Weight loss causing breast implant rippling?

Hello,Thank you for your question. Yes, weight gain or loss can certainly affect the breasts and change the way implants look. This is unpredictable as well so gaining weight would not necessarily restore the volume where you want it. If you are ready to consider surgical options at some point, I recommend that you meet with a board certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss revision with silicone cohesive gel implants and perhaps a change of placement. All the best

As I see it, you have a dilemma. You have saline implants that are known to ripple. Placed in a subglandular pocket that shows the ripples more. This was made worse with weight loss. You have several options. The easiest and cheapest is to gain weight. However, you really don't know where the fat will go. If it thickens the breast tissue, great, if not, not so great. The next option is fat transfer. This might work, but it might not be enough to satisfy you. You can replace the implants (i would suggest new and silicone gel) under the muscle, but that's quite alot to go through, especially if you don't want surgery. In your type of situation, another option is to switch to highly cohesive shaped silicone implants. I wish that I could assure you that weight gain will do it, but unfortunately, you could gain weight in places that you don't want.

I try to avoid saline implants as they often have issues with rippling and palpability.  As well, over the muscle implants make this a risk as well.  Without performing a surgery of some kind, such as changing out the implant, changing out the pocket, or fat grafting, I suppose the only attempt could be gaining weight.  But, this is an unpredictable unreliable way to mask an implant.  Thing is, this is going to be an issue again at some point for you.  So, I would recommend saving money, and at some point, changing out to a submuscular silicone implant, or removing them altogether.Best of luck!
Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

Without examining you or seeing photos its difficult to give specific advice but what you are saying makes sense. Over the muscle implants require some coverage from the breast tissue, which is partially made of fat. In losing weight the coverage over your implant thinned and now its become visible. In theory, gaining some of the weight back may help cover it better, but weight gain is very unpredictable so you may not gain it where you are hoping to so be careful. Best of luck! 

Congratulations on your weight loss success.  You must share with us all how you did it.  I strongly recommend gel implants in thin women, and I have found that submuscular placement in thin patients can give a more natural appearing result.  I never recommend weight gain to a healthy patient.  So, unfortunately, revisional breast surgery may be your best option.

Thanks so much for your question. Unfortunately weight loss will result in changes to the breasts. Rippling with saline implants is common, coupled with severe weight loss can make quite a significant change to the breasts appearance. Gaining weight will help somewhat but at some point the procedure will likely have to be repeated in order to satisfy your current body weight.  Good luck!

Rippling is worst with saline implants and implants above the muscle as well.  With your weight loss, presumably you have lost some of the breast tissue which protected from the visibility this rippling as well. I would seek consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to evaluate your options. Good luck.

Thank you for your question. You are right in thinking that gaining some weight might help with the rippling. You could try that. If it still persists, see you cosmetic surgeon to discuss options like fat grafting.All the best.

Dear Geordie604,It stands to reason that if your rippling became apparent after losing weight that it should improve if you gain some weight back.  How much weight you need to gain back remains to be seen.  Good luck!

Rippling occurs as a result of having very thin tissues.  Gaining weight might help. Adding an ADM of fat grafting may help as well.