No, you should not massage your implants. Massaging your implants may put stress, tension, and pressure on the implant, scar tissue and the surrounding tissue. This can cause the implant to shift and damage both the implant and the tissue surrounding it.
If you experience pain or discomfort near your implant, you should contact your doctor to help you determine the cause and an appropriate treatment. In some cases, massage might be recommended, but only by your doctor or a physical therapist.
Additionally, your doctor may recommend certain massage techniques, such as manual lymphatic drainage, which can help reduce swelling, bruising and discomfort.
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Is it good to massage breast implants?
No, it is not generally recommended to massage breast implants. Too much massaging of the implants can cause them to move around or rotate, which can cause unwanted changes in the shape and size of the breasts.
Additionally, too much pressure can potentially damage the implants, which can lead to problems with leakage. It is important to discuss any concerns with your plastic surgeon before attempting to massage your own implants.
Additionally, it is also important to be aware of your breast posture, as well as any changes in the shape, size, firmness, movement, or pain of the implants that could be caused by too much manipulation of them.
If you have any questions, concerns, or need more information on what you can do to ensure your breast implants are safe and healthy, please contact your plastic surgeon.
When should I start massaging breast implants?
Massaging breast implants should typically begin one or two weeks after breast implant surgery. Starting massage using light pressure and circular motions can help to make sure that the implants settle into place properly.
Massaging is important to prevent capsular contracture, which is when the scarring around the implants become tight and can cause pain, discomfort, and altered breast shape. Massaging helps to ensure that the implant and scar tissue move together more easily and evenly, improving the shape of the breast implants and extending its longevity.
Massaging should be done for a few minutes a few times a day for about two months, at which point the area should be fully healed. If there is any pain, reduce the pressure or duration of the massage.
If there is no improvement from the massage, talk with your surgeon about the issue.
What happens if you don’t massage your implants?
If you don’t massage your breast implants, it can lead to many potential problems over time. Massaging your implants helps break up scar tissue, which can accumulate over time and cause the breasts to feel hard, lumpy, and uncomfortable.
Not massaging your implants can also lower the life expectancy of your implants, as the natural reshaping over time won’t be able to occur as easily. Massaging also helps prevent the implant from becoming displaced, which can lead to an uneven or mis-shaped breast.
Additionally, not massaging your implants can increase the risk of capsular contracture, which is a medical condition that is more common in women that do not massage their implants than those who do.
Therefore, it’s important to massage your implants following surgery in order to prevent potential issues from arising and ensure longevity and desired results.
Can a massage rupture a breast implant?
The short answer is no, a massage cannot rupture a breast implant. Breast implants are medical-grade silicone shells filled with either saline or silicone gel. The pressure used during a massage is far less than the pressure exerted on a breast implant during its implantation.
However, it is possible for the implant to shift or move slightly during the massage, but this is a relatively rare occurrence. While there is nothing a masseuse can do to cause the implant to rupture, poorly trained therapists may use too much pressure during the massage and cause trauma to the implant and surrounding tissue.
Therefore, to minimize the risk of any trauma it is important to make sure that any therapist used is well-trained, licensed, and qualified to give a massage.
What are the early signs of capsular contracture?
The earliest signs of capsular contracture are abnormal firmness in the breasts, discomfort, and a visible distortion in the shape of the breast. The unnatural firmness of the breast may feel like a tightening around the implant, and it is often described as being like a “ginger ale can.
” For many women, the discomfort increases to pain and tenderness. The breast may even feel hard to the touch and the area around the implant can become reddish or inflamed. In some cases, the implant may migrate toward the armpit.
As the condition progresses, the nipple may be pushed inwards and the breast may become very hard and painful. Some women may also notice hard lumps or bumps in the breast.
What can break a breast implant?
Breast implants can break any time due to a variety of reasons. When the implant has a weak spot or is punctured, it can rupture or leak. This can happen if the implant shell has worn thin due to age or getting hit with blunt trauma.
Other causes include leaking from the implant valve or surrounding tissue, as well as inadequate surgical technique or defective materials. Signs that the implant has broken include pain, swelling, or distorted implants.
If you suspect your implant has ruptured or broken, contact your surgeon immediately for an evaluation.
Can massage break up capsular contracture?
Massage has been shown to potentially help with the symptoms of capsular contracture, but it cannot break it up. Capsular contracture occurs when the capsule of connective tissue that surrounds an implant firms or thickens, resulting in abnormal pressure on the surrounding breast tissue.
Massage may help to mitigate some of the symptoms of capsular contracture, such as pain, tightness, or discomfort, but cannot completely break the capsule up.
If you think you have capsular contracture, it is important to speak with your doctor and not attempt to treat it on your own. The most effective way to treat capsular contracture is usually surgical removal or release of the capsule.
Surgery can help to improve implant shape, position, and the way the breast feels to the touch.
What does it feel like when your breast implant ruptures?
