The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists asymmetry, or uneven breasts, as a possible complication of breast augmentation, or breast implant surgery. In addition to looking uneven immediately after surgery, breast implants can start to appear lopsided months or even years after the procedure. In most instances, a second surgery corrects the problem and restores symmetry.
Appearance
Lopsided breasts appear uneven upon visual inspection. One breast can appear deflated or one breast can look like it is higher or farther to the side than the other one. In some cases, one breast might feel hard, firm and painful to the touch while the other one feels soft and natural, according to Breast Implant Info. In some women, the circumference of the breast appears symmetrical but the placement of the nipple is lopsided or uneven.
Causes
Causes of lopsided breasts immediately after implantation surgery include improper placement and surgical technique, improper healing and the formation of scar tissue, which restricts the breast, resulting in tight, painful breasts. If the unevenness appears later, a ruptured implant might be the cause.
Complications
When rupture occurs, some women have no symptoms other than change in breast size and shape, according to the FDA. However, some women experience complications, including pain, knotting, tingling, swelling, burning, loss of sensation and the formation of lumps in the breast, chest, arm or abdomen. Ruptured implants must be removed to avoid further complications and the seepage of the implant fluid into surrounding tissues. This is especially important if silicone implants are used.
Correction
Correction involves a second surgery to reposition migrating or improperly placed implants, remove scar tissue or remove and replace a ruptured implant. In the case of rupture, some breast-implant manufacturers will cover the cost of a new implant and a portion of the corrective surgery, according to Dr. Michael A. Pasquale.
Considerations
Ruptures occur for many reasons. If the implant is overfilled or underfilled during the initial procedure, the implant can burst or wear improperly, resulting in weak spots in the implant. Other causes include damage to the implant during the surgery, biopsy procedures or other trauma to the breast, intense physical pressure and aging of the implant material.
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