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Silicone Under Muscle Implants Rippling 5 Weeks Post-op

asked 1 year ago by nursekb42 in Norfolk
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 2,261 times
Tags: silicone implant, under muscle, 1 month post-op, rippling

I am 5 weeks post-op and already have rippling to my right breast. I can also feel the implant. My left one seems fine. I started as an A cup and am 5'6" 117lbs. Is this normal this soon after surgery, and will it get worse? Thanks

19 answers to Silicone Under Muscle Implants Rippling 5 Weeks Post-op

Rippling Felt Soon After Surgery

It may be normal to feel rippling on one breast, and not the other, even as early as 5 weeks post-op. There are a few factors that contribute to being able to feel or see ripples after having breast implants. Most important is the amount of natural breast tissue you have to cover the implant and the size of the implant compared with your natural breast size. There are techniques that can be discussed with your surgeon for potential improvements: gel vs. saline implants... more

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.pzwiebel.com

Rippling 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 of... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

The relative "thickness" of the breast skin brassiere is an important determinant of breast beauty

Nursekb: given your pre-op slim frame and small cup size, palpable rippling would be expected, especially in the inferior (lower) pole of the breast. The upper pole palpable rippling is camouflaged by the pectoralis major muscle, which covers 50-60% of the implant. Palpability of the implant may be exacerbated by the choice of a textured implant, which is intrinsically more rigid and prone to the development of folds and knuckles, which are best appreciated when you bending... more

Lavinia Chong, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Palpabiliity of implant over lower portions of breast

Because you are thin and had naturally small breasts, it will be nearly impossible to completely cover the implant. It is difficult to tell what is going on and it may be folding rather than rippling. It may resolve or it may require additional surgery depending on several factors. .

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Rippling after silicone breast augmentation

Hi there- Regarding your question, "I am 5 weeks post-op and already have rippling to my right breast. I can also feel the implant. My left one seems fine. I started as an A cup and am 5'6" 117lbs. Is this normal this soon after surgery, and will it get worse?"- Here's what you need to know... The ability to see or feel ANY implant through your skin will be greater with saline implants, with any implant placed over the muscle, and in very thin patients who d more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Breast Implants

Without seeing pictures and/or examining you, it is impossible to give you specific advice. However, you are still in the healing phase, so don't get too worried. However, factors like thin skin, small breast volume, size mismatch of implants, etc can all affect results. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

WHY are my Under Muscle Breast Implants Rippling 5 Weeks Post-op?

Regarding: "Silicone Under Muscle Implants Rippling 5 Weeks Post-op I am 5 weeks post-op and already have rippling to my right breast. I can also feel the implant. My left one seems fine. I started as an A cup and am 5'6" 117lbs. Is this normal this soon after surgery, and will it get worse? Thanks" I am sorry for your predicament but it sounds like you were not educated properly by your Plastic surgeon on what to expect. ALL breast implants ripple to some... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Rippling implants

You sound thin and having little breast tissue, you are a set-up for rippling. It may get a little worse as all the swelling goes away or if you lose any body fat. But at least with silicone you are doing all you can to minimize it.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Rippling

Palpability of implants in patients with little to no breast tissue is common expecially in the lower pole. Rippling is more common with very thin patients and may get worse with time. You may need alloderm to camouflage this.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Rippling

Is the rippling something you see, or just something you feel? Is it only in the lower, outer portion of the breast? Do you have textured or smooth implants? Ripples can happen, even with perfectly done surgery. They are more common in saline implants (about 10 %) compared to silicone gels ( about 1%). Usually they are more common in women who are very lean / low body fat, who don't have much "padding" over the implant. There are a couple of... more

Thomas Fiala, MD
Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon

Silicone Under Muscle Implants Rippling 5 Weeks Post-op

The discussion shows you that all implants ripple and the amount you are cognizant of depends on the amount of breast tissue you have to cover the implant. It is true that silicone ripples less than saline and is less palpable. The new 410 implant is probably an excellent choice but is not widely available because it has not yet received complete FDA clearance. The down side of the 410 is it is much firmer than the regular implants.

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Silicone Under Muscle Implants Rippling 5 Weeks Post-op

As you can see by the answers, yes this is normal in the sense that it is not ab-normal, but it is not something that someone wants to happen after surgery. Silicone has less liklihood for this to happen, but both saline and silicone implants can ripple. Will it get worse? It may, since the implants continue to settle for up to 6 months to a year after surgery. It sounds like you have less soft tissue coverage over that implant. Good luck!

Amy T. Bandy, DO
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

Ripples after submuscular, silicone gel breast augmentation

The rippling you are feeling does occur from time to time with silicone implants. It is especially more common over the muscle, saline, and textured implants. It may indeed get worse as swelling resolves over time. How much worse. likely not much worse. If you have textured implants, after you heal, you may consider a smooth implant. Good luck

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Silicone Under Muscle Implants Rippling 5 Weeks Post-op

A photo would help us advise. My guess is implant not below muscle enough or at all, was silicone used for sure? See you surgeon to discuss. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl j. Blinski

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Rippling with silicone gel breast implants

Rippling can occur with either a saline or a silicone gel breast implant and the presence will depend on the breast tissue coverage available to hide the implant. The upper portion is usually cover well by the muscle though where the breast tissue is thinner over the side and along the fold you may find a ripple that you can feel in your breast. Massage and time may help the implant to settle in though you may always be able to feel the implant on self exam. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

All breast implants ripple, the problem is can the ripples be seen or felt

Regardless if the implants are filled with Saline or silicone gel, all implants ripple. Saline ripple much more. It all depends on how much soft tissue coverage there is to cover the ripples. Women with a moderate amount of breast tissue can have very successful silicone gel filled implants placed behind the breast in front of the muscle with little chance of the ripples being seen or felt. Women with a very small amount of breast tissue are best served with silicone gel filled implants... more

Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD
Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon

When is implant rippling normal?

There are a number of factors to consider with rippling. One thing to keep in mind is that the muscle only covers the top and inner portion of the implant, so feeling the implant on the sides and bottom can be normal. It is also not uncommon for the two breasts to feel a little different in this regard. Another thing that is important is implant size. Too big and the skin and tissues will stretch and thin leading to less coverage. Implant dimensions are yet another factor, especially... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Rippling implants

Rippling is always present unless the implants are hard. Whether you see or feel them is relative to the amount of coverage over the implant. The fact that you were quite small to begin with says that the larger you go the more you will notice rippling. I suspect that your implants are soft since that allows the ripples to appear.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Rippling with augmentation

Normal is all relative. Rippling is a bigger problem for thin women, even if the implant is beneath the muscle. You will always be able to feel the implant. The skin rippling may or may not change. You may want to investigate the 410 implants.