This website contains imagery which is only suitable for audiences 18+ All procedures carry benefits and risks; scroll down to view
In general, most women have some breast asymmetry – it is very normal for your nipples to be different shapes, or sit differently on each breast. It is also normal to find that the shape and size of your breasts differs subtly. This is usually only noticeable when you focus specific attention on it.
However in some cases, breast asymmetry can be pronounced, or a symptom of anatomical irregularity or disease. This can be altered through surgery. In such cases, the procedure is considered medically required, and does not constitute cosmetic surgery. Dr Sharp will discuss the best options for you, which could include:
If you notice any irregularities or asymmetry in your breast that you haven’t noted before, it is important to immediately make an appointment with your general practitioner or breast screening service, as this can be a sign of cancer.
Contact us now for more information.
Submit the form below for an answer
Feel confident in your choices, supported by gold standard procedure care
Breast asymmetry is often congenital and can be due to muscular defects such as Poland’s syndrome, chest wall asymmetry or skeletal abnormalities such as pigeon chest or scoliosis. Sometimes, there is an irregularity in breast tissue and positioning, such as in the case of tuberous breasts.
Breast asymmetry correction is a reconstructive procedure, with the surgery customised to suit the patient and their underlying condition or anatomy. Surgical approaches can include the use of implants, adjustment of the skeleton or muscle flaps.
It is possible to correct moderate breast asymmetry with the use of breast implants. Often, this isn’t the cause of an underlying condition, it is just a slightly more obvious case of the asymmetry every woman experiences.
Anatomical implants come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and profiles, giving surgeons the versatility to choose an implant that will specifically rebalance the smaller breast to have a similar width, height and projection as the larger breast.
It is possible to use an identical height and width for the two sides, but use a different projection or profile to reduce differences in chest wall and / or breast projection.
Dr Sharp will tailor a solution to suit you.
Breast hypoplasia is the absence of breast development. There is often a very noticeable difference between the breasts, with one breast often lacking any development.
This is most commonly treated by the placement of an anatomical implant to help create a similar size and projection.
Tuberous breast deformity is characterised by:
Tuberous breast deformity can occur in one or both breasts and occurs in varying ‘degrees’. The severity determines the surgical approach.
The patient often requires augmentation with an implant or expander, alongside a concurrent breast lift and areola reduction. Sometimes this must be done over multiple procedures.
Poland’s syndrome is characterised by abnormalities to the upper limb and chest, including the muscles of the chest wall – and breast, nipple and areola underdevelopment, specifically
Depending on the severity of underdeveloped, different techniques are employed by Dr Sharp to correct the chest wall’s contours and shape.
Using advanced microsurgical techniques, a latissimus dorsi flap followed by and breast implants are the most common forms of reconstruction. Techniques also include:
There are two kinds of common chest wall deformities:
These deformities can be one one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral).
In mild cases, breast augmentation is usually sufficient to correct the asymmetry. More severe abnormalities require referral to a thoracic surgeon. Chest wall shape correction may be required before a pleasing aesthetic breast result can be achieved using implants.
During your surgical consultation process you will meet with Dr Sharp twice to consider the risks and recovery involved with your surgery. You will receive a copy of these twice during this process.
The recovery from asymmetry surgery improvement will vary depending on the surgical plan required, as there is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach.
If breast augmentation using implants is required, details can be found here. If a mastopexy (lift) is needed, the pertinent information can be found here.
Research shows that in Australia, approximately 20,000 women undergo breast device surgery each year. Cosmetic surgery (and elective surgery in general) in Australia has low mortality and morbidity rates when performed by appropriately trained surgeons, on healthy surgical candidates, in an accredited facilities.
But like any surgery, you must weigh up whether the benefits of breast augmentation outweigh the risks for you. While breast augmentation surgery is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in Australia, it is an operation, and as such it carries risks. Your pre-operative consultations with Dr Sharp will enable him to discuss potential complications with you, and help you determine whether the surgery is right for you.
