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Does Silicone Ripple Less Than Overfilled Saline?

asked 1 year ago by San Diego9999 in San Diego, CA
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 1,788 times
Tags: 090-109 lbs, 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in, saline implants, silicone implant, A cup, comparison, overfilled, rippling

I went for my first consult last week and I was unfortunately told that I am not a good candidate for saline due to being thin and having only a small amount of breast tissue. I am 5'2", 104 lbs, 32 A with a 28 inch ribcage, 36 years old, some deflation of upper-pole from BF 2 kids but not really any sag. He said saline implants might look good for 1 or 2 years but then I would likely have rippling. He suggested 325-375 HP silicone to get me to a full C. Does this all sound accurate to you?

27 answers to Does Silicone Ripple Less Than Overfilled Saline?

+3

Saline vs. Silicone for Rippling

Typically, silicone tend to ripple less than saline. That being said, any implant can ripple. This is especially true in thin women. Placing the implant under the muscle may also help hide the implant and decrease rippling. Best to see a few board certified plastic surgeons. Take photos with you of what you might want to look like. Please have reasonable expectations. Together you and the plastic surgeon can make an appropriate decision. more
Jeffrey Roth, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+3

Saline implants have more rippling

Hi SanDiego9999, Silicone implants ripple less than saline implants.  In patients with thin tissues overlying the implant, this is especially important because you have less tissue to camoflouge the ripples.  In my opinion, silicone is an aesthetically superior implant compared to saline; the downside is that the operation to remove it if it leaks is slightly more complicated than that for saline removal.  I prefer silicone in almost all instances.  Patients who... more
Tracy Pfeifer, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

drpfeifer.com

+2

Silicone gel implants vs. overfilled saline implants for rippling

Silicone gel implants generally ripple less than saline implants. Overfilled saline implants can appear too round in some patients.  It is generally better to stick to the manufacturer's recommendations for filling guidelines. Patients with thin skin are better off with slightly smaller silicone implants.  This minimizes exposure of the implant and rippling. Unfortunately, rippling can not be completely eliminated in many thin patients with small amounts of natural... more
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rippling of Breast Implants

Thank you for the question. Generally, silicone breast implants tend to “ripple” lesson saline breast implants. However, significantly overfilled saline implants tend to ripple less sense to local gel breast implants ( these overfilled saline filled implants however can be very firm). 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... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Avoiding high profile implants for a tear-drop beautiful shape

I would absolutely agree with avoiding Saline implants, but would think carefully about high profile implants and submuscular placement. Usually high profile implants in that range are too narrow to fill up a natural breast footprint. I prefer to use lower profile implants and shape the implant into a wide circle at the bottom that tapers to a teardrop at the top. This is achieved with subfascial placement. I use my own version called 'cold-subfascial'... more
Rian Maercks, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silicone gel implants ripple less than saline implants

Silicone gel implants definitely ripple less than saline implants. Overfilling saline implants by up to 10 or 15% will reduce rippling. However, overfilling by 25% or more may paradoxically increase rippling and will cause your implants to be firmer than you may like. Even overfilled saline implants ripple more than silicone gel implants. If you decide upon saline implants, they will ripple far less when placed under muscle (rather than above muscle) because the... more
Ronald Friedman, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silcone vs. Saline Breast Implant Rippling

I agree with previous posts:  in general, silicone breast implants tend to ripple less than saline breast implants, even when the saline breast implants are filled to the maximum recommended volume or slightly over filled. Additionally, to minimize the appearance of ripples and palpable implant edges, breast implants on thin women should generally be placed under the muscle. Jaime Perez, M.D. Breast Implant Specialist in Tampa, Florida Plastic Surgery Center of... more
Jaime Perez MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon

www.jaimeperezmd.com

+1

Silicone vs Saline implants

In my opinion, overfilling saline implants beyond the manufacturer's recommendations is not advisable.  However, I am a proponent of filling the saline implants to the maximum allowable volume that is recommended.  Silicone implants do have a lesser tendency to ripple than properly filled saline implants.  For thin women with a paucity of breast and soft tissue coverage, placing a silicone/gel implant under the muscle would give the most natural result in most cases... more
John Burns, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rippling of saline and silicone breast implants

Silicone breast implants tend to ripple less than saline implants, even when overfilled. Silicone implants also feel more natural than saline implants, and may be preferable in very thin patients or those with little breast tissue.
Olivia Hutchinson, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rippling

Rippling occurs less often with silicone implants and alsoless with those placed under the muscle.  As for the correct isze for you, I could only be sure after an exam.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silicone implants have less rippling than saline implants

Silicone implants ripple less (but still have some rippling) therefore are the preferred implant in a thin patient. Sincerely, Martin Jugenburg, MD
Martin Jugenburg, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon

www.torontosurgery.ca

+1

Does Silicone Ripple Less Than Overfilled Saline?

