Can implant rippling be fixed?

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Kat1984
Kat1984 Member Posts: 47
edited May 2017 in Breast Reconstruction

hiya, I had my exchange surgery last week on my right breast. The left breast went straight to implant last December. I have a lot of rippling on the new implant on the sides and bottom, they are visible ripples. I know it's only been a week but will this get better? I'm in New Zealand and not sure what if anything can be done about it. I'm on the thin side and my PS said that's the reason for the rippling. I'm 32, so these implants have a long life ahead of them!Any advice?

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  • JessieJake
    JessieJake Member Posts: 233
    edited May 2017

    Hi Kat, I'll be curious to see what others may have to say on this topic. Were you fortunate enough to not have rippling on the left? I'm envious even of that.

    I have rippling on both even after 2 fat transfers which admittedly were not enough to fill the ripples. After initial exchange I was hopeful I wouldn't have rippling, but I think that was a combo of swelling and fat transfer. Over a few months the ripples began to slowly appear. My PS has described my rippling as moderate. If I don't slouch it's much less noticeable. I also wear push-up style bras (not severe ones but with some lift) and that helps minimize the appearance.

    The only option my PS mentioned to help me (similar situation as you, no more fat to transfer and very thin on top) would be to try a 2nd layer of alloderm in the future to provide another layer.

    My implants are above the muscle as well so my results were somewhat expected.

    To be honest, I can live with this, but if you were lucky enough to get one without rippling I can see why you'd like the second one to be the same.

    I'll be watching to see if anyone else has thoughts.

    Good luck!

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  • Kat1984
    Kat1984 Member Posts: 47
    edited May 2017

    Thank you for your reply! I'm sorry to hear that you have a similar situation. I do have some minor rippling in the left but it's mainly down the side so it's not covered by my pectoral muscle so that makes more sense I think. It's only noticeable to touch on the left, it's not visible really. Both implants are placed under the muscle so it seems weird to me that 1 has a lot of rippling and the other doesn't.

    I'm not sure is fat grafting is even done after recon as an option in NZ. What does it involve? Is it another surgery? I'm thinking because I'm so young I would like to have it sorted if possible, I mean medically it's fine but for my self esteem etc it would be nice! I'm planning on keeping these boobs for another 50+ years haha FRom what I've read rippling often doesn't occur until a bit later when the swelling etc has subsided, so I'm even more concerned that maybe it will get worse also. Did you notice yours immediately post surgery?

    Gosh I don't even know if we use allorderm in NZ, is it standard? I really should ask because maybe that could be an option too.

    Hopefully someone who has had a positive experience can give us some more insight!


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  • candles1
    candles1 Member Posts: 77
    edited May 2017

    Can alloderm be placed in lieu of fat transfer? And why don't PS just do that instead of attempting fat transfer? Curious here.

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  • JessieJake
    JessieJake Member Posts: 233
    edited May 2017

    hi Candles, I'm not an expert by any stretch, but the alloderm provides the sling or pocket to hold the implant. I don't believe it provides much cushioning. The fat transfer is to provide the cushion and hide the implant better (especially since my implants are directly under my skin)

    In my case you can somewhat see the edges of my implant. Certainly you can feel them. More fat would help cover that.

    That's about all I know.

    My rippling appeared over 1-3 months after my exchange to implant surgery, I'm at about 8 1/2 months now and they seem very settled.

    Fat grafting is another surgery. You can find lots of discussion about it here. There is at least one topic dedicated to it. It was covered by insurance. If it hadn't been, I'm sure I wouldn't have done it


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  • Herculesmulligan
    Herculesmulligan Member Posts: 175
    edited May 2017

    I had my exchange just over a week ago and I'm noticing more and more pronounced ripples on the right side. What are those ripples? Why can I see them more when I slouch?

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  • Herculesmulligan
    Herculesmulligan Member Posts: 175
    edited May 2017

    I have silicone implant under the muscle, if that helps

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  • Kat1984
    Kat1984 Member Posts: 47
    edited May 2017

    hiya, we must have had our exchanges about the same time, mine was 16th May. My PS told me the ripples are there because I'm quite thin and don't have enough tissue to cover them. He didn't give me another's reason for having them so I'm wondering if all women with implants have ripples but they just can't be felt/seen in most?

    Jessiejake do you know if alloderm is standard? I have no idea whether I already have it or not. I do recall my invoice from the surgeon having 'ACM sheets' on it which after googling I see is possibly something similar?

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  • JessieJake
    JessieJake Member Posts: 233
    edited May 2017

    Gosh, no, I'm not sure if alloderm is standard. I feel very inadequate talking about all this as I know there are many on this board that have fairly extensive knowledge - much more than me! But I can share my own experience if that's helpful.

    Oh, ACM sheets might be it! I *think* alloderm is a brand name?? I also know a few have mentioned a product called Strattice, too, but I think the purpose is pretty much the same between the two. I do recall seeing the alloderm (made from human cadaver tissue) on my surgery invoice. Very expensive stuff - It was in the ballpark of $16,000 US. I know it's used in both over and under muscles implants, though, from what I've read.

    Gravity, that's why.. Very simplistic answer, I guess, on rippling. Again, others know more, but the implants are soft and tilting them around or squeezing them is going to change their shape in that moment. Hang them down more by slouching or bending, and if there isn't a really tight surface or padded surface to cover them, I guess you'll see the folds (ripples) and such that you'd expect from the malleable implant. Fore sure my ripples are worse when I slouch and I've glanced down while doing a plank or other exercise, and wow, I've got two smallish blobs hanging off my chest! That's why I've gone with wearing good bras. Even natural-breasted woman are going to have sag and folds, etc.. I'm trying to embrace this rippling as a "natural" aspect of my breasts. :)

    If someone more knowledgeable wants to jump in, that'd be great! No hurt feelings on my part if anyone wants to point out any errors in my comments! :)

    Oh, Hercules, did you just have implants during surgery (no fat grafting?)? If that's the case, then maybe your PS will or is planning that as a separate step once you've healed from your exchange surgery. I've read on here that some PS prefer to do it later as they'll have a better idea of where the fat is needed to correct rippling. Do you have a follow up soon? I'm sure they'll address it then. Good luck!

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