Tuberous breast is not, technically speaking, a "yes" or "no" question. There can be different points on the continuum. The typical hallmarks include a high, tight fold with "puffy" or distended areola, minimal breast tissue and potential herniation of the breast tissue through a tightened ring, thus the "tuberous" label. It is a congenital deformity that usually manifests at puberty. To what degree it manifests will vary from one patient to the next.

Treatment of tuberous breasts varies depending on the degree of the breast architectural distortion. Surgical correction typically involves:

-areolar reduction

-submuscular augmentation

-the release of constricted breast tissue

All of these techniques work in concert to correct the tuberous deformation of the breast.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS)

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Implants alone will make you larger. Tubular breasts need to be radially incised on the inside to allow the breast to splay and conform to the implant.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Implants will increase the size of the breasts. They will not do anything to the shape unless a procedure is done to change the shape. Additionally, all tubular breasts have large areolas. These will not be reduced with a breast augmentation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Breast implants can help tremendously with tubular breasts. I would ask to see before and after photos of patients with your breast shape. The surgery is definitely more complicated with tubular breast shape, and I would suggest a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in augmentation with tubular breasts. Thanks for the question.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Implants will help to increase volume. The severity of your disease will determine if you will also need a breast lift, nipple-areola reduction, fat grafting and/or scoring of the breast gland to help with final breast shape.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

A tuberous breast has a constricted lower breast and herniation of breast tissue through the areola. Correction includes widening the breast base through a lower pole release of constricting bands and repair of the areolar herniation with a periareolar mastopexy or breast lift. Tuberous breasts rely heavily on breast implant shape and proper position.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I use a small uplift to try and help with tubular breasts. Implants will not do much except sometimes make this worse if the tubularity is not addressed!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Treatment:
Because there is a wide range of appearances, from mild to severe, the surgical treatment for tuberous breast deformity (TBD) must address the following elements for a successful result:

• Breast Base Grade: l,ll, or lll
• Asymmetry left and right
• Skin envelope
• Areola size, shape, herniation, and position
• Breast volume
• Ptosis (drooping)
• Breast fold position and size.


Mild forms of TBD can be undiagnosed, often leading to incorrect or incomplete surgery. The surgery must address all of the anatomical problems including: breast fold malposition, constricted or narrow breast base. Surgical procedures may include the following:

• implant alone,
• type and shape of implant
• one or more stages
• the use of tissue expansion and implants
• pocket placement
• placement of incisions
• breast lift and type
• correction of the breast base and breast fold,
• correction of the areola.
• the use of fat grafting or natural breast enhancement to help shape the breast with or without implants

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for sharing. With a tubular breast shape, patients typically benefit from both implants and internal shaping or internal relaxing maneuvers. A mild case would need to examined in person to make a recommendation. See a board-certified plastic surgeon who can help. Best wishes!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Yes, you would find that breast implants will help your tubular breasts shape. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience placing implants in patients with tubular breasts. During your consultation, you will be examined and the surgeon can give you an accurate picture of what to expect.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Tubular breasts require special consideration. The type of treatment depends on the degree of the condition. Mild cases respond quite nicely to breast implant augmentation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Tuberous breasts have a very narrow base, short distance from areola to inframammary fold, tight (constricted) lower pole, relatively wide space between the breasts, "puffy" areolas, and some degree of ptosis (drooping).

Generally, the procedure involves breast augmentation with areola reduction and a mastopexy (breast lift). Also, the distance from the inframammary fold is increased to create a more rounded out appearance. Proper implant positioning improves the distance (cleavage) between the breasts. The areola reduction helps to treat the pointed and "puffy" appearance of the areola.

In the most severe cases of tuberous breast, a more complete breast lift may also be necessary. In many cases, however, a lift is not necessary. The patient should be aware that the final result will take months to see and that they will need to be patient. Additionally, revisionary surgery is more likely than in patients who do not present with tuberous (constricted) breasts.

That said, it is very possible to get nice results despite having tuberous breasts. To ensure the best results, the surgeon performing the procedure should be board-certified and have experience treating patients with tuberous breasts. Please make sure you see some examples of the surgeon's results so you feel comfortable with your goals. Also, clearly state your goals and air your concerns during your consultation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

In treating tuberous breasts, we sometimes add volume in the form of an implant. Or, even better, we sometimes add a patient's own fat.

Published on Jul 11, 2012