Is Rippling with Saline Implants Permanent?

I had saline implants placed under the muscle 6 years ago. I have only noticed rippling in the last year. I have always been very thin, 5'9 and 120 pounds and realize that the rippling is due to limited breast tissue. My question though is is the rippling permanent? Would changing to a silicone implant alleviate the issue? I am very unhappy with the shape, size and asymmetry, along with the rippling, so am leaning towards having them redone but was told the rippling could be permanent.

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rippling 5 ft 8 in to 6 ft 0 in saline implants under muscle 6 years post-op 110-129 lbs

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11 Doctor Answers | Asked by Glam girl

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Correction of implant rippling

There are several factors that cause implant rippling 1 Saline implants ripple more than silicone gel implants( Moderate profile plus have the least tendency to ripple) 2 Textured implants ripple more than smooth implants 3 Rippling is more common when the overlying tissues are thin 4 Rippling is more common in the sub glandular than the sub muscular position,however surgeons often release the muscle leaving the lower half... more

Rippling of breast after implants

It is not just the fact you don't have much breast tissue, but the fact that it seems that you have very little fatty subcutaneous tissue. Put another way; your body fat is very low. Because of this you have very little tissue over the implalnt. This would definitely be helped by switching the implant to silicone and changing the position of the implant; either under the muscle and/or under another layer of capsule tissue. Consult a board certified plastic... more

Talmage J. Raine, MD

5 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Silicone-Filled Implants Ripple Less than Saline-filled Implants

As a rule, silicone gel filled implants have less rippling than saline-filled implants. In very thin women who have less breast tissue, rippling may be visible with both types of implants and a third option are the "form-stable" silicone gel implants. Since these implants are designed to hold a "teardrop" shape, they tend to have the least amount of rippling but typically are a bit firmer than the round silicone gel implants. If the rippling persists after changing to a... more

Rippling with implants

Rippling occurs because the tissues are very thin. Gaining weight can cause it to appear less, strattice or pocket repositioning may help.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Implant rippling can be permanent

If your tissue has thinned, even after submuscular augmentation, detectable ripples can be permanent. Weight gain can help, and sometimes fat grafting can help if practical. Facts are that a silcone implant (except the gummy bear) might have a visible ripple as well so take your time before you decide on a switch.

Hello

If you have thin skin and you went with a pretty big size implant you will have rippling. Even though your body is still making scar tissue so the rippling should get better with time.

Fat grafting to the breast can help you to cover the rippling

All saline implants have rippling. Patients will small amount of soft tissue will have more obvious rippling. you can have revision with silicone gel implants. I offer fat grafting over the implants if there is thin tissue over the implant in combination with implant exchange to gel implants.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

All implants ripple and saline implants ripple more than silicone gel filled implants

Since all implants ripple and saline filled implants ripple a lot more than silicone gel filled implants, the question becomes can you feel or see the ripples. Placing the implants under the muscle decreases the chance of feeling or seeing the ripples but as in your case it doesn't prevent them. Replacing your implants with gel filled implants will help but not necessarily prevent rippling. It all depends on the amount of soft tissue over the implants. If exchanging the saline implants... more

Changing from saline to silicone does improve the rippling problem

If rippling is a concern, then changing to one of the newer silicone implants that have a higher fill (than the older silicone type), or choosing a shaped silicone implant (they have the least amount of rippling if any) may be your choice. Sincerely, Martin Jugenburg, MD, FRCSC Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Institute

Saline Breast Implant Rippling

Once rippling from saline implants has appeared, it will be permanent. It has become evident after so many years since your surgery due to breast tissue thinning as you have correctly noted. A change to silicone implants will definitely make an improvement in the amount of rippling seen and how your overall breasts feel.

You can expect to have some rippling.

Although implant is a very safe medical device, it can have rupture, capsular contracture, or rippling. Rippling is more pronounced if saline implants are under-filled, placed over the muscle, and have coverage with small amount of breast tissue. Although rippling can be improved by overfilling the saline implants or exchanging them to silicone implants, it will not be completely eliminated if your implants are already under the muscle and you have thin breast tissue. more