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Under the Muscle Saline Implants Rippling?

asked 3 years ago by Horse4146 in Las Vegas, NV
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 863 times
Tags: breasts, saline implants

I am needing an advice about choosing either Saline or Silicone breast implants. I will have them under the muscle for sure and I am leaning towards Saline, but I am concerned that even under my muscle I may have rippling because I am 5'4" at 97lbs tiny frame, with thin muscle coverage with very, very little breast tissue. Do you see rippling even in under the muscle salines on very thin women?

13 answers to Under the Muscle Saline Implants Rippling?

You Might See Rippling

Yes, a slender woman with little breast tissue can see rippling of saline implants, even under the muscle. Developing the pectoralis can help. Some surgeons recommend "overfilling" the saline implant to minimize rippling, but this produces a firmer feel to the implant, and a more round appearance.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.pzwiebel.com

Rippling

Rippling can happen with under the muscle or over the muscle but is less likely to occur under the muscle.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Rippling and breast implants - silicone vs. saline

Great question. Rippling is a function of the implant placement, type of implant, and anatomic characteristics of the patient. I would personally advise you to choose silicone implants to maximize your chance of success.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Rippling

This is a fantastic question and one I hear everyday from patients with very similar physical characteristics such as yours. Patients with very little breast tissue desiring breast enhancement will rely on the implant and its volume to fill the desired cup. In other words, there will be very little soft breast tissue between the skin and the implant to protect against "rippling"....Both saline and silicone implants can ripple; silicone ripple less. Rippling can be either s more

John Philip Connors III, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Silicone vs. Saline

I usually recommend going under the muscle with saline or silicone breast implants as I believe it achieves a more natural look. That being said, being so thin with little breast tissue makes it more likely that you will notice rippling. Silicone implants have been known to show rippling less often then saline. Talk with your surgeon about your options and the differences between the two types of implants and the placement.

Joseph G. Bauer, MD
Alpharetta Plastic Surgeon

For thin women, silicone gel implants not saline and makes no difference above or below the muscle.

If you're thin, silicone implants are less likely to show contour irregularites than saline filled. Even though they cost more, I think you should go this route. Even though you are convinced below the muscle is better than above, when silicone gel is the implant of choice, there is no difference in contour problems above or below the muscle. Nothing wrong with going below, but want the facts straight.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Saline implants and rippling.

Rippling can occur with either type of implant, although saline implants do have a higher rate due to the low viscosity of saline compared to silicone. For thin women with very little breast tissue, a sub-muscular placement of the implant is advised. One key is not to go too large with the implants. This thins out the overlying muscle and tissue making the implants more obvious. Because the implants in very small breasted woman will contribute to the majority of the breast volume, I... more

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

How to Minimize the Appearance of Implant Rippling

It is difficult to say for certain without an examination, but for most patient who are thin with little breast tissue, I recommend silicone implants. Although both types of implants can cause rippling when little breast tissue is present (even if under the muscle), silicone implants tend to have less noticeable rippling as compared to it's saline counterpart.

Tarick K. Smaili, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Silicone Gel Breast Implants are SUPERIOR in Thin Women

While all breast implants ripple, silicone gel breast implants ripple less than saline implants do.In women who have larger breasts which can cover and mask the rippling other factors in implant choice are more important. But with thin women where the implants are closer to the skin surface the less the propensity for rippling the better the results. Therefore, many Plastic surgeons prefer using silicone gel implants whenever dealing with thin women.

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Saline vs. silicone

Based on the information you provided, you may benefit more significantly from silicone gel implants. Silicone gel lowers the risk of rippling and palpation to a certain degree, but there is still a small percentage that you may still have a little bit of rippling due to your body type. You have a problem that most women would want, which is a low percentage of body fat. Unfortunately, this means that you don't have much coverage for the implants. I would advice you to consult with a... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Rippling may occur with any breast implant type

Not to put a cloud on your process but you could have rippling no matter what type of implant you chose. The key is your body fat! So stay in shape but understand that at the lower and lateral portion of your breast, the implant is actually subcutaneous. So, this is where the rippling can be seen and or felt. The only other possible option is to have your saline implants filled to the maximum. However, this does lead to a more firmer feeling breast, but less chance of rippling. The choice is... more

Michael Kulick, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Saline vs Silicone implants to minimize rippling and wrinkling

Given your height and weight, I believe that silicone gel implants, and in particular the moderate plus and high profile implants would be less likely to produce visible and palpable rippling and wrinkling. You are correct in assuming that the sub-muscular plane will better camouflage ripples in the upper pole. However very few women's pectoralis muscles cover the entire implant, so the lower outer quadrant is the location where many women feel the edge of an implant. The introduction of... more

Lavinia Chong, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

You can see it with saline and silicone

You are a thin woman and don't have a lot of tissue to cover your breast implant so under the muscle is the best way for you to go. It is important to realize though that not all of the implant is under the muscle. The upper inner part of the implant is typically covered but the lower out is not because the chest muscle isn't there. This is the area where you may be able to feel and see the implant under your tissues. Silicone is more like a gel and will be less likely to ripple although you... more