Breast Asymmetry Sydney

Almost all women have some asymmetry between their breasts – breasts are “sisters not twins”. Some people have a significant difference in either the volume and shape of their breasts.

What Is Breast Asymmetry?

This procedure is performed to correct dissimilarity in breast size, shape or alignment of the nipple. Many women will have one breast which is slightly larger than the other, and this is generally less than a bra cup size. Breast asymmetry can be caused by pregnancy, menopause or genetics. However, in some instances, there are women who notice that one breast is distinctly larger in shape and size than the other. In these instances, breast asymmetry can help. This procedure is conducive to be the most successful when the breasts are different in size only. In circumstances where the breasts differ in shape as well as size, this is more ambiguous

Am I Suitable For Breast Asymmetry Surgery?

Some women are impaired by a condition known as tuberous breasts. Fundamentally, this occurs where the breasts are shaped like tubes, hence the name. The breast manifests as tubular in shape rather than conical. In such cases surgery can help by utilizing breast implants to increase the size of the breasts and give a natural rounded appearance. Breast augmentation surgery can also assist if a patient has nipple asymmetry (where the nipple is positioned abnormally from the other).

In instances where the patient has one breast which differs in size and shape in comparison to the other breast; breast asymmetry surgery is an option. This is achieved by conducting breast enlargement surgery (increasing the size of the breast) or by breast reduction surgery (reducing the size of the breast).

Benefits Of Breast Asymmetry Surgery?

You will notice that breasts appear much more symmetrical. It will rely on which technique Dr Turner has used, however, your breast will be higher, toned and firmer in appearance. Both breasts will appear evenly balanced and alike, they may not however be 100% perfect, as this is impossible to achieve.

They will manifest as equally proportioned and any dissimilarity will be very difficult to verify. Patient expectations play a fundamental part in the entire process, therefore if you have realistic expectations the results will also be pragmatic.

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What Does Breast Asymmetry Surgery Involve?

A general anaesthetic will be administered. Dr Turner will make a small incision in the natural crease under the breast (breast crease). A combination of techniques may be adapted to perform a breast lift, breast reduction and breast augmentation surgery. The procedure may last 1 hour to 4 hours depending on the approach used.

The objective is to balance the size and shape of the breasts in order that they are symmetrical. This particular surgery can also correct breast ptosis (breast drooping).

Surgical Solutions for Breast Asymmetry

With the latest advances in cosmetic breast surgery it is possible to have natural-looking, symmetrical breasts that enhances your self-esteem and compliments your body shape. However it must be highlighted that breast asymmetry correction is a challenging procedure that requires an experienced Specialist Plastic Surgeon, who can offer the many techniques required, such as:

1. Breast augmentation with breast implants

A breast implant can be positioned on the smaller breast to improve breast volume and improve overall breast symmetry. If a women would like the overall breast to be bigger on both sides, than we have the option of either using different sized breast implants to create symmetry, or the preferred method is using the same sized breast implant on both sides and performing a breast lift or reduction on the larger side or both to give the best result in terms of volume and shape.

2. Breast reduction

A breast reduction may be performed only on the larger breast in order to match smaller breast in shape and volume. However, if they desire both breasts to be small overall, we can perform a breast reduction on both sides, with customisation of amount of breast tissue removal to achieve breast symmetry.

3. Breast lift

In women with one breast that is slightly larger, often with the nipple / areolar lower than the contralateral breast (frequently after breastfeeding), than a breast lift on one side only is frequently performed. However most commonly, especially in patients with tuberous breast anomaly we perform a breast lift combined with a breast implant, plus the addition of fat grafting to improve both breast volume and shape.

4. Breast tissue modification

In women with severe breast asymmetry, we often need to modify the breast glandular tissue to allow the breast implant to expand an often tight or constricted breast. This has historically been done by cutting and reshaping the breast tissue – glandular scoring with excellent results. However using the latest fat grafting techniques, we can expand the deficient aspects of the breast tissue by carefully using your body’s own fat tissue and re-injecting it into the breast tissue at the same time as we perform the breast implant surgery. If the breast asymmetry is extremely, to give a more reliable and safe outcome we may elect to stage the breast reconstruction by using a breast tissue expander prior to performing the final breast implant surgery.

Asymmetric Tuberous Breast Deformity

Tuberous breast anomaly or deformity has had many names, including constricted breast, tubular breast deformity, snoopy breast, herniated areolar complex, and lower pole breast hypoplasia. Many patients do not know they have tuberous breast deformity, having lived their lives thinking their breasts are not quite right. They don’t realize how common this condition is, and there are many effective surgical techniques available to correct and restore a natural breast shape.

