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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Stephen Bradley Baker, MD
Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Craniofacial Plastic Surgery & Plastic Surgery
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Alayna Marie Blazakis, AGPCNP-BC
Wound Care & Plastic Surgery
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Karen Kim Evans, MD
Microvascular Plastic Surgery, Surgical Wound Care, Limb Lengthening And Reconstructive Surgery & Plastic Surgery
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Kenneth L. Fan, MD
Plastic Surgery
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Rex Hung, MD
Wound Care, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery & Plastic Surgery
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Samer Jabbour, MD
Microvascular Plastic Surgery, Breast Surgery, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery & Plastic Surgery
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Grant Michael Kleiber, MD
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery & Plastic Surgery
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David Zachary Martin, MD
Surgical Wound Care & Plastic Surgery
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Kimberly Ann Miller, FNP-BC
Plastic Surgery
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Kerry Shumanski Moose, CRNP
Wound Care & Plastic Surgery
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Ailyn Grace Bernabe Sims, CFNP
Plastic Surgery
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Laura Kate Tom, MD
Microvascular Plastic Surgery, Breast Surgery & Plastic Surgery
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Mimi Yue Wu Young, MD
Plastic Surgery
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Ravi Kumar Aloor, MD
Plastic Surgery
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Rafael J. Convit, MD
Plastic Surgery
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Alan John Weiss, MD
Plastic Surgery
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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