Visible ripples in implants

takeadeepbreath

Sweetie-

So how long before your ripples re-appeared? I decided to go for the revision (an exact year from bmx) and had it done this past thursday... right one had definitely dropped a bit lower, had ripples and was flattened on top (vs the left one). PS swapped 350/375s for 400/450 implants, tightened pocket and grabbed a tiny bit of fat from waist to do a small amount of fat grafting to top area and an area that had a slight indent near cleavage. They look great right now, symetrical, fuller, no ripples. Of course, I am wondering if that is what I thought in April when they were first done...I think I might have. Maybe if I don't move for the next 3 months they will lock into place and stay put!!! Based on everyone's experience, I guess I am prepared for them to shift. Will see what doc says at  follow up tomorrow. 

sweetie2040

Takeadeepbreath-It's great you had a revision. It sounds like everything looks good so far and your Dr really tried to address your issues.Remember too that they will even fluff out more and look fuller and nicer as time goes on. As for me I started to see ripples again right after surgery. I mean right away when I took the surgical bra off. My Dr took me from 450cc's to 500 which I personally didn't think was enough to fill in the pocket size I have. He did a little stitching in the IMF but that alone with only the 50cc's more didn't do the trick for me. The thing they told me was that my skin is thin and that my skin is over elastic. So my Dr is trying to say even if he puts in a larger implant my skin may stretch out and still show ripples. I am still considering another revision but he is saying he doesn't feel strongly that it will address my rippling problem. I think my pockets are way to too big for implants. It is difficult to remove the skin though because I had a NSM.

It sounds like your going to fine. I think my issues may have been a lot worse than yours to start with. Did you ever post any pics? I have a bunch of pics showing how things look now and I have to put them on the forum . I just need to sit down and resize them. I was getting so frustrated with all of this I just stopped talking about it for a while. Keep me posted on your progress though because if your liking your results that's a good sign and that will encourage me to move forward again.

takeadeepbreath

I took some pics but the "R&R"-ripple and ridge didn't really photograph too well (in my lovely mirror shots), but you can see where the symetry was off--the rippled one really dropped. I will try and take a picture tonight (stitches are still in fold) and post side-by-side...it seems like a tremendous improvement right now to me (and to the PS who saw his handiwork today and was thrilled). I think although I only went up 50/75cc maybe the fat grafting on the ripple side helped. So far so good, hope its not just swelling that is filling everything out!....fingers crossed. Will let you know when I get the pictures up there.

sweetie2040

takeadeepbreath-I went back to see you pics on the forum and see where the one was lower. I didn't see any rippling though. I think it sounds like what your Dr did in this revision is really going to do the trick. It sounds like he listened to you and really addressed your issues. I thought you looked great in the first pics so I can imagine you look even better now!

hopefulhealing

I also had some significant rippling.  I originally had textured Mentor implants 400 and 450.  Oct. 20th, I had an exchange same size but to the smooth.  I too have think skin and am on the thin side.  I can't believe the difference!  They are softer and move more.  They don't get as cold on the outside.  They are so much more comfortable.  And the rippling has decreased so much.  I am going to Northwestern in Chicago to see Dr. Mustoe tomorrow to discuss just a little bit of fat grafting at the top and medial area.  My current PS doesn't believe in it but said if I am going to do it go to one of the best.  Anyone heard or worked with him?  Good luck ladies.  This is such a long process and that is what people don't have a clue about. 

sweetie2040

Determined-I remember talking to you a while back. I didn't remember you had a revision though. I already have  smooth silicone had a ton of rippling after two exchanges. I talked to 2 Dr's about FG and they said it would not address my problems but could be done after another exchange if needed. I think the thin skin plays a bit part in the rippling because there is nothing to hide the implant. It's good your having a consult with a Dr who does FG. I know a lot of women have done it and are very happy with the results they get. There is a thread on here about FG so maybe someone on there knows about the Dr you are going to see. Keep us posted on what he says.

hopefulhealing

Sweetie will do.  I see him tomorrow at 10:30. 

sweetbean

My PS said that she couldn't do Alloderm at the exchange.  I've heard otherwise.  Anyone else get Alloderm at the exchange.  I'm kind of worried about rippling.  I'm very thin, although my skin is reasonably thick, I think.  The rad tech mentioned it when she was tattooing me.  

 Thoughts about Alloderm? 

hopefulhealing

I have Alloderm all over the place to help decrease ripples.  I went from textured to smooth implants and that helped as well.  It may be a personal preference of hers. I have thin skin so I have been told and am on the thin side.  So it is possible.  I would ask why.  I know it is expensive.

sweetbean

Hopefulhealing, you got Alloderm at the exchange?  Not when the TE's were placed?

hopefulhealing

Yes at the exchange both times

sweetie2040

sweetbean-I had alloderm placed at the time of my BMX. I did not have it at the exchange. It is used more as a sling but it can be used in a secondarily application to camouflage rippling. I have severe,severe rippling and two Dr's I met said they could add more alloderm but really it is very thin and may only help a little. If you think your skin is thick that is great. I think the real is issue is there is no tissue to hide the implant. If you've had a skin sparring or NSM MX they really scrap everything out and leave very,very little to work with. That is what my Dr told me. I think I'm beginning to see the limitations of implant based reconstruction. Still I think we all deserve to get the best possible results we can from our reconstruction.

I sent you a PM.

sweetbean

Interesting - thanks so much!

Anonymous

Bumping for someone

pinklotus

I had breast reconstruction on March 10 of this year.  I have Allergan high profile smooth.  I just noticed a bulge that's about an inch in diameter about  2 inches away from the nipple  towards outside of implant (had nipple sparing surgery with inframammary incision).  Is this normal to suddenly notice this bulge which I'm guessing is a ripple?  It's weird.  When I touch it it's crinkly feeling.  Is this because things are softening up a bit?  It's been 3 months since my surgery.  Wish it weren't in that spot since it shows through shirt if I'm wearing a thin sports bra. Thanks.

ShannonR

Did you ever do anything about the pucker ? I have an area that bulges and pokes out and I am not sure what to do about it.

Keepongoing

Shannon: I have a area like that on the outer left one. My PS said he could do some fat grafting to cover it if I'd like . I am just waiting because it's on the side and I don't want to have to take off work again after all the time off for surgery and chemo. I can feel the edges of my implant on that side and there is a bubble like pucker and rippling that changes with position changes. If I stand still with arms are side they look fine if I lift arm or bend overnight or lift arms it's visible( ripples

ShannonR

Keepongoing - that is exactly what I am dealing with. My PS wants to switch to cohesive implants that wont fold or buckle but I like my soft implants. Hoping pocket work will fix it. It is way too large and prominent for fat grafting to do anything about the pucker. However, the FG I have had fixed my basic ripples.