Surgery aims to create improvements. Where a patient achieves an improvement, but does not perceive it to be enough of an improvement, this is not considered a surgical ‘complication’. Read more about the classification of complications here.
A surgical complication is an unexpected deviation from the normal surgical course. For example, not liking your postoperative breast size is not a complication, but a blood clot or nipple skin necrosis (death) is a complication.
Complications are rare, but they do occur despite the patient and surgeon’s best efforts to avoid them – so it is important to consider how they may impact you physically, emotionally and financially if they do arise.
Dr Sharp and his team manage known risks with the upmost care to further reduce the likelihood of them occurring. In the event they do occur, most can be treated with prompt intervention.
Everyone’s body responds differently to surgery. In some cases, post-operative revision surgery might be required.
Some factors, such as weight, lifestyle or health problems can increase the chance of a complication occurring. Dr Sharp will take time to learn about your potential risk factors during your pre-operative consultations, and will determine if they are relevant to your surgery.
Immediately after your surgery, you will be taken into a recovery area to be closely monitored. Your support bra will be placed on during the surgery, so you will be wearing this when you wake up, helping to minimise swelling and support the breasts as they heal.
Most patients have this procedure as a day case, meaning they go home a few hours after surgery.
After a post-surgical breast augmentation recovery period of 24 to 48 hours and an additional reduced-activity period of a few days, you will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks, or even months.
During this time, you will have support of our post operative care team, who is available 7 days a week, should you have any urgent concerns.
You will return to the clinic for your tapes to be changed at 1 week post op and for further instructions regarding taping and massaging your scars with silicone gel, which is an important part of your recovery and scar optimisation.
Your support bra is worn for at least 12 weeks, 24/7. After this, you can start wearing soft cup, supportive bras (and no underwire for at least 12 weeks thereafter). We recommend wearing a supportive bra moving forward, as you will find over time your breasts will sag and implants may drop, without support.
Dr Sharp and your post operative care nurse will give you specific instructions on ongoing wound care, to achieve optimal healing and results. These instructions may include:
Following breast augmentation surgery you will be unable to drive for at leat 1 week. You also won’t be able to exert yourself or lift anything heavier than 2kg for at least 6 weeks. After this, you will gradually return to normal activities, slowly reintroducing your body to them over the subsequent 6 weeks. This is a slow process and can pose some challenges for patients who are very active! It can also have repercussion for work and family activities during the recovery period.
After the initial 7 days post surgery, most patients experience low levels of discomfort.
During the recovery process, a combination of swelling, disrupted chest muscles and nerves cut (or compressed) by surgery can cause tingling, stinging or sharp pains in the breast. This is a normal part of the recovery process.
You will be prescribed pain relief for any discomfort, but if you have a low pain threshold or post operative trauma from previous surgeries, it is important to consider the potential impact of post operative pain on your mental health. Making arrangements preoperatively to have support in place (via psychologist, GP, family or friends) is recommended if you think this may apply to you.
Post operative concerns such as pain, sudden shape change or increased swelling that appears months or years after surgery requires further investigation, guided by your surgeon; please contact the clinic promptly if this arises.
At your consultation, Dr Sharp will answer specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period:
Here at Dr Sharp, we provide patients with a Lifetime Follow-up Guarantee ensuring long-term care & support.
View hundreds of clinical before and after photos from Dr David Sharp’s patients. Contact us below for a procedure information pack and access to our extensive gallery.
Our clinics are safe, respectful and inclusive spaces for people of all genders and cultures. We take time to understand our patients’ motivations, expectations and lifestyles, while empowering them to make educated decisions about their bodies. We would love to welcome you to our practice, when the time is right for you to take the next step in your procedure journey.
Visit our clinic in
Brisbane
Need a consultation with one of our friendly team members?
