Saline breast implants, July 2022, how do I know what caused my rippling? (Photo)

Question

I got saline breast implants in July of 2022, so almost a year ago. The surgery and recovery was a breeze. Everything seemed like it was going great but a few months ago I noticed one small ripple on my inner left breast. It didnt phase me too much. Fast forward to today, I have ripples all around both breasts. Is this my fault? Did I lay wrong? Did I not massage enough? Should I have worn the special bra longer? I skipped my 3rd follow up because I’m worried of being told I ruined them.

Karl William Schwarz, MD · Answer

Your recovery was a breeze because you likely have the implants under the gland and the reason you have rippling is because they are saline implants under the gland.

A saline implant will always ripple more than a silicone gel implant, and an implant placed directly under the gland will always ripple more than an implant placed under the muscle.

Change the implants to silicone and placing them in a sub-muscular location with fat grafting will correct with problem.

John Reilly, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,

You tend to see more rippling with saline implants above the muscle. You did not do anything wrong! The swelling has subsided now and so the tissue between the implant and the skin is thinner which allows you to see the rippling. There is some additional component perhaps from the capsule, ie the "bag of scar" that develops around all implants, could also contribute to the visible rippling. There is nothing to do about it other than additional surgery where you can either choose silicone, put the implants under the muscle or consider fat grafting.  Best of luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear noidea0,
saline implants tend to ripple more than silicone implants in general. Rippling can result due to many factors including thin skin, poor implant position etc. Sometimes, you can over fill the saline implant to help a bit, but this may not feel as natural.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question! You likely didn't do anything wrong. Saline implants do ripple more than silicone implants. If your implants are over the muscle, that will create more rippling as well. I would strongly encourage you to follow up with your doctor to discuss options. Good luck!

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. Its possible that some of the swelling went down and now you are more aware of the rippling, or perhaps you lost some weight so the natural breast tissue is thinner around the implant. Its most likely nothing that you have down wrong, speak to you plastic surgeon about this concern.

Saline breast implants, July 2022, how do I know what caused my rippling? (Photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Saline

Answer: Saline

Answer: Rippling 12 months post op

Answer: Rippling 12 months post op

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Saline breast implants, July 2022, how do I know what caused my rippling? (Photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Saline

Answer: Saline

Answer: Rippling 12 months post op

Answer: Rippling 12 months post op

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.