Do I have tuberous breast? Or are they just constricted? Or puffy Areolas? (Photos)

Hi SerenaYou do not have tuberous breasts. You have very mild areolar herniation which is completely normal. I would not recommend an areolar reduction. A breast augment will likely make it a bit worse and certainly wont improve it. If it really bothers you then needle diathermy can help. CheersDamien

Dear serena_12,tuberous breasts are not simply small or underdeveloped breasts. The appearance of the breast can range from mild to severe, and typical traits include: enlarged, puffy areola, rather wide spacing between the breasts, very little breast tissue, sagging, higher than normal inferior breast fold, and narrow base at the chest wall.The type of surgery best for you will depend on the severity of your condition.My preferred technique for tuberous breast correction involves a multistep procedure where the breast tissue is released in a radial pattern to prevent herniation into the areola and placement of a custom implant size is in the breast to allow appropriate expansion of the breast in the restricted dimensions. This can often be done in a single procedure but sometimes may require two surgeries.That said, it is best that you visit a board-certified plastic surgeon for an in person examination. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for your question and provided photos.  You have a component of herniated breast tissue at the nipple areola complex (NAC).  You do have a somewhat shortened (constricted) nipple to inframammary fold distance.  A breast augmentation will provide increased volume but not address the “puffiness to your NAC.  You could easily have a circumareolar mastopexy at the time of augmentation to correct the NAC concern.  There are a number of patients that do this before having kids.  The circumareolar maatopexy does entail an incision around the areola and could (small percentage) interfere with future ability to breast feed.  I encourage you to seek consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to provide an in person assessment and better assist you in your aesthetic goal.

Best,

Dr. Mooty

You have a component of tuberous breasts but you do not have true tuberous breasts. You can improve this with surgery at the time of implant placement if you so desire breast implants. If just repair then that is fine and will leave a scar around the areola. Good Luck!

Hi there, Thank you for your photos, yes you have perhaps the mildest form of tuberous breast deformity. This includes pseudoherniation of the nipple and lack of complete development of part of the breast parenchyma. This is generally treated with implant surgery.  

Hi Serena.
Tuberous breasts (or constricted breasts) are a developmental problem causing tissue abnormality more commonky in the lower pole of the breast. Judging from your photos you do not have constricged breasts. Your areola prominence is due to mild herniation which is very common. 
A breast augmentation will not necessarily reduce this appearance however the tissues in the areola can be tightened at the time with electrocautery which can help. i would not recommend having a areolar reduction performed as this would result in additional scarring and an unnatural appearance.
If you are planning to breast feed your children this is usually still possible after a normal breast augmentation however not all women are able to breat feed and any procedure to your areolar area may increase this risk somewhat.
Hope this helps!

Hello serena_12
I would suspect you have a mild form of tuberous breast deformity, as you have some breast tissue herniating through the areola, and the nipple to fold distance seems a little short.  This can be addressed with a single stage breast augmentation.  Adding the implant can increase the protrusion of the areola herniation, especially in the immediate postoperative period.  If the areola continue to be prominent after the implant has settled, then additional incisions around the areola would be needed at a second stage.  
The timing regarding pregnancy is a question best discussed with a plastic surgeon after discussing your goals and expectations.  Good Luck!
ABPS board certified plastic surgeon

Hi there Serena and thanks for posting,You have a normal shape to the lower pole of your breast and your nipple sits above the height of your fold so you do not meet the criteria for Tuberous breast.You do have a degree of areola herniation which I think would be improved with an implant alone. The next step would be some needle diathermy to help shrink the tissue. I would not recommend scars around your areola in the first instance as they may not be required.In terms of waiting until after children, I dont think that is necessary, unless you are planning on having children in the very near future. The two potential risks are interference with breast feeding, and a change in breast shape after children/breast feeding. If you avoid an areola incision, your chance of not being able to breast feed is not increased. Regarding the change in shape, it is certainly possible, however you dont have much breast tissue so it is not likely to change much with breast feeding, however this is less guaranteed.  The majority of breast augmentation however is performed in women prior to breast feeding.I hope that helpsRegards,Richard