When a breast implant ruptures, it can feel like a range of sensations, depending on how large the rupture is. Initially, the area around the implant may become hard, tender, or uncomfortable. You may also experience pain, swelling, and/or inflammation around the implant, as well as some changes in the shape of your breast.
In some cases, the implant itself may feel as if there is increased firmness or abnormal tenderness around it.
In more severe cases, the implant may leak fluid into the breast, in which case you may experience a feeling of wetness and/or warmth in the affected area. You may also experience pain that radiates from the area around the implant, or a feeling of numbness or tingling in the skin around the implant.
In some cases, a rupture can even lead to a visible indentation or a lump in the area around the implant. It’s important to pay attention to any changes that you experience and to consult with your doctor if you are concerned about a possible rupture.
How common is it for breast implants to rupture?
The exact rate of breast implant rupture is difficult to determine because the condition can be silent and exist for years before it is diagnosed. However, data from the United States Food and Drug Administration estimates that 10-14% of women who undergo breast augmentation with silicone implants will experience a rupture within 10 years.
This rate increases to up to 30% at 20 years post-implantation.
There are two types of breast implant ruptions: overt and silent. An overt rupture occurs when a break or tear in the implant shell is visible or palpable. It can cause changes in the shape of the implant, breast pain and tenderness, or the sudden release of silicone into the breast area.
Silent ruptures are not visible from the outside and can go undetected for years. This can occur when tiny fissures or micro-fractures develop in the implant shell, which may allow a slow leakage of silicone or saline into the breast area.
Symptoms of a silent rupture may include swelling, tenderness, capsular contracture, and changes in the shape of the breast and implant.
If an implant rupture is suspected, breast imaging is recommended to confirm the diagnosis. Ultrasound and MRI are superior imaging modalities for diagnosis, although other methods such as X-rays or mammography are also helpful.
Depending on the size and location of the rupture, the implant may need to be surgically replaced.
Will my implants look bigger once they drop?
It is a common belief that breast implants will look bigger once they have ‘dropped’, but this is not necessarily the case. If a patient has a breast lift (or mastopexy) alongside their implant surgery, the breasts will be lifted to a perkier position and may give the appearance of being larger.
But because the implant size has not changed, the size of the breasts will not be significantly bigger. Therefore, it is unlikely that implants alone will look larger once they drop.
The shape of the breasts may change however. When patients receive saline implants, it is common for the implants to be filled to their maximum in pre-operational planning. Then, once the implants are inside the body, the retaining salt water solution is absorbed into the body and the implants then ‘drop’, creating a more natural shape to the breasts.
When breast implants are placed under the pectoral muscle, it is also likely that there is a period of time needed for the muscle to relax and adapt to the presence of the implants, which can result in the shape of the breasts changing.
In summary, while breast implants may not look larger once they have dropped, they can change the shape of the breasts and can give the impression of being bigger if the patient has opted for a breast lift or mastopexy as part of their surgery.
Are you supposed to massage implants?
No, you should not massage implants. Massaging or touching the implant site may place unnecessary pressure on the implant, causing it to become misaligned or move out of position. Additionally, massaging the area can also increase the risk of infection and can hinder the healing process.
It is important to follow your surgeon’s guidelines and instructions for your post-surgery care, which typically includes caring for the area without massaging or applying pressure to it.
What can cause implants not to drop?
Implants not dropping into place can be a result of several different factors. In some cases, the tissue and muscles around the implant may be too tight for it to drop into place. This can often occur in cases of revision breast augmentation surgeries, or when a larger-than-normal implant is placed.
If a surgeon does not create enough space for the implant to settle into, the implants may not drop.
Another possible cause of implants not dropping may be hematoma, or the presence of blood where it should not be, such as surrounding the implant pocket. This can occur after surgery and prevent the implant from settling into its pocket properly.
Finally, implant malposition can cause the implants not to drop into place. This happens when the implants are placed incorrectly, such as if they are not completely centered or if they are placed under the muscle at too low an angle.
If the implants are not placed in the right pocket, the pocket may not inflate completely and the implant may not settle into its cosmetic position. In this case, the implant may need to be placed again in order to achieve the desired position.
When will my implants feel soft?
Most people typically report that their implants feel soft after about a month or two following their breast augmentation surgery. During the first few weeks of healing, the implants might initially feel hard, as the body gradually adjusts to the implants.
During this time period, the implants are settling into place as the surrounding tissue adjusts and accommodates the implants. Depending on the individual and their body’s response, healing time can vary, so patience is essential.
Over time, the implants will eventually feel soft and natural. As with any surgery, it’s important to listen to body and follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions so that you can enjoy long-lasting results.
How tight should bra be after implants?
It is important to wear a bra with the correct fit when you have implants. Generally, it should feel snug without being too tight or digging into your skin. The chest band should be below the level of the implants and should fit firmly around your frame without being so tight that it causes discomfort.
The straps should be adjusted to ensure the fullest support with the least amount of movement. It is also important to choose a bra that is specifically designed with support in mind, such as those with wide straps or those with full cups.
As the implants settle over time, you may need to make adjustments to ensure proper fit and support.
