Breast Asymmetry Correction

Many women have, to some degree, asymmetry of the breasts. For most, the difference in size is quite minimal, and barely noticed. For others, the difference is significant and can cause serious emotional distress. Breast Asymmetry Correction surgery can help to restore confidence by improving the appearance of your breasts.  This allows you to feel comfortable  in swimsuits and clothing and when you are out of your clothing. 

Educate Yourself on Your Procedure

Breast  surgery for asymmetry is a procedure in which Dr. Barr offers a great deal of experience in treating. If you are a patient considering a breast asymmetry correction procedure, please explore the links provided for further information on this procedure and what you can expect. If you have any questions about breast asymmetry correction, or any of our other procedures, please contact us.

What are the Benefits of Breast Asymmetry Correction?

Breast Asymmetry Correction patients often pursue surgery in order to correct a number of issues including:

  • Breast asymmetry
  • Breast irregularities (nipples, areola, balance etc.)
  • Desire to improve overall appearance of breasts
  • Desire to improve the fit of clothing or bras
  • Alleviate emotional distress
  • Desire to improve confidence and self image

Thousands of women undergo this procedure every year to achieve more proportional measurements and feel more confident in and out of clothing.

Preparing for Your Breast Asymmetry Correction Procedure

What is the first step in pursuing the breast asymmetry correction procedure?

The first step when considering breast asymmetry correction surgery is to schedule your consultation with Dr. Barr. The consultation process provides an opportunity for you to obtain important information about the procedure, to discuss your aesthetic goals and to have your questions answered. This also enables Dr. Barr to properly assess you and determine whether you are a suitable candidate for breast asymmetry correction surgery.

You should be prepared to discuss your medical history, including any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, previous surgeries including breast biopsies, all current medications, as well as any significant weight gain or loss.

During your consultation you will be asked about your desired breast size as well as any additional characteristics of your breasts that you would like to see improved. Dr. Barr will carefully assess your breast size and shape, tissue characteristics and placement of nipples and areolas. Measurements and pre-operative photographs will also be taken. He will evaluate your general health and explain which surgical approaches are best suited for you based on the size of your breasts, body type and aesthetic goals.

The benefits, risks and potential complications associated with breast asymmetry correction surgery will be thoroughly explained during this consultation. The information provided at this initial consultation will be comprehensive and thoroughYou will have enough information to make an informed decision about your options to correct your breast asymmetry. A comprehensive information package will also be provided to you at the time of consultation.

Am I a candidate for the breast asymmetry correction procedure
The ideal candidates for a breast asymmetry correction procedure are healthy women who have realistic expectations of surgical outcomes. You may be a good candidate for a breast correction procedure if you have one or more of the following conditions:

  • Breasts that are uneven (asymmetrical breasts)
  • You are self conscious about the shape and size of the areola or nipple position
  • You feel dissatisfaction or self-consciousness about the size and/or shape differences between your breasts
Will my breasts stay the size they are after surgery?

Results achieved with breast asymmetry correction surgery are often permanent, although a significant weight gain after surgery can result in enlargement and hypertrophy of the breast tissue. Weight maintenance, good bra support and healthy eating habits should help maintain the results following breast surgery.

Can I combine another surgery with my breast asymmetry correction procedure?
It is possible to schedule another surgery at the same time as your breast asymmetry correction. Many women combine liposuction or an abdominoplasty in order to enhance their aesthetic results. Please let us know when booking if you would like to discuss other procedures during the consultation process.

The Procedure

What will I need to do prior to surgery?

Prior to surgery you will be scheduled for a pre-op session with a Registered Nurse to review your medical history and your post-op instructions. She will review all of the information required in order to prepare yourself for surgery and the normal post-operative course.

Where will my breast asymmetry correction surgery be performed?

Your procedure will be performed within the state-of-the-art facilities of Barr Plastic Surgery, located within the Northern Ontario Surgical Centre.

The Northern Ontario Surgical Centre has been awarded accreditation by the CAAASF (Canadian Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities) and the CPSO (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) for meeting the standards of a hospital in regards to monitoring, emergency and resuscitation equipment. With two levels and entrances that conceal the actual size of the facility, the centre itself spans 8000 square feet and incorporates fully equipped major and minor operating rooms, a monitored multi-bed recovery area, 10 laser and treatment rooms, spacious consultation areas, private offices, elegant waiting areas and a private waiting room and secure rear entrance/exit for additional privacy when you leave after your procedure.

How is a breast asymmetry correction procedure performed?

It is Dr. Barr’s primary concern to ensure you receive the optimal surgical changes desired to best suit your individual needs and aesthetic goals. There are many options to correct breast asymmetry. The appropriate procedure will depend on several factors including how you want to balance the breasts. You may choose to augment or fat graft your smaller breast to create symmetry with the larger breast or reduce the size of the larger breast to match the smaller breast.   Sometimes concurrent procedures are necessary to ensure symmetry including mastopexy, implants or fat graftingAll options will be discussed during your consultation with Dr. Barr.

Often patients will have asymmetry of breast volume, shape, projection and nipple/areola position. Many women choose to address all these issues to optimize their breast appearance. Some women choose to address the volume, shape and projection of the breast but not to address the differences in the position and size of the nipple and areola.

