Can Breast Augmentation Improve Breast Asymmetry?

What are the causes of breast asymmetry? Breast asymmetry is quite normal, and many women will have breasts that are a little uneven in their shape, size, volume or positioning, right from the beginning. Sometimes the difference is very slight or almost indistinguishable, but sometimes the asymmetry is quite obvious. The breasts can also change after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight gain or loss, or with age and hormonal change.

Women who are unhappy with asymmetrical breasts may consider breast augmentation to achieve a more symmetrical look. Unfortunately, the treatment for asymmetrical breasts varies depending on the amount and type of asymmetry and whether the person has typical breast anatomy.

What Causes Breast Asymmetry?

Uneven breasts can be caused by: Breast development during puberty. For example, one breast may develop quicker than the other and the imbalance may continue as you reach your teens and beyond.

There are other reasons that could cause or exacerbate asymmetry during your life. Hormonal changes due to pregnancy and breastfeeding can alter both breast volume and skin elasticity, which may lead to one breast becoming noticeably different from the other.

In some cases, the difference is simply a matter of the size of the breasts. In others, one breast is a different shape, position or has more or less skin. Knowing what the cause is can be useful when deciding on corrective surgery.

Can Breast Augmentation Correct Uneven Breasts?

Q: How does the breast augmentation procedure address breast asymmetry?

A: Breast asymmetries, such as differences in volume or shape between one breast and the other, may be improved with the placement of implants of varying sizes to the two breasts.

One side may be larger than the other such as a noticeable small breast. In that case, you may need a bigger size implant on one breast to make the size the same and not set the same size for both.

Here is some interesting information on Breast Augmentation: That breast augmentation does not repair every kind of asymmetry: Symmetry of breast shape, nipple placement, excess skin, or drooping may all need to be fixed with other procedures.

Different Implant Sizes

Implants of different sizes can be used when there are differences in breast volume, with the idea being to find a better visual balance rather than make the breasts match perfectly.

Breast Lift With Augmentation

Breast Size Difference and Position If asymmetry is size difference, and one breast is in a different position as well, breast augmentation combined with a breast lift can be performed. To lift the breast and reposition breast tissue, lift is needed.

Combining Different Techniques

The surgeon may propose a combination of surgeries for each breast, such as a lift on one side and an augmentation on the other. This decision is made based on each person's unique anatomy and the surgeon's recommendations.

What Happens During an Asymmetry Assessment?

Breast Surgery Consultation

An integral part of breast asymmetry surgery planning is the consultation. The doctor evaluates the breasts' size, shape, position, skin tone and nipple alignment.

Assessment

Breast measurements may be recorded in order to determine the volume and shape of the breasts. The chest wall and your current breast tissue may also influence the recommended surgical technique.

Communicate with your consultation and determine the goal. Note that most patients are looking for better balance and not necessarily perfect symmetry. Breasts are naturally symmetrical, but there is probably some minor asymmetry.

Things to Think About Before Getting Breast Augmentation

Improving Symmetry With Breast Augmentation

If you decide to go for breast enhancement to repair asymmetry, you should bear in mind that the implant size mustn't be chosen solely according to the size difference between the breasts. Your overall body shape, the volume of breast tissue, the elasticity of your skin and the position of the breasts will all affect the outcome.

It is important for patients to realize that there will be some asymmetry that persists following surgery. The tissues on the two sides are often not exactly the same and healing can differ from side to side.

The kind of implant, the operation you will need to have and any other surgery should be covered by a specialist plastic surgeon.

Can Breast Asymmetry Return After Surgery?

Your breasts may already be uneven but may still change after an augmentation. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, other weight fluctuations and natural ageing can cause changes to the volume and shape of your breasts.

However, the presence of an implant itself does not avoid movements of the breast tissue. If you maintain a stable weight and your post-operative instructions are followed, the healing process will be aided but future changes cannot always be anticipated.

How Long Does It Take to See the Results?

Changes in the shape and size of your breasts may occur during your recovery period. These may include swelling, firmness and differences in how your breasts position themselves during the healing process.

Once the swelling subsides and the implants have settled into their final position, the breasts tend to look more natural. The time of recovery can vary from person to person and depends on the technique used and the procedures done.

Post-operatively patients should adhere to surgeon orders on activity, support and wound care.

Does Breast Augmentation Treat All Forms of Asymmetry?

Breast Augmentation Body Lift

When breast size is the main issue, breast augmentation may be appropriate for you. However, each patient needs to be evaluated individually and in some cases an areola reduction, breast lift, tissue removal, or combination of these procedures will be more suitable.

A consultation can help identify whether augmentation by itself may be able to achieve your goals or if another technique would be a better fit.

Women, if researching, Breast augmentation in South Africa should evaluate advantages and disadvantages of treatment and ask for an assessment based on one's individual anatomy, and avoid trying to select a size of implant based on photographs or a general recommendation.

Breast Augmentation at Your Breasts

As a patient of Your Breasts you have the ability to voice your concerns about breast size, shape and asymmetry to our surgical team. During the consultation your anatomy and aesthetic goals can be evaluated and a customized plan created. If this involves breast augmentation as a way of addressing breasts that aren't perfectly symmetrical then we are happy to provide you with as much information as we can about what to expect.