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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Thalia Angelique Attinger, MSN NP
Plastic Surgery
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Stephen Bradley Baker, MD
Plastic Surgery, Craniofacial Plastic Surgery & Facial Plastic Surgery
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Samantha Ann Berlin, PA
Plastic Surgery & Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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Alayna Marie Blazakis, AGPCNP DNP
Plastic Surgery, Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner & Wound Care
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Akash Chadha, DMSc MMS PA
Podiatry, Wound Care & Plastic Surgery
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Gabriel Alfonso Del Corral, MD
Plastic Surgery, Gender Affirming Care, Microvascular Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Microsurgery, General Surgery, Gender Surgery & Family Medicine
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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
Plastic Surgery, Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
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Samer Jabbour, MD
Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Breast Surgery & Microvascular Plastic Surgery
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Grant Michael Kleiber, MD
Hand Surgery & Plastic Surgery
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David Zachary Martin, MD
Plastic Surgery
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Rajiv P. Parikh, MD
Plastic Surgery & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
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David Habin Song, MD
Plastic Surgery & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
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Mimi Yue Wu Young, 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