Mammary Asymmetry is the condition where one breast is a different size and/or shape than the other. While most women’s breasts are not exactly even, some women have breasts that are noticeably different that can affect the way their bras and clothing fit. This can have a negative impact on a woman’s self-esteem and confidence, so it is no surprise that women may want to correct mammary asymmetry.
Asymmetry of the breasts may be noted in:
- Breast volume
- Nipple position- both in position on the breast and in height on the chest wall
- Breast sagging or ptosis
- Breast width
- Cleavage
- Distance from the nipple to the breast fold
If you have breast asymmetry and you feel your breasts are both too small, the placement of breast implants of different sizes could correct both the difference in size and make both breasts larger and fuller. If you feel the breasts are large and full enough, then a breast lift to correct the nipple position and the volume discrepancy may be in order.
Kole Plastic Surgery at The Kole Plastic Surgery Center Center in Southampton, PA is experienced in correcting mammary asymmetry with breast augmentation and /or breast lift procedures. He is skilled in picking implants or performing a breast lift procedure that will best create an even look and feel of the breasts and make them more proportional to each other and the patient’s overall body.
Implants or Breast Lift?
In the case of mammary asymmetry in which the patient wishes the total breast volume to be larger, the decision to choose either silicone or saline implants does make a difference.
There are two basic options for correcting breast asymmetry with implants:
- using different size implants
- using the same size implants and filling them to different volumes.
With saline implants, the saline is filled after the implants are inserted into the body. Using saline implants allows your surgeon to tailor the total volume of the implant to correct for size differences in the natural breast tissue by varying the volume of saline placed inside the implant. However, if there is a significant size difference that needs to be corrected, the implant that is filled more may be firmer than the other implant, creating differences in how the breasts feel. Saline implants have a range of saline that can be added. This is usually 25- 30cc’s (about 1 ounce) depending on the manufacturer. If the volume of breast asymmetry is larger than that amount, then two different size implants will have to be used to create symmetry. Silicone implants on the other hand, come pre-filled from the manufacturer, and their volumes are not adjustable. Therefore two different size implants must be used.
When the option is chosen to use two different size silicone or saline breast implants, the width of the different size implants will also be slightly different, mildly contributing to the asymmetry that you are trying to correct.
Breast Lifts are performed with or without breast implants to decrease the skin envelope, eliminate ptosis, and reposition the nipple and areola complex to a more aesthetic position. The general rule is that if implants are needed to increase the volume, then the larger the implants, the more loose breast skin is filled up, the less skin needs to be removed, the smaller the scars.
Another consideration is that when different size implants are placed, the difference in weight contributes to different effects on the stretching of the skin and breast lifts will tighten the skin leading to less effect of gravity.
Finding a Surgeon You Trust
There are many variables that have to be considered in the pre-operative planning of breast asymmetry. There is a risk that corrective surgery may contribute to more mammary asymmetry and unwanted scarring leading to future revisionary surgeries so it is important to find a surgeon with expertise in this area. The key in making decisions about correcting mammary asymmetry is finding a surgeon who is able to explain to your options and is skilled in performing such procedures. Dr. Kole has had extensive success in mammary asymmetry corrective surgery, and his patients have been satisfied with the results. He will discuss with you your preferences in final breast size, implants or breast lift and will work with you to achieve your desired results.
For more information on breast augmentation to correct mammary asymmetry, contact The Kole Plastic Surgery Center Center at 215-315-7655 to schedule a consultation today.
