Breast Asymmetry

Every breast asymmetry correction will be different. So, the time you spend recovering will depend on your unique treatment plan. You can expect swelling and discomfort for the first week or two, but this can be managed with medication.

Dr. Gabbay will provide you with instructions to ensure a quicker and full recovery. Key aspects of this include avoiding physical strain and caring for the surgical sites. If you have any questions while recovering, we are always here to provide help and information.

Most correction surgeries will have a minimum of 2 weeks for the initial recovery period. During this time, it is important to rest and allow your body to heal. Patients should arrange to take time off from work and all social engagements. The focus should remain on resting. For the first few days, keep all movement to a minimum. We recommend having someone at home during this period to assist you with daily tasks of living.

Patients can start to enjoy their results after the initial recovery period of about 2 weeks. However, keep in mind that there will be residual swelling for some time afterward. This swelling is mild enough that it will not be noticeable at a glance. It does influence how the breast tissues sit, though. As this swelling goes down, you should begin to see your final results, with improvements as time goes by. Typically, most patients will see their final results within half a year. By this point, the swelling will resolve and the breasts will settle into their final position.

Procedures to correct breast asymmetry create results that last for years. The duration of results can depend on the type of procedure, though. For example, asymmetry correction with augmentation may require a future procedure to maintain results. Implants can last for 10 or more years, but they will eventually need replacements. Older implants can eventually rupture or shift, which can interfere with results.

For other types of asymmetry correction, the results should last a lifetime. A few things to keep in mind include:

• The breasts can continue to undergo changes as a patient ages. Aging results in less skin elasticity, which can influence breast shape and position. Still, both breasts should remain stable in terms of overall symmetry.
• Additionally, weight fluctuations can influence breast size and shape. So maintaining a stable weight can help prolong the results of your procedure. We usually recommend patients be near their target weight before moving forward with the procedure.

Many patients might want to address more than one feature of their breasts. Or, you might want to enhance the natural beauty of your breasts while also correcting asymmetry. Because of this, combining multiple breast procedures is a popular choice for asymmetry correction. During your consultation, Dr. Gabbay will provide complete information on the procedures available to help you reach your goals entirely.

When combining procedures, patients have the advantage of enhanced results with a single recovery period. Spreading out procedures would require several periods of downtime, creating additional inconvenience. The recovery time for a combined procedure typically remains about the same as an individual surgery.

Some forms of the procedure do indeed preserve breast function. When considering any breast surgery, two factors we look at are breastfeeding and nipple sensitivity. Firstly, you will want a surgeon with years of experience. Dr. Gabbay has performed thousands of procedures in his career, honing his technique with each one. A deep understanding of the breast’s complex structure underlies each procedure he performs.

Whenever possible, he uses techniques that spare all elements of breast function. During the consultation, he will go over this aspect with you, weighing your goals for both aesthetics and function. Patients are fully informed ahead of time what their procedure plan will entail for breastfeeding and nipple sensitivity before moving forward.

Any surgical incisions will heal as scars. However, that does not necessarily mean you will have visible scarring following your surgery. Dr. Gabbay always places incisions in hidden areas when possible. The size and placement of an incision will depend on the procedure type and the technique used. For example, breast augmentation incisions may hide beneath the lower portion of the breast. Some lifting techniques may result in more visible scarring but are shaped to be minimally obtrusive.

Remember, scars should fade with time. Though initial scarring can look more notable, effective scar care can reduce size, color, and visibility. Taking excellent care of the surgical sites following surgery can promote better scar healing. We also offer nonsurgical treatments to further reduce scarring for our patients.

Perfect breast symmetry is not possible. There will always be minor differences between the breasts. The goal of asymmetry correction is not to create two identical breasts but to bring the breasts into a natural-looking balance. Still, Dr. Gabbay’s skill with the procedure produces exceptional symmetry between the breasts. He focuses on creating results that match the patient’s unique body shape while ensuring size, shape, position, and nipple position are symmetrical.

Breast asymmetry can begin during adolescence for many individuals. For some patients, this may resolve on its own by the time the breasts finish developing. While Dr. Gabbay does work with younger patients, they need to meet a few additional requirements to be candidates, including:

• At least 3 years have passed since the patient’s first menstrual period (menarche).
• Patients and parents fully understand the risks and benefits of the procedure.
• Patients are in good health.

We work closely with parents for younger patients to ensure a safe, positive experience. Minors will need parental consent before proceeding with the procedure.

For older patients, the procedure remains open well into older adulthood. So long as a patient meets the health requirements, they will likely be a candidate for asymmetry correction. Still, we recommend having the procedure earlier rather than later to avoid a lifetime of issues caused by asymmetrical breasts.

For more breast asymmetry procedures, insurance does not cover the procedure. However, many insurance plans do cover breast reduction aspects of asymmetry correction when the procedure is deemed medically necessary. Typically, this happens when breast size causes a patient physical symptoms, such as chronic pain or rashes.