Breast Implant Revision Q&A

86%

WORTH IT RATING

153 Reviews

Ask a Question

Breast Implant Revisionbefore & after photos

View Before and Afters

Average Breast Implant Revision Cost: $7,100

Learn about Breast Implant Revision

942 people and 512 doctors are talking about Breast Implant Revision

Get Free Email Updates

Should I Replace my Saline Implants if They Have Ripples?

asked 6 months ago by JFlower
Latest answer by George John Alexander, MD
Question viewed 311 times
Tags: saline implants, weight loss, 4 years post-op, rippling

I had saline implants under the muscle 4 years ago and just now am starting to notice slight rippling. I recently lost about 10 pounds and wonder if that is contributing to the cause of this. What are my options? My breast tissue is thin to begin with. I was originally a small B cup and had them increased to a 34C. I love the size but hate the ripples. Will replacing them solve this problem?

15 answers to Should I Replace my Saline Implants if They Have Ripples?

Replacing Saline Implants to correct Ripples

Replacing your implants will not necessarily fix the problem. Your recent weight loss may have contributed to the problem if it resulted in further thinning of already thin breast tissues. It is also important to know where the rippling is located. If it is in the upper part of your breast then the implant may be underinflated, or the implant may not be well supported underneath and you could have traction rippling. The solution would then be to tighten the implant pocket with or without the... more

Braden Stridde, MD
Federal Way Plastic Surgeon

Yes, your weight and the saline implant are both factors. You have three options.

Hello, Both your weight and the fact that they are saline are components of the rippling that you notice. Also, the more the saline implant is over inflated the more rippling the saline implant will have. Your options, other than taking some of the fluid out of the implants are: 1) gain some weight 2) switch to silicone 3) add thickness to your breast tissue. This can be done through acellular dermal matrix or fat grafting. All the best, Dr Repta

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Rippling is Common with Saline Breast Implants

Many subpectoral pockets are created in a dual-plane fashion, meaning that a portion of the implant lies under the muscle, and a portion of the implant is covered only by subcutaneous tissue. The muscle provides additional coverage over the upper and medial implant. But the lateral and inferior portions of the implant are covered only breast and/or subcutaneous tissue. It is for that reason that rippling is more likely in the inferior and lateral parts of the breast. And for thinner women,... more

Kenneth Dembny, II, MD
Milwaukee Plastic Surgeon

Wt. loss and rippling

Your recent weight loss may be the reason why you are now noticing rippling in your breasts. Rippling is more likely to be visible with saline implants and in patients with thin tissues. Consider exchanging them for silicone.

George John Alexander, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Saline Breast Implants and Ripples

Unfortunately, you have discovered one of the known down sides of breast iplants - shell rippling. The shell of ALL breast implants ripple from the moment the implants are placed under the breast. The rippling is worse in saline filled than in gel filled implants and worse in textured than in smooth shlee breast implants. The rippling is the prime reason why breast implant need to be picked based on each woman's dimensions - because to achieve an attractive result the surgeon wants to... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Replacing saline implants if they have ripples

Thank you for your question. Since you only just noticed the rippling of the implants after you lost weight this is undoubtedly the reason that you are noticing it now. It would be useful to know if your implants were underfilled as this will certainly make the rippling more noticeable. Replacing the saline implants with gel implants may well improve the problem but may not completely eliminate it. Gaining more soft tissue coverage with ether weight gain or placing an allograft... more

Donald M. Brown, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Should I Replace my Saline Implants if They Have Ripples?Answer:

It is probably related to a few things, the biggest of which is probably your weight loss, which solution most women do not want to hear! Even 10 lb. in thin women can make a difference. Also, I have seen that after 4-5 years that saline implants can stretch a bit and even lose a bit of fill, both possibly causing ripples. If it is just at the bottom, I would not rush into silicone implants. Don't hate me & I know it sounds bad but see what you think after the holidays, and a few... more

John J. Corey, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Replace Saline Implants due to Ripples?

The decision to replace them is up to you. If you think you may regain the weight, then hold off and see what happens. If the ripples still bother you, a replacement to silicone gel implants may help. Another option is using acellular dermal matrix to thicken the lower breast tissue.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Should I replace my saline implants if they have ripples?

Rippling is an expected complication or effect of saline implants. The ripples may be palpable or even apparent on the skin surface. Weight loss or scant breast tissue make ripples more likely. There are several alternatives to correct rippling: exchange to saline implants use of acelular dermal matrix fat grafting Each separately or all three together may be indicated. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to obtain the best advice after a thorough... more

Frank Agullo, MD
El Paso Plastic Surgeon

Rippling of implants after recent weight loss

Sounds like you were fine before your recent weight loss. Fat, muscle, or breast tissue surrounding breast implants contribute in keeping visible rippling at a minimum. Without pictures or an exam-you have 2 options. 1. Save yourself the cost of another surgery by re-gaining the 10lbs or if that is not an option 2. Replace implants with gel implants under the muscle Best wishes, Dr. H

Gary M. Horndeski, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation and Rippling

Rippling is often related to thinning of the tissue usually in the upper pole of the augmented breast. Larger size or changing to a gel implant some times can help. Also, fat grafting is a technique that can sometimes fill in the area of rippling. You should see a ABPS board certified surgeon for an examination and evaluation.

Jeff Scott, MD
Everett Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant Rippling?

Thank you for the question. Your recent weight loss is probably a contributing factor to the worsening of rippling up the breast Implants. Exchanging these implants for silicone gel implants may be helpful. The use of acellular dermal matrix ( to provide an additional layer of coverage between the breast implant and skin) may also be considered. Keep in mind, that unfortunately despite exchange of implants, some rippling may still be present.... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Rippling saline breast implants

Any implant can ripple, but this is more common with saline constructs. Also, saline implants can begin to deflate after ten years due to crease fold failure. The best option for revision is to replace the old saline implants with modern cohesive gel implants.

Daniel Greenwald, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Rippling of saline filled implants

Saline filled implants and thin overlying skin is a constant problem. When the implants are placed under the muscle it hides most of the implant except for the lower outer quadrant. If you have thin lateral tissue and if the saline implant hangs over the sides of your chest wall then it is likely that you might feel or even see the edge of the implant. In many cases switching out to a gel filled implant can be at least a partial solution. In very thin women... more

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Saline Implants and Ripples

Your weight loss likely thinned your breast tissue making the ripples that were always there more noticeable. Your options include gaining back the weight to camouflage the implants better or switching to silicone gel implants. In extremely thin patients you can get rippling even with silicone gels implants but it is far less than with saline implants. Hope this helps!