Do I have tubular breasts? Do I need to lose weight before my breast augmentation consult? (Photo)

Question

Currently I am a 36b, but the cup is still too big and I cannot move down to a 34b or to a 34a because my rib cage is too wide, and the tightness of the strand hurt. I am currently 5'5 and weigh about 175lbs. My questions are: by the pictures of my breasts, Do these count as tubular? And should I lose weight before my consult from the look of these photos? I am goin to my first consult with the Doctor I am about 90% sure will be doing my procedure on May 11th. Thanks :)

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Your breasts are not tuberous but you so have some assymetries that can be corrected during your breast augmenation surgery. Regards,

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Tubular breasts or tuberous breast deformity are breasts with unusual shape. They may be very narrow at the base on the chest or the whole breast itself can be very narrow. There are different variations of tuberous breast deformity. Basically, it is a growth and development problem that may cause a lot of angst foreyoung woman. A woman with #tubular breasts are often candidates for #BreastLifts.You may feel your breasts are among that category but actually you may be seeking an increase in size and fullness. The most reliable and popular means to increasing #BreastSize and volume is breast augmentation. If you are seeking to increase size and #volume. rather than correcting what you feel are a #tubular breasts, you may want to consider augmentation to address your concerns. Additionally, the following variety of factors may indicate if one is a good #candidate for #BreastAugmentation. Some of these feelings and/or conditions include:Concerns and self esteem issues related to breast size.Loss of volume and firmness after pregnancy or weight loss.Clothing does not fit well.Asymmetry in breast shape and size.Problems with the shape of your rib cage; sunken or over-projecting. The intended result of the procedure is to enhance the size and shape of the breasts to achieve the body image desired by the patient. It is imperative you select a plastic surgeon who is board-certified and specialized in breast surgery and cosmetic surgery. Request to see before and after photos in addition to patient testimonials.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

There is not much to be gained by labeling someone with
tuberous breasts.  An operative plan should be developed based on your
anatomy.  Whether that is breast implantation, lift or reduction,
symmetrization or some combination of procedures, there is no particular point
in stigmatizing your breast shape.  A properly trained, skilled and
ethical plastic surgeon can develop a plan based on your anatomy and give you
the outcome that you desire.  I see absolutely no point in diagnosing
someone with tuberous breasts or restricted base deformity.  Stigmatizing
a young person can have an effect on the way they perceive the outcome, even if
it is outstanding.You are an excellent candidate for breast augmentation,
you just need to find a surgeon with the right skills.

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate
your question.From your photos, it appears you do have characteristics of tuberous breasts.

Constricted
or tubular breasts tend to be too narrow with a breast crease that is too high.
Tight ring-like bands of tissue around the areolae and nipples may create the
appearance of protruding or puffy areolae. A higher than normal breast crease
may make your nipples appear to be too low or down pointing. Constricted breast
features can be very mild or severe. In fact, mild variations are relatively
common. To summarize, the features can include:Inframammary fold (breast crease) too
highInframammary fold misshapenBreasts too narrow (disproportionately
narrow base width)Insufficient breast skinConstricted or tubular shape, resulting
from tight bands of tissue within breastsProtruding or bulging appearance of
areolae (pigmented area around nipples)

Improvement
is possible and generally includes a breast augmentation, sometimes combined
with a lift (mastopexy). The lift is usually limited to an incision around the
areolae. During the procedure, I release the tight, constricting bands from the
inside, allowing the skin to expand properly. I also lower the inframammary
fold to a more ideal position and improve its shape. Breast implants help
create the right amount of volume and improve breast contours, resulting in a
more rounded or tear drop shape.

The best way
to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a
board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative
plastic surgery.Best of luck!Dr. Schwartz

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,There is a spectrum, or range of what tubular deformity looks like.  Your breasts are definitely short from the inframammary fold to nipple, especially toward the midline.  However, you don't have breast tissue expanding your nipple/areolar complex, indicating that you are not as constricted as others. This is a good thing.I don't think you would necessarily benefit from waiting until you loose weight, as it probably won't make a difference in outcome.Best of luck!

Whitney A. Burrell, MD · Answer

The criteria for tubular breasts are the following: a high inferior fold, dilation of the areola, and herniation of the breast contents through the areolar ring.  You have a small amount of breast tissue and a high fold, but it's not unreasonable for the small amount of breast tissue you have.  You also appear to have some breast asymmetry, which will require precision and possibly a different sized implant to balance.  Make sure your surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and that you have a very thorough consultation wherein all your questions are answered.   You should have and deserve an excellent outcome after breast augmentation, but it will require a surgeon with experience and skill given your small breast tissue and asymmetry. Ask to see before and after photos, and best of luck to you!

Lisa Cassileth, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, a few pieces of advice for you. First, you complain you are an empty 36b, but 34a or 34b is too tight. How about a 36a? Super obvious I know but you mentioned it...Next, you have a few elements of tuberous, which are stretch marks in your upper pole, and short distance nipple to inferior mammary crease. It's like a little breast on a wider chest. This is easier to "fix" which means the surgeon needs to put the implant low enough to make the nipple well positioned and make a new base width for the breast which fits your chest better.  Just make sure your implant width matches your chest width, NOT your breast width. Easy peasy and shouldn't be hard.

Steven K. Struck, MD · Answer

You do not have tubular breasts.  You do have a wide breast base diameter so I would recommend  choosing a larger implant which will match your base diameter.  A smaller implant might exaggerate the gap between your breasts.  I'm sure you and your surgeon will come up with a good plan.  Your case is pretty straight forward.

Aaron Stone, MD · Answer

Your posted photos show asymmetric, differently shaped breasts with a high inframammary fold and larger areola on the left. I would not call them tubular because the bases are not constricted. I do not think you need to lose weight before undergoing surgery. It is clear that just putting in implants will not give you an optimal result because you need adjunctive breast procedures to make the breasts more similar at the time the implants are placed. An additional problem you have is all of those stretchmarks which may become more visible with implants under them. Since there is no obvious reason why you have those stretchmarks you should have a medical workup prior to surgery. Ignoring a medical reason for them could set you up for even more stretchmarks after breast augmentation and ruin and otherwise good result.My response to your question/post does not represent formal medical advice or constitute a doctor patient relationship. You need to consult with i.e. personally see a board certified plastic surgeon in order to receive a formal evaluation and develop a doctor patient relationship in order to know if this assessment is valid.

Andrew T. Cohen, MD, FACS · Answer

No I don't think you have tubular breasts. You should do very well with a breast augmentation.i don't feel weight loss will make a difference. Go to a board certified plastic surgeon who will take time to size you and show you lots of pics.good luck,Andrew Cohen MD

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