Tuberous Breast Surgery

Procedure Snapshot

This procedure creates a full, rounded shape, normal breast crease, and proportioned nipple for tuberous breasts (breasts that are narrow, elongated, sit high on the chest, and often have “puffy” nipples). When Dr. Parker performs tuberous breast correction surgery at his Paramus, New Jersey, practice, he often includes a breast lift, with or without an implant, or a breast reduction.

Cost & Recovery

  • Schedule your cosmetic consultation with Dr. Parker to get your personalized quote backed by our Price Guarantee.
  • Patients typically return to work about 1 week after surgery.

Quick Facts

  • Breast implants alone typically will not improve the shape of a tubular breast.
  • The prevalence of tuberous breast disorder is unknown because it often goes undiagnosed.
  • study published in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery found that approximately 50% of women who seek breast augmentation or breast reduction have the disorder to some degree in at least one breast.

Correction of Tubular Breasts
 Before & After Photos

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Parker Center for Plastic Surgery

What Causes Tuberous Breasts?

Tuberous breasts, also called tubular breasts, are caused by a genetic abnormality that interferes with breast development during puberty. This condition can affect one or both breasts.

Breasts are composed of glandular tissue and fat (together called parenchyma) connected to the skin by suspensory ligaments. With tuberous breast deformity, a form of parenchymal maldistribution, the breast lacks fullness in the lower portion and does not develop into the typical rounded shape because it is constricted by:

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

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

Dr. Paul Parker

Paul M. Parker, M.D., FACS

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Known for his surgical talent and caring personality, Dr. Parker has been serving the community for over 35 years. He has dedicated his practice to the education, safety, and comfort of his patients—making each one feel as important as family.

The Aesthetic Society; American Society of Plastic Surgeons; International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; The Rhinoplasty Society
The Aesthetic Society; American Society of Plastic Surgeons; International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; The Rhinoplasty Society

What Is Considered a Tuberous Breast Deformity?

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

Patients with tuberous breasts can have mild to more severe parenchymal maldistribution (see illustration). The severity of the breast shape distortion will dictate the extent of correction needed.

Three degrees of tuberous breast deformity showing the breast smaller and higher with increased degree
Classification of tuberous breast deformity:
Type I: hypoplasia (lack of breast tissue) of the lower medial quadrant
Type II: hypoplasia of the lower medial and lateral quadrants
Type III: constricted breast growth in all four quadrants

How Do You Fix Tuberous Breasts?

Dr. Parker will typically use a periareolar incision (around the areola) to make one or more of the following corrections:

  • Release the constricting fibrous bands in the lower portion of the breast
  • Lower the breast crease (inframammary fold)
  • Lengthen the distance from the breast crease to the nipple/areola
  • Reduce and reshape the areola
  • Insert a breast implant to provide desired fullness
  • Perform a breast lift or breast reduction

Tubular breast correction is a highly personalized procedure, so Dr. Parker will review his recommended surgical plan with you at your consultation.

What Is Involved in Tuberous Breast Surgery?

Tuberous breast surgery is usually performed using general anesthetic administered by one of our board-certified anesthesiologists in our fully certified, private surgical center, Surgiplex, LLC. Typically, the surgery takes 2 to 4 hours to perform, depending on the extent and complexity of the procedure. You will be able to go home about 1 hour after surgery, wearing a soft, supportive bra.

How Much Does Tuberous Breast Correction Cost in New Jersey?

Here at Parker Center in Paramus, NJ, the price of tuberous breast surgery with implants will depend on your anatomy, desired results, and the complexity of the procedure. We will provide an all-inclusive, individualized price quote at your consultation, including surgeon’s fees, operating room and anesthesia costs, pre- and post-op visits, surgical garments, breast implants (if applicable) and our Rapid Recovery Program.

What Do Tuberous Breast Surgery Scars Look Like?

Woman\'s chest before and after breast implants

Dr. Parker makes every effort to use limited incisions and minimize scarring while achieving an aesthetically pleasing breast shape. The extent of incisions necessary is determined by the amount of correction Dr. Parker needs to make to the breast and nipple. In most cases, he performs tuberous breast surgery using a periareolar incision that encircles the areola.

We will show you before & after pictures of patients like you who have undergone tuberous breast surgery to help educate you about the possibilities. We are committed to patient education at Parker Center, having found it to be a major factor in giving our patients the best surgical experience possible.

How Long Is Recovery After Tuberous Breast Surgery?

Tuberous breast correction varies widely with the severity of the condition, so the recovery varies with the extensiveness of correction. Because the surgery is often more invasive than a typical breast lift, augmentation, or reduction, there may be more swelling and a longer recovery. In general, patients are ready to return to work or school within about a week.

What Is My Next Step?

To meet with Dr. Parker and his team in Paramus, New Jersey, and discuss your breast augmentation options, request a cosmetic consultation using our online form or call (201) 967-1212 for an appointment. We also offer cosmetic consults over phone or video with our nurse coordinator if you prefer to start with this option.