Massage After Breast Augmentation: Preventing Capsular Contraction

Introduction

Breast augmentation is a procedure to enhance the breast shape and size. It is also sometimes referred to as “boob job” or “breast aug.” In this procedure, breast implants are placed under the chest muscles or tissues to increase the size of one’s breast or improve the breast shape. Breast augmentation can be done for various medical conditions to rebuild the breast size or shape, or for some people, it can be a way to boost their confidence.

Therefore, a person opting for breast rebuilding must ask the doctor about all the possible complications and risk factors involved in this procedure. Also, one should know about capsular contracture (hardening of tissue around the implant) and how it can be prevented after breast augmentation. Therefore, the article discusses the role of massage in preventing capsular contracture after breast rebuild.

Moreover, according to 2022 survey data, breast augmentation is the second most common plastic surgery among women, and capsular contracture is known to affect one out of every six women undergoing this procedure.

What Is Capsular Contracture?

Capsular contracture forms scar tissue or capsules around the breast implant. This is a natural process when any foreign body or implant is placed in the body, and in the case of breast augmentation, it is known as capsular contracture. This is a harmless process; the capsule usually appears healthy, pliable, thin, and translucent. However, the actual problem arises when the capsule becomes hard and begins to squeeze the implant, thus causing the implant to become painful and hard and appear abnormal in shape and size. Capsular contracture is of various grades:

1. Grade I: Breast appears natural and feels normal.

2. Grade II: Slightly firm but looks normal.

3. Grade III: Firmness is more and appears abnormal.

4. Grade IV: Painful, hard, and looks abnormal.

The actual cause of this condition is unknown, but it may occur from bacterial contamination and the body's immune response. In some cases, the type of implants used and the patient's genetics also play a major role.

How Can Massage Prevent Capsular Contracture After Breast Augmentation?

Breast massage after augmentation softens the tissue around the breast implant and, thus, helps prevent capsular contracture. It helps break down the excessive scar tissue formation around the breast implant, keeping the capsule flexible and mobile. It also prevents the implant from becoming too light in weight. Massaging also helps reduce inflammation and enhances healing by stimulating blood circulation around the implant. The doctors usually suggest regular breast massaging in the initial few days of breast implant; however, in some cases, the patient is also recommended to massage the breast implant for a lifetime to prevent hardening and potentially eliminate the capsular contracture risk.

The various techniques of massage to prevent capsular contraction are as follows:

• Pushing the breast towards the middle of the chest on each side, holding, and repeating.

• Pushing the breast downwards by cupping the hands over the top of the breast, relaxing, and repeating. Then, push the breast upwards.

• Squeezing the breast vertically by placing hands on both sides.

• Crisscrossing the hands below the breast area and pushing the breast towards the middle of the chest.

The frequency of breast massage techniques may also vary, such as:

• For the first month post-surgery, thrice a day.

• Twice a day in the second month post-surgery.

• Once a day afterward, throughout one’s life.

What Are the Other Risk Factors for Breast Augmentation?

Besides capsular contracture, other risk factors associated with breast augmentation include:

• Breast pain.

• Change in implant position.

• Infection.

• Leakage or rupture of the implant.

• Changes in breast and nipple sensation.

These complications often require additional surgeries to correct, remove, or replace the implants.

What Are the Massage Tips After Breast Augmentation?

• A person should always consult the doctor to determine when to start the massage after augmentation, the correct technique, and other specific instructions depending on their situation. The correct way of massaging the breast after augmentation is essential to avoid damaging the implant and the surrounding tissues.

• One should also ask the doctor about the duration and frequency of the breast massage, which may vary according to one’s healing process after breast augmentation.

• Also, the effectiveness of massage in preventing capsular contracture may vary among individuals, even though most studies suggest that it prevents or reduces the risk of complications, such as capsular contracture.

How Is Capsular Contracture Diagnosed?

Capsular contracture is diagnosed through physical examination and diagnostic tests. The physical examination is done by examining the breast for changes, deformity, firmness, and tender or painful points. Additionally, the doctor recommended some imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis of capsular contracture, which involves:

• Mammography: It is a common diagnostic test for detecting breast cancer in women and is also indicated for ruling out capsular contracture after breast augmentation. However, the test does not diagnose the condition accurately and has limited utility in extreme cases of scar tissue formation or capsular contracture.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging: This is the most important imaging test for diagnosing complications associated with breast implants, such as capsular contracture. It provides a clear diagnosis by showing an accurate image of the implant and the surrounding tissues.

• Ultrasound: Breast ultrasonography is also used to detect capsular contracture; however, the test is unreliable as its accuracy mainly depends on the doctor performing the test, thus making the outcomes more subjective.

Conclusion

To conclude, a person undergoing breast augmentation must always consult the doctor to know about various complications and risk factors associated with this surgical procedure. Capsule or scar tissue formation is a common natural process that is often seen in many breast implants or other implant cases. In breast implants, the condition is known as capsular contracture, which may occur due to various unknown reasons. This can be reduced or prevented through capsular contraction massage after the surgery. Therefore, one must consult the doctor to know the exact massaging technique, duration, frequency, and effectiveness per their healing process and needs post-surgery.