Overview

Tuberous breast deformity (also known as tubular breast deformity or constricted breast deformity) is a common congenital breast malformation that affects both males and women. While the precise etiology is unknown, plastic surgeons usually repair tuberous breasts using a mix of breast augmentation and breast lifts.

 

What are Tubular Breasts? 

Tubular breasts, also known as tuberous breasts, tubular breast deformity (TBD), or "snoopy breasts," are a congenital condition in which one or both breasts do not grow regularly and completely during puberty.

Women with tubular breasts appear to plastic surgeons with many of the same anatomic features: tiny and tight breasts, an unusually narrow breast base, huge puffy and protruding areolas, and tight breast skin below the nipple. This lower pole or base constriction causes a poorly defined inframammary fold, sagging or ptosis, and the appearance of a bulging or herniated areolar complex.

Breast implants, whether saline or silicone, can result in significant improvements in size and shape. Your breasts will appear "shaper" and "fuller" after breast implant surgery. As a result, a woman's self-esteem and self-image improve.

Tuberous breast deformity involves various degrees of any of the following:

• Lack of fullness in the lower portion of the breast
• Elongated, cylindrical breast shape
• Constricted breast base
• Widely set apart breasts
• High inframammary fold and a relatively short distance from the fold to the areola
• Oversized, puffy areolas

Parenchymal maldistribution in patients with tuberous breasts can range from mild to severe. The extent of correction required will be determined by the severity of the breast shape distortion.

 

Am I a candidate for Tuberous Breast Surgery?

You may be a candidate for corrective surgery if you have the physical characteristics of tubular breasts as well as the emotional side effects of misshapen breasts. The following are some of the most prevalent symptoms of tubular breasts that can be treated surgically:

• Breast hypoplasia (small breasts or underdeveloped)
• One or both breasts have an excessively thin base
• The inframammary fold (breast crease) is too high or tight
• Breasts are asymmetrical
• Breast constriction
• Breasts have an abnormal shape and projection, almost resembling a cone.

Tubular breasts can be defined in four levels of classification:

• Type I - indicated by hypoplasia of the lower medial quadrant
• Type II – indicated by hypoplasia of the lower medial and lateral quadrants, sufficient skin in the subareolar region
• Type III - indicated by hypoplasia of the lower medial and lateral quadrants, deficiency of skin in the subareolar region and severe breast constriction, minimal breast base.
• Type IV- indicated by significant breast constriction with a minimal breast base.

 

What Causes Tuberous Breasts?

Tuberous breasts, often known as tubular breasts, are caused by a genetic defect that disrupts breast growth throughout puberty. This disease can affect either one or both breasts.

Suspensory ligaments attach glandular tissue and fat (together known as parenchyma) to the skin of the breasts. The breast lacks fullness in the bottom section of tuberous breast deformity, a kind of parenchymal maldistribution, and does not grow into the usual rounded shape because it is confined by:

• Fibrous bands within the breast tissue
• Tight skin
• The inframammary fold

Instead, the breasts end up high, narrow, and elongated.

 

How do I prepare for Tuberous Breasts surgery?

Following an in-depth first consultation, you will have a thorough preoperative visit in the office two weeks before tuberous breast surgery. Prescriptions for drugs to be taken before to and following surgery are issued, and pre and postoperative instructions are reviewed. At this time, sizing exercises are undertaken (with variable size neoprene inserts inserted into a specific bra). 

Anything that thins the blood (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.) should be avoided for two weeks before surgery. Routine blood testing is requested, and any necessary breast imaging investigations (based on age and prior medical history) are acquired.

 

How are Tubular Breasts Corrected During Surgery?

Given that misshapen, tubular breasts are frequently associated with low self-esteem and increased psychological stress, many people choose to have corrective surgery. Patients desiring corrective surgery have several treatment choices, including tissue expansion and breast augmentation. It is critical to recognize that a tuberous breast reconstruction with augmentation is far more complicated than a standard breast augmentation.

Tuberous breast treatments are done as an outpatient operation under general anesthesia or deep intravenous sedation, as prescribed by a board-certified anesthesiologist. The treatment typically takes 2 hours. All surgeries are carried out in completely accredited and cutting-edge surgical facilities.

 

Incisions

Soft breast implants are used to expand the breasts by inserting them via the lower edge of the areola (periareolar) or around the areolar (circumferential). Internal incisions allow breast implants to settle into a more natural position. Smaller incisions are utilized instead of the bigger incisions common with breast lifts.

 

Implant Location

The surgeon will use the specialized "dual-plane" breast augmentation technique, in which a portion of the breast implant is placed above and a portion beneath the pectoral muscle. As a consequence, you'll seem more natural and young. Furthermore, this procedure gives the inframammary fold a more natural appearance.

Every procedure is adjusted to the patient's unique needs; however, every procedure does have a few areas in common. These include:

• Lowering the inframammary fold to a more normal position
• Scoring the breast tissue internally and expanding the constricted breast skin and tissue to create a rounder, more natural breast shape
• Placing breast implants—often of different sizes to correct asymmetry—with consideration of textured anatomical implants due to their tendency for preferential lower pole tissue expansion
• Possibly removing excess or abnormal breast tissue from behind the areolas
• Circumareolar mastopexy is a breast lift with incisions around the areolas that improves breast shape, reduces enlarged areolas, and elevates the nipples to a higher position.

