What is breast asymmetry?
Breast asymmetry refers to any problem where one breast differs from the other in volume, shape, or size, or where the nipple level and diameter differ, whether due to congenital or developmental disorders, pregnancy and breastfeeding, or hormonal imbalances. In breast asymmetry correction surgery, considering the patient’s requests, breast structure, and size, one or more of the following methods—reduction, augmentation, lifting, or fat injections—are used to correct the asymmetry between the breasts, either on one breast or both breasts.
How does breast asymmetry occur?
Differences in shape, size, and placement between breasts, where one nipple level and diameter are not the same as the other, are defined as “breast asymmetry.” Patients describe these conditions as “breast deformity” or “breast disproportion.” Differences in breast size can be congenital or developmental.
- Congenital breast anomalies; some breast anomalies (such as tuberous breast) do not develop over time due to age, birth, or illness, but are present at birth. It is recommended that congenital breast asymmetries be corrected at the earliest opportunity, at the age suggested by a plastic surgeon.
- Breast asymmetry, or differences in breast size, can occur due to various factors including breast infections before breast development, changes in the receptor cells of breast tissue during puberty, and menopause.
- Breast asymmetry can occur when breasts, which grow during pregnancy and breastfeeding, do not shrink at the same rate by the end of these periods.
- In cases of extreme weight changes, breast asymmetry can occur because the two breasts may not shrink or grow at the same rate.
- A problem in one or both breasts, caused by internal or external factors, can lead to breast asymmetry.
- Women who experience breast volume loss due to aging may develop breast asymmetry problems.
- Differences in shape and size between breasts can also occur due to trauma and surgeries.
- Breast asymmetry can occur after surgery for breast cancer.
What are the signs of breast asymmetry?
- Both breasts are different shapes and sizes.
- One of the breasts is either completely undeveloped or underdeveloped.
- One breast is normal while the other is large, or both are large and sagging.
- The size or shape of the breast areola (the brown, round area around the nipple) varies.
- The level and diameter of the nipple differ from one another.
- The difference in shape and size between the breasts is obvious.
What psychological distress can breast asymmetry cause?
In women, it can cause significant problems affecting their lives and social interactions, particularly leading to a lack of self-confidence and psychological distancing from the opposite sex. If we were to list asymmetry problems:
- A person who loses self-confidence withdraws from social situations.
- They do not want to be intimate with the opposite sex before marriage or during the period of intimacy with their partner.
- This can lead to problems such as being unable to wear the clothes she wants due to her constant efforts to camouflage her breasts when choosing clothes.
- Underwear can cause physical and psychological discomfort due to different breast (chest) sizes.
- The psychological trauma caused by noticeable breast disproportion, especially during adolescence, negatively affects a person’s entire life.
Treatment of breast asymmetry problems.
- How is it diagnosed?
Breast asymmetry is diagnosed after examination and measurements by a specialist in Aesthetic, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery. The appropriate treatment method is determined based on the degree of disproportion and deformity between the breasts and shared with the patient. - Before surgery
- The first stage involves examining the patient and listening to their expectations. After the examination, the degree of breast asymmetry is determined, and the extent of the asymmetry is discussed with the patient.
- Breast shape, the condition of the breast skin, the ideal position of the nipple, and the patient’s age are all factors that influence the surgery. The method to be used in the surgery is decided according to the degree of asymmetry.
- After determining whether excessively large breasts can be reduced in size, small breasts can be enlarged with breast implants (silicone prostheses), or whether fat injection instead of implants (silicone prostheses) would be sufficient, the most suitable surgical technique is decided upon.
- Before surgery, breast ultrasound is requested for patients under 40 years of age, and breast mammography is requested for patients over 40 years of age.
- Blood thinners such as aspirin should be discontinued at least one week beforehand.
- Smoking and alcohol consumption should be stopped at least 1-2 weeks before the surgery and should not be used during the post-operative recovery period.
- Jewelry should be removed on the day of surgery, makeup should be avoided, hair care products such as hair gel should not be used, and comfortable clothing should be brought for post-operative comfort.
- Eating and drinking should be stopped 6 hours before the operation, and you should be at the hospital at least 2 hours before the scheduled operation time.
- How is the surgery performed?
Breast asymmetry problems are treated with breast aesthetic surgeries. Depending on the technique used, the surgery, performed under local or general anesthesia, takes between 30 minutes and 2.5 hours in an operating room.If both breasts are small but different in shape, the asymmetry between the breasts is corrected using implants (breast prostheses) of different sizes or fat injection methods. If one breast is normal and the other is small, breast implants or fat injection are applied to the smaller breast. If one breast is normal and the other is very large, breast reduction surgery is performed to correct the breast asymmetry problem. If there is nipple asymmetry, nipple aesthetics are performed so that both nipples are in the same position. In gynecomastia surgery seen in men, both breasts are brought to the same size with liposuction or breast reduction. For detailed information about gynecomastia, you can click the link.
