Is Weight Loss the Only Reason Why I Would See Rippling 5 Years After Implants?

Question

Hi, I had 200cc saline implants placed submuscularly 5 years ago. My breasts are soft & they have looked beautiful. I wear a 34C cup size now. I'm 5'4" & weigh 108 lbs. Up to 6 months ago I weighed 114 lbs. I've started to see ripples on edges of my breasts, and it's upsetting. A loss of 6 lbs seems the most obvious culprit for the new ripples, but what do you experts think: is it the only explanation? My weight loss was unintentional, and my healthy eating habits are intact.

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

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

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 &ldquo;look&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;look&rdquo; 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&rsquo;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&rsquo; 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.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

I have numerous patients who report similar findings with only a loss of 5 pounds of weight producing "unveiling" of the underlying ripples.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Rippling is the result of a thin soft tissue covering. So this can happen with weight loss or age as the skin thins out.

Is Weight Loss the Only Reason Why I Would See Rippling 5 Years After Implants?

Answers (4)

Answer: Rippling and weight loss

Answer: Rippling and weight loss

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Is Weight Loss the Only Reason Why I Would See Rippling 5 Years After Implants?

Answers (4)

Answer: Rippling and weight loss

Answer: Rippling and weight loss

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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