Sometimes people want to undergo breast augmentation surgery because they want to change the size or shape of their breasts based on their preference for a change or insecurity over their current breasts’ appearance. Other times, though, people visit plastic surgeons for corrective breast surgeries because of deformities to their breasts- this is the case for tuberous breasts, known medically as hypoplasia, or, the congenital abnormality of breast tissue.
If you are looking for options for improving the shape of tuberous breasts, our Raleigh board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Ortiz, can help. It’s important during your search for a doctor that you find a local plastic surgeon who has performed tuberous corrective surgery in the past. Choosing a professional with experience who understands the best practices and methods to improve the shape of tuberous breasts will help you to feel confident in your body.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at what tuberous breasts are and how corrective surgery can improve the shape of tuberous breasts.
What Are Tuberous Breasts?
Tuberous breasts are a medical condition where the breasts lack sufficient breast tissue, either vertically, horizontally, or in both directions. This results in a lack of mass around the breast. The limited breast tissue creates the appearance of tube-shaped breasts that stick outward, or downward, away from the body.
Causes of Tuberous Breasts
During puberty, if the breast tissue fails to proliferate, it may lead to the deformity of breasts and make them appear tubular- meaning the nipple is fully formed, but the breast tissue around the nipple is in an elongated shape.
Even though the appearance of tubular breasts won’t occur until puberty, many doctors believe that the cause of this congenital condition known as hypoplasia occurs in-utero and is due to a genetic alteration. Other doctors believe that collagen irregularities can affect the development and appearance of breasts, making them tubular in shape, without the expected rounded shape associated with breasts.
Despite no one knowing the root cause of tuberous breasts, plastic surgeons can perform corrective surgery to create the appearance of volume in the breast tissue through breast augmentation surgery.
Symptoms of Tuberous Breasts
Breasts come in all sizes and shapes, with the size of breasts often being apparent around the time of puberty. Despite not having an identifiable cause of tuberous breasts, there are some shared characteristics that are present in tuberous breasts.
Here are the symptoms of tuberous breasts:
- A cylindrical rather than rounded shape to the breasts.
- Breast tissue is constricted at the base.
- An abnormally elevated lower breast fold causes the appearance of sagging breasts.
- Areola hypertrophy is present, where the areola of the nipple is larger than usual.
- For asymmetrical tuberous breasts, one breast appears to have a typical rounded shape, but the other breast appears undeveloped in comparison.
Classifications of Tuberous Breasts
When diagnosing and classifying the type of tuberous breasts someone has, there are several basic features that are looked at.
These features are:
- The degree of constriction.
- The location of the inframammary crease.
- The granular volume of the breast.
- The overlaying amount of skin.
- The degree of breast drooping.
- The size of the areola.
There are three classifications of tuberous breasts:
- Type I: minor constriction and elevation of breast fold, minimal to no deficiency in the lower quadrant of the breast, and an enlarged areola with mild to severe breast drooping.
- Type II: moderate constriction with some elevation of the breast fold present, moderate deficiency in the lower quadrants of both breasts, with little to no breast drooping, and a normal/expected or mildly enlarged areola.
- Type III: severe constriction at the base of the breast, severe deficiency of glandular breast volume, mild to moderate drooping of the breast, along with a severe herniation of the areola (also called “domed nipple”).
How to Improve the Shape of Tuberous Breasts
Now that we’ve covered all you need to know about what tuberous breasts are, let’s discuss how to improve the shape of tuberous breasts.
Luckily, people who are self-conscious of their tuberous breasts have options for corrective surgery. Opting for a breast surgery procedure for your tuberous breasts can make a world of difference- from improved self-esteem, physical comfort, and increased ability when breastfeeding, to gaining confidence in intimate settings as well as feeling better about yourself in clothes, the benefits of getting a breast procedure to improve the appearance of your tuberous breasts can be life-changing.
Breast Augmentation for Improving Tuberous Breasts
Breast implants will round out and fill in the shape of tuberous breasts, transforming your tube-shaped breasts into a more desirable size and shape you will be confident with. Depending on your specific goals for your body, you and your board-certified plastic surgeon will consider the right size and shape of breasts for your breast augmentation.
Breast Augmentation with Breast Lift for Improving Tuberous Breasts
A breast lift with augmentation is a common procedure used to correct the size and shape of tuberous breasts, particularly in moderate to severe cases of deformed tuberous breasts. Along with breast implants, your surgeon will perform a breast lift. The lifting of the breast tissue along with areola/nipple replacement will bring the breast upward, giving you the perky, symmetrical, round-shaped breasts you always imagined.
Breast Asymmetry Correction for Improving Tuberous Breasts
In rare cases where only one breast formed to become tuberous, a patient may be a candidate for a breast asymmetry corrective surgery. This is a common plastic surgery procedure for women, as most women have breasts that are not the exact same size. When the two breasts are shaped differently, have nipples facing different directions, or have different areas of projection or mass, their surgeons can craft one breast to match the other. If you have just one tuberous breast and one normally shaped breast or if you have breasts with different degrees of tuberous deformities, you may be a good candidate for a procedure that improves breast symmetry.
Nipple Reduction Surgery for Improving Tuberous Breasts
Nearly all people know someone or at least know of someone who has had a breast augmentation or breast lift, but talking about nipple reduction surgery is far less socially popular. That is not because people don’t get nipple reductions, it’s because a lot of people are unaware this corrective surgery even exists. Nipple reduction surgery corrects the appearance of oversized nipples that protrude outward. When looking for options to improve tuberous breasts, you can discuss how a nipple reduction or a nipple reduction with another common breast procedure will benefit you.
