One Breast is Fuller and Larger After Augmentation, is That Normal? (photo)

Question

I was a 36D before breast augmentation and I am 2 months post-op. I now have 700cc mentor silicone implants (smooth round, Hugh profile). One breast (right) is smaller and sits higher than the left one. What is your opinion about this matter? My plastic surgeon prescribed me singular (to treat inflammatory muscle) and to aggressively massage the right breast. Is this going to even itself out or should I be concerned?

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

It is normal for one breast to be larger than the other as you heal from surgery. It can take 3 months or more for your implants to settle. Continue to massage and follow your surgeon's instructions. Good luck.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photos.  During the post-operative period the breast are swollen, and the breast implants appear in a much higher position.  Over time they descend and fills out the lower half of the breast. In addition, it is not uncommon for one breast to be more swollen than the other and may even out with time (unless they were asymmetric in size to begin with).  It may take several months for this to happen and can be encouraged with breast massage and compression.  It may appear that the breast enlarges as the lower aspect of the breast fills out (at the expense of the upper portion of the breast).

George Bitar, MD · Answer

The most common cause of breast asymmetry after breast augmentation is pre-existing breast volume, shape. or position asymmetries.  Scoliosis and chest well skeletal abnormalities are also common causes of breast asymmetry postoperatively.  Other causes of breast asymmetry after agmentation include hematoma, implant malposition, capsular contracture, and untreated breast ptosis or drooping.  It is important to review your pre and postoperative photos as well as your exam to determine which of these issues is contributing to your problem.    The treatment varies significantly with the cause.

Richard J. Brown, MD · Answer

What I can tell you is that it takes a good solid 3 months for the implants to settle and for the capsule to form. If your doctor is giving you Singulair then he or she must feel that you have a capsular contracture. It can happen this early but is rare. First follow your surgeons advice if you trust them. Most likely your implants will drop with time. You will always have some degree of asymmetry which is normal. Most people do.

Norman Bakshandeh Day, MD, FACS · Answer

Since there are no pre operative photographs it is hard to really say what is exactly going on. Yes one breast is fuller and larger after surgery. This is usually due to the preexisting size prior to the augmentation.

One Breast is Fuller and Larger After Augmentation, is That Normal? (photo)

Answers (10)