Will my Rippling Get Worse As my Breasts Settle?

Thanks for your question. The rippling you are experiencing is likely from swelling unless you have breast implants placed above the muscle. As the swelling goes away, the rippling should be better if implants are under the muscle, but might increase if you have implants above the muscle. Best wishes, Dr. Aldo.

Breast Implant Rippling most often occurs when there is insufficient soft tissue coverage due to little overlying body fat and breast tissue. Implants placed beneath the muscle help to minimize this phenomena but the lower and outside breast (as pectoralis muscle is no longer present), towards the cleavage where the muscle thins out or on top of the breast where breast tissue is often lacking are the most common places to see rippling. It is often accentuated with certain positions (e.g. bending over,or leaning). Most of the time, rippling is felt along the outer side of the breast and the inner side of the breast next to the cleavage. Breast implant waviness (rippling) that is felt but not noticeable to the eye is very common and should not be a concern. However, when rippling is visible, patients are often self-conscious about their appearance.Factors that are associated with increased rippling include:Traditional Saline implants (IDEAL® Saline implants less likely)Textured implantsLarge implantsThin patients with low BMIImplants placed above the musclePrior history of ripplingFactors which are less likely to have rippling include:Heavier and larger breasted womenUsing a highly cohesive form-stabile silicone implants (gummy bear)Smooth implantsSmaller implantsSubmuscular placementOnce rippling occurs it is very difficult to correct. Rippling can be minimized by placing a biologic fabrics (e.g. AlloDerm®, Strattice™, SERI®), submuscular conversion if implants are above the muscle, fat transfer, use of adjacent tissue (muscle or fascia) if available, and in persistent cases implant removal and fat transfer. Seek the care of the best board certified plastic surgeon possible with experience in breast revision surgery.#rippling#breastaugmentation

    Many women can feel the ripples in the implant, even though there is no visible rippling.  Visible rippling can be improved by placing the implant under the muscle, switching to silicone, fat grafting to the breast, or the addition of a dermal matrix.

Breast implant rippling may occur from tight muscles, swelling, or thin skin overlying the breast implant.  At this time, I would manage conservatively and reexamine in 1 to 2 months with your plastic surgeon.  If you have saline breast implants, an option may be to switch over to silicone implants.

Early rippling may not necessarily be a sign that there will be rippling later on. You are only 1 week after surgery and need to heal more. After a few months, you will have a better idea of what your final result will be.