Do I have symmastia? Is it difficult to repair? (photos)

Thank you for your question. If apparent immediately after breast augmentation it occurs as a result of over dissection centrally and/or use of very large based implant so that the implants are left too close in the middle. It can also develop months later but overzealous use of “push-up” bras creating thinning of tissue centrally. Either Way the condition of Symmastia is very distressing to patients.Surgical treatment is possible but needs complex re-adjustment of the pockets using permanent suture technique and smaller size implants with narrower base.In Mild cases a Thong Bra maybe all that is needed and avoiding push up bras.In Moderate cases if the implants are submuscular the choices are either to suture down the tissues centrally with permanent sutures and dissect the pocket laterally so the implants have room to shift outwards. If the implants are subglandular the implants need to be placed in a new submuscular pocket.In Severe cases the implants have to be removed for 6-12 months and replaced after pocket healing has taken place.Post operatively ALL patients need to wear a Special Bra for 3 months with no activityDhaval M. PatelDouble board certifiedHoffman EstatesBarringtonOakbrookChicago 

#Symmastia is a condition which can occur when the implants are too close together. Patients often refer to this as a “uniboob.” Occasionally, the space or pocket for the breast implant is created towards the center, or the tissue stretches, forcing  the implants to fall too much towards the center of the breasts.  Correction of this problem may involve using different implants such as textured, a smaller size, or a smaller base and placing the implants in a new pocket.Sometimes, this may require surgery in more than one stage to allow the tissues to heal and then place the implants. If the implants have been placed above the muscle, converting them under the muscle frequently will help and, again, the use of a dermal substitute may be required for additional support if the tissues are thin. The techniques of #capsulorrhaphy and #neopectoral pockets may apply here as well. 

Symmastia is a condition which can occur when the implants are too close together. Patients often refer to this as a “uniboob.” This can occur for the same reasons as displacement noted above, but in this case the pocket(s) is/are too far towards the center.Correction of this problem may involve using different implants such as textured, a smaller size, or a smaller base and placing the implants in a new pocket. On occasion, this may require surgery in more than one stage to allow the tissues to heal and then place the implants. If the implants have been placed above the muscle, converting them under the muscle frequently will help and, again, the use of a dermal substitute may be required for additional support if the tissues are thin. The techniques of capsulorrhaphy and neopectoral pockets may apply here as well.

Thank you for this challenging question.  I am sorry you are going to need a revision of your breast augmentation.  Symmastia is a condition where the soft tissue of the breast bridge over the sternum, therefore by definition, you have symmastia.  Interestingly, when you flex your muscles, you are able to separate your breasts, but unfortunately they go back to a symmastia position once your muscles are in a relaxed position. 

There are several procedures that will assist your surgeon in bringing your two breasts to a more natural, less connected positiion on your chest, but all procedures for correction of symmastia are moderately difficult, but I would not categorize them as extremely difficult.  Therefore, if you pick a Board Certified plastic surgeon with experience in correcting malpositioned implants, your chances of success are reasonably high.  The use of a thongbra post operatively would definitely be an advantage for keeping the medial aspect of both breast pockets closed. 

Yes, it appears that you have symmastia.  It is moderately difficult to correct, but it can be done when your PIP implants are replaced.  A Thong bra would definitely help to support the repair.  Good luck!