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Do I Have Tubular Breasts and Ptosis?

20, no children. might have tubular breasts & ptosis. In my teens I had puffy tubular breasts & never perky. They have sagged and now look more like ptosis, less puffy. They are wide but flat. The areolas need lifting, shrinking, and I'd like a tear shaped implant No plastic surgeon yet & havent been evaluated. My health insurance will pay for the reconstructive surgery if this falls under "Mammoplasty, Reduction". Will this fall under Mammoplasty Reduction?

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age 18-24 ptosis tubular breasts

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20 Doctor Answers | Asked by angelteddy

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Correction of tubular breasts with ptosis

I believe you do have a tubular breast deformity, best treated with a specialized lift and augmentation if you desire a larger size. Your surgery is not a breast reduction, so would probably not quality under any insurance guidelines. This surgery is technically more difficult than straightforward augmentation or lifts, so make sure your prospective surgeon has experience and a good series of photographs to show you.

Tubular Breasts?

Thank you for the question and good quality pictures. Yes, I think your breasts do demonstrate some of the qualities seen with mildly tuberous (constricted) breasts. Your pictures definitely demonstrate breast ptosis. Some of the characteristics seen with tuberous breasts include a very narrow base, short distance from areola to inframammary fold, tight (constricted) lower pole of the breasts, relatively wide space between the breasts, "puffy" and areola and some... more

Tubular breasts

You would not qualify for breast reduction because the breasts are too small to meet insurance criteria. You could consider a mastopexy with regard to the sagging but this would be cosmetic and not covered by insurance.

Breast lifting tuberous breasts

Dear Angel, You definitely have breast ptosis and a form of tuberous breast deformity. Correction would involve a lift operation using a lollipop scar. It would not qualify as a breast reduction. Good luck! see video

Tubular vs. Ptotic breasts

Thanks for the photos. Your breasts are ptotic (droopy) but not as bad as the classic tubular deformities. This can be improved with a mastopexy procedure, and I would recommend a vertical technique to make them perky. You will not likely get approved by an insurance company because a true breast reduction requires 350 to 500 grams of tissue removed from each side depending on your height and weight. This will leave you very small and, from my perspective,... more

Breast contouring, #BreastAugmentation, #Breastlift, #mastopexy

Dear Angelteddy If you want a reduction in size, the amount of tissue to be removed will determine the insurance coverage. The shaping of you breasts can be done with several different techniques including, lifting only, lifting with breast implant, and lfting with micro fat grafting. Considerations include- scarring, change in sensation, breast feeding and changes with pregnancy. With Warm Regards, Trevor M Born MD

Tubular Breasts

It does appear that you have a mild variant of what can be considered a tubular breast deformity with herniated glandular tissue into the nipple areolar complex. You also demonstrate ptosis(sagging) and an expanded nipple areolar complex. These problems can be addressed with a vertical augmentation mastopexy (lollipop incision and an implant). The question of insurance coverage is always a difficult one as insurance companies get to decide which services they cover and... more

Do I have tuberous (tubular) breasts?

Whatever terminology you choose your breasts are ptotic (droopy), they lack upper pole fullness and the areolas are overly large. Here in Canada we have fairly unrestricted access to all the silicone gel implants. I prefer to use a tear-drop silicone gel implant (the so-called 'gummy bear' implant) combined with a vertical (or 'lollipop') breast lift. I like to place the implant over the muscle, as over time it stays together with the breast much better than when it... more

Tubular breasts and ptosis

Yes, it looks like the base of your breasts are narrow and they are sagging. They do not need to be reduced but do need to be lifted and this is not covered by insurance. An implant can help as well.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Do I Have Tubular Breasts and Ptosis?

You have a variant deformity ,it is the tuberous deformity with the hallmark signs. In addition you have ptosis of the breasts which goes hand in hand with tuberous breasts Here you have a high infra mammary anchoring and the rest of the breasts tissue "spills" over withe nipples pointing to the floor Braest lift may be sufficient but because of your young age try to avoid the vertical scar and use only the periareolar incisions and a true... more

Breast lift with Augmentation

You appear to have nothing but ptosis. You would probably benefit from an augmentation with breast lift from what you said. A preiareolar lift may accomplish your needs (with the augmentation) or you may need a full vertical lift. Unless you find someone on an investigational protocol, the only “tear shaped implants” are saline. These would be OK, though I would prefer silicone implants. I would use textured implants and put them sub glandular because of your ptosis and tendency... more

Lift and Enlargement together has additional risks

It looks like you would benefit from a lift with an augmentation. It can be a little tricky doing them simultaneously and there are some additional risks, but the results can be quite dramatic and may provide for a much more youthful appearance. The procedure is cosmetic and as such is not covered by insurance.

Tubular breasts can be well corrected.

Hi. 1) You have a relatively mild case of tubular breasts. The base of your breasts (where the breast meets the chest) has a narrow diameter, the lower part of your breasts is constricted, and you have very large areolas. The premature sagging goes along with the diagnosis of tubular breasts. 2) Full correction requires experience and meticulous technique. Basically, you need a modified breast lift, and everything is done just with a circular scar around your... more

Ptosis but no classic tuberous breast deformity.

While you have a hint of tubular shape and large areolar, you do not have the classic tubular breast deformity as characterized by severe constriction, elevated breast fold, and herniation thru the nipple. Your breast shape would be best addressed by a mastopexy. As you have a good bit of volume I would suggest an implant would not be indicated as it adds costs and entails the long term issues you'd assume with an implant in (maintaince, repoerations, rupture, etc..). more

Breast Lift and Augmentation

I would suggest that you go in for a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. it appears that you would benefit from a mastopexy / breast lift and possibly a small implant to improve upper pole fullness. At your consultation, your plastic surgeon can examine you and explain all of your options. Good Luck.

Tubular breasts ot ptosis?

Thank you for the photos. Tubular breasts and ptosis can coexist. Your breast bases do not look constricted, but you have some characteristics of tubular breasts. Looking at you photos, you have grade ptosis with enlarged nipple areolar complexes. You will not qualify for a reduction as per insurance co. criteria, but you would benefit from a short scar breast lift. This would make your areolae smaller, lift them and will give you perkier breasts with a rounder and fuller lower pole. more

Breast ptosis

You do not have tubular breast. You have ptosis. If you like the size of your breasts within a bra, then a simple vertical lift with inner suspensions will do with minimal scars. Only a scar around your areola and a scar straight down to your fold. No horizontal scars. I hope this helps. Luis vinas md

Ptosis yes, tubular, no

Your breast has ptosis of the gland and nipple, which is dependent and points in a downward direction. Breast lift is the perfect solution to lift the nipple up front and center, and a small implant would do nicely as well. We are not fond of a teardrop implant, and a round will look just fine. Insurance is very doubtful. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Do I Have Tubular Breasts and Ptosis?

This does not look like tubular breasts but breast ptosis and mild macromastia. It is questionable if this will be covered by your insurance co.

Tubular breasts

Tubular or constricted breasts is a descriptive term to describe breasts that have a constricted base, shortened lower pole, elongated structure relative to the width, and often enlarged or herniated areolas. There was many variations and degrees. It doesn't really matter what it is called, just what the anatomical structure is and what you want as a result. Sometimes a surgeon will need to reduce, lift, and augment the breast. I doubt if your breasts will qualify for a reduction... more