Breast implants - is rippling normal?

I have a consultation in a couple of weeks for Saline breast implants but I recently read an article which said that most women with implants will develop some type of rippling. Is this true? Will this happen right away? I would rather not have implants at all if there is a good chance of rippling. I am a size B now and will be going to a full B/small C. I would rather do Silicone for the feel, but am scared to. Thank you.

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12 answers to “Breast implants - is rippling normal?”

A: Breast implants - is rippling normal?

Ricardo Rodriguez, MD

 Rippling depends on a lot of factors, amongst which are: 1-Compliance of the implant material-       A saline filled implant is very compliant so it is more prone to rippling. A cohesive silicon implant is less compliant so it has less tendency to ripple. A Gummy Bear implant is the... more

A: Rippling after breast augmentation

John Philip Connors III, MD

All breast implants possess the inherent potential to "ripple". Rippling can be minimized by added extra volume/fluid to saline implants; saline implants filled to actual volume (300 cc implant filled to 300ccs) have a higher incidence of rippling. Theoretically, the more rippling the higher the risk... more

A: Saline implants will have some rippling

John Diaz, MD

Both saline and silicone implants can cause rippling. However, you are more likely to have rippling with saline implants than with silicone implants. Most of the time, the rippling is minimal and does not bother the person. Most patients with saline implants are very happy. However, if you do get saline... more

A: Saline Implants Ripple

Steven H. Schuster, MD

Unfortunately, one of the biggest complaints about saline implants is the rippling. Most patients find that it is only palpable but some have visible rippling. The thinner you are and the larger you go the more likely this is to become a problem. I do not reccommend putting saline over the muscle and in my... more

A: Rippling of Breast Implants

John Whitt, MD

It is possible to get rippling with any breast implant. It is certainly more commonly seen with saline implants and with implants that are not placed beneath the chest muscle. I place about 98% of my implants under the muscle and the majority of my patients choose saline implants. I very rarely see rippling... more

A: Rippling and saline breast Implants

Michael Law, MD

Rippling of saline implants may be noticeable, particularly in small breasted women with little body fat. When breast implants are placed below the pectoralis major muscle, only about half of the implant surface is actually beneath the muscle -- the medial/upper half -- while the lateral/inferior half is... more

A: Rippling happens with saline implants

Bahram Ghaderi, MD

Saline implants will have some rippling. The questions is whether or not you can feel them or see them through your skin. The more tissue coverage you have the better it is. If you go behind the muscle with the implant, the better it is. If you don't go too big for you body so that your tissues don't stretch... more

A: No

John P. Di Saia, MD

Hello, Having used saline breast implants for many years, I can say this depends upon a few things: (1) Haw much tissue you have to cover the implants - the more the better as more tissue hides the implants better. (2) How large an implant model you choose - the larger the implant the more likely the rippling... more

A: Most saline implants will have some ripple over time.

David A. Dreyfuss, MD

Most patients with very minimal breast tissue will notice ripples with a saline implant. We always recommend silicone implants for women with very small breasts or thin skin on the breast. Even if the implant is behind the muscle, ripples can develop. Make sure that your physician overfills the saline... more

A: Rippling is common with saline implants and very rare with silicone implants

George J. Beraka, MD

If you are getting saline implants, you should be prepared to accept some rippling. Rippling, when it happens, is usually only palpable but not visible. Many women are happy with saline implants inspite of some rippling. It can be visible, and this is distressing, specially in the cleavage area. There are two... more

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