Massage and Compression Will Maximize Breast Augmentation Results

By Jim Greene

Published on July 23, 2010

In order to achieve the best possible result from breast augmentation surgery, many plastic surgeons recommend breast massage and compression to keep the breasts soft and natural looking. These exercises are meant to counteract capsular contracture, the shrinking and hardening of the scar tissue that naturally forms around breast implants.

Although breast implants are made from inert materials, the body's natural defense mechanism reacts to them as it would to any foreign matter, by surrounding them with scar tissue to isolate them from interaction with living tissue. This scar tissue wrapper, known as a capsule, may contract and harden, leaving the breasts overly firm and artificial looking.

The best defense against capsular contracture is a regimen of breast massage and compression, beginning soon after the breast augmentation surgery. Properly performed, these exercises will keep the capsule soft and prevent contracture, leaving a pocket roomy enough so that the implant will move naturally.

It makes sense that massaging the breast will keep them soft; it is the compression that counteracts contracture and maintains the implant pocket. A simple and effective method is to lie on the floor face down and extend the arms forward, using the weight of the body to flatten the breasts. This easily achieves an important goal of the exercise, which is to extend the implant to the far edges of the capsule.

If you're scheduled for breast implant surgery, your plastic surgeon will advise you how soon and how often to perform breast massage and compression.

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