Breast augmentation and lift looks asymmetrical at 6 months post-op. Do I need to wait it out? (Photo)

Hi CHARLIESMITH,

Thank you for your inquiry about the symmetry of your breasts six months after undergoing breast augmentation and lift. It's great that you've provided your history and pictures, as they are essential for a more accurate assessment.

At six months post-operation, I recommend a bit more patience, ideally waiting another three months to complete a nine-month healing period. Post-operative changes can continue to evolve, and this additional time allows for further settling and natural adjustments.

If, after this period, the asymmetry persists, I advise revisiting your plastic surgeon for a detailed evaluation. Depending on the specific asymmetry you're experiencing, a minor revision might be necessary. This could involve a crescent lift, a wedge adjustment, or an incision around the areola, extending from 9 o'clock to 12 o'clock to 3 o'clock. In cases where these adjustments don't suffice, a more comprehensive approach, such as a doughnut or 360 peri-areolar (Benelli) lift, might be required.

These revision procedures are relatively straightforward and can be performed under either local or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the revision and your comfort.

In summary, my advice is to allow a total of nine months for healing and then reassess. If a revision is needed, rest assured that it can be effectively addressed. Wishing you patience and a positive outcome as you continue to heal and evaluate your results.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon

At 6 months, you are fairly well healed and there may be very little change. go back to your surgeon and discuss your concerns.

Breast asymmetry is the standard for all women. Most women’s left breast sits higher on the chest wall than the right side. For most women, the difference in inframammary fold the position is about half an inch higher on the left.
It looks like you could’ve used a slightly more aggressive lift.
There are three primary determines when it comes to breath, augmentation surgery. The first is the patient’s candidacy for the procedures. Not all individuals seeking breast implant surgery are ideal candidate for the procedure. The second variable is the choice of implants. The third variable is how the procedure was technically executed.
When patients are dissatisfied with results, it can almost always be traced back to either patient’s candidacy, choice of implants or how the procedure was performed. It’s a combination of two or even all three.
Sometimes patients do not have a clear understanding of their own candidacy for the procedure. In other words, each persons potential outcome is somewhat predetermined based on their own anatomy.
A person who is an excellent candidate for cosmetic surgery has the potential to have excellent aesthetic outcomes. The results can also be left less than ideal if the procedure or implant choice is not done correctly.
A person who is not an ideal candidate, does not have the potential for ideal outcomes, regardless of who does the procedure.
All of this becomes a bit complex, but can usually be deciphered by sufficiently talented and experience surgeons.
There’s a little people can do regarding their own candidacy. What patients do have a choice over is provider selection, and to some degree the choice of implant size or at least giving input during the consultation.
At six months, your results are fairly fat. Your breast are not going to come up on their own and if you want your nipple position higher, you need a more aggressive lift procedure.
Surgeons cannot change the position of your breast on the chest wall.
Your results look fairly typical for average work based on your candidacy. Working with larger implants increases the chance of secondary side effects, unnatural appearances, increased revision rates, and increase complication rates.
Follow up with your provider or consider scheduling in person second opinion consultations with other providers in your community if you’re interested in having a revision surgery.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD