3 Weeks Post Op Breast Augmentation - Asymmetrical Shape and Healing

asked 11 months ago by RebeccaW in Minneapolis, MN
Latest answer by Stephen A. Chidyllo, MD
Question viewed 971 times
Tags: asymmetry, healing, uneven

3 weeks post op. I had saline, sub muscular, 375 right, 400 left to correct asymmetry in size. Right side healing and dropping well. Left is not. It is firmer, looks smaller and has upper pole fullness and seems to be taking on a strange shape. The left did have significant bruising that I think may have been a hematoma. Is it normal for breasts to heal so differently? I am extremely concerned. PS just keeps saying wait and see. In your opinion, what is going on and what do I need to do?

10 answers to 3 Weeks Post Op Breast Augmentation - Asymmetrical Shape and Healing

Time Will Tell

Three weeks is too early to tell anything. The fact that the two breasts are healing differently really does not mean anything. I tell my patients look at it as if it is two different operations. I am sorry to tell you that it take between 6 months- 1 year to see the final results you need to relax and monitor your healing. Let your surgeon know of any changes in your breasts.

Stephen A. Chidyllo, MD
Red Bank Plastic Surgeon

Assymetry post-surgery

At this point in time of the healing process, it is normal for you to have some asymmetry. Each breast will have some bruising and swelling. Swelling will subside and the implant will settle over time. I instruct my patients to massage the breasts as much as possible to prevent capsular contracture (scar tissue) and to expediate descent of the implants. A surgical bra is provided and patients are required to wear the garment for 4 weeks to aid in the healing process and help the implants... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Breast Implant Asymmetry

Dear Rebecca, If you hadn't provided photographs but only described your situation, then I believe my colleagues' advise would be agreeable. However, your photographs depict a situation that is not going to improve with time, and corresponds well with what you described during your post operative course of events. You may have in fact had a soft hematoma, something that does occur after breast augmentation and causes the implant to almost immediately sit higher in the... more

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Asymmetric breasts after breast augmentation

From this end of the computer the only thing that can be said for sure is you hand significant asymmetry before surgery with a smaller flatter breast on the left, left nipple lower on the body vs. the right and likely uneven skin fold level under the breast. I think the original size difference was more than 25cc or gm. The after photo shows a left fold higher then the right and a left implant sitting higher than the right. The right has a rounder shape than the left. It is impossible to... more

Aaron Stone, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Your right implant sits higher but you need to wait

You had very uneven breasts before surgery and your left breast is lower and narrower. Your post op pictures show that your left breast implant is higher and does not expand your nipple/aerola complex(that why you have fold in the aerola). You have also have extra brusing over left implant incision which can be due to small hematoma. I would recommend that you follow your surgeon recommendation and give at leasst 2 months to heal.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

No hematoma, allow time for breasts to settle

You did not have a hematoma, just more bruising on the left side. One side always seems to bruise more than the other. Three weeks is early. There is a lot of settling that is going to take place in the next few months. Don't look too critically at your breasts until at least three months after surgery. Then if you have significant asymmetry, you and your surgeon will discuss whether any surgical treatment will be necessary. If the asymmetry is slight,... more

Eric Swanson MD
Leawood Plastic Surgeon

Post-Op Breast Asymetry

Dear RebbecaW, I agree with my colleagues. It is very common for one breast to settle before the other. This can take up to several months to even out. Massaging of the breasts and wearing a Bando are two ways we use to speed up the settling process. A bando is an elastic strap with velcro that can be used to push the higher implant to a lower position. Patience and time are needed however. If your asymmetry persists after 2-3 months, then discuss options with your surgeon. Good luck. more

Douglas L. Gervais, MD
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

Breast asymmetry

It is too early to tell . You have to give it 4-6 monthst to see how the breasts fill out the pocket. Keep close tabs on it and follow closely with your doctor.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Too Early To Tell

I would agree with your plastic surgeon that it is too early to be concerned about asymmetry. Just because you had bruising, I doubt you had a true hematoma. Hematomas are typically due to an artery that starts bleeding after surgery. If an artery starts bleeding, it usually doesn't stop until the pressure in the pocket equals the pressure in the artery. Therefore your left breast would have gotten huge, tight, and very painful. The bruising may... more

Victor Ferrari, MD
Charlotte Plastic Surgeon

www.natural-lookingresults.com

Your breast assymetry may still improve

I is not unusual for one breast to soften and the implant to settle faster than the opposite breast. Based on the info you provide, the left breast was the smaller breast and required an implant with a larger filling volume. In essence the left, smaller breast was stretched more and was tighter than the right side. The breast with the tighter skin often will take more time to settle. I have seen this numerous times in my practice and in... more