How to Fix Breast Rippling 2 Years After Breast Augmentation?

I have a rippling of the left breast and also some mild pain though I don't think that there is a difference in size. What is procedure to fix rippling breast? Will it mean another surgery? I just had this done in May 2007.

Read my review "Will Rippling of Saline Implant Mean Another Surgery?"

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11 Doctor Answers | Asked by katiebait in Oklahoma

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Rippling and palpability of breast implants

Thank you for the question. Palpability and rippling of breast implants may be related to several factors. These include the amount of soft tissue and breast tissue coverage over the breast implants, the position of the breast implants (submuscular versus sub glandular), the type of implants (saline versus silicone), and the degree of overfilling of saline filled implants. Generally, weight loss will extension weight any rippling/palpability of the implants. Deflation... more

Minimizing the rippling

Rippling occurs when the overlying breast tissue is thin. There are several ways to diminish the rippling: 1) Placing the implants subgladular pocket to submuscular pocket, 2) Overfilling of the saline implants although this will make your breasts fill firmer, 3) Switching the saline implants to silicone implants, 4)Fat grafting into breast tissue.

How do diminish rippling

You best opton to diminsh rippling of the implant is to consder the use of high profile silicone getl filled implants.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Several options for breast rippling

Different options available to fix rippling: 1. Change implant to gel if you have saline. 2. Change pocket to under the muscle. 3. Use alloderm or similar material. 4. Fat grafting between the capsule and the skin. Your plastic surgeon will be able to choose the best option for you. Best of luck!

Several things to do

As the other surgeons have mentioned rippling is more common from saline breast implants, implants placed subglandularly and thin skin. The implant will thin the overlying tissue and this is why is doesn't show up for some time after the surgery. If the implants are already subpectoral silicone than I agree that fat grafting may help. If they're saline than change to silicone but I would still recommend fat grafting.

Consider fat grafting if these other procedures won't work.

After all of these techniques the other doctors have suggested, you may still have ripples because you have such thin breast tissue and fat. I have had some reasonable luck in such cases with fat grafting over the area where the ripples show. Even in thin women you can usually find some amount of fat on the medial thighs.

It depends on your exam and implants

Rippling is typically due to thinner tissues and is more common with saline implants. It is difficult to provide more thickness to your tissues although there is a material that can be placed called Alloderm but unfortunately it is quite expensive to use. If you have a saline implant now you might consider changing to a cohesive gel implant. Although not yet FDA-approved, the "gummy bear" silicone implant is even less apt to ripple. Visirt your plastic surgeon to see what your... more

Fixing ripples requires a new gel implant

I assume your implants are saline. All saline implants have palpable ripples especially on the outside if you lean forward. Changing to gel helps this dramatically. It is a rare and exceptionally thin gel patient who has a problem with ripples.

Rippling is normal

All implants have ripples. The question is: how do you hide them? The more tissue you have covering the implant, the less rippling you'll see or feel. So a good fit in size and volume will ensure a lower chance of rippling being seen or felt. With saline, the more fluid you inject, the firmer the implant and the less dramatic the rippling. FInally, smooth implants translate the ripples less to the skin than textured and silicone implants have less noticeable rippling than saline. Anything... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Usually an operation is needed to improve this

Hello, Rippling is the result of thin tissue revealing the "ripples" in the surface of saline implants usually although silicone implants can also show this when the tissue covering them is even thinner. The usual "fix" involves a switch to silicone gel implants and/or a pocket modification. These are both surgical maneuvers. The best thing to do here is see your surgeon for an examination and then ask what he or she recommends. Best Regards,

Revisionary breast augmentation necessary to correct implant rippling

Rippling of breast implants is a very difficult problem to correct. Saline breast implants are more likely to cause ripples than silicone gel breast implants. Saline breast implants can be over filled to try to avoid rippling but saline implants still tend to ripple. A large breast implant pocket also trends to result in rippling, especially with saline breast implants. My approach to correct rippling is to replace the saline implant with a larger silicone gel implant and to tighten the... more