Relatively few people know that approximately 90% of women who have never undergone cosmetic breast surgery have breasts that are visibly uneven. Even when visible, this asymmetry is often fairly minor. But some women are self-conscious about having uneven breasts and choose to get breast augmentation at my Chicago practice as a solution.
There are a number of approaches to correcting breast asymmetry. Knowing the reason for the condition and determining its severity during a physical exam helps me create a customized surgical plan for each patient. In this blog post, I’ll point out the reasons for breast asymmetry and explain the surgical techniques I use to get the best possible results.
What Causes Uneven Breasts?
We often think of the body as being symmetrical, but the truth is that some degree of asymmetry occurs in most areas of the body, such as the hands, feet, legs, and face. Unevenness is most noticeable, though, in a woman’s breasts. Rarely are asymmetrical breasts the sign of some underlying health issue, but they can be a source of embarrassment for some women. The reasons for uneven breasts include:
- Hormonal changes that occur during puberty as one breast develops faster than the other
- Benign breast lumps that should be checked by a doctor
- Breastfeeding
If you notice a sudden change in the size or density of one of your breasts, I recommend scheduling an appointment with your physician.
My Approach to Breast Asymmetry
As I said earlier, I initially collaborate with my patients to discuss their concerns and aesthetic goals. After conducting a physical exam that includes precise measurements and assessing the shape of the breasts, I can determine the best surgical approach. This includes a discussion about the choice of breast implants and their placement during breast augmentation surgery. In cases involving severe breast asymmetry, I believe the best solution is reducing the size of the larger breast using breast lift incisions. Depending on the patient’s goals, I can combine this procedure with implants to create beautiful results.
Patients with less severe asymmetry can often benefit from selecting different sizes of implants to create the even look they want. It should be noted that there is a limit to how different sized implants can accomplish symmetry while still looking natural. It’s rarely possible to get a good result using an implant on just one side or the other.
If you’re considering breast augmentation either because of asymmetry or for other reasons, you can get a good idea of the results I produce by browsing my gallery of real patients’ before-and-after photos. You can also contact us using the online form to request a consultation or call our office at (312) 788-2560 to schedule an appointment.
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