How to Fix Breast Rippling 2 Years After Breast Augmentation?

Breast Implant Rippling most often occurs when there is insufficient soft tissue coverage due to little overlying body fat and breast tissue. Implants placed beneath the muscle help to minimize this phenomena but the lower and outside breast (as pectoralis muscle is no longer present), towards the cleavage where the muscle thins out or on top of the breast where breast tissue is often lacking are the most common places to see rippling. It is often accentuated with certain positions (e.g. bending over,or leaning). Most of the time, rippling is felt along the outer side of the breast and the inner side of the breast next to the cleavage. Breast implant waviness (rippling) that is felt but not noticeable to the eye is very common and should not be a concern. However, when rippling is visible, patients are often self-conscious about their appearance.Factors that are associated with increased rippling include:Traditional Saline implants (IDEAL® Saline implants less likely)Textured implantsLarge implantsThin patients with low BMIImplants placed above the musclePrior history of ripplingFactors which are less likely to have rippling include:Heavier and larger breasted womenUsing a highly cohesive form-stabile silicone implants (gummy bear)Smooth implantsSmaller implantsSubmuscular placementOnce rippling occurs it is very difficult to correct. Rippling can be minimized by placing a biologic fabrics (e.g. AlloDerm®, Strattice™, SERI®), submuscular conversion if implants are above the muscle, fat transfer, use of adjacent tissue (muscle or fascia) if available, and in persistent cases implant removal and fat transfer. Seek the care of the best board certified plastic surgeon possible with experience in breast revision surgery.#rippling#breastaugmentation

Rippling is very difficult to fix, even with surgery.  It is not possible to fix rippling without surgery.

Thank you for your question.Unfortunately, rippling of your breast implants can occur following a breast augmentation procedure and is often related to a number of factors.  These factors can include: the placement of your breast implants in relation to the chest muscle (above or below the chest muscle), the amount of breast tissue coverage, implant type (saline vs. silicone and profile type), and, specifically with saline implants, the degree of implant filling.  Correcting the rippling of your implants does require a surgical intervention that often includes an implant exchange from saline to silicone gel implants and the use of an acellular dermal matrix (such as Strattice) to help thicken up a patients thinned out skin.  If you are concerned with breast implant rippling I would recommend following up with your operating surgeon to discuss your concerns.  I hope you find this helpful and best of luck!

Thank you for your question. Rippling can be seen when the surface of an implant shadows through the tissue, often found where the breast tissue coverage is thin. Some implant styles are more prone such as an overfilled saline implant. Others are less prone such as a shaped silicone implant. So one approach is to change an implant to one that is less prone to rippling. Another approach would be to add some thickness to the breast tissue. This can be done by fat grafting where fat is carefully layered between the skin and the implant. Another is to add a dermal matrix sheet between the breast and the implant where the rippling is visible to blunt the impression of the implant on the overlying skin. If you notice the rippling soon after surgery, I often recommend waiting until around the six month mark as your breasts may continue to change during that recovery period. I would visit with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options in more detail.

Breast augmentation has extremely high satisfaction
rates but occasionally rippling can occur following this procedure. This can
occur with either saline or silicone breast implants. Several factors have been
associated with rippling following breast augmentation. These include saline
implants, large implants, thin soft tissue, and placement of implants on top of
the muscle.

The potential for rippling can be decreased in several
ways. It’s important in high risk patients to avoid using implants that are
large relative to the patient’s native breast tissue. Firmer implants such as
silicone and adhesive gel implants can also decrease the potential for this
problem. Submuscular placement decreases rippling by increasing the soft tissue
coverage over the implants. Surgeons should avoid over dissection of the pocket
and avoid implants that are winder than the patient’s breast tissue. Finally
over filling the implant when using saline may help to minimize rippling.

Despite these maneuvers, rippling occasionally may still
occur. It’s important to realize that in the vast majority of patients rippling
isn’t a problem and even when it does occur most patients are still very happy.

If you’re concerned about rippling
following breast augmentation consultation with your plastic surgeon is appropriate.
Depending upon the specifics of your previous procedure your surgeon should be
able to formulate a treatment plan that’s appropriate for you.