As many as 8 in 10 women have some degree of breast asymmetry, so you’re not alone if you’re not happy with the appearance of your breasts.
Premier plastic surgeon Dr. Arie Benchetrit understands the frustrations of breast asymmetry, and he often sees patients concerned about it in our Montreal office.
Although breast asymmetry isn’t a dangerous problem, it makes many women unhappy with their appearance. Understanding why this happens is the first step in correcting the problem.
Read on to learn the main factors involved in breast unevenness.
Hormonal Fluctuations
Hormones fluctuate dramatically at different times in life. For example, during puberty, hormones spike significantly, and the body changes so rapidly that it’s not unusual for one breast to develop faster. This may lead to asymmetry.
Similarly, during pregnancy, your hormones and body change a lot. As your breasts prepare to create milk, they change in size and shape, potentially leaving them uneven. Breastfeeding can add to this asymmetry, especially if the baby prefers to feed from one breast over the other.
In menopause, hormone levels drop sharply, which may cause changes in breast tissue. Along with some volume loss and sagging, you could experience asymmetry.
Genetics
Genetics plays a big role in the size and shape of your breasts. Your genetic makeup influences how your breasts develop and react to hormone changes throughout life.
If other women in your family have breast asymmetry, especially immediate relatives like your mom, grandmother, and siblings, you’re more likely to experience it, too.
Weight Fluctuations
Breasts contain mainly fat and glandular tissue. With dramatic weight gain or loss, the fat in your breasts shrinks or expands. In some cases, this might not happen evenly, leading to one breast looking larger, lower, or higher than the other.
Injuries
A traumatic injury, like a sharp blow to the chest, can affect the appearance of the breasts. One breast might have fat loss, with the other untouched, and this can cause asymmetry.
Breast Cancer Surgery
Breast cancer surgery often affects breast symmetry. After a procedure like a lumpectomy (a partial mastectomy), your breasts may look noticeably different in size, shape, and symmetry.
How to Restore Uneven Breasts
Cosmetic surgery can restore symmetry and enhance your breasts. Dr. Benchetrit performs procedures such as:
He tailors the approach, sometimes combining procedures, to give you beautiful balance and symmetry. For example, a breast lift with reduction can restore symmetry for a patient who desires a smaller breast volume, whereby more tissue is removed from the larger breast to even out the size.
Schedule a Breast Surgery Consultation in Montreal
If you’re concerned about breast asymmetry and want to explore options, call us at (514) 613-4355 or contact us online today.
