How to Fix Breast Asymmetry
Dr. Scott J Farber is a board certified, fellowship-trained Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with a sub-specialty in Cranio-Maxillofacial aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. He is one of only two surgeons in the San Antonio area with this specialized fellowship training. Besides having impeccable surgical acumen... more
Few women have perfectly symmetrical breasts; in fact, about 50% of women have at least some degree of breast asymmetry. It’s normal to notice slight differences in the shape or size of your breasts, but sometimes the asymmetry for some women is more noticeable.
Breast asymmetry also can have difficulty finding a bra that fits them if one breast is significantly larger than the other. Some women also think their breasts have a lopsided appearance when they wear tight-fitting clothes.
If breast asymmetry makes you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable, you may want to schedule a breast augmentation or breast lift with your board-certified plastic surgeon.
Below, is more information about breast asymmetry and how plastic surgery can address the issue.
What is Breast Asymmetry?
Breast asymmetry is when one breast is more prominent or looks different than the other. Breast asymmetry can be caused by many things, including:
- Uneven breast development during adolescence
- Breastfeeding and pregnancy
- Breasts shrink unevenly during the aging process
- Shrinkage of a breast because of a medical condition
- Breast infection, usually from breastfeeding
- Significant weight gain or loss
- Problem with a previous breast augmentation, such as capsular contracture
- Mastectomy, which usually requires breast reconstruction surgery
Different Reasons for Breast Asymmetry
As noted above, there are different causes of asymmetrical breasts. How to fix the problem depends on whether the cause is natural or another reason. In most situations, your surgeon can perform breast augmentation and/or a breast lift to give your breasts an even appearance.
Natural Differences in Breasts
For most women, there is a slight difference in breast shape or size that is barely visible. But for some, one breast might be a full cup size different than the other or sit differently on the chest. When the asymmetry is this stark, plastic surgery can be a viable option.
Your board-certified plastic surgeon may recommend breast augmentation and will suggest a size, shape, and profile for each breast that will give you the most desirable result. Your surgeon also will advise whether a saline or silicone breast implant will provide you with the results you want.
If you have one breast that is higher or lower than the other, a breast lift in addition to breast augmentation could be a great choice.
When Breasts Heal Differently After Augmentation
Some women find after breast augmentation that their breasts heal differently. This can cause one breast to sit higher than the other, making the silhouette of your bust noticeably different.
If this happens, your surgeon may recommend a breast revision surgery where he or she makes the breast pocket for one of the breasts higher, so it matches the position of the other.
Asymmetry in the Breast Pocket
The breast pocket is what the surgeon creates during breast augmentation to hold the breast implant in position. Sometimes, the breast pocket may be uneven in position or size.
If that is the reason for your asymmetry, your surgeon may even out the breast pockets, or if one breast looks better than the other, match your preferred look.
Capsule Contracture or Implant Leakage
It’s highly unusual, but some women may find that their breast implant leaks, so it makes one breast look deflated. Your surgeon can replace that implant with a new one to give you an even, natural appearance.
Another rare complication is the capsule surrounding the implant contracts, making that breast look smaller or pinched. If this happens, the implant can be removed and replaced.
Breast Augmentation Risks
The most likely way to fix breast asymmetry is with breast augmentation surgery. But breast augmentation does have risks that are worth considering before you go ahead. If you have a complication, you may need to have breast revision surgery to fix the problem or replace the implant:
Some of the most common complications are:
- Scarring that does not fade with time
- Hardening of the breast because of scar tissue contracting around the implant
- Rupture when the saline or silicone implant leaks
- Folds or creases in the implant
- Rotation of the breast implant
- Infection that may require implant removal
- Nerve damage to the nipples
- Dissatisfied with the results
- Not able to breastfeed
Less common complications are excessive bleeding during the operation, allergic reaction to general anesthesia, and blood clots in the legs.
Outlook
Breast asymmetry happens often in women and usually is no cause for worry. Most women only want to do something about it if the difference in size or shape is obvious, especially with clothes on.
Fortunately, breast augmentation and breast lift surgery are more effective and safer than ever. So, you have options if you decide you want to do something to fix your breast asymmetry.
References
Breast Asymmetry Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at
https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-asymmetry
Breast Augmentation Complications. (n.d.). Accessed at
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321610#common-complications
Breast Augmentation Safety. (n.d.). Accessed at
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation/safety
Dr. Scott Farber Hill Country Plastic Surgery - Breast Reconstruction. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.hillcountryplasticsurgery.com/procedures/breast/breast-reconstruction/
Dr. Scott Farber Hill Country Plastic Surgery - Breast Augmentation. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.hillcountryplasticsurgery.com/procedures/breast/breast-augmentation/
Dr. Scott Farber Hill Country Plastic Surgery - Breast Lift. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.hillcountryplasticsurgery.com/procedures/breast/breast-lift/