Tuberous breast deformity has a wide range of severity and is defined by conditions such as the following:

A breast that is small or underdeveloped
A high or tight breast fold
Deficiency of skin in the lower half of the breast
A large areola with herniation of breast tissue
Droopy breast with nipples sitting low or downwards pointing

Correction of Tuberous Breasts

Correction of tuberous breast deformity is one of the most challenging aspects of cosmetic breast surgery and may require a multi-staged procedure by a Specialist Plastic Surgeon to get the optimal result desired.

In mild cases of tuberous breast anomaly, a breast augmentation with an anatomical breast implant can solve the problem and restore a natural breast shape. As the breast is constricted or tight in the lower pole of the breast, scoring of the breast gland or more commonly fat grafting is often performed to releasing the tight breast tissue to allow the implant to fill and expand the lower aspect of the breast. A mastopexy or breast lift may be required at the same time as the breast augmentation to correct the breast herniation and enlarged areola at the same time.
In more severe cases of tuberous breast anomaly, when the patient has little breast skin / volume, a staged procedure may be required with a tissue expander that recruits extra tissue along with fat grafting to the breast during the initial procedure. In the second procedure, a breast implant along with a second round of fat grafting and mastopexy is performed.

Fat Grafting

One of the biggest advances in the correction of tuberous breast anomaly has been the addition of fat grafting. The ability to combine fat grafting to enhance and restore the volume deficiency of the breast, especially in the lower aspect of the breast with a breast augmentation has allowed a much more natural breast shape to be created. Utilising the latest fat grafting techniques has allowed greater fat graft survival with improved cosmetic outcomes.

Poland’s Syndrome

Women with Poland’s Syndrome have very obvious asymmetry in their chest wall with significant underdevelopment of the breast on the affected side. Poland’s Syndrome has a wide spectrum of abnormalities that affect the chest wall and upper limbs, in addition to the underdeveloped breast these may include:

Absence of the pectoral component of the pectoralis major muscle
High nipple position or absence of nipple
Narrow chest width on the affected side
Absent ribs or sternum
Hand abnormalities on the affected side

While mild cases can be treated with a breast augmentation procedure alone. In more severe cases, extensive reconstruction is necessary. The options include tissue expander with breast implant, fat grafting, latissimus muscle reconstruction or transverse rectus myocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction.

Rib Cage Abnormalities

In women with significant rib cage abnormalities, they can present with breast asymmetry. If the ribs are deficient or very prominent, this in turn can affect the size and projection of the breast, such that in women with a prominent rib on one side can have a breast that appears much larger, and vice versa.

This is a very common variation that needs to be identified during your consultation as women may not be aware of her rib cage asymmetry and it has significant implications in the selection of your implants and the final results of any breast augmentation procedure.

Breast Hypoplasia

Breast hypoplasia is due to the lack of development of the breast during puberty; characteristically the breast is either absent or very small. This is the most common form of breast asymmetry and is usually corrected by breast augmentation of the affected side. However, many women seek augmentation of both sides by using different-sized implants to gain fuller, more natural-looking breasts to complement their body shape.

Next Steps

Your Cosmetic Plastic surgery consultation

During your consultation, Dr Turner will discuss your goals, and provide an in-depth explanation of your desired surgery and what that means for you. He can also discuss different surgical techniques, benefits, and risks of procedures available.

Most importantly, however, this is the time for you to have all of your questions answered and to be completely listened to and understood by your surgeon. We ask that you please come prepared with any questions you may have for Dr Turner, and look forward to discussing your individualised plan.

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Research

Ensure you have done your research, both on your desired surgery, as well as your surgeon.

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Book a consultation

Submit an enquiry through our website or give us a call before booking your consultation. To ensure you are a suitable candidate for your desired procedure, Dr Turner asks to review your images before making a booking. This saves time and money if you are not a suitable candidate, in which case our lovely team will help direct you to an alternative procedure.

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Meet with Dr Turner

Once your images have been approved and your consultation has been booked, we ask that you prepare any questions you may have for Dr Turner, as well as some images of desired outcomes for your surgery, this helps ensure you and Dr Turner are on the same page when discussing realistic results.

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Keep up-to-date

Keep up-to-date with what’s happening in Dr Turner’s clinics around NSW by following our Instagram @faceplus.aesthetics and @drscottjturner

Ready to take the next step?

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions about Breast Asymmetry Surgery

What Are The Risks Involved With This Type Of Surgery?

As applicable to any surgical procedure, there are small risks involved. Even though rare, complications may arise such as bleeding, infection, excessive pain, and shortness of breath. There could be a reduction in nipple sensation, haematoma development, capsular contracture, and fluid formation around the implant.

Will I Need Further Surgery After Breast Asymmetry Surgery?

