Plastic Surgeon in Houston on Benefits of Breast Massaging After Augmentation

HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwired - Jul 21, 2015) - Prior to breast augmentation, prospective patients should be fully informed about what to expect following their procedure, including any and all postoperative instructions recommended to help ensure an optimal outcome is achieved, states Houston plastic surgeon James F. Boynton, MD, FACS. He notes that one such postsurgical directive patients should be advised about is whether or not to engage in implant displacement exercises, which can often provide several benefits depending on the specific placement and type of breast implants utilized.

At his practice, Dr. Boynton says he employs a subpectoral technique for all breast augmentation procedures, meaning each implant is placed underneath the muscle. With this approach, he explains that the upper portion of the breasts may initially appear overly full after surgery, though the implants should start gradually settling into place as the surrounding skin and muscle tissues relax and stretch to accommodate the added volume. "During this time," he writes in a recent blog post, "the body forms a thin layer known as a 'capsule' around the implants, which is a natural process that occurs when any foreign, non-living object is introduced to the body." On average, he adds, this capsule takes roughly three weeks to completely form.

To help implants start settling into place as the capsule forms, Dr. Boynton states that implant displacement exercises consisting of light breast massaging can be performed for particular implant varieties, including saline implants and smooth, round silicone implants. For women who have received these specific types of implants, he notes that gentle massaging of the breasts beginning one to three days after surgery can often help to ensure ideal implant positioning, as well as aid in the prevention of capsular contracture and other potential issues. Furthermore, he says implant displacement exercises can also help prevent the appearance of "high-riding" implants that tend to occur more frequently in patients with well-developed musculature who do not adhere to a breast massage program postsurgically.

Excluded from conducting breast massaging exercises after augmentation are women who receive textured form-stable cohesive gel implants, such as those made by Sientra® and Mentor®. "The pocket dissection for textured implants is more of a 'hand-in-glove' fit that is tailored to the width of the implant," explains Dr. Boynton. "The textured surface provides a tissue interface between the breast tissue and the implant, and the tissue essentially 'grows' into the texture. This holds the implant very securely in place while helping to minimize capsular contracture and malposition. As a result, massaging is not necessary and, frankly, ill-advised for textured implants. If performed, it can cause rotation or malposition of the implant, which is not desired with anatomic implants -- the typical shape of choice when textured devices are selected. Therefore, it is important to understand that for smooth gel implants, massage is great; for textured implants, massaging should be avoided."

Ultimately, Dr. Boynton notes that while implant displacement exercises can be extremely advantageous for qualified patients, much more goes into achieving optimal breast augmentation outcomes. He strongly encourages any individual interested in breast augmentation to seek a highly experienced board certified plastic surgeon in order to help ensure the highest quality care and most trustworthy advice is received throughout every stage of the treatment process.

About James F. Boynton, MD, FACS

Dr. Boynton graduated from Duke University prior to obtaining his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. As a board certified plastic surgeon, he is devoted to providing an unprecedented level of patient care, which has earned him recognition as a "Top Doctor" in Plastic Surgery by U.S. News & World Report, among many other prestigious accolades. In addition to being a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Boynton is actively involved in various medical organizations, including the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He is available for interview upon request.

To learn more, visit boyntonplasticsurgery.com, plus.google.com/116742002551605456947/about, and facebook.com/DrBoynton.

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