What could be the cause of this rippling on the left side of my breast when I bend over. It's more visible on the left than the right side. My left breast if naturally bigger and had 300cc vs the right breast was smaller and got 330cc but less ripping.
Answer: Dealing with rippling All implants experience rippling, but to various degrees. It is just a matter of whether one can see them or feel them. It is common when one bends over. Saline implants are indeed more prone to ripple compared to silicone implants because it is not cohesive like silicone. Let us understand rippling a bit better. Rippling is the appearance of ridges, wrinkling, or scalloping on the implant that may be visible through the skin. It often develops on the outer perimeter of augmented breasts: on the side, bottom, or in between the breasts. Rippling can be caused by the under-filling of the implant, or because of pull on the tissue capsule that is attached to thin overlying soft tissue (i.e., skin and subcutaneous fat tissue, and breast tissue). Unfortunately, rippling worsens with time as the implant puts pressure on the breast tissue and thins the overlying tissue. Rippling is common in patients who are very skinny, have very little fat to hide the implant, and have small breasts compared to the implant itself. Weight loss may worsen the situation. Since you are experiencing rippling on the left side more, this means there is less soft-tissue coverage there. To correct rippling there are solutions depending on their applicability: If someone has under-filled saline implants, have them over-filled moderately. This is more of a preventative measure. Over-filling prevents the shell from folding onto itself although, it can result in unnatural firmness.If someone has textured implants, have it changed for a smooth surfaceIf someone has large implants, have it changed for moderate sized implants so that breasts can better conceal the implantIf someone has saline implants, have it changed for a silicone implantIf someone has the implant placed above the muscle (subglandularly), then have it placed behind the muscle (submuscularly)Saline implants ripple more over the muscle (subglandularly), but the rippling can be hidden behind the pectoralis major muscle due to a thicker layer of soft tissue that conceals 2/3rd of the top of the implant. Rippling may still appear on the outer side of the breast, just above the breast fold and this is especially true if you lean forward or bend to pick up something off the floor.Fat transfer to the breast to add soft tissue for additional support and volume to area where the implant is visible may help. This is the only surgical option, but there is unpredictability in the outcome due to less than 60% fat graft take. Also note that rippling is often a problem for thin patients, and such patients have very minimal fat for fat transfer.Please refer back to your surgeon to share your concerns and have them addressed.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Answer: Dealing with rippling All implants experience rippling, but to various degrees. It is just a matter of whether one can see them or feel them. It is common when one bends over. Saline implants are indeed more prone to ripple compared to silicone implants because it is not cohesive like silicone. Let us understand rippling a bit better. Rippling is the appearance of ridges, wrinkling, or scalloping on the implant that may be visible through the skin. It often develops on the outer perimeter of augmented breasts: on the side, bottom, or in between the breasts. Rippling can be caused by the under-filling of the implant, or because of pull on the tissue capsule that is attached to thin overlying soft tissue (i.e., skin and subcutaneous fat tissue, and breast tissue). Unfortunately, rippling worsens with time as the implant puts pressure on the breast tissue and thins the overlying tissue. Rippling is common in patients who are very skinny, have very little fat to hide the implant, and have small breasts compared to the implant itself. Weight loss may worsen the situation. Since you are experiencing rippling on the left side more, this means there is less soft-tissue coverage there. To correct rippling there are solutions depending on their applicability: If someone has under-filled saline implants, have them over-filled moderately. This is more of a preventative measure. Over-filling prevents the shell from folding onto itself although, it can result in unnatural firmness.If someone has textured implants, have it changed for a smooth surfaceIf someone has large implants, have it changed for moderate sized implants so that breasts can better conceal the implantIf someone has saline implants, have it changed for a silicone implantIf someone has the implant placed above the muscle (subglandularly), then have it placed behind the muscle (submuscularly)Saline implants ripple more over the muscle (subglandularly), but the rippling can be hidden behind the pectoralis major muscle due to a thicker layer of soft tissue that conceals 2/3rd of the top of the implant. Rippling may still appear on the outer side of the breast, just above the breast fold and this is especially true if you lean forward or bend to pick up something off the floor.Fat transfer to the breast to add soft tissue for additional support and volume to area where the implant is visible may help. This is the only surgical option, but there is unpredictability in the outcome due to less than 60% fat graft take. Also note that rippling is often a problem for thin patients, and such patients have very minimal fat for fat transfer.Please refer back to your surgeon to share your concerns and have them addressed.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Answer: Rippling Hello,Thank you for your question and photos. Unfortunately, for patients who have thin skin and minimal breast tissue or fat, the likelihood of seeing rippling is greater. The outer sides and under the breast are common areas where one might feel or see rippling. The appearance of rippling is typically greater for saline implants as well. You could ask your Plastic Surgeon about fat grafting to help camouflage the implants or switching to silicone cohesive gel implants.All the best
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Answer: Rippling Hello,Thank you for your question and photos. Unfortunately, for patients who have thin skin and minimal breast tissue or fat, the likelihood of seeing rippling is greater. The outer sides and under the breast are common areas where one might feel or see rippling. The appearance of rippling is typically greater for saline implants as well. You could ask your Plastic Surgeon about fat grafting to help camouflage the implants or switching to silicone cohesive gel implants.All the best
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March 28, 2017
Answer: Why do you have rippling? Hard to say since you didn't mention the type of implant you received or it's location. In general, saline implants tend to ripple more than silicone. Also, implants placed in the subglandular position may ripple because of less tissue thickness on top of the implant compared to one placed underneath the muscle. Best to talk to your operating surgeon to discuss ways to improve/revise your result if the rippling is too bothersome. Good luck!
Helpful
March 28, 2017
Answer: Why do you have rippling? Hard to say since you didn't mention the type of implant you received or it's location. In general, saline implants tend to ripple more than silicone. Also, implants placed in the subglandular position may ripple because of less tissue thickness on top of the implant compared to one placed underneath the muscle. Best to talk to your operating surgeon to discuss ways to improve/revise your result if the rippling is too bothersome. Good luck!
Helpful
July 23, 2021
Answer: Rippling Thank you for your question and photographs. The rippling that you are describing is often the result of minimal breast tissue covering the implant and sometimes more prominent with saline implants as well as implant placement (under the muscle vs. on top of the muscle). Best to follow-up with your plastic surgeon to consider your result. Good luck.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
July 23, 2021
Answer: Rippling Thank you for your question and photographs. The rippling that you are describing is often the result of minimal breast tissue covering the implant and sometimes more prominent with saline implants as well as implant placement (under the muscle vs. on top of the muscle). Best to follow-up with your plastic surgeon to consider your result. Good luck.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
March 28, 2017
Answer: Cause of rippling Rippling can occur when using Saline implants that do not have complete muscle coverage. Saline implants are great when using different volumes to account for breast asymmetry. Rippling is sometimes noticeable when bending over but not when standing upright. Photos you submitted appear as if you have a very nice result.
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March 28, 2017
Answer: Cause of rippling Rippling can occur when using Saline implants that do not have complete muscle coverage. Saline implants are great when using different volumes to account for breast asymmetry. Rippling is sometimes noticeable when bending over but not when standing upright. Photos you submitted appear as if you have a very nice result.
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