Discover our technical expertise and creativity dedicated to breast augmentation surgery in Switzerland.

   You will find useful information on breast asymmetry on this page.e. We then invite you to discuss your project during a medical consultation at Quai Perdonnet 3 – 1800 VEVEY or at Avenue Mon-Repos 14 – 1005 LAUSANNE.

   In consultation with Doctor Stéphane Smarrito, time will be taken to answer all your questions, with professionalism and kindness! We can then consider together the implementation of your breast augmentation operation to correct breast asymmetry.

Breast asymmetry, chest asymmetry

No two breasts are exactly the same. Indeed, the feeling of balance and symmetry of a pair of breasts does not depend on whether the measurements of the two breasts coincide exactly.

However, even if a woman's right breast and left breast do not completely coincide in size, the feeling of aesthetic balance is fundamental. Therefore, when this is not the case, we are faced with a problem that can cause serious insecurities in the women who suffer from it.

When we are not talking about a small natural asymmetry, so discreet that it goes unnoticed, we are dealing with a problem of breast asymmetry which must be treated by the surgery. So we are talking about breasts that have notable differences in volume, shape or position between the two, or differences in the position or size of the areolas. It's an asymmetry that can be difficult to camouflage, even under clothing, and it's certainly very difficult to hide it with bikinis or swimsuits.

Ideal candidate

Surgery to correct breast asymmetry is indicated for women who wish to restore an aesthetic appearance to their breasts, and who have realistic and healthy expectations as to what surgery can bring them, taking into account the rest of their physiognomy.

Breasts represent a very important part of the construction of femininity. Asymmetrical breasts often cause serious self-esteem issues in women. This loss of confidence has a direct impact on the quality of life of these patients, who put aside an important part of their sexual and emotional life because they do not feel confident and attractive.

Breast asymmetry surgery can be a very effective solution to help women regain their femininity.

Is there an ideal age to correct breast asymmetry?

There is no ideal age to consider surgery to correct breast asymmetry. However, it is advisable to opt for this procedure once you have decided to no longer be pregnant or breastfeeding. In this way we will achieve much more satisfactory results in the long term. But we are not talking about an essential condition to carry out the operation.

On the other hand, when the patients are very young adolescents, the recommendation is undoubtedly to wait until development is complete. The placement of breast implants, for example for purely aesthetic reasons, is not recommended for women under 18 years of age.

However, many cases of breast asymmetry greatly affect the psychological health of adolescent patients, who find themselves at a very delicate moment in the development of their body image and sexuality.

This is the case for one of the most common breast asymmetries, so-called tuberous breasts. the level of severity of which may vary depending on the problem each patient suffers from. In the most serious cases, surgery without implants can generally be considered from the age of 15-16. A very successful and interesting technique is used to improve tissue quality: breast lipofilling with the patient's own fat.

What are tuberous breasts?

The tuberous breasts are a breast development problem in which there is an abnormality that can create asymmetry. A tuberous breast does not have to be small, although it usually is. In tuberous breasts, the lower pole is not well developed and is narrowed. This may even mean that the inframammary fold is several centimeters higher than that of the other breast. This can lead to serious breast asymmetry. Additionally, this problem may not be present in just one breast, but in both.

Tuberous breast complex is difficult to correct, and goes beyond placing a simple implant, because the breast tissue is “compressed,” so to speak. It is also associated with a constriction ring, an overly large areola and sagging of the breasts.

The remodeling of these breasts involves, in addition to the placement of an implant, the reorganization of the breast tissue so that instead of being tube-shaped (hence the name tuberous breasts), they have the rounded shape that we consider it aesthetically pleasing in a breast.

Here you can find all the information about tuberous breasts: what they are, how to identify them and how to treat them in adult women and adolescents.

Other causes of breast asymmetry

Besides the aforementioned case of tuberous breasts, there are other factors that cause breast asymmetry. For example, a deviation of the patient's spine or an unusual projection of the ribs; hormonal problems, accidents, alterations in breast development, removal of breast tissue after the removal of a tumor or congenital malformations.

More precisely, there is a very specific syndrome linked to breast asymmetry. This is Poland syndrome, a congenital anomaly that consists of underdevelopment or absence of the pectoralis major muscle.
First step: initial assessment

During this first assessment, we will analyze the patient's case in a personalized way. To do this, in addition to studying the patient's medical history and other details of her lifestyle (whether she is a smoker, whether she plans to become pregnant and breastfeed her child in the near future, etc.) , breast size and shape will be assessed. An ultrasound and/or mammogram will be requested if the patient's age warrants it.

It is also very important at this stage to listen and understand the patient, which requires her sincerity and cooperation. Doctor Stéphane Smarrito will show the different surgical techniques, explain the anesthesia process and discuss viable solutions depending on specific cases. This is why, at this time, the patient must express her expectations as sincerely as possible.

Surgical procedure

Due to the great diversity of patient cases, each specific case will require the application of different surgical techniques. For example, in the simplest cases, we can talk about breast augmentation of the smaller breast with the insertion of an implant. Or breast reduction surgery if the breast is excessively large, to balance it in relation to the patient's other breast.

But also, depending on the complexity of each patient's case, we can talk about...:

• Breast augmentation of both breasts with the insertion of prostheses of different sizes, to obtain the aesthetically balanced sensation that we are looking for.
• Breast reduction in both breasts eliminating different volumes of tissue.
• When we find ourselves faced with a case (very common) of breast asymmetry due to a tuberous breast, the surgery has two parts: a reconstructive one (correction of the shape of the breast and the size of the areola if necessary) and the other dedicated to the installation of the appropriate prosthesis.
• Associated technique for correcting the nipple-areola complex if necessary, to reduce the size of the largest areola or raise the sagging one.
• Application of the breast lipofilling technique (grafting of the patient's own fat) if necessary. This is a very interesting technique that will help us symmetrize and improve the quality of fabrics.

Due to the great diversity of surgical techniques that exist depending on each specific case, it is difficult to establish common surgical guidelines at present. Each patient presents particular and unique cases, which must be analyzed in a specific way. However, in general, most operations to correct breast asymmetry require general anesthesia and an overnight hospital stay.

The message from Doctor Stéphane SMARRITO

Article written by the Doctor Smarrito cosmetic surgeon