Why Do my Breasts Look Like This? (photo)

Your breasts look like this because you have tubular breasts.  If your cup size is adequate then you do not need implants.  If your cup size is inadequate then you need implants.  You are an excellent candidate for a new procedure called The Mini Ultimate Breast Lift.  This will reduce the size of the areolas, elevate the breast tissue higher on the chest wall and give the natural appearance that you desire, leaving only a scar at the areola-skin junction.  At the same time, implants can be placed if desired.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Thank you for your question. You exhibit some of the signs of tuberous breasts, which are: constricted breast base, high-riding inframammary fold, and herniation of the breast grandular tissue into the areolar ring. If you were to desire a somewhat larger, fuller breast with tuberous breasts, you would need to undergo a modified breast augmentation procedure. In addition to placing a breast implant, a plastic surgeon would need to perform radial scoring of the breast grandular tissue from the inside and to lower the inframammary fold.Regarding nipple piercing, it won't be uncomfortable, but it is possible that it will make the nipple protrude more than you want even when the nipple is relaxed.

Breasts come in all shapes and sizes and significant variations in breast contour are common amongst women. One of the more commonly seen breast variants is the tubular breast deformity. This is also frequently referred to as a constricted breast deformity. Your pictures suggest the presence of a moderate tubular breast deformity.The condition occurs because of constriction of the skin at the base of the breast. This often results in herniation of the breast tissue through the areola which creates a unique breast shape. The vast majority of constricted breast deformities are relatively mild and treatment may not be necessary. Severe cases of this condition occasionally occur and do require treatment because of the magnitude of the breast deformity.A variety of approaches can be used to correct this problem. In some cases, breast lift and breast augmentation may be necessary. Treatments should be individualized based on the specifics of the anatomic deformity and the aesthetic goals of the patient.Based on your history and pictures, I believe you would benefit from combination breast augmentation/breast lift surgery. If you're considering correction of this problem, consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is appropriate. This surgeon should be able to address both your unique anatomic findings and aesthetic concerns.

Breasts: tuberous deformityTHIS BREAST CONDITION IS A CONGENITAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL
PROBLEM OF THE BREAST THAT IS CHARACTERIZED BY A VARIETY OF APPEARANCES GENERALLY SEEN AT THE TIME
OF PUBERTY. THERE MAY BE BREAST UNDERDEVELOPMENT OF THE
BREAST WITH LITTLE OR NO BREAST TISSUE.
THERE MAY BE DEFICIENCY OF BREAST
SKIN. THE BREAST MAY APPEAR NARROW,
TUBULAR, LONG , CONICAL OR DROOPY. THIS
HAS LENDED TO OTHER UNATTRACTIVE NAMES SUCH AS #TUBULARBREASTS, OR
#SNOOPYBREASTS.There are a variety of treatments  for this conditions including nipple correction

The appearance of your breasts are based on genetics and the effects of gravity/aging/pregnancy. These can all contribute to enlarged areolae and sagging. To address these issues, a breast lift and areola reduction can help.

Your breasts have large, "puffy" areolas, a narrow footprint and some droop, or ptosis.

Based on your photo (a physical exam and measurements would be essential if we were doing this for real) I recommend a breast lift with augmentation.

There are, as you know, different types of breast lift and implants.

You should see an experienced aesthetic breast surgeon to explore your options.

Good luck!

Thanks for the excellent picture, as my colleagues have already stated you have tuberous breasts.  I reccomend you see a plastic surgeon with alot of experience.

It would be best to consult with a BCPS to discuss corrective surgery, which would probably be a breast lift (mastopexy) on each side. 

The reason for your puffy nipples is that your breast tissue has herniated into the nipple.  The classical answer for why this happens is that your dermis, that area of skin below the surface, is weak and allows the breast tissue to herniate forward (technically, this is a pseudo hernia since it pushes all the dermis forward, not just at one point).  Your breasts started out looking like little thimbles, then looking like small potatoes sticking straight out (potatoes belong to a class called tubers), therefore this type of breast is referred to as a tuberous breast. 

Your areola are enlarged, and the technical way to push them back and decrease the puffy nipples at the same time would be to do a circumareolar or Benelli mastopexy using the dermal anchor technique.  This technique was first described by Mel Dinner, M.D. of Cleveland, Ohio.  It was later modified by me.  The technique and my video on the Benelli mastopexy can be found on YouTube.  The Benelli or circumareolar mastopexy will also lift your breasts at the same time. 

People do all sorts of measurements on the "ideal" dimensions of various body parts.  For the areola, the average diameter should be about 4.0 centimeters.  Based on your picture, it is obvious that your areolae are much larger than this.  Although it is difficult to say based on your picture, you may also have a slightly tubular aspect to your breasts (which may be why you thing they assume a triangular shape when relaxed).  Again, based on your picture, I think that some sort of breast lift procedure would work for you, either a donut lift (aka, peri-areolar lift) or a vertical (aka. "lollipop") lift.  This would accomplish two things:  it would elevate your breasts somewhat and it would also make your areolae smaller in diameter.  As for the nipples, I don't think that a nipple piercing is the best answer - unless, of course, you are into body piercing!  There are various surgical techniques for improving nipple protrusion.  These options would have to be discussed with you by your surgeon.