Inner Cleavage Rippling with Full Silicone Unders Normal?

asked 9 months ago by Margarita6062 in Tampa FL
Latest answer by George John Alexander, MD
Question viewed 263 times
Tags: silicone implant, under muscle, cleavage, normal, rippling

8 weeks ago I had a breast augmentation with 500cc silicone implants placed entirely under the muscle. I am thin, but was full B cup before the surgery. Now I can really feel (but not yet see) the edge of my left implant in the bottom half of my cleavage. I do sleep on my side with a thong bra because of having implants on my small frame and I don't know if that is what caused the problem. Is it normal to easily feel the implant with muscle unders and is the thong bra making it worse? Thank you!

7 answers to Inner Cleavage Rippling with Full Silicone Unders Normal?

Rippling with implants

Usually, when the implants are subpectoral or under the muscle, it is the upper, inner portion that is tucked under the muscle. From your description, it sounds as though this was the technique that was used during your surgery. If a thin woman chooses a large implant, it may be possible to feel the edge of the implant as you describe. Let your plastic surgeon know about your concerns.

George John Alexander, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Cleavage rippling?

Even though you describe your implants as having been placed 'entirely under' the muscle, it's more likely that your implants are place under your pect muscle only. The pectoralis muscle centrally doesn't extend as low as your 500cc implant extends so there is a region where your implant is not covered by muscle. Your natural breast tissue also doesn't really extend toward the center as far as your cleavage so it's likely that, in the spot that concerns... more

Scott E. Newman, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.psurgery.com

Breast implant rippling

What you are experiencing sounds very much within the range of normal for a “thin” young lady with 500 mL implants. The implants are not completely covered by muscle- some palpability of the implant is normal in the area that you described. I do not think that the use of a “thong bra” is making it worse; as always, make sure you follow up closely with your surgeon raising any concerns you may have. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Under the muscle implants, only part way

Anatomy is such that the chest muscle will cover only the upper two thirds to one half of your breast implant. It is not at all unusual to feel your implant in the lower part of the breast, or out to side where the muscle does not extend. The thong bra is not giving you much support or coverage, though by eight weeks there is no harm to be done wearing one. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Palpable Edge of Submuscular Silicone Implant

A submuscular implant does not have total muscle coverage. The pectoralis muscle covers in the upper chest and the breast gland covers below. Often the breast fold is lowered as much as a rib space with an augmentation leaving the lowest part of the implant with little tissue cover. If you have no visible changes then nothing more needs to be done. There are alternatives for improving implant coverage in the lower pole if that is important to you but would... more

Mary Lee Peters, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.maryleepetersmd.com

Rippling can happen even with silicone

Gel implants under the muscle. Basically I warn patients that very large implants on very small people, or people who are very thin, may well lead to visible rippling, and that it is not always possible to predict who will show rippling. There are some maneuvers to help with this, and talking to your surgeon is the best way to find out all of your options and decide together what will work best for you. Good luck to you.