Breast implant displacement is recommended to maintain soft, supple breast implants for an optimal and natural-appearing breast augmentation. These techniques can be utilized for both smooth saline and smooth silicone gel-filled breast implants. Although never proven, breast implant displacement exercises may reduce the risk of capsular contracture; they also help to reduce post-op swelling and hasten implant settling.
Patients may begin breast implant displacement exercises one to two weeks after surgery depending upon the level of pain and discomfort they are experiencing. Initially the breast implant may not move very much, and the displacement may be mildly uncomfortable. As you continue to heal, swelling and discomfort will improve, and you will be able to perform these displacement exercises more easily. Listed below are several techniques that can be utilized.
- Place your hand flat over the nipple-areolar complex and press the implant inward towards the chest wall. Hold the implant in this position for 5 seconds; repeat 10 times.
- Slide each implant straight upward along the chest wall (you should see the upper breast fullness increase below the collar bone). Hold the implant in this position for 5 seconds; repeat 10 times.
- Push/slide each implant medially. Hold the implant in this position for 5 seconds; repeat 10 times.
- Push/slide each implant laterally. Hold the implant in this position for 5 seconds; repeat 10 times.
- Move the implants in a circular motion.
Perform these exercises three (3) times daily, for six months following surgery.
Then perform these exercises two (2) times daily, for the next six months.
Perform these exercises once daily thereafter.
These exercises may be performed while standing, sitting, or lying supine.
Use of a moisturizing lotion, while performing massage, will help to condition your skin.
I think this is a good exercise post-op, to get back in shape sooner, and to help the body adjust better to the implants.
Even though implant displacement exercises have never been shown (in a clinical trial) to reduce the risk of capsular contracture, I still recommend them to all my patients partially for this reason — in an attempt to stretch and soften the early capsule. And they would seem to be more important for women with subglandular breast implants, since these implants are not subjected to the movement and compression of the pectoralis muscle. I also believe that displacement exercises help to stretch the tissues, reduce swelling, and allow the breast implants to settle into place more quickly.
Can I do the breast displacement exercises in my situation? I am 10 days post op. I have had a revision — sub mammary (glandular) to sub mammary (glandular) with capsulectomy. Are these exercises good for a revision like I have had? Just to reiterate, I’ve had above the muscle to above the muscle with capsulectomy. Would these exercises help decrease my chances of capsular constracture?
Joann, Thanks for your question. First, I would recommend that you speak with your surgeon about these displacement exercises to see if he or she has any significant objections based upon the details of you surgical procedure.
Studies have not shown implant displacement exercises to reduce the risk of capsular contracture. But, (I’d like to believe that) displacement exercises may help stretch and soften the early capsule if performed frequently. If displacement exercises could actually accomplish this, then women with subglandular breast implants may realize some benefit (since subglandular implants are not subjected to the forces, movement, and compression of the pectoralis muscle). There are clear differences between the subglandular pocket and the submuscular pocket, but which of those differences are actually responsible for the reduced occurrence of capsular contracture in the submuscular pocket is not known – the compression of the muscle, a more vascular tissue covering the implant, a lower risk for bacterial contamination, or something else…..
The risk of recurrent capsular contracture is high in the subglandular position. Changing to a textured surface implant may be helpful in reducing the risk of recurrence if the breast implant is going to remain over the muscle. A site change to a submuscular position, is a much more involved operation, but is associated with a reduced risk of recurrent capsular contracture. Best wishes.
Can these exercises help me? I am 10 days post op. My revision surgery was above the muscle to above the muscle with a capsulectomy. I would like to know if these exercises could help me from getting capsule contracture.