If I can already feel rippling will it get worse in time? Is there any possibility of it actually improving over time? (Photo)

Question

I have a slim build&had my crease lowered w/dual plane to accommodate implants since there was some constriction pre-op. Probably because I don't have a ton of body fat or breast tissue but I already have some minor palpable rippling at the bottom&sides. It's not too bad&not "visible", so I'm not that worried. If I already feel ripples 10 says post-op, is it sure to get worse? Possibly visible? Is there any way I can expect them to possibly improve with settling? Anything I can do to lessen it?

Bao L. Phan, MD · Answer

Rippling is an inherent risk/ characteristic of breast implants, especially saline- filled implants.  Silicone gel implants have less rippling, but over time, all implants can exhibit more and more of it due to your body and breasts' aging.  As you age your skin and breast tissues get thinner and undergo atrophy.  This will result in you being able to feel more of your implants (and all the rippling) as you age.  Also the larger the breast implant volume, the more skin and breast tissue thinning and atrophy you will experience (which is why I caution my patients no to go too large).  The implants themselves also undergo aging with time as the shell stretches and becomes thinner and as the silicone becomes less cohesive and becomes more fluid.  This will cause the implant itself to sag and drop, thereby causing your breasts to sag and thin out.  The reason why you are feeling more of the rippling in the lower outer poles of your breasts is because that part of the implant is not covered by your pectoralis muscle (if you had them placed under the muscle).  I don't think there is much of a chance of the rippling getting better on its own for all these reasons, but 10 days after surgery is still very early to know how they will look long term.For severe rippling of implants, I feel fat transfers over the area of rippling is the best and least invasive treatment.  Also replacing your implants with highly cohesive, anatomically shaped form- stable silicone gel implants (the "gummy bear" implants) may also reduce your rippling and give you a more natural and more stable shape over time (as the highly cohesive silicone gel inside it is more stable and sags much less over time).Best wishes.

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

For now, all I can really say is be patient. It will take anywhere from 3-6 months for your breasts to fully heal and your implants to drop/settle into their final position. The rippling may improve, but if not, fat grafting over the area can be an effective, fairly simple solution. My best,
Dr. Sheila Nazarian
@drsheilanazarian on Instagram

R. Laurence Berkowitz, MD · Answer

When the base diameter of the implant exceeds the base diameter of the intended breast, palpability, visibility and rippling are inevitable.  Some implants perhaps ripple less than others but that is variable and subject to debate.  If you are committed to this size,  then thickening of the overlying tissues with fat grafting will make some improvement for at least a while until the underlying pressure of the device further attenuates the overlying tissue. Allergan claims that their Inspira implants are intended to reduce rippling but they have only recently been released and only time will tell if their claims are true.

If I can already feel rippling will it get worse in time? Is there any possibility of it actually improving over time? (Photo)

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If I can already feel rippling will it get worse in time? Is there any possibility of it actually improving over time? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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