Symmastia is a medical condition wherein the breasts meet in the midline of the chest, causing a lack of cleavage. The problem is more likely to occur when the tissue in the cleavage area is cut beyond the required extent. Women who are thin and have a lower breastbone are more likely to experience symmastia.
Though there are a number of reasons why symmastia occurs, some plastic surgeons deliberately create the condition with the goal to form a prominent cleavage. If you are experiencing minor to moderate pain in the midline of your chest, this could be an indication of symmastia. Breast implant rippling accompanies symmastia in rare cases.
It is important to diagnose and treat symmastia, as it is a postoperative problem that requires complete, methodical treatment. This condition is one of the most dreaded problems after a breast augmentation.
While you can temporarily hide symmastia by wearing a separator bra, it does not provide a long-lasting solution. Replacing breast implants with smaller ones will not fix the condition, as symmastia occurs due to a problem with your implant pocket, not the implant itself.
To treat symmastia permanently, most plastic surgeons use the internal bra surgery. The surgery is effective but highly challenging, requiring the expertise of skilled doctors. Patients are advised to choose board-certified surgeons specializing in symmastia to perform the procedure.
If symmastia occurs due to the implants being placed over the breast muscle, this can be corrected by simply moving the implants to situate them under the breast muscle. On the other hand, if symmastia has occurred despite this, the surgeon may suture the muscles surrounding the sternum and underneath the breasts to treat the condition. This involves the tallying of the skin and fat to the breastbone. In most cases, the scar capsule is moved to an elevated position during the procedure, so the sutures are supported.
The treatment of symmastia is complex; therefore, patients are advised to choose only an experienced, skilled, and board-certified plastic surgeon as a preventive measure to avoid complications from breast enhancement surgery.
In most cases, large implants placed underneath the breast muscle carry no risk of symmastia. However, ensure that your breast implants will be the right size, as large implants can still trigger the condition. Your surgeon should measure your body properly to determine the best size for you to minimize the risk of problems after surgery.