How Breast Implants Help With Uneven Breasts

Facial symmetry is thought to be one of the universal hallmarks of attractiveness. It’s also true for women’s breasts, but the fact is asymmetrical breasts are quite common. Usually, though, the unevenness is minimal and doesn’t cause concern. When the difference in size, shape, or position of the breasts is noticeable, it can make a woman self-conscious. One solution is breast augmentation at our Richmond, VA, plastic surgery practice.

Will Breast Implants Correct Your Asymmetry?

Not all breast asymmetry is the same. It’s important to understand the reasons breasts appear significantly different. Breast asymmetry is especially common among adolescent girls whose breasts are still developing. Genetics is the primary reason a woman’s breasts are asymmetrical, and the condition might be of little concern to some.

Other reasons for uneven breasts include:

• Hormonal changes: This may occur during puberty or when adult women ovulate. One breast or another may actually increase in size temporarily but then return to normal size.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: The hormone changes that occur when a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding also change the size of her breasts. These changes may not occur uniformly, creating asymmetry or increasing the unevenness that was already present. The changes to the breasts may remain even after a woman stops breastfeeding.
• Trauma: Any injury that results in trauma to breast tissue can change its shape, size, or position on the chest.

Using breast implants to correct asymmetry is a solution when the differences are permanent. Breast asymmetry can occur when one breast is underdeveloped (hypoplastic asymmetry) or if a breast is excessively large (a condition called macromastia).

Correcting asymmetry isn’t simply about cosmetic concerns for many patients, especially young women. A study published in October 2020 in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), documented the psychological benefits of plastic surgery for young women with congenital breast asymmetry.

How Breast Augmentation Corrects Asymmetry

An experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with an artist’s eye can create beautiful results for patients concerned about having noticeably uneven breasts. Our gallery of before-and-after photos features some of our actual breast augmentation patients.

Women who want to increase their breasts’ overall size or who would like to match the size of their larger breast can get the desired results with breast implants. Patients can choose breast implants at our Richmond practice filled with cohesive silicone gel or saline, as with any breast augmentation surgery. In both cases, different sizes of implants are used in each breast to correct the asymmetry and create results that look natural. You can even get a preview of the possible results by using the Vectra 3D imaging system at our practice.

Breast augmentation may not be the solution for all patients with breast asymmetry. Some women may want breast reduction surgery so that the larger breast matches the size of the smaller breast. A breast lift can also help women more concerned about the shape of one breast compared to the other.

Whatever concerns you have about your breasts’ size or shape, we can help you feel more confident about their appearance through cosmetic breast surgery. Contact us using the online form to request a consultation or call us at (804) 267-6009 to schedule an appointment.