“UneVen Breast”

Summer is in full swing and many of you may be on enjoying some time off at the beach or relaxing by the pool, while wearing your favorite swimsuit. There are few things that can compare to summer fun! Unfortunately, swimsuit season can make many women feel uncomfortable. One problem that many women share is breast asymmetry.

Breast Asymmetry or a noticeable difference in the size, shape or positioning of the breast or nipple is natural. In fact, everyone has some asymmetry. There is an old saying in plastic surgery, “The breasts are sisters not twins.” Differences in breast size, shape and nipple position are common and completely normal. An estimated 8 out of 10 women have some degree of uneven breasts. Many people may not even realize their breasts are uneven. Most of the time this is only a cosmetic concern. However, it is important to see a physician for an examination to rule out a breast mass or other serious conditions. Depending on the severity of breast asymmetry some women may also experience difficulties with their clothing, physical activity and chronic back pain. Some women have also reported significant self-esteem issues due to breast asymmetry.

The good news is there are several procedures dedicated to correcting breast asymmetry. The extent of these procedures vary depending on the patient and the severity of their condition. Some common procedures include: Breast lift (Mastopexy), Breast Reduction (Reshaping, Lift & Reduction in size), Breast Augmentation (with Implants or fat transfer) or a combination of procedures (Breast Lift with placement of implants). Occasionally, only one breast will need a procedure, but it’s more common to have both of the breasts operated on to achieve a more predictable result. Most of the time the procedure is done as an outpatient and the expected downtime includes: no driving for 3-4 days, no lifting objects greater than the weight of a gallon of milk for 1-2 weeks. Most patients are able to return to work in less than week.