Rippling - Big Time

AmyA

Hey there. Anyone out there have a lot of rippling? My PS was conservative and put in smaller implants that didn't fit snuggly in the breast pockets. My right side, which was my bigger boob, is horrible - starting rippling within days. The left side, smaller boob / cancer side, has some too. I HATE IT!

What did any of you do to combat this? I've read online that putting in bigger implants that fill the space don't have it as much. Did any of you do that? I will definitely be having a re-do surgery - fat grafting would not fix this issue currently.

Bummed with my boobs... I look forward to your comments.

Thank you.

farmerlucy

Hi Amy - Sorry I can't be of much help. I will bump this thread and hope someone else has an answer for you. Have you checked with whippetmom at https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/...

She knows everything about implant issues, and was a tremendous help to me. I hope you get some answers soon. Take care!

maureenb

Hi Amy-

I am rippling too. I had a bilateral mastectomy in the spring of 2013. I did the nipple sparing, skin sparing type with immediate implants. After about 3 weeks, when the swelling went down, I had ripples. (among other problems) So in January of 2014, I switched PS and had a re-do. She put in an implant that I liked the shape of much better, but still lots of rippling. Surgery number three was in October of 2014. Same thing. At first it looked much better, but I think it was just all the swelling. When things settled down, the ripples were back and almost in the same places. One is in my cleavage and I hate it because you can see it when I wear a bathing suit. What my doctors have told me is that because I'm relatively thin and had a pretty aggressive mastectomy, there wasn't much of a skin flap left and so there's nothing there to cover up the implant. They've tried my own fat and also that dermal matrix stuff, but it only helps a little. I am meeting with my PS this month to see if there's anything else that can be done. I'm so frustrated and sad about it because I hate seeing what I look like in the mirror. Anyone out there have this problem and then have it resolved? I also have lots of bruising on my breasts so the skin looks purplish in spots. And one of my nipples didn't make it through the process too well so it is flat and discolored while the other one is pink and pointy. No sensation in either though. Guess that's not coming back. Sorry I couldn't help more except to say I'm in it with you.