Breast Asymmetry

Breast asymmetry is a prevalent issue amongst women, as there are very few women with completely symmetrical breasts. In most instances, the difference is minimal or barely noticeable, but for some individuals, breast asymmetry can be a more prominent concern. Breast asymmetry surgery aims to correct one or both breasts’ shape, size, or position to make them more equal in appearance through surgical breast techniques. While we cannot achieve perfect symmetry with surgery, the appropriate procedure will depend on the extent and severity of the asymmetry and how much correction is needed. Breast asymmetry surgery can involve:

• Creating a fuller breast to correct the lack of breast tissue through breast augmentation mammoplasty using an implant or fat graft
• Reducing breast size through breast reduction mammoplasty surgery
• Using a combination of breast augmentation mammoplasty and reduction mammoplasty makes both breasts fuller or smaller
• Repositioning ptotic breasts by lifting them with breast lift (mastopexy) surgery or combining this procedure with augmentation mammoplasty

What causes breast asymmetry?

Medical conditions, lifestyle, and health factors can contribute to developing asymmetrical breasts, including:

• Tubular breasts or breast hypoplasia – can develop in one or both breasts during puberty
• Amazia or amastia – a condition causing developmental problems of the breast tissue, nipple, or areola
• Poland syndrome – a condition causing underdeveloped chest muscles, which can affect the breast on one side
• Juvenile hypertrophy – a condition during teenage years where one breast grows more significantly than the other one
• Uneven breast development during puberty where breasts can develop at a different pace and may appear asymmetrical until they have finished growing or may remain throughout a woman’s life
• Hereditary factors
• Extreme weight fluctuations
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Trauma or injury to breasts that may cause shrinkage or enlargement
• Breast cancer treatment, such as a mastectomy

Every woman’s breast asymmetry develops differently, meaning that no surgery is the same. Plastic surgeon Dr Matt Starr understands this. His passion for breast surgeries has gained him a wealth of knowledge and experience, designing individualised procedure plans for every patient based on the extent of their asymmetry and anticipated outcomes.

What can be achieved with breast asymmetry surgery?

Women seek breast asymmetry surgery for a number of reasons, including concerns about:

• Breast and nipple position
• The dimensions, shape, or volume of the breasts
• Visible asymmetry between the breasts
• Discomfort due to weight imbalance

It is essential to be aware that the results of breast asymmetry procedures are not the same for everyone, and if implants are used, a future surgery may be required to replace them after a certain amount of time. We also advise patients that pregnancy and massive weight gain or loss can also affect and change the results of your surgery, which is why it is generally recommended that patients wait until they have stopped childbirth and breastfeeding. We recommend that all individuals have completely developed breasts, as further development can also cause changes. For more extensive information on the procedure, consultation, and risks or complications associated with breast asymmetry surgery, please visit our other breast procedure pages.