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What Are the Benefits of Reconstruction for Tuberous Breasts?

asked 2 years ago by MBrim24 in Oregon
Latest answer by David Greenspun, MD, MSc
Question viewed 907 times
Tags: breasts, female, breast feeding, reconstructive, tuberous

I am Native American and have Tribal Health Insurance. I am trying to put together information about having my Tuberous Breast Deformity corrected.

I was NOT able to properly breast feed my son. I had some milk production, but not enough for him to thrive, and I'm wondering if anyone has seen a case where the breast reconstruction de-constricted the milk ducts enough to facilitate proper breast feeding. Or of any other medical benefits. Will it relieve pain & sensitivity I experience now?

8 answers to What Are the Benefits of Reconstruction for Tuberous Breasts?

+1

Surgery to Correct Tuberous Breast Deformity

Surgery to correct tuberous breasts can provide significant cosmetic benefit, however, any such surgery will nat produce any functional improvement in your ability to breast feed. That said women who undergo correction of tuberous breasts are generally very happy with the results that such surgery can produce and report high degrees of satisfaction. Interestingly, in severe cases of tuberous breast deformity, we have found that some patient's insurance plans will cover the expense of... more
David Greenspun, MD, MSc

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.davidgreenspunmd.com

+1

Tuberous breasts

Tuberous breast reconstruction is not covered by insurance as far as I know.  Uuslaly this is deemed cosmetic in nature.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tuberous breasts correction for facilitating proper breast feeding

The release of the breast along its periphery, by definition, involves severing some breast gland and duct tissue. Although it releases the breast, it may actually limit the ability to breast feed. Furthermore, tuberous breasts are not typically associated with pain. I would therefore recommend you see a breast specialist as there may be something else here that needs to be addressed. Good Luck.
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Constricted breast deformity (tuberous aka tubular)

Unfortunately, I am aware that this is considered a congenital breast deformity but not aware of any studies that specifically demonstrated correction of lactation problems or relief of pain and discomfort.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tuberous breast deformity correction

Imporvement of the tuberous breast is purely for appearence purposes, that is, it does not improve breast feeding, pain, tenderness, etc. That being said, some insurances do pay for correction based on restoration to normalcy. If your insurance requires a medical reason they will probably not cover it.
John P. Stratis, MD

Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon
+1

Benefits of tuberous breast correction

Hi MBrim24. For the most part tuberous breast is a cosmetic deformity and is not associated with symptoms of pain and/or senstiivity. However, because the deformity includes underdevelopment of the breast, it is possible to affect your ability to breast feed. It is possible that because of the underdeveloped breast, you have an insufficient number of milk producing elements to make enough milk. Since many women without tuberous breasts are also unable to produce enough milk, we will... more
Tracy Pfeifer, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Surgery for tuberous breasts

Tuberous breast is a descriptive term and can mean a variety of different appearances and anatomy to the breast. Surgery will not be expected to change your ability or lack of ability to breast-feed. You should be careful about dong surgery with expectation of curing pain. Although you do not describe what pain and sensitivity you have, sensory changes are unpredictable so we usually do not perfom surgery to change sensation. If you don;t have pain, you mihgt imagine that surgery will... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Benefits of correcting tuberous breasts

The benefits of correcting a tuberous breast deformity are mainly cosmetic and to improve your self esteem.  I doubt there would be any functional benefit such that insurance would want to provide coverage.  Pain, sensitivity and breast feeding ability are really unrelated. 
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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