Will areola reduction surgery help tubular breast?

Question

I have tubular breast. With tubular breast comes large puffy nipples. I was wondering if just correcting my puffy nipples and reducing areola size will make them look somewhat normal, without having a complete breast augmentation, with implants.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Butterflyhigh93,
areola reduction alone will not improve tuberous breasts. 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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Lane Smith, MD · Answer

Without seeing your breasts, no one can accurately give you an answer. It would depend on the amount of ptosis or “sagging” you have. The size of your breasts, areolas, nipples, etc. some patients can absolutely just have a nipple or areola reduction, while others need lifts, fat transfers, or implants to correct their breast. If you would like to be seen for consultation, so I can give you an idea of what your options are, feel free to contact my office at 702-838-2455

Fernando Ovalle Jr., MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.
It is harder to speak to your specific situation without photos or a physical exam. However, speaking in more general terms, there are some important points you make about tubular breast correction surgery. Depending on the severity there is usually some combination of breast tissue herniating through the areola causing "puffy nipples" and the tubular shape to the breast. However there is also usually a high IMF (inframammary breast fold)/low nipple to fold distance caused by a deficiency of tissue and volume in the lower parts of the breast. Therefore tubular breast surgery typically includes both a component to address the issue around the areola as well as a component to address the lack of volume/relationship of breast fold and the tissues of the lower part of the breast. This has commonly involved breast implants in one stage vs. expander followed by implant in two stages. However, it is also possible to use fat grafting with your own fat from another site. This has a benefit of being all natural and avoiding the need for an implant; however you may need more than one round of fat grafting to achieve the desired outcome.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You did not post photos, so I cannot be specific. Mildly tubular breasts can often be improved with just areolar reduction and repositioning the breasts. However, implants are needed to expand the base of the breasts. Lifts do nothing for the base. Some women think they have tubular breasts when they are just sagging, Tubular breasts are shaped like tubers, hence the name.  If you have a fair amount of excess skin, the areolar incision only will not be enough.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Areola reduction surgery can improve the puffiness of the nipples.  However depending on the degree of the tubular deformity, further interventions such as a lift and/or implants will be needed in order to improve shape.  I encourage you to visit with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area to learn what is recommended for you.

Will areola reduction surgery help tubular breast?

Answers (5)

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