Breast Augmentation: Q&A

Ask a Question

Is It Normal for One Breast To Swell More than the Other After Breast Augmentation?

I had breast augmentation 4 days ago, I was originally a 34B / 36A. I chose 450 CC implants for the surgery. Looking at my breast now it appears one is larger then the other- is it normal for one to swell more then the other? if you had to guess, what size do you predict I will be once all swelling is gone and do you think my breasts will even out in size?

Tags:

Comment on this

14 Doctor Answers | Asked by nervous in VA in Arlington, VA

Doctor Answers (14)
Community Comments (0)

Breast implant asymmetry/size after augmentation?

Thank you for the question. Some degree of asymmetry is a common 4 days after breast surgery. Unfortunately there is no way to know what cup size you will end up filling. The more breast surgery I do the more I realize that there is no correlation between the size or model (profile) of implant used and resulting cup size. This may have to do with several factors including: the amount of breast volume the patient starts with, the shape of the patient's chest wall (concave or... more

Size differences after a breast augmentation

This soon after a breast augmentation, it is very common to have a difference in sizes due to swelling,. Swelling is almost always more on one side than on the other. To be sure it is swelling and not more blood on one side than the other, a visit to your surgeon is a good idea. In time that all balances out though. As to predicting a final size, ti is hard because there are many variables, especially the brand of bra you are going to buy. A guesstimate from what you are saying is likely... more

Implant differences

All breasts are a bit asymmetric. At 4 days it is very hard to tell what the final shape will be. Unless there is a huge difference, with pain, and bruising, it is more likley routine post-op swelling.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Asymmetric swelling after augmentation

It is very common for your breasts to swell unevenly after augmentation. It takes a full month for the implants to relax down into the pocket and look good - this also happens asymmetrically - so one may look higher or lower than the other at times. It takes 3 full months for all the swelling to resolve and the breasts to get soft and natural feeling - then you look great! Good luck.

Uneven breasts after BA

No woman's breasts are perfectly symmetrical. 70% of woman have a larger left breast. If the same size implants were used in both your breasts you should have no more volume difference when all is said and done (4-6 mpnths) than you did before surgery. The swelling right after surgery can be uneven, but there is always a concern about bleeding and a hematoma. If the difference is a lot you should see your surgeon soon for evaluation. Otherwise time... more

Not uncommon to have uneven breasts immediately after surgery

Your breasts may swll differently after surgery and in particular the position of your implants with one higher than the other is even more common. This will improve in short order. However, your uneven swelling may also represent a hematoma or blood collection. Make sure you see you plastic surgeon regularly to be evaluated.

Healing after breast augmentation

The two breasts frequently swell differently. if they were symmetric before and the same size implant was used. they will have equal volume after they heal

Asymmetrical Swelling After Breast Augmentation

It certainly is not uncommon to have some slight difference in the amount of swelling between the breasts following augmentation mammoplasty. However, if there is a marked difference in the degree of swelling, it may be caused by a hematoma (especially if accompanied by a good deal of pain). If this is the case, you should inform your surgeon immediately.

Breast Asymmetry Early After Augmentation

It is very common in the early recovery from breast augmentation to have the two sides "behave" differently. As a surgeon, I go to great lengths to try to get the two breasts to look as much alike as possible during surgery. By the next day one side may hurt more,may be more bruised, or have muscle spasm, or just have more difficulty getting used to the new implant. Tha difference usually settles down within a few weeks. Small differences are normal... more

Breast Swelling After Breast Augmentation

It is normal for the two breasts to behave differently after surgery, including the amount of swelling. However, you need to be checked by your plastic surgeon to be sure it's just swelling and not a hematoma (collection of free blood in the implant pocket). As for cup size, I would not make a prediction because there are too many variables, such as different bra manufacturers and the size of your chest wall. As long as you are happy with your appearance a few months down the line it... more

Normal for one breast to swell more than the other after BA

It can be totally normal. were your breasts the same size before the surgery, were the same size implants used. It is not uncommon for the dominant hand side to seem bigger due to the thickness of the muscle, and the muscle not "liking it". I would return to your surgeon and ask their input and advice.

Rick Rosen, MD

3 reviews

Norwalk Plastic Surgeon

Breast asymmetry after breast augmentation

One breast may be more swollen initially than the other, this is quite common. You should however let your plastic surgeon know if there is an extreme difference in size as this may be a sign of a hematoma (collection of blood), which is usually accompanied by bruising. Also, you may have likely had some asymmetry before surgery that is now more noticeable to you since your breasts are larger. Please follow up with your plastic surgeon regarding this matter of breast asymmetry. Best... more

One Breast Always Seems to Swell More!

In my experience, one breast always seems to be a little more swollen and a little higher early on. This settles out with time in the majority of cases. However, if the difference is dramatic and one side hurts more than the other, then a visit to your surgeon is in order to make sure that you do not have a collection of blood or fluid. As to size, many variables have to be taken into account and it is difficult to predict!

Size Asymmetry After Breast Augmentation

Asymmetric swelling after breast augmentation is very normal assuming the difference is not very large. If there is a very large difference then you should visit your plastic surgeon to make sure that one side is not bleeding. With time, the swelling will resolve and the differences whould be much less. Predicting cup size after breast augmentation is very difficult due to so many variables. Cup sizes are not standardized and therefore the size is very dependent... more