Breasts that are not the same size are not uncommon, and at some point most women experience this imbalance. If an unbalanced breast size makes you feel inferior or prevents you from doing something, there are several options that can help. You can try a different bra or type of clothing, consider other breastfeeding techniques, or discuss breast surgery options with your doctor.
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Method 1 of 3: Undergoing Surgery
Step 1. Consider the pros and cons of breast surgery
Surgery is a permanent way to balance the breasts, but there are risks. Surgery is an effective measure of breast size differences that are more than one cup.
- Consult a doctor who can guide you in making the right choices and decisions. Talk about the medical history, the reason for the surgery, and the procedure.
- The unavoidable risk of surgery is scarring.
- Another risk is nipple sensitivity and lack of blood flow to the nipple.
- If you plan to breastfeed sometime in the future, ask your surgeon about the effects of surgery on breastfeeding. This depends on whether your milk ducts were cut during surgery, and how much milk you can produce.
- The average surgical recovery time is 6 weeks.
Step 2. Get breast reduction surgery if you like smaller breasts
The plastic surgeon will reduce the size of the larger breast so that it is proportional to the smaller one. This is most suitable for the case of breasts that are the same shape, but different sizes.
- Breast reduction surgery usually lasts 2–5 hours, and you can usually go home on the same day as long as someone is with you. Women usually need 1-2 weeks off to recover.
- The most common side effects of breast reduction surgery are feeling tired, breast tenderness, and scarring. The tiredness and pain will subside over the next few weeks, and the scars will fade over time, although they won't go away completely.
- An additional option for breast reduction surgery is a breast lift. If the difference is in size and shape, this surgery will modify the natural breast tissue into the shape you think is better.
Step 3. Choose a breast augmentation procedure via fat transfer
This surgery is done by adding fat from other parts of the body to a smaller breast so that it is the same as the other breast. This makes the breasts look and feel the same.
- Fat transfer surgery usually lasts about 3 hours, and you can go home the same day if someone is with you. Women usually have to take 1 week off after this surgery.
- The risks associated with this fat transfer procedure are the formation of lumps and cysts, or the fat graft may not survive. The surgeon will discuss the risks so you have all the information.
- Fat transfer surgery is considered a more natural option because it doesn't use implants or silicone, but rather your own fat tissue, giving your breasts a more "normal" feel.
Step 4. Choose breast implant surgery if you want both breasts to be bigger and more balanced
Breast implant surgery is also called breast augmentation, and the procedure involves inserting an implant into the back wall of each breast. Implants usually last for about 20 years, and sometimes further surgery is needed to keep the implant in good condition.
- There are two types of breast implants, namely implants containing silicone gel or saline solution.
- Most breast implant surgeries take 90 minutes, and you can usually go home the same day.
- The risks associated with breast implant surgery are implant rupture, follow-up surgery because the implant does not last, and the area of the breast around the implant hardens. The surgeon will discuss all the risks and benefits to help you make a wise decision.
Method 2 of 3: Balancing Breasts for Nursing Mothers
Step 1. Feed the baby with the smaller breast often
The more stimulation the breasts get, the more milk they produce, and the larger they become. Usually, the cause of unequal breast size is that the baby prefers to feed on only one breast or if you tend to use one particular breast.
- Whenever possible, start breastfeeding with a smaller breast. After a few days, you will notice that they are starting to balance in size as your smaller breasts produce more milk.
- Unequal and balanced breasts are perfectly normal in the few weeks after giving birth, and especially if you are breastfeeding. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about, but if you are concerned, talk to your doctor.
Step 2. Pump the smaller breast after feeding
Breast pumps are known to increase milk production so that they can enlarge the breasts. Also, make sure you keep pumping the larger breast to maintain milk production.
Pumping milk is also very useful if your baby prefers the larger breast and doesn't want to feed on the opposite breast
Step 3. Feed the baby with both breasts alternately when they are the same size
Try to breastfeed with the same frequency, otherwise the larger breasts may shrink later. This helps the breasts to produce the same amount of milk and maintain a balance in size.
To help, remember which side of the breast you use first during each feeding
Step 4. Help baby suckle from the breast he doesn't like very much
Breastfeeding with both breasts can indeed balance the size, but if the baby is willing to cooperate. Try several feeding positions as the baby will be encouraged to feed if the position is comfortable.
Another option is to give your baby a breast that he doesn't like when he's tired. When tired, babies don't pay much attention and tend to feed on any breast
Method 3 of 3: Disguise Unbalanced Breasts
Step 1. Wear a sports bra to bring your breasts closer together
Sports bras are very comfortable to wear and can support the breasts in many activities, also can press both breasts. Thus, the display of unequal sizes can be minimized.
Step 2. Wear a stiff bra with a full cup
When buying a bra, make sure you choose a bra that fits and is comfortable for the bigger bust, not the smaller one. Because the shape is rigid, the difference in breast size can be hidden.
Try it first to make sure it's the right size. The consultant or salesperson can also recommend the most suitable bra for you
Step 3. Buy a bra with removable foam
Many smaller bras come with removable foam. So, remove the foam for larger breasts and leave it on for smaller breasts so that the chest looks balanced.
Step 4. Purchase a mastectomy bra for more comfort after surgery
Breast size may be imbalanced after breast surgery such as mastectomy. By wearing a mastectomy bra, you will still feel comfortable, while giving the impression that both breasts look the same.
- This bra material is gentle on sensitive skin and fully supports breasts without feeling tight.
- Mastectomy bras also have pockets for inserting foam or prosthetic breasts that can support and balance the size of the chest.
Step 5. Wear clothes with irregular patterns to disguise the bust size
Random, dense patterns that aren't geometric, like flowers or animal prints, are great for hiding asymmetrical shapes. Asymmetrical patterns will encourage the brain to focus on the pattern, not on the imbalance in the size of the chest behind it.
Patterned scarves can also be used to disguise the size of the chest
Step 6. Wear eye-catching earrings and a short necklace
Interesting accessories that stand out not only make you more confident, but also distract people from the imbalance in chest size. A short necklace above the collarbone and attractive earrings will make you look more prime and can overcome low self-esteem.
