Are my breasts tuberous? What is the best treatment? (photos)

There are several options for a patient to choose from when wanting to help the look of tuberous breasts. Historically, many surgeons would suggest a breast lift to reshape the tissue and perhaps add an implant to create volume. However, depending on the patient's needs and desires, I have seen an acceptable improvement with an implant alone. After viewing your photographs, the lower pole is not entirely visible, and the areolas appear large compared to the current breast tissue. There seems to be a loss of elasticity in the skin, adding to the breast's drooping.Having an implant placed would balance out the size of the areola and give the appearance of lifting by adding volume to the upper pole. The correction could be performed in a two-part stage. If, after having the implants placed and you are still not satisfied, the lift could be performed later. Scarring from a lift is always a concern with patients; however, I have found that most patients are comfortable with the scars after seeing the improvement of the shape of the breast.There is a trade-off, and only you can decide what you are comfortable with. I suggest having several in-person consultations and basing your decision on what you feel is best for you after hearing all the options. Good Luck.

Your breasts are not tuberous but small and widely separated. The technique I recommend is a mini lift. Using a circumareola incision, your breast tissue is reshaped, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. At the same time, fat transfers or small implants can be placed totally submuscular.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Dear Old21,
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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery