Symmastia is a rare but serious complication that occurs when breast implants shift out of place and drift toward the center of your chest. Cleavage may look like a web of skin, fat, or other tissue between the breasts.
Symmastia is often caused by oversized implants or a breast pocket that’s too large. While symptoms are typically cosmetic, the condition can cause pain or discomfort for some women.
It’s important to consult with a surgeon as soon as possible after your surgery when you notice symptoms. As implants continue to shift, the condition can become harder to correct.
How is symmastia repaired?
The technique your surgeon uses will vary depending on the position of your implants and how the tissues have healed. Your surgeon will talk with you about why the condition has occurred and how he or she would approach corrective surgery.
In general, the procedure will likely involve removing scar tissue, repairing the pocket where breast implants are placed, and repositioning or replacing the implant itself. Your surgeon may use internal sutures or a biological mesh to help hold implants in the corrected position.
Our providers
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Plastic Surgery
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Christopher Ernst Attinger, MD
Plastic Surgery & Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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Stephen Bradley Baker, MD
Facial Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery & Craniofacial Plastic Surgery
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Alayna Marie Blazakis, AGPCNP DNP
Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Wound Care & Plastic Surgery
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Gabriel Alfonso Del Corral, MD
Family Medicine, Gender Surgery, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, General Surgery, Microsurgery, Microvascular Plastic Surgery & Gender Affirming Care
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Karen Kim Evans, MD
Plastic Surgery
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Kenneth L Fan, MD
Plastic Surgery
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Rex Wei-Yang Hung, MD
Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery & Plastic Surgery
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Samer Jabbour, MD
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Microvascular Plastic Surgery & Breast Surgery
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Margaret Curran Kugler, ACNP-BC NP
Plastic Surgery & Wound Care
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Kimberly Ann Miller, FNPBC MSN
Plastic Surgery
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Kathryn M Sidrow, MMPAS PA
Plastic Surgery & Emergency Medicine
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Ailyn Grace Bernabe Sims, MSN NP
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery & Plastic Surgery
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Mimi Yue Wu Young, MD
Plastic Surgery
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Richard C Youn, MD
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery & Plastic Surgery
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Konrad Laird Dawson, MD
Plastic Surgery
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Alan John Weiss, MD
Plastic Surgery
Show All Plastic Surgery
Our locations
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MedStar Health Plastic Surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Road NW, BLES Building 1st. Floor Washington, D.C., 20007
866-990-5515
MedStar Health Plastic Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center
106 Irving St. NW POB North Ste. 3400 Washington, D.C., 20010
MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
9000 Franklin Square Dr. Baltimore, MD 21237
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18101 Prince Philip Dr. Olney, MD 20832
MedStar Health Plastic Surgery at McLean Elm Street
6862 Elm Street Suite 800 McLean, VA 22101
866-990-5516