Dr. Barr will provide a comprehensive plan to optimize your breast symmetry and you can decide how you wish to proceed.

Who will administer the anaesthetic?
A board-certified anesthesiologist will administer your anaesthetic, stay with you during the entire operation, and will be there as you wake up.

Who can I contact if I have any questions or concerns?
Post operative patients have 24/7 access to medical staff to answer any questions or address any issues or concerns a patient may have. Patient and surgical coordinators, as well as nursing staff, are available during normal operating hours and after normal operating hours, Dr. Barr is available by pager and cell phone.

Pricing

How much does a breast asymmetry correction procedure cost?

Pricing to correct breast asymmetry will depend on the type of procedures needed to correct your breast asymmetry.  These will be discussed and recommended during your consultation. Some patients may require a breast reduction on one breast to match the smaller breast, while other patients may select a breast implant or fat grafting of the smaller breast to match the larger breast. Sometimes concurrent procedures are necessary to improve symmetry and may include a mastopexy of the slightly larger breast at the same time as a procedure on the smaller breast to correct volume. OHIP may cover a portion of your procedure if the difference in size between your two breasts exceed two cup sizes. Patients choosing to invest in their self-confidence and happiness through cosmetic surgery have many options available to make this investment more manageable. Our Patient Coordinators are familiar with various payment options and can facilitate the process for you.

Is full payment required or do you offer a financing plan?

Affording your procedure can be made simpler by using Medicard which enables you to pay for your surgery with monthly payments. Please note that this company is not affiliated in any way with Barr Plastic Surgery. For more information on how financing can help you afford your procedure, visit:

MEDICARD
www.medicard.com
1-888-689-9876

  •  Fax, online, phone application
  • Approval within 1 business day
  • Payment terms: 6 months to 5 years
  • No down payment
  • Rates based on overall credit history (11.9% – 25%)
  • No penalties for early payments
Is my procedure covered by insurance?

It is possible that provincial health insurance such as OHIP may cover a portion of your procedure if there is more than a two cup size difference in your breasts. More information about the coverage eligibility of your surgery can be obtained during the consultation process.

What is included in the surgical fee?

The facility fee includes the following:

  • all surgical supplies, drapes, sutures, disposable items, medications used during the procedure and surgical instruments
  • the specialized surgical team including Dr. Barr, the anaesthetist, nursing staff, recovery room staff and processing staff
  • operative garments and dressing supplies
  • follow up visits

You will also be provided with prescriptions for medications to be taken after surgery. If you do not have coverage for medications, these medications will be at an additional cost to you.

Is a deposit required? When is it due?
There is a $500 deposit for any surgery under $5000, a $1000 deposit for any surgery over $5000, and a $2500 deposit for any surgery over $10,000.

This deposit is payable upon scheduling a surgery date.  This fee is non-refundable should you change, reschedule or cancel your surgery within 4 weeks of the surgery date.

When is payment for the surgery due?
Payment for your surgery is due 14 days prior to your surgery date. Payment can be made by:

  • Cash
  • Certified Cheques
  • Mastercard or VISA
  • E-transfers
  • Financing plan

Recovery

Will I need to stay overnight following my surgery?

Breast surgery is an outpatient procedure. Following your surgery, you will need a friend or family member to pick you up and be available at your home for the next 24-48 hours. This person should be familiar with your prescriptions and post-surgery instructions. This information will be discussed with you and your friend/family member prior to leaving Barr Plastic Surgery on the day of your procedure.

How long will it take me to recover from my breast asymmetry correction procedure?

Recovery from breast asymmetry correction will vary depending on the type of procedure or procedures that are used to correct your condition. You will receive information on your recovery and what you can expect during your consultation once your treatment plan has been detailed for you. Patients are discharged with dressings and are asked to leave the dressings in place for 24 hours.

On the second day, patients start to shower and do so daily after that. Most patients are able to return to work in 3 to 5 days. Patients who have more demanding physical jobs are usually able to return to work in 3 weeks. Any temporary soreness, swelling, change in nipple sensation, and bruising will disappear gradually, and can be treated with ice packs and prescription medication. Most incisions are healed by 2 weeks and the small external knots are removed at 2 weeks by our nursing staff.

The remainder of the sutures will dissolve on their own over the next few months. Most patients return to light activity right away but must avoid activities, such as working out in a gym, that increase their blood pressure for 2 weeks (no using the gym). In addition, you cannot do chest workouts or run for 6 weeks following surgery.

Will there be any loss of sensation in my breasts?
Due to the swelling after surgery there will be some loss of feeling in your nipples and breasts. This altered sensation subsides as swelling decreases over the next few weeks. However, in some patients, this numbness may last upwards of a year, and in some cases it may be permanent.

Will I have scarring?
Dr. Barr takes every precaution to ensure your scarring is as minimal as possible and hides the incisions so that they are almost undetectable. Time improves all incisions. During the post-operative visits Dr. Barr and his staff will discuss methods to optimize your incisions. These include massage, sun avoidance and silicone gel or sheeting. If needed, the use of light based treatments and injections can further improve incisions.

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