Many patients interested in cosmetic breast surgery – whether it’s for enlargement, lift or both – often want their breasts to be perfectly even, or symmetrical after surgery. While I certainly understand that a large difference between breasts is unacceptable, it’s important for patients to have reasonable expectations. As Grant Stevens has said (although I don’t know if he coined the phrase), breasts are like sisters, not twins.
This means that patients must recognize there will usually be a small amount of asymmetry, unevenness, between breasts before and after cosmetic surgery. The plastic surgeon must explain this to the patient ahead of time to avoid an awkward discussion after surgery.
Even though differences exist in most women, some examples of breast asymmetry are very significant and improvement, but not necessarily perfection, is a reasonable goal. Take a look at these patients below that do have minimal but very present asymmetry:
Reasonable expectations are the cornerstone to any healthy patient-physician relationship.