Does Putting on 5 Pounds Help Implant Rippling?

It's unlikely 5 pounds of additional weight is going to make much difference relative to the rippling. Fat grafting is a alternative but it is unusual and expensive. Discussed other solutions with your plastic surgeon.

In some of our patients we have found that gaining 5 pounds can make a significant change in less rippling

During the preoperative evaluation for breast augmentation, the breast "pinch test" is used by the plastic surgeon. This determines the adequacy of the soft tissue coverage over the proposed breast implant. With adequate "pinch," the implant will be sufficiently hidden by the overlying breast gland. When soft tissue is lacking (thin, muscular build), a submuscular silicone implant is advisable. While implant visibility is most common with subglandular implant placement and the use of saline implants, implant rippling can also be seen in submuscular placement and silicone implants. This is deemed a "soft tissue failure." Oftentimes this occurs because of over-augmentation: large implants that are being pulled downwards by the force of gravity will tend toward rippling. There are several surgical options to treat implant visibility, but weight gain may help provide more soft tissue coverage. The surgical options include composite breast augmentation (fat grafting to provide coverage) and the use of acellular dermal matricies (ADM, alloderm) to cover the implant. Both of these options are suboptimal for a variety of reasons. The most conservative option is often to downsize the breast implants and perform a breast lift, if needed, to fill out the soft tissue envelope.

It is possible that gaining some weight could in some cases improve rippling due to saline filled implants and thin overlying skin.  

Yes, most definitely putting on weight can help the rippling commonly seen with almost all saline implants and some silicone implants. The less "padding" covering the implants, the more they show. There are other things that can be done to help also.

Rippling with breast implants can be a frustrating problem. Certainly it is seen more often with saline implants and when the implant is on top of the muscle. Unfortunately weight gain may not help unless the weight gain goes to the breast. If it does, then it can definitely help conceal the breast implant. Recently, careful and precise fat grafting can help cover the area of rippling. See a board certified plastic surgeon with an expertise in breast surgery in your area for specific options. Good luck!