Do I have a wide gap between breasts? (Photo)

Dear jenifferslifestyle,
based on your photos, it does look like your breasts sit wide apart. However, with a good implant pocket placement and implant size this can be improved. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thanks for your question! You do have a larger gap between your breasts, but I think that can be camouflaged nicely with the right implant. I would suggest a wider implant to achieve that. Good luck!

In general, I like for my patient population to understand that no implant will change the breast footprint on the chest wall. The attachment of the breast to the chest wall will not change...the footprint will always be in the same location. Implants add volume and projection but they do not change how the breast sits on the chest wall skeleton. This is much like changing the foundation of a house...you can alter the foundation, but this will not change the part of the house that sits on the foundation. That is a poor analogy but I hope this helps! I do not recommend implants in a subfascial/subglandular position for the many problems that may arise secondary to contact with the breast tissue overtime.

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon' s experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Women who naturally have a wider space between their breasts often ask if a breast augmentation can narrow the distance between their breasts and create more cleavage. The answer is, it depends. Generally speaking, I can narrow the distance between breasts about 8 mm per side. Narrowing the space between breasts is easier when the implant is on top of the muscle because the muscle shape and muscle action do not influence the implant position. If I am placing an implant on top of the muscle, I usually use Sientra textured anatomic implants because they are more secure and achieve a more natural shape. Textured implants carry a low risk of causing cancer, so that discussion must be had, the patient must understand the risk and they must be comfortable with said risk.

Another consideration is the position of the nipple. Your nipples are relatively lateral compared to your breast footprint. That means placing the implant more medial to narrow the breast gap and increase cleavage can make the nipples look more lateral. Implant selection has to take into account this effect. Your surgeon must recognize this possible downstream effect and plan for it with a wider implant.

Good luck!

Thank you for your question. I have been in practice for over 28 years with an emphasis on breast surgery and revision breast surgery. You have completely normal anatomy and should be able to have an excellent result. I would not take too much stock into 3D imaging as the images are usually poor quality and do not represent a reasonable result in most cases. The idea of performing a subfascial augmentation is basically equivalent to subglandular. I have a whole gallery of long-term poor outcomes from subfascial/subglandular breast augmentation. I would go with another surgeon who would place the implants under the muscle, and you will have an excellent result. Best wishes to you.

Your breasts are done what wide set and you will likely have a gap between the implants. The implants will naturally center themselves where the tissue is the loosest and that is at the nipple location. I see your nipples are wide set so the implants will be as well

Hello and thank you for posting. Yes you do have a slight gap, but it will get better after breast augmentation. I would not worry about the space between your breasts. It's hard to correct this completely, but choosing the correct size implant and correct implant placement will help great deal.

Remember that this is a part of your anatomy that can’t be changed drastically unless you get huge implants… and this option is not worth it because even then there is no guarantee. So for me it’s a no brainer. Breast Augmentation will make your breasts look better regardless.

Go for it!
Dr. Miguel Mota

Your breasts are naturally positioned more lateral 9to the sides) of your chest. Your nipples slightly point outward and your breast bone is of medium width. A surgeon can "remodel the house" but it can be hard to "move the house on the hill" using just an implant.

A careful selection of the implant that is of enough width to "fill in" your cleavage area should be all that's needed. You are thin enough that I would be concerned about going above the muscle and having implant rippling that could be visible off to the sides.

My personal practice is to avoid the expense of mesh except to support a lift, which you certainly don't need.

Subfascial placement leaves less tissue covering the implant, which means more implant visibility and palpability, and a higher likelihood of capsular contracture. Further, the concept that with subfascial placement you can simple place the implant more medially is not true: the surgeon (should still be) bound to the 'footprint' of the breast tissue. As you know, 3D simulation is questionable in reliably depicting results. Stick with subpectoral, and you will likely be very happy. If you go on a specific surgeon's insta and find breasts like yours prior to augmentation, you'll see the results are pleasing. Finally, if you want to hedge your bets, fat grafting has a role, either simultaneously or as an additional procedure later.