A good and balanced sideboob is the goal of many women who are seeking to undergo breast augmentation surgery. However, for some women, too much sideboob may be an unwanted physical outcome. To fully understand this subtle, yet appealing section of the female form, let’s take a moment to define what we are talking about.
These aesthetic features have become incredibly popular in recent years, thanks largely to a number of Hollywood starlets such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Biel. Women all over the country have become empowered to experiment with new clothing options while seeking ways to better develop this section of the body.
The sideboob refers to the degree of breast tissue that extends to the side of the chest wall. When the body is paired with an article of clothing that cuts the hem just around the breast, it creates what is called a “sideboob bulge”. Because it provides shape to the breast, small-breasted women desire the sideboob for a fuller and more natural look. It also has the benefit of making the waist look smaller by adding a subtle curve to the outer aspect of the breast.
There are a number of different breast shapes that can be produced by augmentation, and a balanced sideboob is one of the most requested.
Understanding Sideboobs
For both men and women, the sideboob is an incredibly attractive aesthetic feature since it adds more shape to the chest area. It is further accentuated when paired with shapely articles of clothing, allowing women to feel more attractive. Women with large breasts are particularly keen on sideboobs since it enables them to highlight more of their features, while short-breasted women are given the freedom to experiment with more flattering profiles.
While the sideboob is highly desired, the presence of excessive tissue across the side of the breast will prompt some women to schedule a consultation in order to find a solution. Additionally, some women may suffer from implant malposition, an instance where the breast implant migrates too far laterally which creates unwanted and excessive volume too far to the side.
Many of these patients feel that they can’t find clothes that simultaneously fit both their breasts and their body. These women may find themselves in constant need of a bra to keep their breasts centered and lifted, since they may feel like their breasts are just too large or wide for their frames. Because of this, the breasts can become unmanageable, leaving some women desperate for a solution.
Developing Better Sideboobs
At this time, sideboobs can only be refined through surgical means. The treatment is rooted in the underlying cause of sideboobs themselves: breast tissue and implant malposition, or sometimes both. However, no non-surgical options are as effective.
Young patients with large breasts and good skin quality can opt for liposuction alone. With good skin strength, patients can expect a reasonable reduction in breast volume with subsequent skin contraction, effectively shaping excess sideboob into a more attractive profile. Most patients, however, may require more surgical corrections in order to enhance this section of the body.
Enhancing Sideboobs due to Implant Malposition
This condition can be corrected by narrowing the breast pocket to reposition the implant to the center of the breast and chest. This will help improve the appearance of the area, while improving cleavage may have been lost to implant malposition.
This procedure is normally the “internal bra” procedure or a capsulorrhaphy. The capsule is narrowed to help reposition the breast to a central location. This can be accomplished without additional external scarring and is effective in permanently repositioning the implant to a more pleasing location.
Enhancing Sideboobs due to Excess Skin or Breast Tissue
The appearance of the sideboob is accentuated through a breast lift, which tightens the breasts and can restore an implant to a more centralized location on the chest itself.
This is best served by a lollipop breast lift as it is designed to narrow a wide breast. It will result in additional scarring, but the improvement in shape is normally well worth the tradeoff. This allows for a reduction in the breast size if needed and can facilitate a tightening of the breast capsule as described above.
Taking the First Step
Both of these surgical techniques can help narrow an overly wide breast to help restore a more youthful and fit figure. This approach is designed to maintain a subtle sideboob that matches a patient’s frame and aesthetic goals. Dr. Marin can help design the perfect operation to help correct some of the changes associated with pregnancy, weight loss, or even time.
To determine what options are right for you, contact our San Diego office at 858-638-9800 to schedule an in-person consultation.
*The content in this blog is developed to spread the awareness towards plastic surgery. Our blog is not intended to serve as a replacement for an actual in-office consultation with Dr. Marin. As such, the information within this blog reflects the unique cases of our individual patients.