Every procedure comes with the risk of complications, and specific risks may accompany certain procedures. The general risks of procedure may include:
When the body goes through a healing phase after a procedure incision, scarring is a common outcome. The way scars appear and their level of severity depends on various factors, including the type of skin, genetic factors, as well as the size and location of the cut. Certain individuals might notice their scars becoming raised or enlarged, resulting in hypertrophic or keloid scars. In cases where a patient does not like the visual outcome of their scars, treatment options are available, but these should only be considered following advice from a surgeon.
Any procedure, plastic procedure included, carries the risk of infection. This occurs when harmful microbes invade the procedure site, leading to symptoms such as swelling, heightened pain, formation of pus, and wounds that don’t seem to heal. Surgeons follow rigorous cleanliness procedures to minimise this risk, but it is crucial for patients to follow all post-surgical care directions meticulously. Quick recognition of symptoms and immediate intervention with antibiotics are key in addressing and eliminating infections.
It is normal to experience pain following procedure procedures, with the intensity and length of pain differing based on the procedure method and the individual’s tolerance to pain. A certain level of discomfort is to be expected, but if the pain becomes severe or lasts for an extended period, it may be indicative of a complication and should be looked into without delay. Pain management strategies, including prescribed medications and guidelines for rest and recovery, will be provided by the surgeon.
Surgical procedures can sometimes result in bleeding, which can be external at the site of procedure or internal, leading to a condition known as hematoma. Signs of internal bleeding may include pain, pressure, and swelling in the area affected. It is critical to seek immediate medical help if you notice unusual bleeding or swelling after procedure.
A seroma is an accumulation of clear lymph fluid under the skin, which can happen after procedure. This is due to the procedure disruption of lymph vessels, causing fluid to build up. Symptoms to look out for include pain, a sensation of pressure, and a noticeable swelling or clear fluid drainage at the procedure site. Generally, seromas are minor complications, but they may necessitate drainage or further treatment to ensure proper healing.
Although anesthesia is crucial for managing pain during procedure, it does come with its own set of risks. These risks include allergic reactions, damage during intubation, malignant hyperthermia, as well as blood pressure or respiratory problems. Continuous monitoring during the procedure allows the procedure team to detect and deal with these complications quickly.
Despite the use of tried-and-tested medical procedures and the experience of a qualified surgeon, there’s always a risk of not achieving the desired aesthetic result after plastic procedure. This could manifest as unevenness, skin puckering, or outcomes that don’t align with the patient’s expectations. It’s imperative to maintain realistic expectations and to discuss potential results during consultation sessions thoroughly. While revision procedure may be an option, it doesn’t guarantee correction of the issue.
Although it’s a rare occurrence, nerve damage is a possible complication of plastic procedure, potentially resulting from the manipulation of tissues or accidental nerve injury during the operation. Signs of nerve damage can include numbness, a tingling sensation, or a loss of feeling in the affected area. While nerve function typically restores over a period of weeks to months, there are instances where changes could be permanent. Prompt reporting of any unusual sensations after procedure is crucial.
Bruising and swelling are typical responses of the body to procedure intervention. While these are normal parts of the healing process, excessive or extended periods of bruising and swelling require attention. Adhering to post-surgical care instructions, such as keeping the affected area elevated, applying cold packs, and refraining from intense activities, is essential. However, should you notice prolonged swelling or deep, extensive bruising, it’s vital to get in touch for a thorough evaluation.
Death is an extremely rare but real risk in any procedure. Causes could range from severe complications, adverse reactions to anesthesia, or pre-existing health conditions. Patient safety is paramount for surgeons and their teams, ensuring thorough pre-surgical screening and adherence to the latest procedure procedures and safety protocols. Being completely open about your medical history during consultations and following all given pre- and post-surgical instructions closely is of utmost importance.
© Dr David Sharp 2024
Dr David Sharp FRACS Plast is a qualified specialist plastic surgeon in Brisbane. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). AHPRA registration number MED0000962857 | * All treatments carry benefits, risks and a recovery period. To learn more, visit the procedure page on our website. Results vary and cannot be guaranteed. Book a consultation to determine whether a procedure or treatment is suitable for you and seek at least two opinions before proceeding.
