Do I have tubular breasts? How can I improve the gap? (Photos)

Tuberous breast is not, technically speaking, a "yes" or "no" question. There can be different points on the continuum. The typical hallmarks include a high, tight fold with "puffy" or distended areola, minimal breast tissue and potentially herniation of the breast tissue through a tightened ring thus the "tuberous" label. It is a congenital deformity which usually manifests at puberty. To what degree it manifests will vary from one patient to the next.

Treatment of tuberous breasts varies depending on the degree of the breast architectural distortion. Surgical correction typically involves:

-areolar reduction

-submuscular augmentation

-release of constricted breast tissue

All of these techniques work in concert to correct the tuberous deformation of the breast.

Based on your photos, you demonstrate some mild features of a classically "tuberous" breast. You would benefit from some of the techniques described above. Augmentation and mastopexy will improve overall appearance. However, the gap or spacing is a function of anatomy and is likely to be unaffected.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Unfortunately, surgeons have created the term tuberous breasts, a fact which causes unnecessary concerns for women. Many women just have different sizes and shapes and in my opinion shouldn't be labeled. I recommend an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and be measured. After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Based on these photos, you do not seem to have tubular breasts. However, it is possible t that you have a narrow base breasts, which is one of the types of breasts malformation. In person evaluation with an experienced plastic surgeon would give you chance to find out more about deformity and how to correct it. Good luck.