Richard V. Dowden, M.D., C.M., F.A.C.S.

Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, Inc.
6770 Mayfield Road, Suite 410
(Mayfield Heights) Cleveland, Ohio 44124
(440) 449-7470

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about
breast enlargement:

What is symmastia or bread-loafing?

Symmastia ("bread-loafing" is just another name for it, and sometimes it is spelled synmastia) is a visible condition in which the cleavage separating the two breasts becomes less deep and less clearly seen. (See below photo found in a catalogue) The appearance is that of the two breasts blending into each other with less distinct cleavage than normal. It looks like the two breasts are meeting in the middle. In can occur with overs or with unders.

symmastsm.jpg - 8274 Bytes
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The cause is that the two implant pockets actually are right up against each other, contacting in the cleavage area. That of course means that the skin is no longer adherent to the sternum or breast-bone, but raised off of it. (In an extremely rare variation, the two implant pockets can end up joined into one space, allowing both implants to move to the left side or to the right side.)

Symmastia is very difficult to treat, and may require more than one operation to accomplish. The skin needs to be secured with internal sutures down onto the chest wall. The condition can return and require additional future operation.


Symmastia appears to be slightly less likely after TUBA than after other methods, due to the fact that the final appearance of the pockets is monitored directly during the procedure.



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6770 Mayfield Road, Suite 410
(Mayfield Heights) Cleveland, Ohio 44124
(440) 449-7470

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Last Update: 7:33 PM on 06/01/2008
URL of Dr. Dowden's home page: http://dr-dowden.com/index.html
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URL of breast enlargement via navel page: http://dr-dowden.com/main/tuba.html

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