Breast asymmetry is a mismatch in the shape or size of the right and left breast.
The content of the article:
Causes of breast asymmetry
Types of breast asymmetry and their correction
Preparation of surgical correction of breast asymmetry
Breast asymmetry
According to statistics, 80% of women have asymmetrical breasts to one degree or another. A small disparity in most cases is practically not noticeable and does not cause a woman concern. However, if the breasts differ significantly in structure and size, this can cause psychological discomfort and low self-esteem. Fortunately, mammoplasty easily solves this problem. Breast asymmetry can be attributed to differences in:
the location of the nipple and areola, their size;
in the volume and projection of the thoracic cavity;
breast size and shape;
in the sagging of the mammary glands;
in the position of the fold located under the breast.
Usually, operations are performed if the difference between the sizes of the mammary glands is 1 size or more. At the same time, the less asymmetry is manifested, the easier it is to eliminate it. With mild degrees, it is possible to prescribe a vacuum massage that improves blood circulation, or perform physical exercises that increase the volume and strengthen the muscle tissue of the breast. Unfortunately, these methods are effective to a small extent, over time everything may disappear altogether. The best result can be achieved by surgically correcting breast asymmetry. Indications for surgical intervention include:
uneven breast development;
the change in the size of one of the mammary glands after weight loss, severe stress, breast-feeding, previous illnesses.
The operation is contraindicated when:
pregnancy;
lactation;
diabetes mellitus;
violation of blood clotting function;
the presence of endocrine or infectious diseases;
severe lung and heart diseases;
tumor processes in the breast.
The operation is not recommended to be performed from the 1st to the 5th day of the menstrual cycle.
Causes of breast asymmetry
Breast asymmetry can be congenital and acquired. The most common reason for the development of this disorder is non—compliance with the rules of breastfeeding during lactation. Many women use one breast more often than the other during lactation. Because of this, the formation of milk in the ignored breast may decrease significantly or completely stop. And — on the contrary — milk synthesis increases in the opposite breast, as a result of which the breast gland increases. In this case, after the end of the feeding period, a woman may have a breast disproportion.
Sometimes the first signs of asymmetry may appear in the puberty period. Normally, by the age of 17, breast asymmetry becomes much less pronounced. Unfortunately, if it has not become symmetrical by the age of 20, then the defect itself will not disappear. In this case, plastic surgery is necessary.
If the asymmetry of the breast is congenital, then it is initially incorrectly formed, and its adipose tissue is distributed unevenly. This defect may occur due to hormonal disorders or taking certain hormonal medications. Unfortunately, breast asymmetry in some cases can be a threat. For example, if the breast has always been symmetrical, but over time its disproportion appears for no apparent reason, then in this case an urgent consultation with a doctor may be necessary, as this may indicate the development of tumors.
Injury to the mammary glands in childhood can also be an impetus for the development of acquired breast asymmetry in the future. In adulthood, asymmetry may appear after unsuccessful surgical interventions, removal of tumors, and severe inflammatory processes.
Breast asymmetry may consist in the different size of the mammary glands, as well as in changing the shape of one of them. Sometimes it can be accompanied by a sagging of one of the glands, a change in the size and shape of the nipple-areolar complex.
Poland syndrome is characterized by the absence or underdevelopment of one gland, as well as pathology of the ribs and muscles on the affected side. It has not yet been possible to find out the cause of the development of this pathology.
Severe breast asymmetry, especially in women, is accompanied by discomfort and anxiety. Fortunately, all these shortcomings can be easily corrected surgically — regardless of the reasons for their appearance. The sooner a woman discovers a pathology, the earlier she should consult a doctor to exclude the formation of tumor processes.
Types of breast asymmetry and their correction
In medicine, a violation of breast symmetry in women is often found. Most of the defects can be corrected exclusively by surgery. All breast correction operations are performed under general anesthesia and last from 1.5 to 4 hours.
Below are the types of breast asymmetry corrected by mammoplasty:
hypoplasia (underdevelopment) of one breast with a normally developed second. As a rule, this pathology has genetic causes. In this case, it is recommended to increase the smaller gland with a silicone endoprosthesis;
hypertrophy (severe enlargement of one of the mammary glands). The second mammary gland is absolutely normal and does not require treatment. The development of this anomaly is also influenced by a genetic factor. In this situation, the doctor performs a reduction mammoplasty or reduction of the size of the hypertrophied breast;
omission (ptosis) of one breast in the normal position of the second. If the breast volume is not too large, then the correction consists in lifting the sagging breast through an incision in the areola area;
with the asymmetry of the size of the areola of the nipple, a change in the size of the areola is carried out. The incisions that will be made during the operation can be used for further breast augmentation;
if the asymmetry manifests itself in the form of different shapes and sizes of the nipples, the doctor reduces the diameter of the larger nipple, comparing it with the size of the smaller one, corrects its shape;
hypertrophy of one gland and omission of the other. Most often in this situation, it is recommended to perform a reduction mammoplasty of one breast and a lift of the other;
the presence of asymmetric ptosis of the mammary glands and differences in their size. During the operation, the specialist performs mastopexy of both mammary glands. If the breast size is no more than C, the surgeon can enlarge a smaller gland or enlarge both, but with the help of implants of different sizes;
this type of disproportion is very common, such as the tubular shape and the small size of one breast. The tubular shape of the breast is a structure in which the breast gland looks like an elongated proboscis. This defect is eliminated by installing a prosthesis under the glandular tissue of a smaller breast. After that, the posterior wall of the breast capsule is dissected in the projection of the areola;
hypertrophied tubular form of one of the glands. Correction of breast asymmetry in this case consists in carrying out reduction mammoplasty;
hypertrophy of one breast and hypotrophy or small size of the other. As a rule, this anomaly is caused by genetic reasons. The operation is performed on both mammary glands. During the procedure, the smaller gland is enlarged, and the larger one is reduced;
the tubular shape of both mammary glands. Even if they are approximately the same in volume, it is recommended to correct the shape of the breast. Correction of the shape of the tubular breast is carried out without the use of an endoprosthesis.
Preparation of surgical correction of breast asymmetry
Before the intervention, during the consultation, the patient and the surgeon discuss options for surgery, select the best method of correction. During the conversation, the doctor listens to the patient’s wishes and expresses his opinion on this matter. After that, the specialist examines the breast, makes the necessary measurements, explains the nuances of the procedure, which may be related to age characteristics, type and degree of asymmetry.
Before surgery, the doctor finds out whether the patient is completely healthy. A survey is also being conducted, which includes:
Breast ultrasound;
various blood and urine tests;
ECG;
mammologist’s examination;
consultation with an anesthesiologist.
10 days before surgery, the patient should give up medications that contain aspirin, vitamin E and lecithin. In the evening before the procedure, you need to take a bath, you can easily have dinner. It is forbidden to eat and drink water on the day of the operation.
Fortunately, modern mammoplasty can solve any problems associated with the violation of breast asymmetry. During the operation, you can increase or decrease, tighten or change the shape of the breast. To do this, you need to choose a qualified surgeon and carry out the necessary procedure.
If all the rules of rehabilitation are followed, the risk of postoperative complications is minimal. Scars after mammoplasty remain pink for 3-5 months, after which they gradually lighten and become almost invisible.
