How to Fix Tuberous Breasts: A Guide to Your Surgical Options

Tuberous breasts refers to a particular development of the breasts where the base of the breast is constricted, the volume is insufficient, and the areola may be enlarged or herniated – it is believed to be congenital issue, or one caused by a hormonal imbalance during puberty. To fix tuberous breasts, there is an array of effective surgical options such as breast augmentation, breast lift, or fat transfer.

This article will explore the different surgical options for tuberous breasts in detail – this will help you make an informed decision about the best treatment for your cosmetic needs.

The CREO Clinic’s Medical Director, Dr. Omar Tillo, is an expert in breast surgery. As an experienced, double board-certified surgeon, Dr. Tillo is able to make artful adjustments to tuberous breasts, increasing the volume and re-sculpting them to be rounder, fuller, and more aesthetically pleasing overall.

Contact the CREO Clinic today to discover how Dr. Tillo can help reshape your tuberous breasts.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Omar Tillo MD, MS, EBOPRAS, FRCS (Plast)

What Are Tuberous or Tubular Breasts?

Tuberous or tubular breasts are so named because they can often point forwards in a ‘tube’ shape – elevated from the infra-mammary fold and pinched at the base with enlargement or herniation of the areola. Tubular breasts can often sag both downwards and laterally.

This breast shape is the result of more than average amounts of fibrous tissue in the breasts, pulling them downwards to create a cylindrical shape. Some women may find the development of the breasts stunted by the constriction this extra tissue creates, whereas other women may find the effects more mild.

Correcting Tuberous Breasts: Treatment Options

Breast Augmentation

One of the most common treatment options for tuberous breasts is breast augmentation. This treatment uses a silicone breast implant to improve the shape of your breasts, giving them greater volume and a rounder, fuller appearance. It is a highly effective surgical option that can create transformative enhancements to the appearance of the breasts.

Breast Lift

Ptosis or sagging is common in tuberous breasts, so a breast lift can be a highly effective option if you wish to make your breasts perkier. A breast lift combats sagging by raising the position of your breasts which can improve their overall aesthetic – this is especially true when a lift is combined with breast augmentation.

Breast Tissue Expansion

The process of breast tissue expansion is designed to create a rounder shape in tuberous breasts by expanding the constricted areas in the base of the breast using a tissue expander. This is a temporary implant that is replaced with a permanent implant once the breast tissue has been sufficiently expanded.

This option is best for women who are experiencing high degree of constriction at the base of the breasts, and is usually reserved for more extreme cases.

Fat Grafting

Fat grafting, or fat transfer, is the transfer of autologous fat that is extracted via liposuction and used to add volume to the breast tissue. This can be an excellent way to add smaller amounts of volume to tuberous breasts and reshape them as an alternative to implants.

Dr. Tillo also uses a technique called composite breast augmentation – a combination of breast implants and fat transfer – to create a holistic transformation of tubular breasts, improving signs, volume, and shape in one procedure. This combined technique is often popular with patients looking to avoid foreign implants being used, but it also has the benefit of yielding results that look and feel extremely natural.

Tuberous Breast Correction Recovery

After breast augmentation, breast lift, or fat transfer to correct tuberous breast deformity, most women find they are able to return to work after 1-2 weeks. This is the point when any soreness, tightness, or swelling around the breast will have subsided. The full recovery will take six weeks, after which you can return to your full workout routine, including the most strenuous activities.

Results to Expect from Tuberous Breast Corrective Surgery

With any of the treatment paths for tuberous breasts, the enhancements to the shape and size of your breast will be permanent. In the case of cosmetic surgery like breast augmentation, fat transfer, or composite breast augmentation, you can expect to see an improvement in both volume and shape of the breasts – they should appear symmetrical and more rounded in shape with proportionate areolas.

A breast lift will improve the elevation and shape of the breasts, creating a more natural looking appearance and helping to reduce the tubular nature of the breasts by making them perkier. You can expect to see the results of your tuberous breast surgery between 6-12 weeks after the procedure.

Tuberous Breast Treatment Costs

Tuberous breast correction surgery costs at the CREO Clinic can be seen below:

All procedures at the CREO Clinic are bespoke to your needs, which means a full cost breakdown is only available after your initial consultation. 

Should you wish to spread the cost of your tuberous breast treatment over multiple instalments, our financing partner, Chrysalis Finance, offers a variety of helpful financing options.

What Causes Tuberous Breasts?

Tuberous breasts are caused by an excess of fibrous tissue that can lead to constriction of the base of the breasts, sagging, and herniated areolas that appear to bulge. It is generally a malformation that is congenital – i.e. present from birth – and is believed to be passed on genetically.

Symptoms of Tuberous Breasts

Primary, Severe Symptoms

The most common symptoms of tuberous breasts are:

• Constriction of the base of the breast – The tissue at the base of the breasts is constricted, making them appear pinched and narrow.

• Herniated areola – This is where the areola becomes especially large and sometimes irregular and asymmetrical in shape.

• Tubular or Cylindrical breast shape – Tuberous breasts take their name from their shape – they can appear cylindrical and tube-like.

• Spaces between the breasts – In tuberous breasts, the space between the breasts can often be larger than 3 cm, which makes them appear to spread out across the chest.

• Low breast tissue volume – Tuberous breasts tend to have an unusually low volume or insufficient breast tissue compared to average sized breasts.

Secondary, Milder Symptoms

The common, but less severe symptoms of tuberous breasts are drooping, inverted nipples, or breast asymmetry. These may be less severe aesthetic issues, but they can also be resolved via tuberous breast treatment.

Classifications of Severity of Tubular Breasts

Tuberous breasts are classified in three categories – mild, moderate, and severe.

Mild tuberous breasts may only affect one breast or the effects of the malformation is not immediately obvious. Moderate breasts may be more obvious but do not have extreme symptoms, and can be present in one or both breasts. Severe cases of tuberous breasts generally involve a more extreme level of constriction at the base – one which has stunted the development of the breasts and created a symmetrical or bulbous areolas.

Tuberous Breast Correction FAQs