If droopy breasts are dragging your self-esteem down, there are several effective, life-changing treatment options available to correct the common developmental deformity of tubular (tuberous) breasts.
The only effective, permanent solution to correcting tuberous breasts is through cosmetic, surgical intervention. Though many aesthetics practices offer non-invasive solutions to correcting breast deformity, these “solutions” are temporary, not approved by the ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons), ineffective, and, unsurprisingly, not viable. Because tubular breast deformity is so super specific to each patient, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan. Oftentimes, a breast augmentation combined with a breast lift is implemented, while a breast reduction combined with a breast lift may be recommended for others. As with any cosmetic procedure, a complete physical evaluation, along with an in-depth discussion of aesthetic goals, needs to be addressed before any recommendation of a treatment plan.
What are Tuberous Breasts?
Often referred to colloquially as “Snoopy Breasts” due to their elongated, droopy appearance, tuberous breasts are caused by a malformation of the connective tissue in the breasts during puberty. The resulting aesthetic is acute asymmetry and a dense, fibrous ring around the areola. While the exact cause of tuberous breast development is unclear, many medical experts believe there may be a link to something that takes place in utero.
Characteristics of Tuberous Breasts
Here are the most common, problematic characteristics of tubular breasts:
- Droopy, protruding appearance
- Asymmetry
- Tuberous breasts tend to have more than a 1.5-inch gap between them
- Cone-shaped with overly large, darkened areola
- Either one or both breasts will be affected, causing self-consciousness during intimate situations
While tuberous breasts don’t pose a direct health threat, they may inhibit a woman’s desire to breastfeed.
Treatment Options for Tuberous Breasts
Below are the most commonly recommended treatment options to correct tubular breast deformity. As mentioned earlier, some techniques are combined with others for a complete, customized treatment package that will yield the most desirable results. Here are the top advancements in reversing tuberous breasts:
- Fat Grafting
Fat grafting to correct tuberous breasts involves harvesting fat from other areas of the body and strategically grafting to the area of the breast that addresses deformity.
- Breast Reduction
In some cases, breast reduction may be recommended to achieve a natural look. The reduction aims to remove extra tissue contributing to tubular shaping.
- Breast Lift with Augmentation
In most cases, the lower breast will undergo reduction, while the smaller breast will undergo augmentation with an implant. The deformity of tubular breasts can be corrected by lifting the breasts and adding shape and volume to achieve a fuller, more natural-looking bustline. Usually, correction of tuberous breasts requires a 2-step process. First, the patient will undergo surgery to release the constricted breast tissue with the insertion of a tissue expander. The second step is the removal of the tissue expander and insertion of the implant. Also, the nipples and enlarged areola can be cosmetically modified during a procedure known as mastopexy.
Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/tubular-breasts
If you suspect you may have tuberous breasts and wish to seek a consultation on treatment options for correction, please be sure to contact the Beverly Hills Breast Institute to speak with any one of our highly skilled team members.
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