I'm having horrible pain. My implants have bottomed out. How long will a rippled implant last? I'm wearing push up bras.

Question

325cc saline. Dr never said if they were under or over the muscle. He said it bottomed out because I was on a steroid a few months before my surgery. I've had these since 2009

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

If your implants have bottomed out there are options available to correct this. You will want to speak with your surgeon and discuss these options. A ripple can last for the life span of your implant. You can discuss fat transplant to soften the ripples.Best of Luck.

Bryson G. Richards, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.Implants that have bottomed out can be a frustrating dilemma. Nonetheless, it is a situation that can be corrected. Be sure to see a board certified/eligible plastic surgeon to help guide you through the treatment plan. Some surgeons prefer to use an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) to help support the inframammary fold when re-positioning implants. If the capsule is in good condition, it can also be used to help raise the lower aspect of the breast pocket.Rippling is usually due to either an under-filled saline implant or a minimal amount of tissue over the implant.I hope this helps.- Dr. Bryson G. Richards, MD

Heather J. Furnas, MD · Answer

Implants that have bottomed out can often be repositioned by sewing the lower part of the capsule so that the implant can fall as low. Saline implants are heavier than silicone gels for a given volume, so you might want to consider switching. Saline implants are also more prone to rippling.It is possible the pain is caused by the nerves as they are stretched by the weight of the bottomed out implant. It's possible to pain could be improved by repositioning the implants. (Click on the link below to see a case of bottomed out implants repositioned by closing the bottom of the capsule.)You should see your plastic surgeon to discuss your options.

Susan Kolb, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

If your pain is due to the thinness of tissue with pressure on the nerves, especially the one near the lower outer quadrant, then respositioning of the implants under the chest wall muscles will usually relieve this discomfort.  If your implants are very large, then you may need a dermal matrix to help suspend the implant.  If you pain is due to infection, then explantation may be needed if antibiotics do not resolve the issue.  You can usually differentiate because elevating the implants with your hands will relieve the discomfort if it is due to bottoming out and pressure on the nerve.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

I'm very sorry to hear of your discomfort. Rippling of saline implants is a not uncommon problem and there is no easy way to correct rippling.Bottoming out is a significant problem and may be the source of your discomfort.  Bottoming out can be corrected with a revision of the breast implant pocket and support of the implant with acellular dermal matrix.  Please consult a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in breast implant revision.  You might consider silicon gel implants for replacement as they are less likely to cause rippling.

I'm having horrible pain. My implants have bottomed out. How long will a rippled implant last? I'm wearing push up bras.

Answers (5)

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