Tubular Breast Correction Scottsdale

Tubular (or tuberous) breasts are surprisingly common. Plenty of women seeking breast surgery in Arizona have them, yet most conversations are shrouded in discomfort. Here at Guerra Plastic Surgery Center, we want to remove the “uneasiness” around this topic and speak about tubular breasts more openly. Keep reading if you’re interested to learn more, including about modern breast augmentation techniques that can give you the natural, proportionate breast shape you’ve been wanting.

What Are Tubular Breasts?

Instead of developing into a rounded, fuller shape, tuberous breasts are cone-shaped or cylindrical, as shown in the ‘before’ image of our patient here (the results turned out beautifully, if we do say so ourselves).

What Causes Tubular Breasts?

Tubular breasts develop because of a connective tissue abnormality that occurs during puberty. Your breast’s internal framework, called the fascia, becomes too tight or constricted at the base of your breast. This constriction prevents normal breast expansion.

How Normal Breast Development Differs

In pubescence, hormonal changes in females typically stimulate breast tissue growth, allowing it to expand and form a rounded shape. When you have tuberous breasts, the constricted fascia stops tissue from expanding outward and downward. Your breast tissue may grow primarily forward, which results in a cone-shaped appearance.

Do Tuberous Breasts Run in Families?

Though some publications have noted that the condition may be genetic, medical experts have not yet confirmed a link.

How to Recognize Tubular Breasts

You may have tubular breasts if you notice:

• Constricted or narrow breast base – The area where your breast attaches to your chest wall is smaller than normal.
• Underdeveloped lower pole – Minimal tissue below the nipple.
• Enlarged or puffy areolas – Disproportionately large areolas that may protrude from the breast.
• Wide spacing, possibly with drooping – Breasts sit farther apart than typical and the nipples may be pointing downward.
• Asymmetry – One breast is noticeably different from the other.
• Elongated shape – Breasts appear tube-like or cylindrical rather than rounded.

Cases vary from woman to woman. You might have mild characteristics limited to certain areas, or more pronounced features that affect your chest area’s overall appearance.

Some healthcare professionals categorize tubular breasts into three types based on the number of traits observed.

1. Type I

• Base Constriction: Minor
• Breast lower fold: Minor elevation medially
• Breast glandular volume: None or a slight deficiency in the bottom, inner quarter of the breast
• Degree of sagging or drooping: Mild to severe
• Skin envelope: Sufficient
• Areola size: Enlarged

2. Type II

• Base Constriction: Moderate
• Breast lower fold: Elevation on medial and lateral
• Breast glandular volume: Moderate deficiency in both bottom breast quadrants
• Degree of sagging or drooping: None to mild
• Skin envelope: Insufficient in the lower part
• Areola size: May be normal or have some herniation

3. Type III

• Base Constriction: Severe
• Breast lower fold: Elevation of the entire fold or complete fold absence
• Breast glandular volume: Severe deficiency in four breast quadrants
• Degree of sagging or drooping: Mild to moderate
• Skin envelope: Overall sufficient
• Areola size: Severe herniation

Other experts may use the von Heimburg classification, which divides cases into four categories based on breast glandular volume, the skin below the areola, and the degree of breast base constriction.

If you desire breast augmentation in Scottsdale to correct your breast(s), a doctor will refer to one of these classification systems to determine which type of tubular breast you have and the best surgical approach.

Wondering Which Type You Have?
A professional evaluation is the only way to accurately classify tubular breasts and determine the most effective correction approach. Book a consultation to get clear, expert guidance.

What Tubular Breasts Are NOT

Let’s clear up some misconceptions:

• Not a disease – Tuberous breasts are a cosmetic variation, not a medical problem.
• Not a cancer risk – This condition doesn’t increase your breast cancer risk.
• Not a breastfeeding barrier – Most women with tubular breasts can breastfeed.
• Not your fault – Having tubular breasts has nothing to do with anything you did during adolescence.

Surgery is a choice, not a requirement. You don’t need to go under the knife to “correct” tubular breasts. Many women live full, confident lives with tuberous breasts and never consider surgery. Your breasts are part of who you are, and accepting them is completely valid.

That said, if tubular breasts affect how you feel about yourself (e.g., if they affect your clothing options, how you experience intimacy, or how comfortable you feel in your own skin), surgery is available. Just ensure to choose this route for yourself and because you want to feel more confident, not because someone told you that you need it.

Breast Surgery for Tuberous Breasts: Are Implants Enough?

In mild cases of tubular breasts, breast augmentation may correct the shape. For most patients, however, implants alone cannot deliver the desired aesthetic result. The inframammary fold is typically higher than normal, and the breasts often sit farther apart on the chest wall. In such instances, breast augmentation alone won’t be enough.

Improving the appearance of tubular breasts requires more complex surgical techniques. The procedure may include, but is not limited to:

• Mastopexy: Combining implants with a breast lift, also called a mastopexy, can improve breast contour and symmetry.
• Fat grafting: As implied, this surgical procedure removes fat from one part of the body, such as the tummy or thighs, using liposuction. The fat is then purified before being reinjected into another area. Fat grafting adds volume to wherever there are contour deficiencies, and it can increase the thickness of tissue over the implant, which is often thin in tubular breasts.
• Tissue expansion: The lower portion of the breast is often underdeveloped in tuberous breasts, meaning there may not be enough space for implants. A skilled plastic surgeon can expand the tissue to accommodate the desired medical devices.
• Nipple correction: The areola or skin around the nipples is often enlarged or protruding due to underlying tissue constriction. Surgical correction can reduce its size, correct herniation, and reposition the nipple to a more natural location on the breast. This step is commonly combined with breast augmentation, tissue release, or a breast lift.
• Breast reduction: Reduction techniques can remove excess tissue, reshape the breast mound, correct areolar herniation, and reposition the nipple.

Ana G. on Google

Everything was perfect! Everybody in Dr. Guerra’s office are professionals and helpful. This was my very first surgery and I have no complaints. It has been an amazing experience. My breast look perfect with just a few weeks from being done. I’m so grateful for how kind and understanding they all are. It took me years to make the decision and I can’t be more happy that I choose Dr. Guerra. Thank you so much!

Yanira B. on Google

It’s not a simple decision when you are thinking for a long time about changing something in your body. I had my surgery done a week and a half ago. I feel happy with the procedure, the progress, and the follow up appointments. My experience with Dr. Guerra and his team has been amazing. Thank you!

Having tuberous breasts is a complex condition that only a board certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast augmentation in Arizona and tuberous breast correction can address effectively. are both! Call us today at (480) 568-2523 or Schedule a consultation with Dr. Aldo Guerra to discuss your options.