When Can I Get Back to Massage After Breast Augmentation?

Do you love your regular massage appointments? Or perhaps you’re in the mood for one after spending time on the couch while you recover from breast augmentation? Either way, you might be surprised to learn that activity restrictions after plastic surgery aren’t limited to exercise and other heart-pounding hobbies. It’s also important to modify or postpone your massage for some time after your breast augmentation.

Staying off the massage table for several weeks after surgery can be tough, especially if you’re accustomed to having massages on a regular basis. But I tell my breast augmentation patients in and around Los Angeles that refraining from massages during the recovery period is paramount to getting good results—and worth the wait as you can see in my patients’ photos below.

Why It’s Important to Wait

The concern isn’t about the massage itself; the concern is about lying on your stomach. Any type of breast enhancement surgery requires you to sleep and rest on your back as much as possible. By keeping pressure off of the front of your body for at least 6 weeks, you can allow your implants to settle into a favorable, natural-looking position with minimal complications.

Giving Your Breast Implant Capsule Time to Form

After an implant is placed inside a breast, the body goes to work creating a capsule of tissue around it. This natural process is the body’s way of isolating a foreign object and protecting the rest of the body. Breast implants are not harmful to your body; however, it’s important to allow this process to proceed undisturbed.

Once the breast capsule is fully formed, it holds the implant in place. Lying on your stomach for more than a few minutes before the capsule is fully formed can disrupt its formation and cause implant displacement or damage. The capsule doesn’t just protect the body from a foreign invader, it also protects the implant from impact.

Protecting Your Surgical Incisions

Putting pressure on your breasts too soon after your breast augmentation can also put stress on your incisions, potentially delaying healing time and causing unnecessary scarring. During the initial 6 weeks after your breast enhancement surgery, it’s best to play it safe and avoid spending any significant length of time on your stomach.

You can learn more about resuming other activities like exercise, travel, swimming, and sleeping on your side after breast augmentation in our related blog post.

Massage Options

If you’re craving the muscle-melting effects of massage therapy, you can make some modifications and still enjoy a relaxing massage.

1. Chair Massage

Your massage therapist can likely offer you a chair massage, which requires you to sit upright and avoids putting pressure on your chest and implants. A skilled massage therapist can focus on your neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and lower back while accommodating your recovery needs. Just be sure to inform your massage therapist about your recent surgery and request they avoid putting too much pressure on your shoulder area. Chair massages can provide relaxation and relief during your recovery without compromising the results of your breast augmentation.

2. Supine Massage

You may also have a massage while lying on your back. Although this doesn’t allow your massage therapist access to your back, they can work on your shoulders, neck, scalp, hands, legs, and feet. Again, ask them to avoid putting too much pressure on the shoulders, however, since these muscles are often affected by breast augmentation. For many of my patients, this approach is enough to tide them over until they can get back to their regular sessions.

3. Targeted Massage

These massages focus on specific areas while avoiding direct pressure on the shoulders, chest, breasts, and implants. Some suitable options include the following:

• Scalp and head massages to reduce tension and promote relaxation. 
• Foot and leg massages to improve circulation and reduce stress without affecting the surgical site.
• Hand and arm massages to ease tension and boost circulation.

Before scheduling any of these massages, however, always check with your plastic surgeon. And keep in mind that these guidelines apply to chiropractic care as well.

Ready for Breast Augmentation?

If you’re thinking about plastic surgery in Los Angeles, but are not sure if breast augmentation is for you, take a look at my before-and-after gallery to see what results are possible. You can also contact my practice online or at (310) 300-1779 to request a consultation at a time that works for you.