I am 5 weeks post-op and already have rippling to my right breast. I can also feel the implant. My left one seems fine. I started as an A cup and am 5'6" 117lbs. Is this normal this soon after surgery, and will it get worse? Thanks
Answer: Rippling of breast implants
Thank you for the question.
Palpability and rippling of breast implants may be related to several factors. These include the amount of soft tissue and breast tissue coverage over the breast implants, the position of the breast implants (submuscular versus sub glandular), the type of implants (saline versus silicone), and the degree of overfilling of saline filled implants. Generally, weight loss will extension weight any rippling/palpability of the implants. Deflation of the implants will also increase the rippling/palpability of the implants.
Having discussed these issues, PREVENTION of rippling/probability is of critical importance.
Much of the final “look” achieved after breast augmentation surgery depends on several factors:
1. The initial shape, size (volume of breast tissue), symmetry of the patient's breasts. In general, the better the preoperative breast appearance the more likely the breast augmentation “look” and "feel" will be optimal.
2. The experience/skill level of the surgeon is important in determining the final outcome. For example, the accurate and gentle dissection of the breast implant pockets are critical in producing long-term well-placed breast implants. I personally think that these 2 factors are more important than any others, including type (saline or silicone) or model (low/moderate/high profile) of implant. Make sure you're working with a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon.
3. The type of implant used may determine the final outcome, especially if the patient does not have significant covering breast or adipose tissue. For example, some surgeons feel that silicone implants have a more natural look and feel than saline implants because silicone gel has a texture that is similar to breast tissue. Each patient differs in the amount of breast tissue that they have. If a patient has enough breast tissue to cover the implant, the final result will be similar when comparing saline implants versus silicone gel implants. If a patient has very low body fat and/or very little breast tissue, the silicone gel implants may provide a more "natural" result.
On the other hand, saline implants have some advantages over silicone implants. Silicone implant ruptures are harder to detect. When saline implants rupture, they deflate and the results are seen almost immediately. When silicone implants rupture, the breast often looks and feels the same because the silicone gel may leak into surrounding areas of the breast without a visible difference. Patients may need an MRI to diagnose a silicone gel rupture. Saline implants are also less expensive than the silicone gel implants.
Other differences involve how the breast implants are filled. Saline implants are filled after they’re implanted, so saline implants require a smaller incision than prefilled silicone breast implants.
On May 10, 2000, the FDA granted approval of saline-filled breast implants manufactured by Mentor Corporation and McGhan Medical. To date, all other manufacturers’ saline-filled breast implants are considered investigational.
As of 2006, the FDA has approved the use of silicone gel implants manufactured by the Mentor Corporation and Allergan (formerly McGhan) for breast augmentation surgery for patients over the age of 22.
4. The size and model of breast implant used may make a significant difference in the final outcome, including the presence of rippling/palpability of the implants.
I hope this helps.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Rippling of breast implants
Thank you for the question.
Palpability and rippling of breast implants may be related to several factors. These include the amount of soft tissue and breast tissue coverage over the breast implants, the position of the breast implants (submuscular versus sub glandular), the type of implants (saline versus silicone), and the degree of overfilling of saline filled implants. Generally, weight loss will extension weight any rippling/palpability of the implants. Deflation of the implants will also increase the rippling/palpability of the implants.
Having discussed these issues, PREVENTION of rippling/probability is of critical importance.
Much of the final “look” achieved after breast augmentation surgery depends on several factors:
1. The initial shape, size (volume of breast tissue), symmetry of the patient's breasts. In general, the better the preoperative breast appearance the more likely the breast augmentation “look” and "feel" will be optimal.
2. The experience/skill level of the surgeon is important in determining the final outcome. For example, the accurate and gentle dissection of the breast implant pockets are critical in producing long-term well-placed breast implants. I personally think that these 2 factors are more important than any others, including type (saline or silicone) or model (low/moderate/high profile) of implant. Make sure you're working with a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon.
3. The type of implant used may determine the final outcome, especially if the patient does not have significant covering breast or adipose tissue. For example, some surgeons feel that silicone implants have a more natural look and feel than saline implants because silicone gel has a texture that is similar to breast tissue. Each patient differs in the amount of breast tissue that they have. If a patient has enough breast tissue to cover the implant, the final result will be similar when comparing saline implants versus silicone gel implants. If a patient has very low body fat and/or very little breast tissue, the silicone gel implants may provide a more "natural" result.
On the other hand, saline implants have some advantages over silicone implants. Silicone implant ruptures are harder to detect. When saline implants rupture, they deflate and the results are seen almost immediately. When silicone implants rupture, the breast often looks and feels the same because the silicone gel may leak into surrounding areas of the breast without a visible difference. Patients may need an MRI to diagnose a silicone gel rupture. Saline implants are also less expensive than the silicone gel implants.
Other differences involve how the breast implants are filled. Saline implants are filled after they’re implanted, so saline implants require a smaller incision than prefilled silicone breast implants.
On May 10, 2000, the FDA granted approval of saline-filled breast implants manufactured by Mentor Corporation and McGhan Medical. To date, all other manufacturers’ saline-filled breast implants are considered investigational.
As of 2006, the FDA has approved the use of silicone gel implants manufactured by the Mentor Corporation and Allergan (formerly McGhan) for breast augmentation surgery for patients over the age of 22.
4. The size and model of breast implant used may make a significant difference in the final outcome, including the presence of rippling/palpability of the implants.
