Asymmetrical breasts are a well-known condition. From irregular development, to changes associated with breast feeding, pregnancy or hormonal fluctuations, breasts are notorious for being lop-sided.
Is there anything you can do about it?
As in many other conditions, it depends on the individual case. Breast asymmetry can present for a number of reasons. A women who notices an area of thickening or fullness, or notices asymetrical breasts that feel different from each other needs to consult with her doctor.
Any new breast changes can be due to hormonal changes, the menstrual cycle or can be a more serious concern, such as breast cancer. Benign fluid filled cysts can present as breast asymmetry when they are present in breast fibrous tissue.
Even if your mammogram is normal, an ultrasound is recommended to determine the cause of breast asymmetry. In women with dense breast tissue, an MRI may be needed to determine the cause of breast asymmetry.
If your breasts are asymmetrical in size or shape, you need to perform a self-breast exam to feel for any lumps, growths, or areas of thickness that could enlarge the breast. If you find any, consult a healthcare provider.
But enough seriousness!
Some women were just born with different size breasts. Nature loves asymmetry, and things that are paired are usually not identical. With technology improving all the time and safe and more effective anesthesia and surgical techniques, there are options available for the woman who wants her girls paired!
Surgeons recommend corrective surgery when breasts differ more than one bra cup size from each other. Surgery can be done, however, if requested for patients that have less than one cup size difference.
Usually surgical breast asymmetry correction is done in patients that are 18 or older. This is because until a patient fully reaches sexual maturity and finishes puberty, the breasts are still growing and changing size and shape.
Breasts begin to grow 2 years after a girl starts her menstrual cycle, and continue to grow for 2-4 years. After that, they should be the same size until pregnancy or menopause. A breast surgery rule of thumb is to wait at least three years after onset of menstruation to consider surgical breast correction.
There are exceptions to the rule – a condition called virgin hypertrophy leads to the development of extremely large breasts during the adolescent years. In these cases, plastic surgery can be done on girls 16 years of age and younger, and usually consists of modified liposuction.
How is Breast Asymmetry Corrected?
Breast correction procedures are chosen based on the individual patient’s needs. Usually, breast augmentation is performed on one or both breasts, but breast reduction can be done at the same time.
Women are generally satisfied with the outcome of the results, and surgical breast asymmetry correction is successful most of the time. It should be noted however that surgical breast asymmetry correction is mostly successful when the only difference between the breasts is size.
Recovery from Breast Asymmetry Surgery
Recovery after breast asymmetry correction varies depending on whether breast augmentation, reduction, or a combination of both was performed.
Most patients can expect some swelling, bruising, and temporary soreness. You may be advised to wear a surgical bra for support and to help shape the healing tissue. Most people return to work or school within a week, but strenuous activities and upper body exercises should be avoided for 4–6 weeks.
Always follow your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions to ensure optimal healing and the best cosmetic results.
Cost of Breast Asymmetry Surgery
The cost of breast asymmetry surgery can vary depending on the type of procedure performed, the surgeon’s experience, and the geographic location of the clinic. On average, breast correction surgery can range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more, especially if breast implants or additional procedures are involved.
This typically includes surgeon fees, anesthesia, operating room costs, and follow-up appointments. If the asymmetry causes physical or emotional discomfort, some insurance providers may offer partial coverage, so it’s worth consulting your policy or speaking with a board-certified plastic surgeon’s office for guidance.