Houston Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
575 East Medical Center Boulevard
Webster, TX 77598
Phone: (281) 282-9555
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

HomePlastic SurgeryBreast EnhancementSymmastia Repair

Symmastia Repair

Symmastia is a rare condition that occurs when web-like soft tissue traverses the sternum, causing the breasts to migrate too far toward the midline. This condition is also commonly referred to as breadloafing or uni-boob. It can occur congenitally meaning the person is born with it or it can develop after breast surgery. Thin women seem to be more prone to develop symmastia after breast augmentation than others because they typically have less tissue or fat covering the sternum.

Dr. Clayton Moliver is one of the world’s leading experts on symmastia repair surgery and has conducted extensive research of the condition.

Symmastia can occur after breast augmentation surgery as a result of implants being placed too close together (usually in an attempt to increase cleavage). Symmastia can also occur when an implant that is too large for the patient’s body is used, particularly if the patient has thin skin. This can cause the skin to pull away from the chest bone, reducing, and even eliminating normal cleavage.

Women who exhibit pectus excavatum (caved-in appearance of the chest) are also more at risk for developing Symmastia. The risk is heightened if the surgeon is not experienced with placing implants in women who have chest wall abnormalities. A depressed breastbone can cause implants to slope inward, putting more pressure on the tissue in that region, which can lead to Symmastia.

Symmastia Repair & Recovery

While symmastia is the least common complication associated with cosmetic breast augmentation surgery, women occasionally visit Houston Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Webster, TX for treatment of this condition. Symmastia may not be apparent right after surgery; it can appear anywhere from a few days to a few months post-op.

The good news is, it can be corrected. Patients often come to our clinic for Symmastia repair due to our surgeons’ expertise in this procedure. They have performed numerous Symmastia repair procedures on patients who underwent a previous breast augmentation elsewhere. Repairing Symmastia usually involves revision of the breast pocket to prevent the implant from shifting across the midline, as well as suturing of the tissue with permanent structures to hold the implants in place. Often our surgeons use specialized tissue called Acellular Dermal Matrix (or ADMs) named either Strattice™, AlloDerm®, or BellaDerm® to correct the problem.

In the video below, Dr. Moliver takes us into the operating room to walk us through the process of a typical Symmastia correction procedure. If you are interested in learning more about Symmastia repair at Houston Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, please call  (281) 282-9555 now or fill out the form.

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