Tuberous breasts (also known as tubular breasts) are a developmental breast condition where the breast develops in a characteristic or tubular shape. The lower part of the breast is underdeveloped compared to the rest of the breast which affects both shape and size. Very commonly one breast sits higher than the other, there can be significant size differences between both breasts and the areola (pigmented area around the nipple) can often be very puffy and enlarged with herniated breast tissue behind it. Tuberous breasts can range from very minor shape changes to very significant breast shape and size differences that impact hugely on women affected.
This will depend on the particular type of tuberous breasts that you have, and the end result you would like. The surgeries include one or a combination of breast augmentation, augmentation mastopexy, mastopexy, lipofilling (fat transfer) and adjustment of nipple and areolar shape and herniation. It may be carried out in a single surgery or over the course of two or more surgeries.
This is very individualised or bespoke surgery although based on some core principles established over the years to gain good and consistent results. The complexity of the surgery will depend on your particular type of tuberous breasts and the end result that you would like to achieve. Please bear in mind that some breast changes are harder than others to achieve in tuberous breast surgery and sometimes more than one surgery is needed even when the first surgery goes well and according to plan.
If you are too soon after pregnancy or still breast-feeding, are planning to lose weight or are overweight, it may not be the right time to have breast surgery. If you smoke or have significant health problems, this will need to be assessed and you may be advised to wait or not to have breast surgery.
You will usually have tapes on the incisions. You will need to wear a support bra for 6 weeks. Tuberous breast surgery is done as a day case or with a one night stay in hospital. You can shower with care after 48 hours.
You will be advised to gently mobilise carefully the first week or two. On average 2 to 3 weeks off work are needed. No heavy lifting or strenuous activity is allowed for 6 weeks. Some forms of exercise can be restarted at 4 weeks. Most exercise is restarted at 6 weeks. Driving is not allowed until you are safe to perform an emergency stop. Individual procedures will have specific factors about their recovery as well. (more details on their separate webpages)
Unfortunately, complications can occur after all surgery and you need to be aware of this. Ms Nugent will do her utmost to reduce your risk as much as she can. This includes the health and procedure advice she gives you before surgery, the care and precautions she takes during surgery and the advice she gives you after surgery. Some of the complications that can happen include slow healing, infection, bleeding, poor scarring, asymmetry, pain, numbness or sensitivity in the skin, contour irregularities, seroma (fluid build-up), clots in the legs and lungs, loss of nipple sensation, loss of nipple or breast tissue, implant rupture, implant malposition, capsular contracture and BIA-ALCL (a rare lymphoma associated with some breast implant types).
Most patients who undergo tuberous breast surgery find it transformative surgery. It has a high impact on their lives even though it can be complex surgery. Success depends on being prepared for your surgery, choosing the right procedure, the surgery itself and recovering well. All steps in the journey are crucial!
Visit the specific breast procedure pages that you are interested in on this website to read more and book a consultation to discuss your individual circumstances with Ms Nugent! There are information booklets available to download from the specific procedure pages as well.