Be sure that you apply pressure to all sides of the implant. Supporting your breast with one hand, use the other hand to make small, circular movements around the entire breast. You should work in a clockwise motion starting at the top pole. This will keep the implant loose and soft.
For the downward massage, start by placing both hands on your one of your breasts and gently pull the breast tissue upward and push the implant downward. Hold the breast in this position for 10 seconds, then repeat the massage on the alternate breast. Continue alternating and massaging each breast 10 times.
Most patients will notice the dropping phase first before the “fluff” results in the slight expansion of the implants once they have settled. Having a daily massage routine facilitates and promotes the natural settling of breast implants. Once your breast implants have settled, your breasts will look more natural.
Furthermore, excess massaging may increase the risk of capsular contracture by causing micro tears in the soft capsule. This could result in small amounts of blood forming around your implant, which is a potential cause of capsular contracture.
While there's little you can do to speed up the drop and fluff process aside from following your cosmetic surgeon's instructions, wearing a surgical bra, being patient, and trusting the process, we recommend you take postoperative photos of your breasts every two weeks to help visualize your progress.
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.
The exercise is performed by crossing your hands to either side of the chest, cupping the outside of the breasts, and gently compressing towards the center. The implants will move towards each other, stretching the medial portion of the capsule.
Be sure that you apply pressure to all sides of the implant. Supporting your breast with one hand, use the other hand to make small, circular movements around the entire breast. You should work in a clockwise motion starting at the top pole. This will keep the implant loose and soft.
Once you have clearance from your surgeon, we recommend massaging your breasts two to three times a day for the first couple of months. Complete this practice for about five minutes each time. After the first two months, massage your breasts five minutes once a day, or as often as recommended by Dr. Smart.
If implant massage is advised, this involves moving the implant up, down, and side to side at least a few times a day to keep the pocket slightly larger than the implant. This usually starts a week or two after surgery and may continue for a couple of months.
In as few as a few days, patients may begin to notice their implants begin to settle. By several weeks, the implants will be near their final resting position. The three-month mark is typically the latest that movement will be noticed. Athletes with strong chest muscles may require more time to notice breast settling.
If, after a couple of months, your breast implants do not seem to have dropped as expected, it's a good idea to call your cosmetic surgeon, who can evaluate your breasts to ensure there are no complications or suggest methods to help coax the drop and fluff process along.
Daily massages may also prevent capsular contracture. Depending on your lifestyle, you can also get specific tips from your plastic surgeon on how to take care of your breast implants after your surgery, shorten your recovery time, minimize your risk of complications, and get the results you want sooner.
This phenomenon, although rare, can occur when the body produces too much scar tissue (a.k.a. adhesions) around the breast implants because the body recognizes them as a foreign object. “Massaging” the breast can help break up these adhesions and keep them from surrounding and tightening around the breast implants.
Dr. Ramanadham gets asked, “When can I sleep on my side after breast augmentation?” quite frequently. After all, it can be hard to sleep constantly on your back night after night. For the most part, patients will need to wait at least four to six weeks before they can switch to side sleeping.
Downward Movement of the Breast Implants
Slide the skin upward toward your collarbone. Look in a mirror and you will see that the breast fold has been opened and the implant is now seated in a lower position. Next, push straight in toward your ribs.
After a breast implant procedure, you'll need a good-quality bra to help limit the impact of gravity on your breasts and prevent premature sagging. Select bras that fit properly and offer your augmented breasts the needed support. Wear a well-fitting bra as often as you can, including while exercising.
It's been my experience that about 80 percent of the time, with an ace wrap and some reasonable pressure, you can force the implants down to where you want them.
Most swelling will subside after two weeks and over the following weeks the implants should fall gradually and fill the lower breast. You should expect your breasts to be in their final position at three months. The type and size of the implant can affect the drop and fluff timeline.
Avoid chest and shoulder exercises, lifting weights or any other exercise that puts pressure on your chest or back. In most cases, patients will be healed and able to resume all forms of exercise – including heavy cardio – within six weeks.
Over time, the swelling resolves, the tissues loosen up, and the shape of the implant starts to exert itself on the overlying tissues. As a result, the implants settle into a lower, more aesthetically pleasing position on the chest. They appear softer and rounder, and they look larger and closer together.
Bottoming Out
As we mentioned earlier, it's natural and anticipated that breast implants will slightly drop after your breast augmentation surgery. But if your implants are bottomed out, they will have dropped way beyond what is expected to the point where your nipples appear to be sitting too high on the breast mound.
Sometimes the implants can appear to ride high when they are new. This is not a problem that requires revision surgery, only time for the surgery to settle with your body. Three to six months is required for your new breasts to fully heal and settle into their proper position.