Do I have rippling? Or what is this ripple, wave type skin issue I have? (Photo)

Question

I got a breast augmentation/lift on March 31st. I got 300cc allergan Naturelle style 20. I am 42, 5'4", I breastfed twice , pre-op 34aish. My post opp care has been horrible and I am left with tons of concerns and questions that don't get answered, I don't even have time to ask them! Upsetting! My most important questions are... 1. do I have rippling?? 2. Is there anything I can do to get rid of it?? 3. Will it go away over time?? Thanks!

Thomas Fiala, MD, FACS, FRCSC · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your frustrations with the post-op care.  That doesn't make for a good experience!In terms of your photos, it looks like these changes are mostly due to residual swelling.  Sometimes, if you have stretch marks and swelling together, it can look just like this.  Fortunately, as the swelling resolves, the skin will get back to the way it was prior to surgery.All the best,

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Rippling can be seen when the surface of an implant shadows through the tissue, often found where the breast tissue coverage is thin. It can happen in one or both breasts. From the picture, it appears more like uneven swelling in the breast tissue which can arise from stretch marks.  This should resolve with time.If you are concerned with your post-op care, try a letter to your surgeon with your concerns.  If that doesn't work you may want to consider visiting another  a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your healing in more detail.

Michael Constantin Gartner, DO · Answer

It doesn't look like you have rippling or wrinkling. This looks more like swelling of stretchmarks that will resolve itself.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

What I see in the photograph is modest contour issues with the skin due to swelling. The opinion obviously is limited by viewing a partial photograph only.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Unfortunately the photos are so close up it is hard to say anything about the possibility of rippling.  I do see some irregularities in the skin, but here again a view of the entirety of the breasts would be more useful. This looks more like swelling, with the irregularities causes by attachments of the skin surface to the deeper tissues. These can be expected to resolve as the swelling goes down. All the best.

Adam Saad, MD · Answer

From your photos it does not look like rippling. Rippling usually occurs where the skin is the thinnest which is usually the medial aspect of the breast.  You appear swollen still.  Give it some time to see what happens when the swelling goes down.

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

I am sorry your surgeon is not answering your concerns-you should try to be more asserive and ask for answers.I do not see rippling. Based on ther photo it looks like swelling of the skin. Did you have stretch marks before surgery? It almost looks like swelling of stretch marks.

Do I have rippling? Or what is this ripple, wave type skin issue I have? (Photo)

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