Rippling can occur with both silicone and saline implants. However, the worse combination for rippling is using large saline implants in thin patients with thin breast tissues. In those patients, we really stress silicone cohesive implants to minimize the likelihood or rippling.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Rippling occurs more frequently with saline implants and is often seen in the lower outer aspect of the breast. Breast implants will ripple if the pocket in which they are placed is smaller than the implant. Best to have your surgeon measure you and make sure that with a petite frame you will be able to tolerate a 650cc implant.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Hi profile filled to the max do not ripple--mod plus might be OK, mods all ripple. The larger the implant and less the coverage, the more likely the implant will show and the more likely they are to ripple. This is much too big of an implant for a petite woman.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Saline Implants At-A-Glance:

• Filled with sterile saline (salt-water). Since saline is like normal body fluid, it is safe and easily absorbed if the implants were to leak.
• Leaks are easily detected due to implant deflation
• Saline is filled after the breast implant is placed inside the chest
• An unfilled saline breast implant is able to fit through a smaller incision than silicone
• The volume of saline can be adjusted at the time of surgery to ensure optimal results and can allow for a size correction between breasts of different sizes
• Less expensive than silicone implants
• Rippling may be felt or seen in thin patients, but rarely occurs due to placement behind the chest muscle

Published on Jul 11, 2012

There is not an answer as to how often rippling occurs. It is more common with saline implants, but can also be seen with silicone implants.The main factor influencing rippling is the thickness of the tissue covering the implant. The thicker the tissue (e.g., breast tissue, subcutaneous tissue and skin), the less likely you are to see rippling. This extra thickness of tissue hides the folds in the implant. Think of it as having the implant convered by a thick piece of shag carpet versus a thin piece of tisue paper. With the tissue paper all the contour irregularities and folds of the implant are easily seen but the thicker carpet hides them. If you are extremely thin with very little breast tissue you will be at higher risk for visible rippling. In this case, I would suggest considering a form stable ( gummy bear ) implant with partial submusculat placement. In some cases, fat grafting can be performed to thicken the tissue, which helps to hide the rippling.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Implants, when placed into the breast, will make folds and ridges that can be felt or seen in the skin. The thinner the tissue under the skin, the more likely this will happen. So, even silicone implants will ripple in a thin patient. Placing a saline implant under the muscle will help cover up the implant, but there may be rippling that may be felt or seen, especially on the underside of the breast. This usually happens when you bend over. When lying down, the rippling usually goes away.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Breast implant rippling is exactly what it sounds like, rippling of the breast implant surface that may be seen and/or felt. 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. It isn't uncommon for smooth breast implants to ripple, but the rippling may not be able to be seen unless you bend over forward or are in a position in which your breasts are hanging down somewhat. Visible rippling may be seen in this position, but the rippling may be felt in any position. Most of the time if rippling can be felt, it is felt by lightly running your fingers along the outer side of the breast. If you press too firmly, you won't feel it. Good luck :)

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your very good question about rippling. Being petite and wanting to get a larger saline implant may put you at a higher risk of experiencing rippling. When you compare a saline implant to a silicone gel implant, which are both FDA approved, you can see the visible rippling in the saline. Going under the muscle will help camouflage some of the irregularities of a saline implant but not the rippling on the side of the implant. For example, you may have noticed some women at the gym or the beach with rippling along the side of their breast when they are leaning forward. Without an exam, for someone who is petite and who does not have a lot of her own breast tissue, a silicone gel implant such as Allergan's Inspira, may be a better choice. So to recap, going under the muscle and having enough of your own breast tissue to start with will help hide the irregularities of a saline implants but, over time, with natural tissue loss and loosening of skin elasticity, visible rippling may occur. Best of luck!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Rippling almost always occurs with saline implants. You should go with silicone to decrease the chances of this happening.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

You are at high risk of rippling. Saline has no shape, and the implant fall into ripples in most positions. Your small size will provide little padding to hide the ripples, and the large implant will mostly be submammary--rather than subpectoral--providing little coverage for your lower pole. Reducing your implant size and using silicone gel implants will decrease, but not eliminate, rippling.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Breast implant rippling typically is not very common. In some patients, implant rippling can be palpated, but should be rarely seen. With proper implant selection and proper technique, rippling should not be of great concern. Patients that are very thin and have little breast tissue most likely will be more prone to rippling with saline implants vs silicone implants. Seek out an expert breast surgeon for proper evaluation and advice as to proper size, implant shape, pocket location, etc.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for sharing. In general, rippling is worse with saline implants in a subglandular implant placement. Thin skin and stretched out tissues may also contribute to rippling. See your local board-certified plastic surgeon who should be able to guide you. Best wishes!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Since you are small and want to be BIG, my guess is 100% for sure you will probably have some rippling.Your soft tissue is deficient most likely.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I can tell you with the utmost certainty that you have a 100% chance of rippling. You are choosing the worst rippling implant in a very large size, with relatively small breasts. More than 90% of American women, and nearly 100% of all women choose silicone gel, and with the exception of American women have been doing so for 50 years. There is no other medical device on the planet more tested for safety. If cost is the factor, then you should wait until you can afford silicone gel.

Published on Jul 11, 2012