Breast Asymmetry

Virtually every woman and man has some degree of breast asymmetry. This may be due to factors beyond the breast alone, such as rib cage shape and your chest muscle anatomy. But often one breast is very different from the other. This may involve difference in size and volume, or difference is shape and amount of skin, difference in the amount and the distribution of the breast gland and differences in the size and shape and level of one nipple and areola as compared to the other. All of these aspects of asymmetry can be corrected by surgery, and the unevenness improved. The procedures described below span the spectrum from simply placing implants to doing a breast lift and many combinations in between. Women are very happy with the results of this procedure and the surgery is very safe and predictable.

THE BREAST IMPLANTS

• Unevenness may need to be corrected with implants or reduction of one side or both.
• Saline or silicone implants may be used. Your anatomy, concerns and priorities will help us determine which implants are best suited for you
• The latest in technologies are utilized including all shapes (anatomic, teardrop, or round) and textures (smooth or fuzzy). These allow the doctor to customize your surgery. Silicone gel filled implants can be used in some situations.
• The many new types of implant fillers such as soybean are still experimental and not yet approved by the FDA.

THE PREOPERATIVE FEATURES

• Breasts that are small, uneven or asymmetric AND deflated, drooping, or sagging.
• On one or both breasts the nipple is at or below the level of the breast fold. At times most of the breast tissue is concentrated low in the breast or at the bottom of the breast.
• One or both breasts may not have much breast tissue up high and there is a need for more upper pole fullness.
• One or both breasts may have large or puffy areola that are not in proportion to the rest of the breast and your body.
• One or both breasts may have nipples that are uneven in their position, with one side higher or lower than the other.
• Desire for better fit in clothing or more sensual body image.

THE PROCEDURE

• A light general anesthesia is used and it takes about three hours.
• Incisions can be placed either in the crease or around the nipple or areola. Rarely it may be necessary to make an incision straight down the nipple to the crease or into each side of the lower breast crease.
• The nipples and areola usually can be made in proportion to the breast size you desire and be made more level.
• If an implant is needed, the space is made for the implant and the size you desire is created, temporary breast implant sizers are inserted in the space and inflated to the correct volume and adjustments are made. The nipples are lifted and corrected and the excess skin is tightened up with a minimal use of incisions.
• A careful exam of the breast tissue is undertaken to make sure no abnormalities are present.
• The only dressing is a surgical bra.
• No drains.
• This can be combined with other surgeries.

THE RECOVERY

• You can go home after several hours.
• You can shower on the second day after surgery.
• Moderate pain for the first two days that is mostly gone by the third day and easily controlled by medications.
• You will feel very groggy for the first two days and weak for about ten days.
• Swelling is moderate for the first week after which it rapidly disappears.
• Breasts are high on the chest for the first three weeks then settle into a very normal position and contour.
• Usually no bruising.
• Resume many activities within the first week, and most by at least three weeks.
• No stitches to remove. They are all dissolvable.
• Off of work for five to seven days, often less.

THE RESULTS

• Enlarged, full, lifted, balanced and even breasts with nice size areola and more even nipples.
• Very natural result that just gets better in time.
• Softness and natural bounce that persists.

For before and after images of this procedure click here

Please call or contact the office for any further information or to schedule an appointment.