Do I have tuberous breast syndrome/tubular deformity? Any advice/suggestions for surgery? (photos)

Thank you for your question regarding whether you have tubular breast deformity syndrome. In my opinion, yes, you do have tubular breast deformity. A tubular breast is a breast in the shape of a tuber or potato. Tubers are a name associated with several plants in the plant kingdom including potatoes and yams. Specifically, a tuberous breast by definition has a tubular base, a cylindrical body, and a large pendulous areola. In my opinion, you fit all these criteria. The way to correct this is with an implant. I would suggest a silicone smooth-wall high-profile implant to achieve the breast augmentation part of your tubular breast deformity. Based on your anatomy, I believe you could choose up to even a full D. Of course you could choose smaller if you prefer. You would also require a mastopexy. A mastopexy would probably require an anchor-type mastopexy with the incision around the areola, down the front of the breast, and underneath the breast. A very important component of tubular breast deformity is areola reduction. This would also be done at the same time. Most surgeons do the augmentation, anchor mastopexy, and areola reduction in the same procedure. Some plastic surgeons stage these procedures. An important part of the surgery is the release of the base of the breast to allow proper placement of the underlying breast implant. These are done under general anesthesia with a board-certified MD anesthesiologist. These procedures are typically performed in an outpatient recovery center and would require approximately 3-4 hours to complete. Plan a 1-2 week recovery. Drains usually are not required. I hope this helps to answer your question regarding whether you have a tuberous breast deformity.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. You may have a mild tuberous deformity but based on these photos, I would recommend a breast lift and implants. I hope this helps.

Your breasts don’t appear to be tubular or “deformed", as they have a distinct breast fold and no constriction of tissue around the areolae. They may just be sagging, as your nipples appear to be located below your breast fold. A breast lift may be suitable to reshape your breasts to make them fuller and perkier, and implants can be placed if you’d like to make them larger.

I’m not certain you have tuberous breasts, but I am certain a mastopexy would make you happy. You’ll be trading a scar around the nipple straight down the middle of the breast and in the crease line for a perky round breast with a smaller nipple areolar complex. I think you would be very happy with that.

Good luck,

Greg Sexton, M. D.

Columbia South Carolina

You signs of tuberous are minimal but your breasts are clearly sagging and uneven in size and amount of ptosis. I think you would get a nice result with bilateral augmentation and lift. Pick a surgeon who has good results with breasts with similar problems. Good luck.

Your breasts are not tuberous but are widely separated and ptotic. The technique I recommend is a lift using The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained. Later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Good afternoon,
Your breasts aren't tuberous they are just very asymmetric and saggy- you need a full breast lift with submuscular augmentation to achieve the best results!

Dear Good230672,
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

Sorry to learn of your concerns but you can definitely be helped. An examination in person would be required to properly evaluate you and make specific treatment recommendations, however based on your photos would be an excellent candidate for a mastopexy (breast lift), with or without implants.
Please select a board certified plastic surgeon whose aesthetics align with your own based on his or her Before and After gallery. Best of luck to you.

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs. You may have a constricted breast crease/fold but otherwise you do not share many characteristics of tuberous breasts. You look to have some volume asymmetry and ptosis of each breast that would best be treated with a lift, and implants if you desire a larger overall size with improved contour. Hope this helps.