 

Tuberous Breast Augmentation Recovery

Following tubular breast rectification, patients may be needed to stay one night in the hospital for observation. Recovery is usually quick and easy, with scars from the procedure starting to diminish within 2-3 months.

Although most patients may return home within a day, they should avoid demanding activities such as heavy lifting and vigorous sports. Within 1-2 days, normal daily activities and light work can be resumed. A surgical bra may be prescribed to aid with rehabilitation. Drain tubes are normally removed after a week or more if they are used to remove surplus fluid.

 

What to expect after Tuberous Breast Correction surgery?

Because of the long-acting local anesthetic injections and nerve blocks, patients are unexpectedly pain-free. Oral pain medicine will readily control any discomfort. Small, precisely placed self-absorbing sutures usually dissolve in seven days.

Most patients report that they feel better than expected after their tuberous breast corrective surgery and that they may return to work and social activities within a week. After two weeks, light activity can be resumed. The final outcomes will be obtained 6 weeks to 3 months following the procedure.

 

Possible Complications

When performed by a trained plastic surgeon, the chance of major complications following a tuberous breast repair is quite low. The majority of issues are small, transient, and quickly remedied. Your consultation will assess the specific risks and appropriateness of the tubular breast operation for you. Reduce the possibility of problems by carefully following our surgeon's instructions both before and after surgery.

 

How much does Tuberous Breast Correction Cost?

Tuberous breast surgery with implants costs between $11,030 and 13,100$. Your overall cost will be determined by your goals and the degree of surgery required to attain those goals. At your consultation, we will present an all-inclusive, tailored pricing quotation that includes surgeon's fees, operating room and anesthetic charges, pre- and post-op visits, surgical garments, and breast implants (if applicable).

 

Is the treatment for Tuberous Breasts the same as a Breast Augmentation?

No, there are important distinctions between tuberous breast rectification and breast augmentation. Tuberous breast deformity treatment is a highly specialized operation that, although incorporating breast augmentation when appropriate, necessitates a number of sophisticated technical techniques to get the most consistent cosmetic results. The most prevalent issue is that milder types of tuberous breast deformity are frequently undervalued and underdiagnosed.

When the less evident varieties of the tuberous deformity are not diagnosed, more typical breast augmentation treatments frequently fail to address the shortcomings and constraints of the breast lower pole, and may increase areolar herniation, resulting in a less appealing breast shape. Moderate to severe tuberous breast deformity necessitates a delicate balance of breast contouring, areolar balancing, and breast augmentation, depending on the tubular breast deformity type and individual goals.

No two tuberous breast repairs are the similar due to the wide range of severity and asymmetry. Each is as unique as the person's breast shape, body type, and personal aspirations, as well as the breast surgeon who performs them.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Are You Considering A Tuberous Breast Correction?

Many of Elena's tuberous breast patients have been self-conscious about the condition since puberty, when it first appears. If you are concerned that your breasts are not developing normally or have never reached their full size, we recommend scheduling a confidential consultation with Elena to discuss whether this surgery is right for you.

    2. What are the Risks of Tuberous Breast Surgery?

While surgical problems are uncommon, no surgical treatment is without risk. Scarring, infection, haematoma, implant displacement, breast asymmetry, implant rupture, and capsular contracture are all possible consequences. During your sessions, Elena will present you with further risk information as well as a complete consent form. This will assist you in reducing the hazards.

    3. Will I be Able to Wear a Normal Bra?

Tuberous breast correction guarantees that the patient regains lost volume, particularly in the lower pole of the breasts, which is typically deficient in skin and breast tissue. A bra would generally fit properly after the lower pole of the breast grows rounder and fuller.

    4. What Type of Implants Are Used?

Implants can be spherical or anatomical in form (teardrop). Both have the potential to provide good results. Depending on the manufacturer, the exterior shell and content may differ. You should be aware that in the European Union (EU), 95% of breast augmentation implants are made of silicone gel, with the other 5% including different types of fillers such as saline. Mentor Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants are devices with silicone elastomer shells. MemoryGel®, Mentor's patented silicone gel composition, is used to fill the shell.

     5. What Would My Expected Results Be?

Although positive outcomes are anticipated, the body is not symmetric, and virtually everyone has some degree of unevenness that may go unnoticed at first. The more realistic your outcomes expectations are, the better your results will be in your opinion.

 

Conclusion 

Tuberous breasts, often known as tubular breasts, are a congenital disease that affects certain women throughout adolescence. Its severity ranges from very modest unevenness to severe breast deformity. One or both breasts may be afflicted, and the illness might manifest itself differently in various people. Tuberous breast surgery results in a full, rounded form, a regular breast crease, and a proportionate nipple for tuberous breasts (breasts that are narrow, elongated, sit high on the chest, and frequently have "puffy" nipples).