Breast Asymmetry: Yes, you can get them balanced

Are your breasts different sizes? Is it difficult to find well-fitting clothing? Are you bothered by this? Let’s start with the reality of breast asymmetry: It is a common occurrence that, oftentimes, women may not even notice that their breasts vary in size, form, shape, or positioning. Most often it is not cause for concern. But if the difference is noticeable and bothers you, it may be time to do something about it.

Causes of Asymmetrical Breasts

There are many reasons women have asymmetric breasts:

• Genetics
• Hormone level changes caused by anything and everything from puberty to menopause
• Weight gain or loss
• Motherhood including pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Traumatic injury
• Uneven rib cage formation during development
• The result of an underlying medical condition

Asymmetry and Breast Implants

One cause of asymmetry is when previously placed breast implants rupture, meaning a tear to the outer shell of the implant causes the filling to leak out. We also see this when women have capsular contracture, a common complication where the normally thin scar tissue capsule around the breast implant becomes thickened. If this happens, it can squeeze the implant, causing the breast to become misshapen or mis-positioned.

Breast Asymmetry Treatments

Regardless of the cause of your breast asymmetry, we have solutions for correcting it.

• Breast augmentation: It is very common to select different-size implants to balance out the difference in breast sizes. In some cases, you may only need one implant if there is a significant size difference.
• Fat transfer breast augmentation: This is an excellent way to balance the difference in breast sizes if you’re looking for a modest increase in one or both breasts. This uses your fat, which we harvest from an area where you don’t want it and artfully inject it where it’s needed.
• Breast reduction: Some women are overly endowed but that doesn’t mean their breasts are evenly sized. Reduction surgery allows us to remove excess size “unevenly,” so the result is smaller, balanced breasts.
• Breast lift: This surgery alters the breasts’ positions. Keep in mind that a breast lift raises the breasts but does not change their size. That’s why we usually combine a lift with augmentation and reduction surgery so that the change in breast sizes and shapes are also positioned more appropriately.

Get balanced

You don’t have to be unhappy with your asymmetrical breasts. That’s why we recommend scheduling a consultation and see which approach will work best for you. Please contact our patient coordinators to schedule your confidential consultation. Contact us or send us an email at [email protected]. __________ Lawrence Iteld, MD, is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the Illinois Society of Plastic Surgery. A highly regarded Chicago based plastic surgeon, Dr. Iteld has received awards from Chicago Magazine’s Top Docs, and Castle Connolly Top Doctors®, and is a Key Opinion Leader with Allergan Aesthetics.