Asymmetry Correction

Any considerable difference between the two sides of the breasts or chest wall can cause visual asymmetry both naked and in clothes. This can be due to unevenness of the chest wall skeleton or abnormalities in breast development. Patients seek an opinion not only for asymmetry, but also for other conditions that may cause both breasts to appear distorted. Certain examples include amastia (failure of breast development) and tuberous breasts, characterised but a tight lower pole, constricted breasts and large nipple areolar complexes. Although asymmetries are frequently the result of a developmental abnormality, there are situations where the differences are exaggerated later in life, usually after pregnancy and breastfeeding, large weight fluctuations, but also after surgery to one side. These can be complex issues, which require careful consideration and planning during a thorough consultation.

While complications with breast surgery are infrequent, no surgical procedure is without risks. The main risk is that more than one procedure may be necessary to achieve the desired result. There are also general risks such as scarring, persistence of a level of asymmetry, infection, bleeding, need for revision surgery and other specific risks depending on the technique used. These might involve fat transfer, mastopexy, augmentation with a silicone prosthesis or augmentation mastopexy in one or more operations. We would need to discuss these risks individually and in person. Please refer to the relevant individual procedure sections of this page for more details.

Recovery varies between one to two weeks. Incisions are generally healed within a week to ten days. As a general rule, you should avoid any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for six weeks after surgery. You are of course encouraged to move as normal, to minimise the risk of chest infections and leg clots. The final result including scar appearance is usually evident once all the swelling has subsided and this can take up to 12 months. Using a single layer of the provided micropore tape on the scars for 6 – 12 weeks, will give the best results possible. If this is not tolerated, scar surgical massage is a good alternative, starting after the first 3 weeks when all the wounds have healed. Scars should not be exposed to direct sunlight without the application of a high SPF cream for about a year and products such as Cicaplast contain both silicone and SPF block. There are however other alternatives. A post-operative surgical or sports bra (depending on the surgery), should be worn at all times for 6 weeks.

Generally speaking this surgery takes around 2-3 hours, although this varies depending on the nature of the procedure.

As a surgeon, I pride myself in taking the time to truly understand your aims and discussing what results will work best given your body shape and size. Although good results are expected, the natural body is not symmetric and almost everyone has some degree of natural unevenness, which may not be recognized in advance. I always meet all my patients at least twice before booking surgery, as planning and understanding some of the limitations of the techniques is key to a successful outcome. This is potentially very challenging surgery and I will always strive to achieve your desired results, but like all procedures, there are no guarantees for a perfect outcome.