Why is implant rippling more visible on thin patients?
Rippling is a fold in the implant shell showing through the overlying tissue — the thinner the layer of skin, fat, and gland covering the implant, the less there is to hide it.
Almost every implant shell folds slightly under gravity and movement; whether anyone can see it is a question of coverage. That is why rippling shows disproportionately in slim patients with little breast tissue, and why it is most often noticed at the outer or lower edge of the breast when leaning forward.
Coverage, fill, and placement
Three factors set how visible folding becomes: the thickness of tissue over the implant, how fully the implant is filled (underfilled saline devices fold more than cohesive gel), and the placement plane — an implant under the muscle borrows extra coverage in the upper pole. Slim patients start with the least tissue, so the other two levers matter more for them.
Options discussed for visible rippling range from observation to fat grafting over the thin area or exchanging the implant type, and which is appropriate varies with each person's tissue and goals. Consult a board-certified plastic surgeon to have the area assessed before assuming a device problem — coverage, not the implant, is often the issue.
MediIndex articles are for general information only and are not medical advice, diagnosis, or advertising. Outcomes vary by individual — consult a board-certified specialist for personal decisions.