If you have had a breast augmentation as part of your procedure your breast implants will generally last for approximately ten to fifteen years. After this period has passed you will need to have them removed and replaced. The ageing process, pregnancy, childbirth and gravity can also have an impact on your breasts. Future surgery may be needed if you have experienced excessive weight loss.

What Do The Post-Operative Consultations Involve?

These consultations are designed to review your post-operative progress. Here at the Northern Beaches cosmetic Plastic Surgery we prefer to check on your progress at 1 week, 3-4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and at the twelve month periods. During these visits, breast symmetry, breast volume, wound care, scar examination, post-operative images will be taken, and exercise regimes will be advised. Dr Turner will discuss any issues you may have during the consultations and address them accordingly.

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When should I have a facelift?

There is no defined age that is best to undergo facelift surgery – we all age differently according to our genetics and environmental experiences such as sun exposure, skin care and smoking. Facelifts can be performed from early 40′s to late 70′s. Benefits usually last longer when a facelift is performed on a younger person who still have good skin elasticity.

How long will my facelift last?

Due to the natural ageing process and the effects of gravity. Facial ageing will unfortunately continue. With that being said, your face will always look younger than it did if you had never had a facelift done. Overall, this procedure tends to reset the clock, leading to a 10+ year advantage over individuals of the same age. If, over time, you would like an additional facelift, it is generally not as comprehensive as the initial surgery.

Will people be able to see that I’ve had a facelift?

After getting a facelift, many patients mention that their friends and family make remarks about how they look fresh and rested. People might ask if you have been away on holiday or if you’ve “changed something”. There is no characteristic look of a facelift. Forget about the problems with the old fashioned unnatural face lifts. Modern procedures are undetectable. The procedure simply restores your youthful look and no one will be able to tell you’ve had anything done. You’ll just look like a well-rested and fresh version of you.

Do you do fat transfer as part of a facelift?

Fat transfer are an integral component of any facelift surgery, to give complete rejuvenation of the face. The concept of the volumetric facelift, combines the benefit of restoring facial volume associated with ageing with fat injections combined with lifting and tightening the deeper facial structures with a SMAS facelift procedure. There are very few patients that don’t benefit from the addition of fat grafting as part of a facelift procedure.

Will I have any scars?

The incisions used during a facelift, will depend on the procedure and the technique used. For instance, the incisions made for a traditional facelift will differ from a short-scar facelift or midface lift. With incisions made in natural borders, hairlines, and folds, once fully healed, they will be barely noticeable. At first, they may be pink and slightly raised, but within the first few months, they will begin to quickly fade.

How quickly will stitches be removed? How quickly will I heal?

Once you leave the hospital, a follow-up appointment will be made within the first 7 days. At this time, Dr Turner will assess your wounds and remove stitches. After this step is completed, it’s recommended that you commence topical silicone ointment along the incision line. Overall, most patients look presentable after the first 2 weeks. The full healing time for soft tissue and skin will be around 6 months. Although scaring may be red and itchy at first, within the first few months, they’ll begin to lighten. After 1-2 years, they will soften and be barely noticeable.

How long will I need to take off work?

More patients can return to work after 2 weeks following surgery. Within the first 3 days, you will likely experience swelling, which then settles after approximately 1 week. Overall, the healing process is rapid, and you will be able to return to your regular routine within 2-3 weeks. At 2 weeks, for instance, you can generally begin to perform light exercise, gently increasing activity levels over 6 weeks.

Will I need a drain after my facelift?

Yes, in most cases. Drains are used to gather excessive fluid after a facelift procedure. Your drain will be removed the day after your procedure. If you’re having a short scar facelift in a limited area, you might not need a drain. Dr Turner will advise you before the procedure so you know exactly what to expect.

Do hairlines shift after a facelift?

During your consultation with Dr Turner we evaluate which incision placement is best suited for you. If you require a large amount of skin removal than an incision placed along the hair line will minimize any hairline shifts which are an unfortunate stigma of having a poorly executed facelift surgery.

About Dr Scott Turner FRACS (Plas) – Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Dr Scott J Turner has spent a lifetime acquiring the qualifications, education, training, and hands-on surgical experience to perform superior cosmetic plastic surgery to give you beautiful results. He is one of Sydney’s great Specialist Plastic Surgeons with a focus on face surgeries in New South Wales.
Achieving this personal goal requires not only in-depth knowledge of human anatomy and refined surgical techniques but an ongoing commitment to learning the latest procedures around the world. This is why Dr Turner regularly attends both local and international surgeon meetings – discussing these advances with the leaders around the world in order to offer you the most effective and safest surgical procedures.
Dr Turner and his highly trained staff will do everything to ensure that you are fully informed, while providing exceptional cosmetic plastic surgery, in a personal and caring environment.