Tuberous Breast Correction

What is it?

Tuberous breasts are a condition which you inherit, characterised by an abnormality in the breast shape. The base of the breast of people with tuberous breasts is narrower than usual and often the fold underneath the breast is higher than usual. This can result in a short distance between your nipple and the fold under your breast. As the breast base is narrower than normal, the breast can become elongated (hence the name Tuberous). In some cases the nipple can be abnormal and slightly domed. The severity of tuberous breasts varies considerably and each case is very different. In some people the abnormality is more severe than in others. In some people, the abnormality is very mild and they may not realise they have tuberous breasts. There is no known cause for tuberous breasts at present. Tuberous breasts can cause significant embarrassment during puberty and following this.

What is involved?

The best surgical technique for you depends on the appearance of your breast tissue. In general, however, the base of the breast will be treated by:

Internal release of the constricting tissue and Insertion of a breast implant.

The release of the tissue widens the base of the breast, which is then maintained with the increased volume from the breast implant. The breast implant will descend slightly with time, stretching the constricted bottom of your breast tissue.

A Tissue Expander (Inflatable Implant) can be used in cases of severe constriction.

The implant is blown up on a weekly basis with injections which will gradually stretch your skin tissue.

The breast implant or tissue expander will correct the volume of the breast and stretch the base. However, further surgery may be necessary to correct the appearance of the nipple. In many cases the nipple is domed (raised from the skin and wider than normal). Surgery to this area will aim to reduce the prominence and doming of the nipple and possibly its diameter. If you have excess skin in the area around the nipple, this can be tightened during this procedure. This will involve scars which will be located around the edge of the areola (brown tissue around the nipple).

Your recovery:

Recovery following surgery for tuberous breasts is normally fairly rapid. You will normally require 1 night stay in hospital. If you do require a tissue expander operation, you will need to come back regularly for your surgeon to insert saline (salt water) into the implants to stretch the surrounding skin of your breast tissue. Most people do not have too much discomfort following the procedure and any they do experience is usually easily controlled with medications such as paracetamol. Your scars will remain slightly red for some months following surgery and thereafter subsequently fade.

Your results:

When tuberous breasts have been corrected by a combination of breast implants, internal release and possibly surgery to the nipple area, the results will be stable. The appearance of your breasts will change if you do increase or decrease weight or become pregnant and breastfeed. These changes would occur in normal breast tissue and cannot be ultimately predicted.