Breast Asymmetry and Implant Surgery

To some degree, both breasts are usually different in size although it is very minute that no one would even notice.  However, some women have pronounced asymmetry that makes it hard for them to choose clothing that would hide this aesthetic problem.

One way to address a noticeable case of asymmetry is through breast implant surgery.  In this procedure, a plastic surgeon will use either a saline- or silicone-filled implant to augment the smaller breast, which in turn leads to balance.

However, breast implant surgery is only ideal for patients who have no problem increasing their bust size; on the other hand, women who think that their asymmetrical breasts are too large can opt for reduction mammaplasty in which the tissue and fat of the larger breast are excised to make it smaller.

The advantage of using implants over performing breast lift is that it is possible to use less and shorter incisions, thereby the risk of visible scarring is almost not a concern. 

While it is possible to make an incision in the underarm and within the navel’s rim during breast implant surgery, these incision sites are not ideal when dealing with existing breast deformity.  This is because doctors have to work far away from the breasts, making it more difficult to create a balance appearance.

When dealing with asymmetry, it has become sacrosanct to use the peri-areolar technique in which a U-shaped incision around the edge of areola (dark pigmented skin around the nipple) is made; or breast crease approach in which a hidden incision is made within the skin fold where the breasts and chest meet.

In some cases, breast implant is performed in conjunction with breast lift particularly if there is some obvious sagging in one or both breasts.

The implant surgery, with or without breast lift, usually requires one to two weeks off from work.  However, patients should always bear in mind that residual swelling and tenderness often takes several months before they completely subside.

To support the new contour, most patients are required to wear a surgical support bra for several weeks.  This special garment also encourages quick recovery, leads to better contour, and minimizes swelling.

For at least two to four weeks, patients should avoid heavy lifting, pushing, arm extension, and rigorous activities.  However, it does not mean that they should remain sedentary during the entire recovery as doing so can exacerbate the swelling and may prolong the healing time.

As soon as possible, patients should take a gentle, short walk every day to encourage quick recovery and minimize swelling.

Breast Lift and Different Degrees of Ptosis (Sagging)

Because of the different degrees of breast sagging, plastic surgeons are using various types of mastopexy or what is more commonly referred to as breast lift.  In this way, they can address the problem using the shortest incisions possible.

Most doctors categorize breast sagging in three types: ptosis, empty sac syndrome, and pseudoptosis.

* Ptosis

This is the only condition that warrants breast lift surgery.  This happens when the breasts droop far enough that the nipple is at the same level or has even sagged below the breast crease.  Usually, this is often associated with the lack of volume in the upper poles and cleavage that the bosoms appear elongated.

Ptosis comes in three categories: mild ptosis in which the nipple has dropped to the level of the breast fold; moderate ptosis in which the nipple has dropped beyond the level of breast crease; and advanced ptosis in which the nipple is pointing toward the floor.

Advanced ptosis is often treated with full mastopexy, which is also known as an inverted-T or anchor lift due to the shape of its incisions.  Plastic surgeons create an excision that starts at the base of areola and travels to the breast crease, and then cut out a crescent-shaped amount of skin along the breast crease.

Full mastopexy also involves repositioning the areola complex so it sits in a more youthful position.

On the other hand, mild and moderate ptosis can be corrected with less invasive forms of mastopexy.  For those who need the least amount of correction, the Benelli or donut breast lift is often enough to address the sagging by simply making an incision around the areola complex.

But for those who need a little more correction, the lollipop breast lift or vertical mastopexy is a good option.  This technique involves an incision around the areola and another one that travels to the nipple down to the breast crease, resulting to a lollipop-shaped scar.

* Empty Sac Syndrome

This condition can be treated with breast augmentation surgery alone since the areola and nipple have not yet fallen at the same level or beyond the breast crease.  Implants are enough restore the lost volume associated with aging and pregnancy.

* Pseudoptosis

This condition, like the empty sac syndrome, is best suited for breast augmentation rather than breast lift.  Women with pseudoptosis have breasts that have fullness below the nipple but the upper portion appears somewhat “deflated.”

Poll Shows Breast Surgery Improves Sex Life

Women who have received breast enhancement surgeries such as augmentation and mastopexy (or breastlift) have reported better sex life and higher satisfaction after the procedures, according to a survey conducted by RealSelf.com, a popular online forum that tackles plastic surgeries and cosmetic treatments.

On average, respondents claimed that breast enhancement surgery have increased their sex life satisfaction by 34 percent, while 61 percent said they had sex more frequently after the procedure.

By contrast, only 7 percent of the respondents said they had fewer sexual encounters after their breast augmentation or breast lift surgery.

On a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest satisfaction rate, patients experienced more than a two-point increase in their overall sex life satisfaction following their breast enhancement surgery.

Before the procedure, the average sex life satisfaction score was 6.07 and then jumped to 8.13 after the surgery.

While about 70 percent of respondents said that their overall sex life has improved, 28 percent said that breast surgery did not change anything.

Currently, the average cost of breast augmentation and breast lift in the US is $6,000 and $10,000, respectively.  But despite the procedures’ relatively high price, a number of patients seeking them has increased over the past couple of years.

In the US alone, about 296,000 patients had breast implant surgery in 2010.  Meanwhile, it has been estimated that 5 to 10 million people worldwide have augmentation surgery for cosmetic reasons, although a significant number of them also had the procedure to reconstruct their breasts after mastectomy or to transition from male to female gender.

On the other hand, approximately 90,000 breast lift surgeries were performed in the US in 2010 alone.

Dr. Tarick Smaili, one of the leading Los Angeles plastic surgeons, said he is expecting breast enhancements, particularly augmentation surgery, to further increase their popularity in the coming years.

“I think that the changing perception with cosmetic plastic surgery is the main reason why breast enhancements are enjoying their popularity.  Considered to be a taboo in the previous years, people are now more open to the idea that we have the freedom and the right tool to modify and improve our physical appearance,” Smaili said.

However, the cosmetic surgeon warned that not all people who want to have some “physical improvements” are good candidates for cosmetic surgeries.

“Of course there are many things to consider.  Does she have realistic goals and expectations?  Is she physically and psychologically healthy?  These are just some of the factors plastic surgeons would have to consider before taking any surgical step, particularly if it involves elective and cosmetic procedures,” Smaili added.