Women being unhappy with the size and shape of their breasts is not a new phenomenon.
Few people are thrilled with every one of their body parts.
What we don’t often hear about are the women who are unhappy because one breast is significantly different from the other.
Known as breast asymmetry, women with this condition have one breast that is smaller, misshapen, higher, lower, or of a different skin quality than the other.
Breast asymmetry is more common than you might think.
Around half of all women will experience uneven breasts, or lopsided breasts, at some point in their lives.
The issue can cause deep psychological trauma in teens, which makes it more than a cosmetic issue.
Adult women are not immune to the mental health anguish caused by uneven breasts.
Asymmetrical breasts may not hinder you physically, but they can keep you from finding a proper bra that fits.
Your self-esteem may plummet, which can negatively affect your quality of life.
If you have uneven breasts and you don’t know where to turn, cosmetic surgery gives you a chance to finally have symmetrical breasts.
Surgical procedures like breast augmentation, breast reduction, and breast lift can bring balance to your contours.
Each of these procedures focuses on creating symmetrical and natural-looking breasts that complement your figure.
Contact Möein Surgical Arts to schedule a consultation with board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Babak Moein. Our staff can provide you with results that can restore your comfort with your appearance.
What Causes Asymmetrical Breasts?
There is no one cause of breast asymmetry.
Doctors use breast exams, mammograms, and other imaging equipment to evaluate the internal breast structure, which can be used to determine the cause of your lopsided breasts.
Breasts that develop differently in puberty could be that way because of hormone fluctuations or trauma.
Breast Asymmetry During Puberty
Breasts commonly grow to varied sizes in puberty. When this occurs, it is difficult to determine if the condition will follow the young woman into adulthood.
In many cases, the asymmetry will self-correct by the time the breasts fully develop around eighteen years of age.
Normal Asymmetric Variation
Some women will have asymmetric breasts that follow them into adulthood from puberty, leading to harmful physical and emotional effects, including body image issues.
Prepubescent Injury
In some instances, trauma to a breast before it is fully developed can lead to stunted growth.
Infection and radiation on one side of the chest can also lead to breast asymmetry.
Most breasts will temporarily become asymmetrical during ovulation when breast tissue changes naturally. The breasts will usually return to normal size during the menstrual cycle.
Other causes for asymmetrical breasts include weight gain or loss; mastectomy to treat breast cancer; poor results from a previous breast augmentation procedure; and mastitis – a breast infection, usually caused during breastfeeding.
Factors That Contribute to Breast Asymmetry
Breast asymmetry may involve breast volume, the position of the inframammary crease, or the positions or sizes of the areolas.
The breasts may be a different shape, and, in some cases, the breast skin is of a different quality from one breast to the other.
Can Cosmetic Surgery Fix Breast Asymmetry?
Breast asymmetry is easily corrected with cosmetic surgery.
There are four main procedures we typically look at when trying to add evenness to both breasts.
Breast augmentation surgery (natural or with implants) can give you the desired results, as can breast reduction and breast lift.
Each of these procedures is performed on an outpatient basis.
After cosmetic breast surgery, patients are fitted with a post-surgical bra. Wearing this surgical prosthesis for a few weeks aids in healing and preserves your results. The compression aspect of the bra also minimizes swelling, shortening the time it takes to witness the final results of surgery.
You may feel some slight discomfort following surgery, which can be managed with over-the-counter or prescription medication.
After around three days, you’ll be able to move around more easily, though you should avoid strenuous activity for at least a few weeks.
Your cosmetic surgeon will provide more specific instructions before surgery begins. The surgeon will also give you recommendations after surgery to help with aftercare, surgical dressing changes, and lessening the appearance of scars.
Here are the surgical options available to you for the treatment of asymmetrical breasts in greater detail.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation uses silicone or saline implants to add size and/or symmetry to both breasts.
You get to choose the size of the implants, which makes breast augmentation a customizable cosmetic surgery.
Whereas in the past, going the largest route was the popular choice, today’s breast implants are smaller for a more subtle growth effect.
The breast procedure can give you symmetrical breasts that appear natural and that complement your figure.
Natural Breast Augmentation
This type of breast augmentation can also add size and/or symmetry to your breasts. You can use natural breast augmentation with breast implants or without.
The treatment uses your own fatty tissue to add growth, volume, and shapeliness to both breasts.
The fat is extracted from a body part with excess fat to spare, such as your abdomen, upper thighs, or upper arms.
A bonus of using natural breast augmentation is you get to slim one area of your body while boosting another. Namely, you get to enhance your breast size, adding symmetry and beauty to your silhouette.
Breast Reduction
Many people incorrectly believe that breast reduction is solely for women with heavy breasts that pull against their back muscles.
While breast reduction is good for pendulous and heavy breasts, the procedure can also be used to add symmetry to uneven breasts.
What do you do when your breasts are slightly uneven, but you enjoy your current cup size? A breast reduction in the larger of the two breasts may give you the beauty enhancement you want.
Don’t be afraid to get a breast reduction to accommodate the smaller of your two breasts. Smaller breasts may work better on your frame better than larger breasts, giving you a perkier appearance.
Breast Lift
Breast asymmetry can sometimes accompany breast sag. Even if the breasts are similar in size, the sagginess makes the breasts appear asymmetrical.
Breast lift surgery is an excellent solution to this problem.
Breast sag can occur because of age, genetics, and following childbirth and breastfeeding.
A breast lift corrects these issues, as well as asymmetry, by removing excess tissue and lifting the breasts to a higher point on the chest.
In order to make both breasts even, the nipples will need to be repositioned to match the newly corrected breasts. The areolas can be resized and reshaped, then placed in the proper locations to give the breasts evenness.
Does Health Insurance Cover Breast Asymmetry Correction?
Health insurance companies typically cover procedures that are deemed medically necessary. Asymmetric breast correction is an elective procedure and thus is not covered by medical insurance.
There are other ways to pay for surgery other than relying on insurance. Medical financing options are available. With companies like CareCredit, you get to have surgery now so that you can worry about paying for the procedure later.
Ask about cosmetic surgery financing options the next time you visit or call Moein Surgical Arts.
Are You a Good Candidate for Breast Symmetry Surgery?
To be qualified for breast asymmetry correction, you should be an adult. When breasts grow uneven in puberty and as a young adult, it is too early to determine if the condition will persist into adulthood.
If you are over the age of eighteen and would like your breasts to match, cosmetic surgery may be right for you.
You should be in good general health with no underlying health issues and possess a healthy perspective on what is possible with cosmetic surgery.
During your initial consultation with Dr. Moein, you will receive a physical exam that can help determine the proper course of treatment to bring both breasts to their ideal size.
Patients with asymmetry are invited to ask questions during this time, including about surgical fees, health insurance, and any risks that may exist when having breast surgery.
The best candidates have achieved their ideal weight and don’t plan on major events like childbirth and breastfeeding in the future.
This is because major body changes like childbirth, breastfeeding, and weight gain or loss can skew results later in life.
If you can maintain your weight, your results can be permanent.
Book a Consultation Today
Dr. Babak Moein of Moein Surgical Arts understands that you have unique aesthetic concerns to address when seeking to correct lopsided breasts.
Dr. Moein and his professional surgical team take the time to listen to your needs and understand your cosmetic surgery goals.
By entering into our comfortable environment and by receiving a customized treatment plan, you are well on your way to breast symmetry and enhanced beauty using cosmetic surgery.
Get started by calling us in Los Angeles, Encino, Glendale, or from anywhere throughout Southern California. Dial (310)694-4486.