Are your breasts noticeably uneven? Asymmetry is a common issue that a plastic surgeon can correct. If one breast is fuller, higher, or just different than the other, take a look at what you need to know about asymmetry, aesthetics, and your options.
Why Are Some Breasts Asymmetrical?
Some women have symmetrical (the same on both sides) breasts - and others don't. Research published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that
88 percent of the study's participants had some degree of unevenness. Asymmetry may include different cup sizes, nipple position, overall position, or shape.
There isn't one universal cause for asymmetry. Slight asymmetry is a natural occurrence for some women. This means there is no specific underlying cause. But other women may have unevenness due to a specific reason or underlying issue. These include pregnancy-related changes, benign cysts, fibrosis (higher amounts of fibrous breast tissue), hormonal changes (including the use of hormonal contraceptives), trauma, past surgery, and possibly breast cancer.
What Should You Do About Breast Asymmetry?
Is the uneven appearance a new or sudden change? If your breasts have always looked even, and not they don't, consult your medical provider. While new breast asymmetry isn't always a sign of cancer, it is a potential red flag - especially when it is combined with other symptoms, such as a lump. Your doctor may order a mammogram to look for abnormalities and to assess the breast tissue density.
Provided your doctor has ruled out breast cancer (or another medical cause), you're ready to take the next step and possibly make an aesthetic change. If you have naturally uneven breasts or asymmetry from a trauma or a previous surgery, a plastic surgeon can correct the issue. This may include an augmentation or a lift procedure.
How Can Augmentation Help You to Correct Asymmetry?
Asymmetric breasts may not require a full augmentation surgery. This procedure typically includes augmenting both breasts at the same time. If one breast is larger or fuller than the other, you may only need to change one. But this doesn't mean you can't select a full (both breasts) augmentation.
Some women who choose augmentation to correct asymmetry do select to change both breasts. This type of procedure allows you to eliminate the imbalance and add fullness to your overall bust-line. If you select this type of procedure, the implant sizes for each breast may differ to create an even appearance.
How Can a Breast Lift Help You to Correct Asymmetry?
While an augmentation procedure can help to create a symmetrical size or shape, it isn't your only option. Different positions, shapes, or nipple asymmetry may require a lift (or augmentation and lift). With a lift, the surgeon can reshape or reposition the breasts. This includes nipple repositioning. Even though a lift can correct some types of asymmetry, it won't change cup size differences.
Are There Other Options?
A breast augmentation or lift isn't always the answer to asymmetry issues. If you have larger breasts, you may want to consider reduction surgery. Also known as a reduction mammaplasty, this type of procedure decreases the overall size of the breasts. A surgeon removes excess fat and tissue to decrease the cup size.
Like augmentation, when done to create a more symmetrical appearance, a reduction may only include surgery for one breast. This type of procedure will make the larger breast the same size as the smaller one. If both breasts cause you physical or emotional discomfort, talk to the doctor about a reduction on both sides.
Do you want to learn more about breast asymmetry, augmentations, lifts, and reduction options? Contact the office of
Ronald C. Barry, MD, for more information.
