Breast Augmentation Asymmetry
Breast augmentation cosmetic surgery may sometimes lead to a condition called breast implant asymmetry. In this condition, the breast implants fail to settle in the desired position on the chest wall, or settle in different positions. In most cases, the implant symmetry is minor and does not require a corrective procedure. The asymmetry will usually not be detected in bras or clothes, but may be noticeable when the woman closely examines her breasts in the mirror.
However, in a few cases, the asymmetry may be more conspicuous, requiring a secondary procedure by a
plastic surgeon.
Dr. Hisham Seify is a board certified plastic surgeon providing corrective surgery for breast implant asymmetry. Dr. Seify receives patients from Newport Beach, Orange County, CA, and surrounding communities.
Types of Implant Asymmetry
Upper pole fullness
If the breast implant fails to descend appropriately, an upper pole fullness may occur, which will leave the implant too high. Upper half fullness of the breast will occur, which can appear unnatural. A relatively simple upper pole fullness corrective
plastic surgery will be performed in such a case. The implant on the high side will be repositioned downwards by the releasing the scar tissue capsule.
Scar tissue release on the affected side will be done by cutting on the lower half of the scar tissue capsule. The implant’s weight will then rest on the new lowered position. The degree of scar tissue release will depend on the size of the implant or how much of breast implant lowering is required.
Lower pole fallout
If the breast implant settles very low, then lower pole fallout can occur. This can be more difficult to correct. This condition can occur due to the weight of the implant, the quality of the breast tissue, or if the
cosmetic surgeon made the original implant pocket too low. If the pocket is very low, the inframammary breast fold may be released too much.
The result will be reverse of the upper pole fullness in such a situation. The condition can be corrected with a breast revision procedure. Reconstruction of the breast fold will be performed on the involved side. Following the surgery, the patient will be required to wear a support bra for about four weeks to enable the fold to reform and heal. Dr. Seify provides breast revision and other procedures to patients in Newport Beach, Orange County, CA, and other areas.
Misdirected Nipple
This type of implant asymmetry involves malpositioning of the nipple over the breast mound. The nipple areolar complex should ideally be close to the most projecting point of the implant, and on the breast mound. The choice of breast implant size should be made while taking this aspect into account.
If the implant is poorly positioned, the nipple may be misdirected. When the implant has adopted different positions on different sides, the nipple will point in different directions. Patients should note that it is normal in many cases to have nipples at different levels. If the patient is made aware of this fact at the pre-op stage, she will have realistic expectations and will feel satisfied with the final results because she will have a better understanding on what to expect.
See more procedures and treatments by plastic surgeon Dr. Hisham Seify in Newport Beach | Orange County
Breast augmentation cosmetic surgery may sometimes lead to a condition called breast implant asymmetry. In this condition, the breast implants fail to settle in the desired position on the chest wall, or settle in different positions. In most cases, the implant symmetry is minor and does not require a corrective procedure. The asymmetry will usually not be detected in bras or clothes, but may be noticeable when the woman closely examines her breasts in the mirror.
However, in a few cases, the asymmetry may be more conspicuous, requiring a secondary procedure by a plastic surgeon. Dr. Hisham Seify is a board certified plastic surgeon providing corrective surgery for breast implant asymmetry. Dr. Seify receives patients from Newport Beach, Orange County, CA, and surrounding communities.