I hope this helps.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Rippling 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
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Rippling 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
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March 10, 2016
Answer: Rippling with breast implants Thank you for your question. Rippling can be seen when the surface of an implant shadows through the tissue, often found where the breast tissue coverage is thin. Some implant styles are more prone such as an overfilled saline implant. Others are less prone such as a shaped silicone implant. So one approach is to change an implant to one that is less prone to rippling. Another approach would be to add some thickness to the breast tissue. This can be done by fat grafting where fat is carefully layered between the skin and the implant. Another is to add a dermal matrix sheet between the breast and the implant where the rippling is visible to blunt the impression of the implant on the overlying skin. If you notice the rippling soon after surgery, I often recommend waiting until around the six month mark as your breasts may continue to change during that recovery period. I would continue your routine follow up visits with your plastic surgeon who can help monitor for persistent rippling and develop options for you should they persist.
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CONTACT NOW March 10, 2016
Answer: Rippling with breast implants Thank you for your question. Rippling can be seen when the surface of an implant shadows through the tissue, often found where the breast tissue coverage is thin. Some implant styles are more prone such as an overfilled saline implant. Others are less prone such as a shaped silicone implant. So one approach is to change an implant to one that is less prone to rippling. Another approach would be to add some thickness to the breast tissue. This can be done by fat grafting where fat is carefully layered between the skin and the implant. Another is to add a dermal matrix sheet between the breast and the implant where the rippling is visible to blunt the impression of the implant on the overlying skin. If you notice the rippling soon after surgery, I often recommend waiting until around the six month mark as your breasts may continue to change during that recovery period. I would continue your routine follow up visits with your plastic surgeon who can help monitor for persistent rippling and develop options for you should they persist.
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November 15, 2015
Answer: Breast Augmentation : Rippling in thin patients #BreastAugmentation : Rippling in thin patientsThin patients like yourself are at higher risk. Its not possible to say if it will get worse. Fat grafting can help some patients#Breastimplants: rippling problemsRippling can be reduced with higher fill implants, #Inspira or saline overfilladding fat , #hybridbreastaugmentation,tightening skin.
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CONTACT NOW November 15, 2015
Answer: Breast Augmentation : Rippling in thin patients #BreastAugmentation : Rippling in thin patientsThin patients like yourself are at higher risk. Its not possible to say if it will get worse. Fat grafting can help some patients#Breastimplants: rippling problemsRippling can be reduced with higher fill implants, #Inspira or saline overfilladding fat , #hybridbreastaugmentation,tightening skin.
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February 26, 2016
Answer: Rippling Concerns: Speak w/ Your PS Breast augmentation has extremely high satisfaction rates, but occasionally rippling can occur following this procedure.This can occur with either saline or silicone breast implants.Several factors have been associated with rippling following breast augmentation.These include saline implants, large implants, thin soft tissue, and placement of implants on top of the muscle.The soft tissue characteristics of the patient are extremely important.Patients with minimal breast tissue and thin subcutaneous tissue are much more likely to develop rippling than those with thicker soft tissue.A large amount of breast tissue relative to the implant size minimizes the potential for rippling.Larger implants, saline implants, and placement on top of the muscle are all associated with a higher incidence of rippling.The potential for rippling can be decreased in several ways.It’s important in high risk patients to avoid using implants that are large relative to the patient’s native breast tissue.Firmer implants, such as silicone and cohesive gel implants, can also decrease the potential for this problem.Submuscular placement decreases rippling by increasing soft tissue coverage over the implants.Surgeons should avoid over-dissection of the pocket and avoid implants that are wider than the patient’s breast tissue.Finally, overfilling the implant when using saline can be helpful to minimize rippling, as well.Despite all these maneuvers, rippling occasionally may still occur.This is especially true when patients have minimal amounts of breast tissue.It’s important to realize that in the vast majority of patients, rippling isn’t a problem.Even when it does occur, most patients are still very happy.If you’re concerned about rippling after three to four months, it would be reasonable to discuss the issue again with your plastic surgeon.
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CONTACT NOW February 26, 2016
Answer: Rippling Concerns: Speak w/ Your PS Breast augmentation has extremely high satisfaction rates, but occasionally rippling can occur following this procedure.This can occur with either saline or silicone breast implants.Several factors have been associated with rippling following breast augmentation.These include saline implants, large implants, thin soft tissue, and placement of implants on top of the muscle.The soft tissue characteristics of the patient are extremely important.Patients with minimal breast tissue and thin subcutaneous tissue are much more likely to develop rippling than those with thicker soft tissue.A large amount of breast tissue relative to the implant size minimizes the potential for rippling.Larger implants, saline implants, and placement on top of the muscle are all associated with a higher incidence of rippling.The potential for rippling can be decreased in several ways.It’s important in high risk patients to avoid using implants that are large relative to the patient’s native breast tissue.Firmer implants, such as silicone and cohesive gel implants, can also decrease the potential for this problem.Submuscular placement decreases rippling by increasing soft tissue coverage over the implants.Surgeons should avoid over-dissection of the pocket and avoid implants that are wider than the patient’s breast tissue.Finally, overfilling the implant when using saline can be helpful to minimize rippling, as well.Despite all these maneuvers, rippling occasionally may still occur.This is especially true when patients have minimal amounts of breast tissue.It’s important to realize that in the vast majority of patients, rippling isn’t a problem.Even when it does occur, most patients are still very happy.If you’re concerned about rippling after three to four months, it would be reasonable to discuss the issue again with your plastic surgeon.
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