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When you choose Centre for Surgery for your cosmetic procedure, the anticipation of witnessing the final result can be both exhilarating and challenging. While we’d love to fast-track the recovery process to bring our patients their desired outcomes sooner, the reality is that the weeks following surgery are crucial for achieving exceptional results—and your actions during this period matter immensely.
One vital aspect of postoperative care is massage. Following your procedure, our team will provide comprehensive guidance on managing your recovery, including personalised recommendations on self-massage techniques tailored to your specific surgery. Various approaches, from incisional massages that enhance scar appearance to breast massages that facilitate implant settling, can significantly improve your results.
Here’s a glimpse of the advice we offer our patients. Regardless of where you undergo your surgery, we cannot emphasise enough how important it is to follow your surgeon’s guidance throughout the recovery process. Firstly, it is important to protect healing scars from the effects of sun exposure.
Protecting Your Scars from Sun Exposure
Sun protection is crucial for your scars following any surgical procedure. Exposing post-operative scars to sunlight during the recovery process can result in tanning and permanent hyperpigmentation. To avoid this, ensure your scars are covered with either scar tape or appropriate protective clothing. If exposure is inevitable, apply sunscreen diligently and frequently throughout the healing period.
This precaution may be required for 6 to 12 months. However, attentively caring for your scars during this initial period will contribute to optimal results and prevent any undesirable complications.
Optimising Surgical Scar Appearance with Incisional Massage
Our goal is to help you achieve the most aesthetically pleasing scar possible. Once we determine that you’ve reached the appropriate stage in your recovery and your tissue is ready, we’ll advise you to start using a silicone bandage over your scar, which should be worn continuously.
RELATED: Do Silicone Strips Help Cosmetic Surgery Scars Heal Better?
This waterproof silicone bandage should be worn 24/7 for approximately 4-6 months, requiring replacement only about once a week.
Typically, around six weeks post-surgery, you’ll be instructed to commence massaging your incisions. To perform the massage, apply pressure directly over the silicone and onto the incision. You may feel or hear some popping sensations, which might seem concerning but are actually normal due to the dissolvable stitches.
Apply a moderate amount of pressure, approximately 5 out of 10 in intensity. Don’t be alarmed if it causes mild discomfort or pain. This pressure is necessary because the goal of incisional massage is to help the silicone penetrate the scar. By breaking up the dissolving stitches beneath the skin, the incision can become smoother, resulting in softer scar tissue and an overall improved appearance.
Implant Massage After Breast Augmentation
Starting two weeks after your breast augmentation surgery, you will be instructed on how to perform post-procedure breast massages. The purpose of these massages is to facilitate the settling and softening of your implants, contributing to the “drop and fluff” phenomenon.
RELATED: What Breast Augmentation Scars Can I Expect?
Your surgeon will recommend massaging your breasts for 5 minutes at a time, ten times a day, which equates to roughly once every hour. You will apply pressure inwards, outwards, upwards, and downwards. It’s crucial to apply a substantial amount of pressure during the process. Experiencing mild discomfort or pain is normal and expected.
Continue this daily massage routine until your doctor advises that it is no longer necessary.
Massaging Techniques After a Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is among the more invasive procedures we perform at Centre for Surgery, yielding some of the most transformative results. Consequently, the recovery process can be a bit more intensive, but rest assured, you can handle it!
Approximately one week after your procedure, we’ll advise you to massage the area three times a day for five minutes each session. Massage is crucial in this context, as it helps mobilise fluid and swelling in the tissue. Reducing swelling is essential for minimising scar tissue formation and promoting faster healing.
RELATED: How to Minimise Scars after Tummy Tuck Surgery
During the healing process, the massage may feel uncomfortable at times, but don’t let that deter you from continuing the routine. Neglecting the massage may lead to a cycle of swelling and scar tissue development that is challenging to reverse. Persevering through the discomfort is well worth it in the long run.
To perform the massage, remove or peel down your compression garment. Apply arnica gel to your fingers and massage it directly into the areas, avoiding the incisions. Don’t hesitate to apply firm pressure, focusing on lumps and bumps that may arise. Although it may be uncomfortable, firm pressure is essential for effective massaging.
Scar tissue typically reaches its peak around three months post-surgery. Even if you feel great after a few weeks, it’s crucial to continue massaging for the entire duration recommended by your surgeon, as scar tissue can still develop unnoticed. Don’t forget to massage your belly button area, as there is an incision there, too. Massaging helps soften and prevents it from feeling too tight.
Your plastic surgeon will inform you when it’s safe to discontinue massaging, which could be several months after the procedure. Swelling may reappear months later due to increased activity levels or external factors like temperature changes. Experiencing swelling one year after surgery is normal, but it will improve with time and patience.
Massage Techniques After Liposuction and BBL
A week following your liposuction or Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery, you’ll be instructed to start massaging the liposuction sites three times a day for five minutes each session.
RELATED: Lymphatic Drainage Massage After Liposuction
Similar to the tummy tuck, massage is crucial in this scenario, as it helps mobilise fluid and swelling that can accumulate and lead to increased scar tissue formation. As with other types of post-operative massage, it may feel somewhat uncomfortable, but remember that it contributes to achieving the best possible outcome.
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Make sure to continue this massage regimen for as long as your plastic surgeon deems necessary, which can sometimes last up to six months.
Centre for Surgery Is Here to Support You
At Centre for Surgery, we’re committed to providing exceptional care and support throughout your entire surgical journey. Our team of experienced professionals is here to answer any questions, address your concerns, and ensure a smooth and comfortable experience from consultation to post-operative recovery. Your well-being and satisfaction are very important to us, and we’re here for you every step of the way.
