Uneven (one implant fuller and bigger than the other) breasts after breast implant replacement surgery. Any suggestions? (photo)

Question

I got my first saline implants 8 years ago. I thought my left breast was encapsulated but it turned out that the left pocket wasn't big enough so the breast felt a hard and looked uneven. It's been 5 weeks after my second surgery and my right breast feels harder than the left one and looks bigger, the implant also feels fuller. I got 300 cc implants under the muscle. Is it possible that the right implant is fuller than the other? I asked the doctor after 2 weeks and he said to massage it. Help!

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).

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about the concerns you have but, despite good intentions, online consultants will not be your best resource. Nothing will replace in-person evaluation when it comes to determining the cause of relatively minor/moderate breast asymmetry. This is especially true when photographs were taken with arms elevated. I would suggest that you communicate your concerns again with your plastic surgeon in front of a full-length mirror. He/she will be your best resource when it comes to accurate diagnosis and advice. Best wishes.

David Bogue, MD · Answer

If your implants are both 300cc, then the asymmetry is not the implant. Several questions come to mind immediately - Were you symmetric before any augmention? Was a capsulectomy done on the left side during the revision? Did you have a site change from sub glandular to sub muscular? Are both implants soft and mobile?Assuming you were symmetric before, minimal capsule work was done, and no site change occurred - chances are you simply need time and massage. If the asymmetry persists after 4-6 months, then there is likely a true asymmetry rather than a difference in healing rates between the two breasts.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Sorry you never had a pre or post op discussion concerning the slight asymmetries all breasts have. You have a very very slight one. Best to try an accept the nice appearing result. If you can not than fat grafts to even out the volume could help..

Uneven (one implant fuller and bigger than the other) breasts after breast implant replacement surgery. Any suggestions? (photo)

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Answer: Uneven (one implant fuller and bigger than the other) breasts after breast implant replacement surgery. Any suggestions?

Answer: Uneven (one implant fuller and bigger than the other) breasts after breast implant replacement surgery. Any suggestions?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

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Uneven (one implant fuller and bigger than the other) breasts after breast implant replacement surgery. Any suggestions? (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Uneven (one implant fuller and bigger than the other) breasts after breast implant replacement surgery. Any suggestions?

Answer: Uneven (one implant fuller and bigger than the other) breasts after breast implant replacement surgery. Any suggestions?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.