room’ means that when your body creates it’s own protective capsule or scar tissue around the new implant, it will do so, with enough room to spare.
As long as you keep this ‘large pocket of space’ around your implant, a tight capsule will not form, that compresses the implant and create a distorted shape (also known as Capsular Contracture or CC), giving the unwanted “orange” look.
So in order to keep the pocket nice and big you need to be massaging regularly. Possibly 3 times a day in the first 6 months, then once a day from then onwards.
This massaging pushes the implant up, down, sideways and ‘flat’. The best way to do it, is with the palm of your hand. You want to push the ‘implant’ around, not the skin, so using the palm helps to give firm pressure in the right places. A good indication that you are doing it right, is that the nipple will stay in the same place, only the implant underneath will slide around.
So stand in front of a mirror and let’s get started:
Push your implant to the left, and hold for 20 seconds. Now push it to the Right for 20 seconds.
Push it up for 20 seconds, as high up as you can (imagine that you are trying to push it into your collar bone).
Push it down into the breast fold, (go easy if you have a new scar along this fold, but not too gentle! Your stitches should hold just fine).
Now take your whole hand and flatten the implant like a pancake against your chest. This will make the implant flatten and push out all around the edges, creating a nice pressure all over.
Now repeat the process with the other breast.
You can do both at the same time, but if you have implants under the muscle, it is not as effective. The muscle tenses up as you push your opposite implant around, and makes it harder for your other hand to manipulate the breast as it tenses.
There are a number of situations where massage is NOT recommended.
In the first few days after your surgery you will probably be told not to massage. This allows the wound enough time to heal. It also allows you time to recover a little, so that your breasts are not as tender or painful. The first few times that you massage can be quite uncomfortable. If your surgeon has recommended it, persist. It will get easier with time .
If you have textured implants, you will not need to massage. These implants are designed to bond with the scar tissue and not move.
Anatomical implants (tear drop shaped) are also not meant to be massaged. They can rotate sideways if they are not textured, and this can create a serious problem. So don’t massage this type!
Brazilian Furry Implants are also not meant to be massaged. They are similar to textured implants, and are meant to adhere to the surrounding tissue.
Once your incisions are closed and healed, you may want to use a massage oil or cream to help with the process.
This is just to help lubricate the area and make the movement easier, plus it might help the skin stay supple and stretch mark free.
Massage is one of the most important things that you can do, as the patient, in preventing CC after surgery (provided you have been told to do it by your surgeon). If you are likely to forget, try doing it when you get out of the shower, before getting dressed. Then again when you wash your hands/ or use the bathroom before eating lunch. Then again when you brush your teeth before bed.
You may even want to enlist the help of your partner, who will probably be pleased to have the job.
Keep massaging, for the life of your implants, and you will hopefully have soft, supple breasts for years to come.
Well done, as this expert advice is exactly what I would tell your readers. You hear a lot of patients say their doctors told them not to massage. This is crazy as you will have harden lumpy scar tissue, which gives that ball like fake look without sensation. Now it takes everyday even when it is painful in the beginning, but this is the most important time to gently do the strokes you have mentioned. Keep up the good advice. Trina@ThaiSurgery.com.au, owner of destination cosmetic surgeries