Is it normal to feel the ripples of implants on the out side of one breast but not the other? (photos)

Question

Im 3 week PO I had silicone 475/500 high profile mentor implants. Ive noticed the past week that I can really feel my implant on the Right breast (my 475) when i bend over and touch the side or the bottom I can really feel and see ripples and if i poke it it rolls around. Both of my breast feel totally different as far as my left feels normal and not painful and my right has been a lot more sore and painful during the recovery. When i flex it distortes so I know it still under the muscle.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Thank you for this question. As you mentioned before, you have textured devices which are known to deliver better positional results, but can generate more rippling. In the bottom and sides of the breasts, there is no muscle to cover the breast implant and it is more palpable. As far as your symptoms, one side seems almost always to hurt more than the other.A careful examination and treatment plan can enhance your recovery. See your surgeon aboutt hese concerns.

Christopher T. Maloney Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for attaching photos. I agree the right breast appears higher. It is certainly normal for your breasts to be healing differently especially at 3 weeks post-op. You should follow up with your plastic surgeon to determine if there is something missing we cannot see without physical exam or looking at your pre-op photos. As for the rippling when you are bending over, this is also normal. When the implants are placed "sub muscular" most of the time they are actually placed in a "dual plane". This means the upper and medial portion of the implant is covered by the chest muscle and the bottom outside is not. This is a very common approach to the placement of implants. If it continues to bother you, you may consider exchanging your implants for a textured silicone gel with a higher fill ratio. It is very early on in your recovery to be thinking along those lines and if you were my patient, I would have you wait 6 months before a revision. Be patient. I know it is difficult, but your surgeon should be able to examine you and let you know how you are progressing. Best of luck.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

can occur but assuming breast tissue is even on both sides, it would be anticipated to be near equal.  If your breasts were not equal and this one was smaller, its a reflection of the thickness of your tissues.  And when you bend over at your waist, almost everyone gets rippling on the side and this is due to traction ripples that occur similar to that when holding the knot of a water balloon and seeing all the ridges extending from the knot.  Best to discuss your concerns with your surgeon since he/she was there and knows what was done.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

It is not unusual for patients to feel the breast implants along the lower or lateral breast area. Sometimes, this palpability may be more obvious on one side versus the other.  Your plastic surgeon will be your best resource when it comes to specific assessment, advice, and hopefully meaningful reassurance. Best wishes.

Mark A. Brzezienski, MS, MD, FACS · Answer

At three weeks out, it's hard to say.  What I am looking for at this point is normal healing.  That is...no redness, fluid collections, or wound issues.
Even fourth generation silicone implants can have a ripple.  Palpation of the implant is more dependent on the quality of the breast soft tissue envelope then the devise.  The thinner the breast envelope and the larger the implant...the more it is palpable and visible.  
Many remedies have been offered for thin breast envelopes. These range from 5th generation form stable implants to fat grafts and biologic inlays (cadaveric or porcine grafts).
None of these should be even considered before three months have passed since the primary surgery.

Is it normal to feel the ripples of implants on the out side of one breast but not the other? (photos)

Answers (5)

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