Aurora Clinics: Photo of Tuberous Breast Correction
BOOK A CONSULTATION

 

REQUEST A CALLBACK

Tuberous Breast Correction

Tuberous breasts (also known as tubular or constricted breasts) are an abnormality in the breast shape. This condition is genetic and is characterised by a tightened, narrow base to your breast and a high crease, causing the breasts to look elongated. If you are concerned about the appearance of your breasts it may be best to schedule a consultation with one of our specialist breast surgeons to discuss your options.

Aurora is now part of The Private Clinic, please click here to find out more about Tuberous Breast Correction and The Private Clinic. World-renowned plastic surgeon Mr Adrian Richards is part of The Private Clinic expert team.

Considering a Tuberous Breast Correction?

If you suffer from tuberous breasts you are likely to have been aware of this since childhood. Often young girls growing up become aware their breasts don’t look like what they see in magazines, films and on TV. When you feel you’re developing differently from others but aren’t sure what’s wrong, it can be a troubling time. It may have caused embarrassment and essentially you may have not felt ‘normal’. You may have even felt that you couldn’t discuss it with friends or family.

Tuberous breasts are very common but can vary greatly in severity. In the mild form, it might just be characterised by a high crease under the breast and a short distance between the nipple and the fold under the breast. More severe cases are characterised by a tightness in the bottom of the breast and elongated breast shape as well as herniation of the areola (doming of the brown area around the nipple).

If you are concerned that your breasts may not be developing in the correct way, we want to reassure you it is a very common condition and can be treated very easily with surgery.

We would advise that you talk to your family about it or someone that is close to you, then perhaps come in and talk to one of our plastic surgeons who specialise in tuberous breast correction. They will be able to advise you on whether you have tuberous breasts as well as highlighting your treatment options.

What are your treatment options?

The best surgical technique for you depends on the appearance of your breast tissue. In general, the base of the breast will need to be stretched with an implant. This can be done in two ways:

The internal release of the constricting tissue and insertion of a breast implant

The release of the tissue widens the base of the breast, which is then maintained with the increased volume from the breast implant. The breast implant will descend slightly with time, stretching the constricted bottom of your breast tissue.

A tissue expander (inflatable implant) can be used in cases of severe constriction

This is not commonly performed but it involves an implant which can be expanded/blown up on a weekly basis with injections of salt water. As the size of the implant increases, this will gradually stretch your skin tissue.

Both of these techniques will correct the volume of the breast and stretch the base. However, further surgery may be necessary to correct the appearance of the nipple. In many cases the nipple is domed (raised from the skin and wider than normal). Surgery to this area will aim to reduce the prominence and doming of the nipple and possibly its diameter.

Find out more about Tuberous Breast Correction procedures here.

Essentially, the treatment of tubular breasts varies between each individual. If you’ve got a little bit of constriction at the base and the nipples are in a relatively normal position, often a breast implant alone is enough. In more severe cases, with more tuberous breasts and possibly more doming of the areola, you may need a tissue expander, which is going to gradually stretch the base of your skin, combined with a nipple reduction procedure.

How will it impact on your life?

The combination of either a breast implant or a tissue expander to enlarge the base and to tighten up the skin is going to give a really pleasing change to the volume and shape of your bust. The main benefits our previous patients have found are:

  • An increase in self-esteem and body confidence
  • Clothes fit better and you don’t have to worry about wearing padded bras
  • You begin to feel ‘normal’

Is Tuberous Breast Correction right for you?

Tuberous breast correction may be right for you if you have the following characteristics:

  • Elongated breast shape
  • Base of the breast is narrower than usual
  • High inframammary crease – the fold underneath the breast
  • Herniation – areola has become a little wider and more domed
  • Asymmetry – one breast is more tubular than the other

When tuberous breasts have been corrected by a combination of breast implants, tissue expanders or nipple correction surgery, your results will be stable. The appearance of your breasts will change if you change weight or become pregnant and breastfeed. These changes would occur in non-tubular breasts and cannot be ultimately predicted. This may have an impact on the time in your life you decide to go ahead with a tuberous breast correction.

After your surgery and beyond…

Recovery following surgery for tuberous breasts is normally fairly rapid. You will be able to return home the same day following you procedure. Most people do not have too much discomfort following this procedure and any discomfort they do experience is usually easily controlled with medications such as paracetamol.

The type of scarring will depend on the type of surgery you have had to correct your tuberous breasts. If you have a simple breast implant procedure the scar will normally be in the fold underneath the breast. If you do need surgery around your nipple, this will involve a fine scar left around your nipple. In both cases, your scars will remain slightly red for some months following surgery and thereafter subsequently fade.

The next step

We always encourage people to do as much research as they can when considering cosmetic surgery, so for more information on tuberous breast correction surgery: