Do I have symmastia or is it tenting? (Photo)

The photos show the implants and breast tissue sitting very close in the middle with some medial fullness, but from these views I cannot confirm true symmastia. True symmastia means the normal attachment of the skin to the breastbone has been released so the skin lifts off the sternum; tenting can look similar but may come from implant position, swelling, bra pressure, or the way the breasts are being pushed together.

The key test is an in-person exam, especially whether the skin over the sternum is mobile or lifted and whether the implants cross the midline or move abnormally when they are gently separated. Avoid tight push-up bras or aggressive massage until you are examined, and review this with your surgeon; if it is early after surgery, some swelling may improve, but persistent midline lifting or implant migration can require pocket control or revision.

Dear Krissy10,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello and thank you for posting. No you do not. Your breasts are very close together but there is some separation. Symmastia means the breasts look like one instead of two because they are connected in the middle. Your implants seem to be a little too big for you and this is why they are so close. If you’re interested, a revision with smaller implants can help widen the space between your breasts.

Best of luck,
Dr. Miguel Mota

No, you don’t have symmastia, your breast are really close, but you have separation between them, the symmastia it looks like 1 breast

Your breast implants are too large for your frame and are causing tenting. Some of this may settle down with time as your tissues stretch and relax.

From the provided photos it does not appear you have symmastia. The implants do appear close and are occupying much of the available pocket space, but there does seem to be separation between the pockets. Hope that helps.

Hi Krissy,From your photo, it does not look like you have symmastia. Rather, it looks like you have large implants that are taking up most of the area over your sternum, pulling up the soft tissue and obscuring the natural space between your breasts. I don’t see a true communication between the breast pockets. The breasts should soften and relax over the next few months, and should look more natural at that point.Hope that helps,Dr. Weintraub

Based on your pictures, it does not look like you have synmastia. Your implant pockets do sit close to the midline, but I don’t believe they are connected. Your implants are substantially wider than your natural breast diameter. When choosing such large implants diameter needs to be taken into consideration. Generally speaking patients prefer to have cleavage with the implants close to the midline. decreasing the size of your implants may help your condition to some degree. When implant size goes beyond the natural diameter of the baseline breast, secondary issues increase in frequency.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD