Do I have tubular breasts? Are they just small? (Photo)

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, if interested. They then get to choose what looks right for them. 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. Mildly Sagging Breasts: If your breasts are mildly droopy, a saline or silicone gel implant placed behind the pectoral muscle might help create the illusion of perkiness. That’s because as the implant fills out the top of the breast, it also fills out the bottom, making it look as if the nipple has moved higher. It hasn’t. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Based upon the appearance of your breasts, it does appear that you have some components of a tuberous breast deformity. In tuberous breast deformity the lower portion of the breast is constricted and unnaturally high on the chest. In addition, the breast gland can herniate into the areola. Treatment for this usually involves an incision around the areola, release of the constricted tissue in the lower portion of the breast, which will allow for placement of an implant, and finally excess tissue around the areola excised and closed in a way that corrects the herniation of tissue. The result is a natural appearing breast with correction of the issues mentioned. Please see the attached link for more information on the topic.

You do appear to have some mild constriction of tissue around your nipples, a trait of tuberous breasts. If they aren’t causing you any issues, there is no need to pursue surgery to release the constricted tissue.

Tubular breasts are characterized by a number of features, including an under developed lower pole (area below the nipple), herniated nipples (which can appear large), a high IMF (fold under the breast). This is important to recognize features of tubular breast prior to undergoing any type of breast enhancement procedure, as there are specific techniques that can be employed during breast enhancement procedures to correct each of these characteristics.

Thanks for your inquiry, you do have tubular breast, it does need to be "fixed". If you desire a change in shape or size, I recommend consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Your breasts are small and widely separated but not tuberous. You do not have to do anything unless you want to. If you want to make an improvement then I recommend 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 if additional volume is desired.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.