Does Putting on 5 Pounds Help Implant Rippling?

Question

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

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.

Edward J. Bednar, MD · Answer

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

Adam J. Oppenheimer, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

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

Edward J. Domanskis, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

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.

Does Putting on 5 Pounds Help Implant Rippling?

Answers (6)

Answer: Gaining weight to mask rippling of implants

Answer: Gaining weight to mask rippling of implants

Answer: Breast implant rippling

Answer: Breast implant rippling

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

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Does Putting on 5 Pounds Help Implant Rippling?

Answers (6)

Answer: Gaining weight to mask rippling of implants

Answer: Gaining weight to mask rippling of implants

Answer: Breast implant rippling

Answer: Breast implant rippling

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

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