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

Question

Hi, I hate the look of my areola/nipple (the mound like shape) when they are not erect. Are my breast tuberous? Do I need an areola reduction or could breast augmentation help improve the look without a reduction. Would it be pointless getting a procedure done before having children? Any advice would be appreciated. I am so self conscious and get really down about how I look without a top on. The last photo shows my breast erect.

Damien Grinsell, MBBS, FRACS (Plast) · Answer

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

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

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

R. Clark Mooty, MD · Answer

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

Gregory T. Lynam, MD · Answer

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!

Ross Farhadieh MD, FRCS, FRACS · Answer

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.

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

Answers (8)

Answer: Herniated areolar tissue

Answer: Herniated areolar tissue

Answer: Tuberous breast deformity

Answer: Tuberous breast deformity

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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

Answers (8)

Answer: Herniated areolar tissue

Answer: Herniated areolar tissue

Answer: Tuberous breast deformity

Answer: Tuberous breast deformity

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.