Are my breasts tuberous? What sort of surgery is there to fix them? (photos)

Tuberous breast is not, technically speaking, a "yes" or "no" question. There can be different points on the continuum. The typical hallmarks include a high, tight fold with "puffy" or distended areola, minimal breast tissue and potentially herniation of the breast tissue through a tightened ring thus the "tuberous" label. It is a congenital deformity which usually manifests at puberty. To what degree it manifests will vary from one patient to the next.
Treatment of tuberous breasts varies depending on the degree of the breast architectural distortion. Surgical correction typically involves:
-areolar reduction
-submuscular augmentation
-release of constricted breast tissue
All of these techniques work in concert to correct the tuberous deformation of the breast.Based upon your photos, you demonstrate a very mild form (if at all), with mild areolar distension and a shorter fold. You would likely benefit from an augmentation with areolar reduction.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).
Donovan Rosas MD
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
RealSelf Top 100
RealSelf Hall of Fame

From the pictures posted, you do not seem to have tuberous breasts. I recommend an in person evaluation by a plastic surgeon to be measured and discuss your goals. After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women with similar measurements with different size breast implants. My patients tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size breast implant is right for them. 
Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author            RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee

Dear Dynamic208,
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

Thank you for the question and pictures.
 Hard to tell based on the photographs but (after careful review of the pictures), I think your breasts do demonstrate some of the qualities seen with very mildly tuberous (constricted) breasts; there is a wide range when it comes to tuberous/constricted breast presentation.  
Generally speaking, 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” areola and some degree of ptosis (drooping). 
Generally, correction of tuberous breast anomalies involves breast augmentation with areola reduction / mastopexy procedure. The distance from the inframammary fold is increased (to create a more rounded out appearance). Proper implant positioning improves the distance (cleavage) between the breasts. The areola reduction helps to treat the pointed and "puffy" appearance of the areola.
Regardless of the semantics, if the appearance/shape/size of the breasts are a concern, you may be an excellent candidate for breast surgery.  In your case specifically, the question is quite good ( although mild asymmetry, which is very common, is present).  The major feature present in your case is the larger and "puffy" areola which can be surgically  treated with an areola reduction procedure.
If/when you are ready, please make sure you consult with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons who have significant (demonstrable) experience with this type of surgery.
 
 Best wishes. 

No, you do not have tuberous breasts. To reduce the size of your areola, you would require a periareola mastopexy, which you do not need. An implant would give you more fullness and make your breasts appear less "pointy". I think you would be a good candidate for a breast augmentation. This would not be covered under insurance, as it would be cosmetic. I suggest you seek out a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in breast augmentation.

Hello. Thank you for your inquiry. 
You may be an excellent candidate for breast augmentation surgery.

It is important to have an in-person assessment regarding your concerns as it is difficult to determine virtually.

There are many different factors that go into choosing a breast implant size which will correspond with your body dimensions while concurrently achieving your aesthetic results. Some of these factors are: Implant size (CC's), Implant profile (Low, Moderate, High), Placement of the implant (Subglandular vs. Dual Plane) etc. We utilize smooth round cohesive silicone gel 'gummy bear' implants for the best results. 

During a consultation your aesthetic goals are heard and taken into account with the measurements of your breasts and the integrity of your tissue, as well as level of ptosis (sag). From here we collectively can find your 'perfect fit'. 

You are able to try out sizers and different implants in our office such that you can get an idea of what size you would be post-operation. We also offer Crisalix 3D plastic surgery virtual simulator during our in-person and virtual consultations to preview potential results. After your consultation, you will receive your very own implant sizers to take home with you (at a small cost) whether or not you decide to go forward with your procedure.

 I usually recommend that my patients stop smoking, take vitamin C daily, and avoid aspirin/ibuprofen and vitamin E 3 weeks prior to surgery. 

I specialize in the 24-hour Recovery method which minimizes trauma to the breast and decreases pain post-operatively.

We encourage you to look at our website and Instagram (drkaraplasticsurgery) for lots of before and after pictures!

Please note that this response does not substitute patient-doctor relationship.

We welcome any and all patients seeking advice to come in for a complimentary consultation available for limited time only.

During the COVID-19, we are offering complimentary online consultations as well as in-office consultation with social distancing and masks. Procedure done in-hospital private surgical facility while taking covid-19 precautions. We utilize UV-light to clean the air of viruses and bacteria during our consultations and surgery.

We invite you to come in to discuss your options more thoroughly.  Please send us an email at info@drkaraplasticsurgery.com with the subject line: "Attention Meagan" and we will be happy to coordinate your appointment!

M.Kara,MD,FRCSC (27+ years experience)

- Specializing in 24 hour recovery/ out to dinner breast augmentation in-hospital private surgical facility for your added safety and peace of mind

Hi and welcome to our forum!
Tuberous breasts are manifested by enlarged puffy areolae, wide spaciong between the breasts, minimal breast tissue, and a higher than normal inframammary fold.
You appearance may represent a very mild form of this congenital deformity.
I would recommend an augmentation mammoplasty with areolar reduction.
As there is no functional component of tuberous breasts, insurance carriers will likely call the surgical plan an uncoveraed "cosmetic procedure". 
Visit a board certified plastic surgeon for complete examination and discussion.
Best wishes...

All medical "conditions" come in various degrees of severity. Your breasts have only very subtle signs of being tuberous. The treatment is with implants to add size and a periareolar lift to elevate the areaole and reduce their diameter. None of this is considered "medically necessary" and as such is not covered by any insurance.