Male Breast Reduction for Improving Tuberous Breasts
Women aren’t the only ones affected by tuberous breasts. For men, tuberous breasts can lead to a lot of self-esteem issues, just like with women. However, men sometimes have a harder time hiding their tuberous breasts behind clothes, particularly since they don’t wear bras that can create the appearance of breasts shaped differently than their own. For men, a male breast reduction or a male breast reduction with a nipple reduction is a great way to alleviate the stress, anxiety, and insecurities associated with tuberous breasts.
FAQ: Options for Improving the Shape of Tuberous Breasts
It’s important to discuss any of your questions or concerns with your board-certified plastic surgeon. In the meantime, we have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about tuberous breasts and options for improving tuberous breasts so that you can begin your journey to finding the best solution that works for you, your body, and your lifestyle.
How do I know if I have tuberous breasts?
You can usually tell if you have tuberous breasts by considering the classification features listed above. While no pair of breasts are exactly the same, tuberous breasts will usually have a gap between them that is greater than 1.5 inches, have a lack of tissue mass, appear constricted or collapsed around the nipples, and have an enlarged areola. Additionally, tuberous breasts often lack symmetry and appear to be different sizes, as they formed abnormally during puberty. Chances are, if you are concerned you have tuberous breasts based on this criteria, you probably do. However, in order to have a proper diagnosis of tuberous breasts, it’s important to talk to a medical professional rather than self-diagnose.
Is there something wrong with me for having tuberous breasts?
No! Absolutely not, there is nothing wrong with you for having tuberous breasts. All bodies are good bodies, even when they have features here and there that we’d like to change. Despite being unhappy with your tuberous breasts, you did nothing to cause this, there was nothing you could have done to avoid this condition, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. It’s very easy to see the word “deformity,” and associate it with negative thoughts- however, it is simply a medical term used to describe abnormalities, and it is not meant to make you feel bad or less than anyone else. Additionally, this is a very fixable issue when you explore your corrective surgery options.
Are there non-surgical ways to fix tuberous breasts?
No. While you can dress in certain clothes or wear bras padded to create the appearance of rounder, fuller breasts, there is no option for improving or fixing tuberous breasts other than corrective breast surgery.
Do only women have tuberous breasts?
No. Men as well as women can have tuberous breasts and should not feel ashamed about wanting to find options for improving the shape of tuberous breasts. Male breast reductions and nipple reductions are two surgeries popular with men who are unhappy with tuberous breasts or fuller breasts that make them feel insecure. There are many different types of plastic surgery procedures for men, they are just not as commonly discussed as procedures that women get.
What type of breast surgery is best for me to improve my tuberous breasts?
There is no way to tell what the best option is for improving the shape of your tuberous breasts, aside from scheduling a consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon. Until you and your surgeon discuss your specific goals and you undergo an examination, we cannot say what the best procedure for you would be.
How do I prepare for tuberous breast surgery?
Being prepared for your tuberous breast corrective surgery is important- when we schedule your procedure we will discuss everything you need to know for the day of your surgery. We recommend stopping smoking at least 6 months prior to your procedure, pre-fill any medications you will need, avoiding taking aspirin or any blood thinners prior to your surgery, and arranging for someone to drive you to and from your appointment.
How long does tuberous breast surgery last?
Tuberous corrective breast surgery is performed under general anesthesia and can take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours, depending on the specific procedure(s) being performed.
What is the recovery process after tuberous breast surgery?
After your surgery, you will normally spend some additional time at our facility for observation. Once home, we recommend resting for a few days after your tuberous breast surgery. While every patient is different, on average, most people can return to work after 1-2 weeks and will see a complete recovery after 6 weeks.
What will my breasts look like after surgery to improve my tuberous breasts?
Depending on the goals discussed with your surgeon, each patient will have outcomes unique to them. Dr. Ortiz commits himself to provide beautiful, natural-looking results aligned with each patient’s specific goals.
What are the risks of tuberous breast corrective surgery?
There is some level of risk with all surgeries when someone is put under anesthesia. Some risks include swelling, bruising, bleeding, and infection. When you work with a reputable plastic surgeon with experience in performing thousands of surgeries like yours, you can trust they are taking every precaution necessary to ensure your safety and wellbeing are at the forefront of every decision made.
How much does corrective surgery for tuberous breasts cost?
The cost of your corrective breast surgery to improve the shape of your tuberous breasts will depend on which procedure you get. You can look over our plastic surgery pricing and financing options on our website.
What should I ask my board-certified plastic surgeon about my tuberous breast surgery?
It is always of the utmost importance that you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in performing surgeries similar to yours. During your consultation, ask your doctor if you can see before and after pictures of former patients who underwent corrective breast surgery for tuberous breasts.
Schedule a Consultation for Tuberous Breasts Corrective Surgery
Are you ready to make the life-changing leap of scheduling a consultation to learn more about the options for improving the shape of your tuberous breasts?
At North Raleigh Plastic Surgery, we have many options for breast surgery procedures suited to your unique needs of correcting the appearance of tuberous breasts. There is no reason you should go on worrying about the look of your breasts, being insecure, and lacking in self-confidence because of the shape of your breasts. Dr. Ortiz and his team are here to help!
Call us today at 919-532-2270 for a consultation or fill out the form below to get started.
Fill out the form below to schedule a consultation or send us a question.
