Breast massage--when/how

Okay, these boobs are driving me crazy. I was told by the nurse at my post op appt that I should start gentle massage twice a day where I press my boobs together and hold that position for 5 seconds and I'm to do that 10 times.  I'm just so surprised at how tight and sore they are. I can't even reach across my body without significant pain. Maybe I'm expecting too much, but damn it hurts!!! Any thoughts about how long this initial tightness/soreness are expected to last.

Thanks guys. Just getting a little frustrated and hoping to be able to be proactive with the massage, and most importantly get them feeling better.

Denise

First of all, watch this video and start doing these gentle stretches. Do them often. Every time you remember. It has helped me a lot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJs9tr75b70
(I should mention that I don't do the last one, the overhead stretch, because it hurts. I do the other two though).
I have one side that has loosened up and is doing well, the other (my dominant side) is still tight like a fist and constantly cramping. I'm 13 days out now.
I'm trying to recall, did you have just implants or did you also have a lift? My doc said he doesn't have his lift patients doing self-massage until much later because his first priority is getting the incisions to heal properly, without messing around with the boobage too much.

Regardless, common sense dictates that if something really hurts, don't do it, your body is telling you to stop. Focus on gently stretching out those muscles.
I just tried pressing my boobs together. They move maybe a millimeter. But really they don't budge. As long as the pec muscle is tight, they won't move together. Work on loosening up that pec muscle, and when that happens, you'll get more lateral movement of the breasts.

Yep, it sucks. Patience. You've come this far!! 

Thanks so much!! I did have a lift too. I'm being very careful to avoid the under breast area. I do have a good amount of movement laterally toward the midline of my chest when I press but I need these things to stay there! I do think there is a bit of softening in the upper breast today, but underneath is painful. I see the doc Monday and will be interested to see what he has to say. Thanks again for all your feedback. I'm sorry you have the issue but am glad you are so willing to share what you've learned!

Warmly,

Denise

My surgeon said its best to do the massage in the shower and right after. The heat from the shower relaxes the muscles and its more "comfortable" to do it at that time.

I was also giving a special bra to wear once in a while to bring my right breast down, which is sitting higher than the left. It will drop on its own, but the bra just speeds it up. I agree with the other comment, if it hurts stop. Only do what your body allows for now. Give yourself time to heal and just massage and stretch as much as you can comfortably!