Is Massaging required after surgery??

[KP]

So I had my surgery a on 10/30 and my doctor was great. However he did not mention at all about massaging my chest for recovery purposes, but I keep reading about how important it is.
Im 6 weeks in, would massaging make any difference? 

[Miguel Delgado MD]

Massage is really not required. However, it will help scarring and firmness resolve faster.  Your body will do this on its own. In some cases, scarring is fairly solid and I will inject Kenolog to reduce the firmness.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Every surgeon has his own theory about if and when massaging should be done.  There is no consensus, no right or wrong.

I generally wait for at least six weeks or more before considering massage.  Reason?  IF massage is done early in the healing process, it may stimulate swelling or even (rarely) may cause some bleeding under the skin.  

After 6-8 weeks, massage may help reduce some of the swelling or firmness.  Realize, massage doesn't make scar tissue disappear -- it merely mobilizes the fluid accumulation that accompanies the scar tissue.  Most of the time, if you are simply patient and allow your body to heal, the massage may not be needed at all.

Dr Jacobs

[Dr. Schuster]

Massaging is optional though I recommend it to all my patients. it is more the "art" of surgery rather than the "science". In my opinion t helps to remodel the scar tissue that begins to form shortly after the surgery. i don't have my patients start until after the third week. I think it helps speed up the recovery and also the return of normal sensation.