The tuberous breast is a developmental deformity of breast shape. It causes a pointy, narrow breast with a constricted narrow base and large puffy areolar. The areolar deformity is due to breast tissue which has “herniated” or grown into the areola. The condition is often uneven from side to side with differences in breast size and severity of the deformity from side to side.
Tuberous breast deformity is classified by three grades:
Grade 1: mainly in the inferomedial quadrant,
Grade 2: in the two inferior quadrants, and
Grade 3: affecting the whole breast.
The tuberous breast gives quite an un-attractive look and understandably those affected with this type of breast deformity are highly motivated to have it corrected.
Many operations attempting to correct the tuberous breast deformity have been described. On the basis that the main abnormality of the condition is actually herniation of breast tissue into the areolar, most methods of correction involve a doughnut or peri-areolar breast-nipple tightening. This returns breast tissue back into the breast. It also reduces size and projection of the nipple. This is usually combined with breast augmentation. Low to medium profile breast implants are used to broaden the base width of the breast as well increase size. Fat grafting to further improve breast shape may also be used. Dr Drielsma prefers this technique to correct the tuberous breast deformity. The correction results in an attractive natural breast by:
- flattening the pointy breast
- nipple size and puffiness reduction, and reduced nipple projection,
- broadening of the breast base
- increase in breast size.
- Judicious use of fat transfer or grafting to the breasts is also often used to help shape the breasts in conjunction with doughnut lifting and augmentation.
The operation takes around 2 to 3 hours and usually involves an overnight stay in hospital. Dr Drielsma will often recommend fat transfer to the breast. This is done at the time of initial correction or 6 to 12 months later to further improve breast shape. Medicare item numbers may apply meaning that it is possible private health funds will cover hospital costs and costs of implants.
**Results may vary for individual to individual