Anisomastia (Breast Asymmetry)

A woman’s breasts are never the exact same size and shape, but the difference is rarely noticeable. For women with more prominent asymmetry, this issue can impact their lives. Asymmetrical breasts can differ in their size, shape or the way they hang, but no matter what the reason for the differences, it can be a significant cosmetic concern for women that have to try to hide the noticeable disproportion. Some women may develop curvature of their spine or twisting of their shoulders as they try to cope with the imbalanced weight of asymmetrical breasts.

With more than 24 years of experience in breast surgery, Dr Teston is qualified to handle even the most challenging anisomastia (breast asymmetry) concerns. This is an area she is particularly passionate about, because the ability to correct these imbalances can directly impact your quality of life. When you choose Dr Teston for your anisomastia (breast asymmetry) surgery, you can rest assured she will spend the necessary time to understand your concerns and help you weigh all of your surgical options to achieve the best possible results for you.

Before Anisomastia (Breast Asymmetry) Surgery

When you are considering surgery to correct asymmetries to the breasts, there are a few questions to ask yourself. First, are you happy with the size and shape of one of the breasts and would you like the other breast to match it? Maybe you are dissatisfied with both breasts and want a procedure that will enhance their appearance as well as balance your look. You may also be concerned about the appearance of your nipples and areolas if they are not even.

Your specific aesthetic goals need to be defined prior to your surgery to ensure you achieve results that are as close to those goals as possible. With the primary aim of balance and proportion in mind, there are a variety of options for your anisomastia (breast asymmetry) surgery:

• Augmentation Mammoplasty (Breast Augmentation) – This procedure uses synthetic implants to change the size of the breasts. When the breasts are noticeably different, two implant sizes can be used to even out the imbalance. An implant can also be placed in just one breast to bring the size even with the other breast.
• Reduction Mammoplasty (Breast Reduction) – You can also choose to reduce the size of one or both breasts to make them more symmetrical. Reduction mammoplasty (breast reduction) removes excess tissue and skin while creating a pleasing breast shape.
• Mastopexy (Breast Lift) – This procedure actually lifts the breasts to a higher position, ensuring both nipples point outward rather than downward. This procedure may be recommended if you have one breast that droops more than the other, causing your entire upper body profile to appear off balance.

In some cases, just one of these procedures might do the trick, while other patients may need a combination to achieve the best possible results. Most of the time, a mastopexy (breast lift) can be performed at the same time as augmentation or reduction, to make the corrections with just one time under anaesthesia and one recovery process. It is also possible that you might require more than one surgery to fully correct the asymmetry. Whatever the issue, Dr Teston will work with you to determine the best approach for your specific needs.

During Anisomastia (Breast Asymmetry) Surgery

Your anisomastia (breast asymmetry) surgery will be performed under general anaesthesia in an accredited hospital. The length of the procedure will vary, based on the specific techniques used. If more than one procedure will be performed, every effort will be made to use the same incisions for both to minimise visible scarring.

After your breast procedure, you will spend a few hours in recovery. If you do go home the same day, you will need to have someone with you for at least the first 24 hours after your procedure in case any needs arise. In some cases, you might spend a night in the hospital under the watchful eye of a caring nursing staff. It is possible you will go home wearing a compression garment or surgical bra designed to hold the breasts in position during the healing process and minimise post-operative swelling.

After Anisomastia (Breast Asymmetry) Surgery

It is likely you will be able to return to most of your regular activities within about two weeks, although the specific length of time will depend on the procedure you undergo and how quickly your body recovers. Strenuous exercise and lifting will be prohibited for an extra two weeks to give your breasts ample time to heal fully. Once the swelling subsides, your full, permanent results will become evident.

Potential Risks and Complications 

All surgery carries some degree of risk. Some of the possible complications of breast surgery, depending on the procedure, include:

• Bleeding and infection
• Allergic reaction to suture materials, tape adhesive or other medical materials and topical lotions or ointments
• Changes in breast and nipple sensation
• Temporary or permanent areas of numbness
• Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
• Keloid, or lumpy scar tissue, which is raised and irregularly shaped and may be inflamed and itchy
• Capsular contracture, where firm scar tissue forms around the implant causing it to lose shape and softness
• Inappropriate implant size
• Implant rupture or deflation
• Asymmetry or unevenness of the breasts
• Calcium deposits in the scar capsule around the implant
• Granulomas, or lumps, in local lymph node tissue formed by leaking silicone
• Breastfeeding difficulties, including reduced milk supply
• Reduced effectiveness of breast cancer screening, as an implant may hide breast tissue (and tumours) during a mammogram
• Movement of the implants from their original position
• Further surgery to treat complications
• Risks of anaesthesia including allergic reaction or potentially fatal cardiovascular complications such as heart attack
• Blood clot in the deep veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis), which can move to the lungs (pulmonary embolus) or to the brain and may be life threatening

This is not a complete list. For example, your medical history or lifestyle may put you at increased risk of certain complications. Speak to your medical practitioner for more information.

Breast Registry Information for Augmentation and Reconstruction

Patients can have the confidence that all of the information regarding breast implants are recorded into The Australian Breast Device Registry. All of the hospitals that Dr Teston is affiliated with; Kareena Private, St George Private and Bankstown Public will, following your surgery, input your information into the database of the registry. This is so that in the future if you ever require the information about the implants it can be retrieved from The Australian Breast Device Registry. This information collated includes type of implants used, manufacture, serial numbers, reason for surgery and the technique used and is a secure approved National Register.

Anisomastia (breast asymmetry) is a serious cosmetic concern that can lead to the inability to wear some garments due to the disproportion of the upper body. Surgery to correct the imbalance can be highly successful and satisfying when it is performed by a plastic surgeon experienced in all types of breast surgery. To learn more about your options in anisomastia (breast asymmetry) surgery, contact Dr Teston’s office on (02) 9708 3511 to schedule your personal consultation.

*The information about Anisomastia (Breast Asymmetry) was reviewed by Dr Leana Teston. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.