- Post-operative recovery processes
The recovery process for patients with breast asymmetry varies depending on the aesthetic surgery method and technique used. While patients who undergo breast asymmetry surgery with only fat injection can return to their daily activities within 1-2 days, breast augmentation, reduction, lifting, or nipple aesthetics procedures may require 3-5 days for the patient to return to daily activities.- Following breast reduction and augmentation procedures to correct asymmetry, patients may experience some pain or discomfort for the first few days. This period can be minimized with pain medication prescribed by your surgeon.
- After breast surgery, surgical or sports bras are worn for 6-8 weeks to help reduce swelling quickly and improve patient comfort. Following the plastic and aesthetic surgeon’s recommendations, patients should avoid strenuous sports and activities for a few weeks.
- Patients can shower 1-2 days after surgery.
- To ensure a faster recovery process after cosmetic surgery used to treat asymmetry problems, it is recommended that patients who smoke and drink alcohol quit for a while.
How much do breast asymmetry treatment costs?
In Turkey, the Ministry of Health has prohibited official healthcare institutions, such as aesthetic clinics and hospitals, from sharing prices for aesthetic treatments on their websites.Prof. Dr. Şükrü YazarTo get information about the current breast augmentation prices for 2021, you can use the contact channels below.
- Telephone: +90 212 257 1515 Pbx (You can call Mon-Sat: 09:00-19:00.)
- WhatsApp: +90 541 334 3484 (You can send messages 24/7.)
- Pre-Appointment Form (You can use the “Submit a Question” option.)
- info@sukruyazar.com (You can send an email.)
- Communication (Contact us(You can submit your requests using the contact form on this page.)
- Address (Harbiye Mah. Valikonağı Cad. Marmara Apt. No:16 Kat:1 D:2 P.K 34367 Nişantaşı – Şişli/İstanbul)
You can learn everything you want to know about aesthetic breast surgeries by clicking on the image below.
Breast Asymmetry Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Frequently asked questions and answers about breast asymmetry aesthetic surgery before, during, and after the procedure.
At what age can I have cosmetic surgery to correct breast asymmetry?
The age limit for asymmetric breast surgery is considered to be 18, as this is required to ensure the patient’s bone and breast tissue are fully developed; however, in cases of psychological trauma, the age limit may be lowered to below 18.
I have an asymmetrical problem in my breasts and I want to have surgery. Are there any risks involved?
As with any surgery, cosmetic surgery for asymmetrical breasts can have some complications such as bleeding, infection, and wound healing problems. However, thanks to new technologies and surgical techniques used today, these surgeries are almost 100% successful.
I am overweight and have a very noticeable asymmetry problem in my breasts, can I have surgery?
Weight fluctuations are a significant cause of breast asymmetry. It is best for the patient to maintain their current weight or to lose weight before surgery with the guidance of nutritionists and dieticians. Maintaining weight after cosmetic surgery is also crucial. The patient must resolve their weight problem to live a healthy and high-quality life. This commitment will also prevent many future breast problems.
I’m considering cosmetic surgery for my breast asymmetry, but will it leave scars afterwards?
The fat injection technique leaves no visible scars after the operation. In cases of asymmetry corrected with breast augmentation or reduction surgeries, the surgical and suture scars become less noticeable over time and are only visible upon close inspection.
Do breast surgeries performed to correct asymmetry problems interfere with breastfeeding?
In aesthetic asymmetric breast correction surgeries, milk ducts and mammary glands are preserved, so there are no issues that would prevent breastfeeding.
When should breast size discrepancies be corrected with surgery?
If the disproportions and asymmetries are small and do not bother the patient, it can be considered normal for the two breasts to be different from each other. In such cases, surgery is usually not necessary. However, situations where one breast is normal while the other is almost nonexistent, or one breast is excessively large or excessively small, can negatively affect the patient’s physical appearance and psychological well-being. It is recommended that such disproportionate breasts be treated with cosmetic surgery.
How is breast asymmetry (disproportion) diagnosed?
Patients experiencing this problem seek an answer to the question, “Can asymmetrical breasts be corrected?” Correction requires accurate diagnosis and measurements. Examinations and tests performed by aesthetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgeons reveal the extent and causes of the asymmetry (disproportion). Based on this, a treatment plan for the asymmetry is developed.
Is asymmetrical breast tissue a sign of breast cancer?
Breast asymmetry (disproportion) can result from congenital and developmental problems, as well as from factors such as childbirth, surgery, and menopause. Asymmetry is usually not a sign of cancer. However, if breast asymmetry is accompanied by hardness or a palpable mass, and if the related shape changes appear suddenly, a doctor should be consulted without delay.
What should be considered before breast asymmetry surgery?
Before breast asymmetry surgery, breast ultrasound is requested for patients under 40, and mammography for patients over 40. Consumption of blood-thinning medications, certain herbal teas, and nutritional supplements should be discontinued one week prior to surgery. The doctor should be informed about regularly used medications, and necessary adjustments should be made. Smoking and alcohol consumption should also be stopped 1-2 weeks before surgery and should not be used during the post-operative recovery period.
