Can you correct mild tuberous breasts without implants? (Photo)

Question

I am a 21 year old female with mild-moderate tuberous breasts. I've always been unhappy and very self conscious with the look of my breasts and am looking into corrective surgery. However, I would like to avoid implant if possible. Can my breasts be corrected without the use of an implant? Or are implant the only option?

Ellis Choy, FRACS(Plast) · Answer

Hi there,
Based on the photos you supplied, you do appear to have a mild degree of tuberous breasts. It is a constricted breast base condition characterised by deficiency of breast tissue in the lower pole, high inframammary folds and enlarged nipple areolar complex. 
Your ideal surgical recommendation will depend on your desires and expectations with regards to the size, shape and symmetry of your new breasts as well as your acceptance of appropriate scarring on your breast mound.
In my opinion, the best surgical approach for your situation would be a primary breast augmentation with anatomical shaped implants in a dual plane pocket approach for expanding the lower pole deficiency, enhancing the upper pole fullness as well as increasing the overall breast volume with an elegant natural shape definition. With scar well hidden in the breast crease, there won't be any visible scar on the breast mounds to be worried about.
However, knowing that you prefer not to have implants if possible, I think you also appear to be a potential candidate for consideration of breast fat grafting to the breast lower pole. A Benelli or peri-areolar mastopexy approach can also be incorporated as part of your breast lift procedure in reshaping your nipple areolar complex with a more favourable dimension and proportion to your new breast mounds. 
It'll be best to see a specialist plastic surgeon with vast experience in treating these conditions for further assessment and detailed advice regarding the best treatment approach in your particular situation. 
Best wishes
Ellis Choy

Jimmy S. Firouz, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Tuberous breast correction is a very meticulous and specialized procedure, which should only be performed by a board certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in this area. Each patient with tuberous breasts is unique, and so is their surgery. I would need to consult with you in person to determine the best tuberous breast correction surgery approach.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Please see a board certified plastic surgeon for an in-person consultation to discuss your options.

Clayton Crantford, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. A purse string mastopexy would improve the shape of your breast without an implant. This would leave you with a scar around the areola. If you combined this with a fat grafting you could increase the size of the breast as well. I recommend you schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your specific concerns.

Terrence Scamp, MBBS, FRACS · Answer

Hello there Most commonly this problem is treated with implants and a lift .But it may be possible to get nice results in your case with a lift and some sessions of fat grafting .See a plastic surgeon and talk through the possibilities .CheersTS

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Iddybiddytitties21,breast implants are not the only choice for tuberous breasts.  In some cases breast lift and fat transfer might provide great results. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Brian Peterson, MD · Answer

You can correct the shape of your breasts without an implant by doing a 'circumareolar mastopexy'.  This is done by creating an incision completely around your areola, and 'telescoping' the breast tissue inward. This will flatten the conical shape of your breast, and leave a scar around the areola.  Your breast will seem a little smaller.

Anthony J. Wilson, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. If you are strongly against implants then fat grafting may offer you a potential solution. Fat grafting is not as predictable as implants but can provide some improvement in the contour of your breasts. You may require more than one procedure. Best of luck

Karthik Ram, MRCS, DNB · Answer

Hi thanks for sharing your question and your pictures. Tuberous breasts can be augmented using both implants as well as fat grafting. Fat grafting may reqiure multiple sessions to acheive the expected results.  Meet a board certified plastic surgeon for examination and consultation.

Michael Zenn, MD · Answer

There have been some beautiful examples of correction of this deformity with fat grafting and no implants.  There are no large studies to prove this technique works on everyone.  Ask the plastic surgeon's office before you book an appointment if the doctor has experience with this.  Good luck!Dr. Z