Breast Asymmetry (Difference in Size between 2 Breasts)

Patients may start with different sized breasts before surgery (most patients are not perfectly symmetrical). Adjustments can be made with the implants to try to get as much symmetry as possible after breast enhancement surgery. Different types of implants may be used, different volumes may be used to fill up the breast implants, or the pocket dissection may be different between the two sides

This 44 year old patient from Chico California flew into San Diego California to have Dr. Tom Pousti perform her revisionary breast surgery. She had done a lot of research on who was the best plastic surgeon for revisionary breast surgery and found Dr. Pousti. She had capsular contracture of the left breast. When breast implants (or any foreign object) are placed into the body, the body forms a lining around it. This lining, or capsule, is formed by your own living tissue. Many people refer to this lining as the “capsule”, “tissue capsule”, or “scar capsule”, although it is not exactly the same as scar tissue. This is the body’s natural response. It is normal, and to be expected.
Capsule contracture, the most common complication of breast augmentation surgery, can happen at any time, but seems to be more common in the first several months after surgery. At the time of the initial surgery, a pocket is made for the implant. During the healing process, a capsule forms, which is comprised of fibrous tissue. The body is genetically programmed to shrink scar tissue somewhat. Under normal conditions, the pocket remains open, thus allowing the implant to look and feel natural. However, in some people, the capsule will tighten, and squeeze the implant. This makes the breast implant feel hard, and distorts the appearance of the breast.
The Surgical Procedure
For correction of asymmetry, the procedure can take up to 1-2 hours depending on the amount of work involved to make the breasts as symmetrical as possible. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Pousti takes his time in the operating room to make sure he achieves the patient’s goals. If the patient doesn’t currently have breast implants and has asymmetric breasts, Dr. Pousti will use temporary sizers in the operating room and possibly use different size implants to achieve symmetry. If the patient currently has breast implant, usually an internal suturing technique is used to correct the pocket and therefore the implant placement on the chest.
What To Expect After Surgery
For patients getting breast implants for the first time (as well as correcting the asymmetry) they will be in bed for 5-7 days with no driving or heavy lifting for 1-2 weeks. For patients who are removing breast implants and replacing them with new implants, since the pectoral muscles have already been stretched and there is an existing pocket, there is very little pain or discomfort. Patients experience very minimal pain and there is less recovery time.

Testimonial: Dr. Pousti and Staff,
Thank you, thank you, thank you! My entire experience with you and your staff was amazing from start to finish. For 25 years I lived with what would be best described as a car accident on my chest. When I was 19 yrs old, I had breast augmentation surgery and the surgeon was local. Needless to say, he was not very skilled and placed implants in my chest that were later recalled. At the time of the recall, I couldn’t afford to have the implants replaced, so I did nothing. Breast reconstructive surgery is not cheap. If you go to someone who is skilled, it costs around $10,000. For years I lived with being self-conscious in a bathing suit, knowing that if anyone looked closely, they would realize that one breast was much higher than the other and that they were very lop-sided. I kept saying, “Someday I will be able to afford ‘new ones’”
Then, after researching and looking at site after site on the web, I found Dr. Pousti. He has thousands of before and after pictures of every imaginable procedure. He is a Harvard grad with a double certification in both Plastic Surgery and General Surgery. I definitely knew I had found the surgeon for me.
I do not live locally, so I had to fly in for about a week for the surgery and fly back for my post-op appts. Dr. Pousti’s staff helped me coordinate everything. They definitely have the system down. They called several times to confirm every appt., they called twice a day for the first week following my surgery, and have called intermittenly called in-between appts. to check on me. They even billed my insurance, so that I could be reimbursed for the removal of my ruptured implants.
I have already recommended Dr. Pousti to acquaintances and friends and will continue doing so for many years to come. I am very happy with my results and can now wear an exercise bra to work out in, instead of a padded bra. And, I can wear a bathing suit with confidence for the first time in 25 years!!
Thanks again for everything and God Bless!
-Jenny
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If you are considering revision breast surgery and are located in or around La Jolla, Riverside or San Diego, we invite you to contact Dr Pousti and arrange for your personal, confidential consultation.
Tour our site to learn more about breast revision in San Diego, Riverside and La Jolla. Read testimonials from breast revision patientsof Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Tom Pousti. View before and after photos of revisional breast surgery patients,and send your questions directly to the offices of Southern California Breast Revision Specialist Dr. Pousti through our contact form.