Silicone breast implants rippling 8 weeks post op?

Question

I am 8 weeks post op , I have 300 cc smooth round moderate profile silicone implants under the muscle . I am very pleased with the size and the shape . However I noticed rippling on one of my breasts in a cleavage area and on outside when I bend parallel to the floor. I am very thin, I was 34 a bra size before surgery. I am very upset now . What are my options? Would I had better results with moderate plus implants instead of moderate? Will rippling get worse ? Can it be fixed??

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

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

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Rippling can occur especially in thin patients.    Sometimes strattice can be used to thicken the soft tissue layer between the implant and the skin.  Fat grafting can also sometimes be done.

Jeffrey M. Hartog, DMD, MD · Answer

Unfortunately all implants ripple, and if you are very thin some rippling may be unavoidable. From best to worst in terms of rippling are:Generation 5 (gummy bear) textured shaped implants - these are also the firmest implantsGeneration 4 cohesive gel implants smooth round implants followed closely by textured generation four implants.Saline implants.In general higher profile round implants ripple less than lower profile implants.So overall there are two ways to decrease rippling as much as possible; first is to use implants that ripple the least such as the gummy bear if you are otherwise an appropriate candidate, or keep the silicone implants you have which are probably generation 4 as mentioned above. The only other way to decrease rippling is to somehow thicken the tissues over the implant. There are two ways presently to do this, the first is to use sheets of some type of dermal matrix placed inside the pocket over the implant; this is expensive and does have some risk of complications such as infection. The last option is to use far grafting to thicken the tissues; this is done with liposuction and reinjection over the implat into the thin tissues. This is my preferred method.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about the concerns you have. Unfortunately, breast implant rippling can occur even with the use of silicone gel breast implants, with very "thin" patients.  It is possible, that your situation will improve as the breast implant capsule thickens around the breast implant. Only time will tell if this will be the case.  In the longer term, the use of acellular dermal dermal matrix may be helpful ( if revisionary breast surgery is decided upon to help improve the rippling situation). I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Rippling is always a concern with very thin patients with poor coverage over their implants.  Fat injections may help as may a protein matrix but both would require further surgery.  There is also less rippling with the newer gummy bear implants as they are firmer and maintain their shape better

Silicone breast implants rippling 8 weeks post op?

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Answer: Silicone breast implants rippling 8 weeks post op?

Answer: Silicone breast implants rippling 8 weeks post op?

Answer: Rippling

Answer: Rippling

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Silicone breast implants rippling 8 weeks post op?

Answers (5)

Answer: Silicone breast implants rippling 8 weeks post op?

Answer: Silicone breast implants rippling 8 weeks post op?

Answer: Rippling

Answer: Rippling

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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