Post Recon Surgery*Implant Massage*

Hi, Linda

I had been given instructions to massage my implants.  That video is very good at demonstrating the technique.  

I'm currently having an issue with one of my implants, and PS said I may have early CC.  Has me taking Accolate for a couple of months and then we'll see what he decides.  

As a result, I discussed my problem with a friend whose wife had one breast recon with implant after BC.  He's a physical therapist and has been involved in his wife's care.  He had never heard of being able to move the implant within the pocket.  To help me get an outside opinion about what may be happening with my implant, he consulted with a colleague that is a PS.  Anyway, he found out that some PS's create larger pockets for implants.  Others don't and the implant can't be moved like shown in the video.  I don't know if the same massage is required if there is no movement in the pocket.  I will be talking with my friend again this week and will ask what his wife does. 

I sure don't mean to confuse the issue, as it's important for women who have been told to massage to do it correctly.  

I'd like to point out that my PS didn't tell me to massage until I called and complained of tightness a month after surgery. (!!)  Ladies, you should always ask!!

Thank you, Linda for posting this.  My PS never said anything about massage and now I'm noticing that one of my incision scars is starting to pull in.  It's been 8 1/2 weeks since my exchange.  Most likely ok to massage.  I see PS on Tues and will ask.  Why do we have to ask???  They should tell us.  

Thanks so much for the video. The PS nurse just showed me how to do the massage but it was only pushing the implant up. I almost asked what about side to side since it made sense to me that the pocket would need to be expanded in all directions. but I didn't say anything...I'm always annoying them with too many questions. Thanks for the video!!

Oh, and just a quick note... my PS does not see any real purpose to this. He thinks it is not going to stop CC... actually.. he is very well known here in KC...I respect him.,.

BUT.. I am going to do all I can to help myself... and I believe you are too!.. So if your PS is not into the massage... ask him WHEN you can start it , because you choose to try it all.

I am,, I am only 5 days out of exchange... and I hope my PS tells me ok to do this massage after a week... I am going to do it... heck yes!

Great video Linda!  Thanks for making this thread!  Since I will be having my exchange this week I'll ask my PS about when to begin.

Sonia

I can't see where it would hurt to try to prevent CC.  I was lucky enough not to have radiation but I'm willing to throw every thing at this so I don't have to go through this again for 10-12 years.

Sonia

I thought this was an interesting topic because I just asked my PS if he would be recommending massage after my exchange.  He said that it was the norm before but not as much now.  Oh and he did mention that there is discussion that bacteria is what causes CC and in particular, deep dental cleanings...I googled it and found some info that indeed makes them suspicious of this and recommend antibiotics after dental work for women with implants.  I thought that was interesting.

Teresa

Linda,

First thanks for this post.  Sounds like it works although my wife's PS recommends not to do it too hard and recommends a more "fingery" approach like playing scales on the piano.

As for your thoughts on dental, you are correct. My father-in-law and my father were both dentists and we talked to colleagues who recommended having dental work done with good advance notice before her surgery to give her time to recover because of potential infections.  on of our local colleagues who had a wife who had cancer told us to make sure to get dental work done before.  He also said that many of the dentists have never had to deal with this issue so they might not knowledgeable of the possible circumstances of a foreign object outside of the mouth area

In fact, my wife had just a slight elevated temperature and a elevated heart rate just before her mastoplexy yesterday and despite it being a very small tempeature of 99.5 they had mentioned that in could increase capsulation if she were to be catching a cold, so they canceled her surgery

Hi All,

Just want to mention that I believe the video is for smooth implants. I have textured, and I thought I would not have to massage.  Yesterday my PS told me I did, but not in the same way. I am not to displace the implant as shown, just to move in gentle circular motion through out each breast for approximately 5 mins.  This is to move the skin, not the entire implant. I am doing ith with my cocoa butter lotion as it is much easier that way. Hope that makes sense...

God Bless!

Thanks Esteep,

In general everything is fine.  We've been very lucky.  Our canceled correctional surgery was only delayed 31 days, so we are lucky.   We are now set for the 28th for a 90 minute surgery.  I'm wary of calling it a minor procedure, it just seems smaller compared to the 7,8, and 9 hour ordeals of the first 3 surgeries.

Erik (route53)

http://route53.wordpress.com