Breast implant rippling refers to the visible or palpable folds that can sometimes appear on breast implants. It’s a potential complication that can occur after breast augmentation surgery.
Rippling isn’t uncommon, affecting as many as 1 in 10 patients. While it’s not typically a health risk, rippling is often a cosmetic concern.
This article will dive into the causes of breast implant rippling, what you can do to prevent it, and the treatment options available if it happens to you.
Understanding Breast Implant Rippling
If you’re considering breast augmentation, you may have heard of “rippling.” It’s a common concern, and it’s helpful to understand what it is and why it happens.
What is Rippling?
Rippling refers to the appearance of waves, folds, or wrinkles on the skin covering a breast implant. It can be subtle or quite noticeable, and sometimes you can feel it more than you can see it.
Rippling can be palpable, meaning you can feel it when you touch your breast, or it can be visible through the skin, or both.
Common Locations for Rippling
Rippling is most often seen on the sides or the upper part of the breast. Where your surgeon places the implant can also affect where rippling appears.
If the implant is placed in the subglandular plane (on top of the pectoral muscle), rippling may be more visible than if the implant is placed in the submuscular plane (underneath the pectoral muscle).
What causes breast implant rippling?
Rippling can happen for a few different reasons, and it’s often a combination of factors that lead to this outcome.
Insufficient soft tissue coverage
Breast tissue acts as a natural cushion, helping to conceal the implant and provide a smooth, natural contour. If you don’t have enough breast tissue to begin with, or if you lose breast tissue due to weight loss or pregnancy, the implant can become more visible, leading to rippling.
Factors like your body size, surgical placement, and even pregnancy or breastfeeding can affect how much soft tissue coverage you have. People with less breast tissue or lower body fat are often more prone to rippling.
Implant-related factors
The type, size, and even the filling of the implant can play a role. Saline implants, for example, are generally more prone to rippling than silicone gel implants. Larger implants are also more likely to ripple than smaller ones.
If you have saline implants, underfilling them can cause rippling, and even normal saline volume loss over time can contribute to the problem.
Surgical technique and placement
Where the implant is placed makes a difference. Placing the implant under the muscle generally reduces the risk of rippling compared to placing it above the muscle. And, of course, choosing a skilled and experienced surgeon is crucial for minimizing complications like rippling.
Asymmetry of tethering
Tethering happens as tissue tightens and contracts around the implant during the healing process. If this tethering is uneven, it can contribute to rippling.
Preventing Rippling
While rippling can happen, there are steps you and your surgeon can take to minimize the risk:
- Choose the right implants: Silicone gel implants tend to ripple less than saline. Talk to your surgeon about the best width, profile, and size for you.
- Consider implant placement: Placing the implant under the muscle can help to conceal any rippling.
- Maintain a stable weight: Fluctuations in weight after surgery can make rippling more visible.
- Choose a qualified surgeon: Select a board-certified cosmetic surgeon with a lot of experience performing breast augmentations.
How can you fix rippling?
If you’re bothered by rippling, you have a few options:
- Revision surgery: A surgeon can go back in and adjust or replace your implants. This might mean adding more volume, using different sizes, or changing the placement.
- Fat grafting: Surgeons can use fat from another part of your body to improve the shape of your breasts and reduce the appearance of ripples. The fat acts as a cushion around the implant.
- Implant exchange: If you have saline implants, you might consider switching to silicone.
- Scar tissue treatment: Sometimes, scar tissue can make rippling more noticeable. A surgeon can release the scar tissue to reduce its effect.
Final Thoughts
Rippling after breast augmentation can occur for a number of reasons, but careful planning and a skilled surgeon can help minimize the risk. Talking with a board-certified plastic surgeon is essential to get personalized information about your body and your goals for surgery.
While rippling can be a cosmetic concern, it is not generally a threat to your health. If you’re concerned about rippling, talk with your surgeon about options for correction.