How much will it cost to fix my tuberous breasts?

Question

How much will it cost to make my breasts normal, implants included? My insurance provider is Aetna, not sure if they cover TBD correction. I live in Houston so any recommendations of doctors in the Houston or Woodlands area would be great. I'm a 19 year old female, 5'4 and 135 lbs. I'm completely flat chested except for the some puffiness. My breasts are completely lifted from my chest, nothing under. I've tried Noogleberry, Naturalful cream, and bovine ovary supplements but nothing has helped.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and pictures.

I think you are correct: your breast photos do demonstrate many of the characteristics seen with tubular (constricted) breasts. For example, the distance from the areola to inframammary folds seems to be tight and relatively short. The areola do demonstrate some features associated with tubular breast such as an increased width (and “puffiness”).

You will benefit from an in-person consultation with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons. This consultation will allow for accurate advice that is best provided after a thorough history, physical examination, and detailed discussion of your goals. There are a lot of factors to consider when making recommendations; for example your life circumstances ( planned pregnancies, psychosocial situation…) and tolerance for scars are factors that should be taken into consideration by you and your plastic surgeon.

Based on your photographs and description of concerns, it is likely that you will benefit from breast augmentation plus/minus areola reduction/lifting surgery (to improve any "puffy" areola and/or nipple/areola position concerns).

When it comes to costs of surgery, there may be many “variables” involved. The specific surgeon's credentials/experience level (or lack thereof), the specific geographic area you are looking at, the different operations available, the location of the procedure (quality of surgery facility), type/quality of anesthesia provider, type of breast implants … are some of the potential variables involved. You will find some average costs of surgery on this website and on individual plastic surgeons' websites as well.

In regards to outcome of the planned procedure, more important than costs of the procedures will be careful selection of your plastic surgeon. I would suggest starting with the American Society of Plastic Surgery and/or the Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgery to obtain a list of well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.
Then, I would suggest you visit a few surgeons whose practices concentrate on aesthetic surgery. ***Ask to SEE lots of examples of their work AND preferably speak/see patients who have had similar procedures done.
Be very careful with your decision-making. You will find, while doing your due diligence, that there are many different “specialties” who will offer their services to you; again, I strongly recommend you concentrate on surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

I would also suggest that you do not base your selection of plastic surgeon primarily on costs of surgery; keep in mind that  additional revisionary surgery may be more costly in many ways.

Best wishes.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. You do have tuberous breasts.  You are a great candidate
for a breast augmentation with release of the lower pole constriction bands.  The size, profile, and shape of the
implant is based on your desired breast size/shape, your chest wall
measurements, and soft tissue quality.  This decision should
be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you
and your surgeon.  Cost varies based on geographic region and surgeon expertise.  Make sure you
specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have
had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most important aspect is to find a
surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a
qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Basically a breast augmentation by itself can fix the problem. The base the breast will be released by what is called a mastotomy. A new implant will be placed in the sub glandular position in the base of the breast will assume the diameter of the prosthesis. You're paying for breast augmentation.

C. Bob Basu, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Dear amyatkinson98:
Based on your photo, it appears you have a tuberous breast with an asymmetry.  I perform tuberous breast corrective procedures on a regular basis.  Although a formal physical exam is needed to give you any meaningful advice, I would likely recommend a breast augmentation with a periareolar mastopexy to reposition your nipples and improve your overall breast shape.  In addition, the reason why you have a tuberous breast shape is that you likely have internal constriction bands (internal bands) that create the conical shape to your breasts.  It is important that your PS release these bands to help expand your breast to facilitate a more aesthetically pleasing breast shape.  Please visit with a board certified PS to learn more about your options.  We would be happy to see you to help achieve your goals.  
Best wishes,
Dr. BasuHouston, TX

How much will it cost to fix my tuberous breasts?

Answers (4)

Answer: Tuberous breast correction

Answer: Tuberous breast correction

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How much will it cost to fix my tuberous breasts?

Answers (4)

Answer: Tuberous breast correction

Answer: Tuberous breast correction

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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