Yes I believe in my hands silicone has less rippling than saline. As for your correct size How could I advise without at least a posted photo. Best of luck from MIAMI DR. Darryl j. Blinski
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silicone Ripples Less

It sounds as though your doctor was "spot on!" Silicone implants do ripple less than saline, but thin women may also have some wrinkling with them as well. Also make sure that your doctor places them behind the muscle in order to minimize the wrinkling.
George Sanders, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rippling of Breast Implants

Rippling is one problem I do not worry about in breast implants, since normal breast tissue “ripples,” due to the ligamentous structure of the breasts. What I worry about in someone like you is the feel of the implant. Silicone implants have a viscosity much closer to normal fat than do saline ones. They, therefore, feel more natural through your thin overlying tissues. I do not advise overfilled implants, as these feel firm no matter what fills them.   more
Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silicone gel breast implants ripple less than saline implants

Silicone gel implants do ripple less than saline implants in general; however, it is important to understand that even silicone gel implant can and do ripple some and in patients with extremely thin tissue cover as you describe you may still get some visible rippling even with silicone gel implants. Also make sure he places them subpectoral (under the muscle) which gives addes tissue cover in the upper "half" of the breast.  The only saline implant that does not ripple is... more
James F. Boynton, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

High profile silicone implants tend to ripple less than high profile saline

High profile silicone implants tend to ripple less than high profile saline implants and generally have a less pronounced contour and a softer feel.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silicone Breast Implants DO Ripple Less Than Saline filled Breast Implants

Regarding: "Does Silicone Ripple Less Than Overfilled Saline? I went for my first consult last week and I was unfortunately told that I am not a good candidate for saline due to being thin and having only a small amount of breast tissue. I am 5'2", 104 lbs, 32 A with a 28 inch ribcage, 36 years old, some deflation of upper-pole from BF 2 kids but not really any sag. He said saline implants might look good for 1 or 2 years but then I would likely have rippling. He... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silicone implants might ripple less that overfilled saline

There are actually several variables to consider in order to decide. The drawback to overfilled saline is that they will be firm and not as natural, and still might show ripples because the shape begins to distort with overfilling, causing scalloping around the edge. The muscle covers only the top, which is why you will see the ripples on the sides and bottom. A very important factor is to not too big as that will cause the tissue to thin and show the ripples more after a year or two. The... more
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation

It sounds about right.  there is another factor and that is whether it will be placed under the muscle or not. 
Shahin Javaheri, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silicone Breast Implants Have Less Rippling than Saline Breast Implants

In general, silicone implants will have less rippling and wrinkling than saline implants.  The material inside of the breast implant envelope has a more natural feel.  With a saline implant, you will be able to feel it more compared to a silicone implant.   You didn't mention above or below muscle placement, although I assume that you were suggested to have under the muscle, or submuscular, placement of your implants.  Under the muscle placement of your breast... more
Roy Kim, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silicone Implants better than Saline?

In terms of rippling, all implants ripple to a greater or lesser extent. The thinner you are, the more likely it is you will see rippling, epecially out at the sides of the breasts where the coverage is the thinnest. While I feel that Silicone Gel implants are the best current option in thin women, I would be careful about using Hi Profile. These tend to put a lot of pressure on the breast tissue, as well as on the chest wall, and this can lead to long-term atrophy (thinning) or even rib... more
Verne Weisberg, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon

www.drverne.com

+1

Silicone gel may ripple less than overfilled saline breast implants

It may be true that a saline implant which has been over filled may ripple a bit more than a silicone gel implant. The important point is that both have a chance to ripple or show visible edges and how the implant performs will depend on the tissue that covers and hides the implant. In an under the muscle augmentation you probably will do well with either even over a very long period of time. My caution would be about a high profile implant and thinning of the breast tissue over the implant.... more
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

+1

Ripples

Silicone implants are less likely to show the effects of rippling than are overfilled saline implants. The incidence as reported by one company in silicone implants is 4% and in saline it is 11%. Thin tissue is more likely to show rippling than thick though I have had some very thin patients who have saline implants and no visible rippling several years after the original surgery. Nobody can accurately predict when or if rippling will be visible.
Walter D. Gracia, MD

Arlington Plastic Surgeon
+1

Gel Implants Look Fabulous

In our experience gel implants work well for thinner patients with less breast tissue to hide the rippling that occurs with saline implants.  Saline overfilled will ripple once the skin relaxes and will often be visible in the lower lateral pole of the breast when vertical and medially when prone or unsupported by a tight bra. In our experience silicone gel implant also ripple however they tend not to distort the overlying breast tissue or skin as much and not be as noticeable as saline... more
Charles Perry, MD

Sacramento Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rippling with saline and silicone

Less rippling does not mean no rippling. Rippling is just one of the "imperfections" you will need to prioritize. All implants ripple. As the pressure within the bag increases, the rippling decreases so soft saline implants will ripple more than silicone implants but hard saline implants may ripple less than a soft silicone. One important factor is coverage of the implant. The thicker the cover, the more the implant is hidden. The same is true for height and width. If the width of... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rippling with saline implants

In my experience, I have noted less rippling with silicone gel implants.  Placement under your pectoralis muscles also helps in this regard.  Just remember, when you are thin or have a small amount of breast tissue to cover the implant, rippling can happen regardless of whether or not it is silicone or saline.  You will love your gel implants.  Good luck, Dr. P
Allan J. Parungao, MD

Oak Brook Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silicone Implants Do Ripple Less than Saline

There is a lower incidence of rippling with silicone implants than with salin, even if the saline implants are overfilled.  I cannot tell you for sure if the implants recommended will result in a full C cup.  You should not obcess about the cup size as there is no standard C cup which varies a great deal among different bra manufacturers.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon

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