Tubular Breasts

Tubular breast have varying characteristics not just underdeveloped breasts. Tubular breasts can range from mild to severe, typical characteristics include: enlarged, puffy areola (area around the nipples), unusually wide spacing between the breasts, minimal breast tissue, sagging, higher than normal breast fold, and narrow base at the chest wall.

Depending on the severity of your tubular breast(s), one of our highly skilled surgeons will suggest the best course of action for you and your desired result. It is likely that a straightforward breast enlargement will achieve what is believed to be “normal” breasts. It is likely a breast augmentation will be combined with a nipple lift, reduction or mastopexy (uplift). All of these options will be discussed at great length with your eConsult advisor and MYA surgeon.

MYA use Mentor breast implants, made with the highest quality medical grade silicone gel. The implant's soft and fluid consistency mimics the feel of a real breast. Mentor are part of the Johnson & Johnson family, and have an extensive range of implants, including over 1,000 shapes (both round and anatomical teardrop) and sizes (from 100cc to 850cc). MYA are confident you’ll be able to find an implant that best matches your expectations and surgeon’s recommendations. If you’d like to learn more about our Mentor implants, click here.

Yes, breast implants are safe. We use Mentor, which are silicone gel implants; they have 4 layers of shell so there is no risk of leaking. Due to the surface and texture of how Mentor implants are made, there is less risk of capsulation and a low risk of rupture.

It depends upon the patients desired result, your MYA surgeon will explain the best procedure to help achieve this following a physical examination and at length discussions during your consultation. Due to the common characteristics of tubular breasts an implant is often used to help create shape and offer the upper fullness to the breast.

MYA's FREE eConsult service allows patients to speak directly to our expert team of advisors via a secure and private video call, without needing to travel to one of our clinical hubs. During your eConsult you can discuss the often personal and emotional reasons you are considering a tubular breast correction procedure from the comfort and privacy of your own home.  

Our specialist trained eConsult advisors will guide you through the patient journey and discuss the outcome you are hoping to achieve. Our advisors have a wealth of knowledge and have helped many patients with tubular breasts over the years; they understand that the process can be a little overwhelming at times, but your consultation is a safe space for you to discuss all your questions and concerns. You will also have the opportunity to look at before and after photos and discuss which surgeon is the right fit for you and your requirements. 

 COVID-19 SAFETY

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, MYA have introduced enhanced safety measures to protect both patients and staff. Patients should only be required to attend a clinical hub or hospital where clinically necessary. To ensure your safety, MYA will be offering virtual consultations where possible. 

You will meet your chosen MYA surgeon at one of our clinical hubs. The surgeon consultation provides an opportunity for you to discuss your tubular breast symptoms and the outcome you are hoping to achieve with breast surgery.  

The surgeon will examine your breasts to assess your physical requirements and will then explain the risks, limitations and benefits of tubular breast surgery and what to expect during recovery. If relevant, the surgeon will also explain the different implant sizes and placement options.  

All MYA Surgeons are highly experienced, GMC registered and only perform cosmetic surgery. They are highly skilled in this field and will be able to make appropriate recommendations regarding your suitability for tubular breast correction. Patients are entitled to have a second surgeon consultation ahead of their operation if needed. 

Following your face-to-face surgeon consultation, you will be invited to attend a ‘vitals’ appointment with a MYA nurse. During this appointment, the nurse will take physiological measurements and perform screening procedures such as taking blood samples and swabs, as required. You are also required to attend an e-pre-operative assessment with a nurse who will discuss pre and post-operative advice and requirements. 

You will receive your hospital admission time, up to 24-48 hours before your surgery date. Patients should shower either the evening before or the morning of surgery and must not apply deodorant, makeup, or skincare products.  

Patients must not eat anything (including chewing gum) 6 hours prior to the hospital admission time. If you do eat prior to the 6 hours, surgery will be cancelled. You can drink small sips 30mls per hour of still clear water, up to 2 hours before your hospital admission time. 

Patients must not drink alcohol for a minimum of 48 hrs before surgery. If you drink more than 2-3 drinks daily, you will need to abstain (stop) for 2 weeks prior to the date of surgery. MYA advises patients must not smoke, vape or use nicotine patches for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to surgery (each Surgeon will provide you with specific guidance on stopping smoking). Patients are advised not to smoke, vape or use nicotine products until they are fully healed, as this can lead to delayed healing and infection. 

You will be admitted to your MYA hospital on the day of your surgery. COVID-19 screening will be applied before you enter the hospital. Once admitted you will be taken to the ward and given your hospital gown to change into. Some patients will be asked to take a nicotine test and women at risk of pregnancy will be asked to take a pregnancy test.  

Patients are not taken straight into surgery on admission to the hospital, there can be a wait of up to 6 hours depending on the surgery list scheduled that day. Your hospital team will keep you updated on your operation time and will be able to answer any questions you may have on the day. You will meet your anaesthetist and surgeon on the ward before you are taken to theatre for surgery, they will gain your written consent to operate, answer any further questions you have and run through the process of the day. 

Your procedure will be performed under general anaesthetic, this will be administered by inserting a needle into the back of your hand, it will take about 30 seconds for the anaesthetic to start taking effect.  If you are worried about needles, speak to your MYA Nurse, who will inform the anaesthetist and hospital before surgery. 

Your tubular breast surgery should take between 1-2 hrs, depending on your physical requirements and your surgeon’s recommended treatment plan.  

If you require breast implants, your surgeon will make a small incision (typically between 2-3 inches) in the crease of your breast, then insert the breast implant. The incisions will be closed with either dissolvable or non-dissolvable sutures, depending on your surgeon’s technique. 

If you require a breast uplift, your surgeon will make an incision around the areola (dark area around the nipple), vertically down to the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease. Your surgeon will then remove any excess skin and reshape breast tissue, re-positioning your nipple.  

Some patients may require a combination of procedures, including breast implants with an uplift and or a nipple lift or reduction, this will be discussed in detail during your surgeon consultation.  

When your surgery is complete you will be taken to the recovery room to be woken up from your anaesthetic and any pain and or sickness will be closely managed to keep you safe and comfortable.   

You will be taken back to the ward to rest and recover for a couple of hours; the hospital team will then bring you some food and something to drink. Depending on whether you booked an overnight stay at the hospital or a day case you will be able to leave the hospital once you have been checked over by your surgeon and the medical team are happy to discharge you. You will be prescribed pain relief to take home with you. 

Following any breast procedure patients are required to wear a post-surgery bra for a minimum of 6-8 weeks, some patients are also required to wear a breast band/have strapping on their breasts (this is dependent on the surgeon’s recommendations). 

With tubular breast correction, it is common for each breast to be slightly different and may require different procedures and implant sizes. Therefore, it is important to be mindful that each breast will heal at its own rate, and it may take longer to see the final result.  

Every woman’s tubular breast recovery time is different. During the first few days post-surgery, your chest may feel tight and your breasts and ribs may be tender. Pain relief will be prescribed as required to ease any discomfort.  

If you’ve had breast implants, to begin with your breasts may look high and pointy and the skin may feel and appear tight, this typically settles down over the first 6 weeks as the implants drop and fluff and a more natural breast shape emerges. Any bruising or swelling to the breasts and chest should subside after 7-21 days.  

Patients must not get their incisions wet until advised it is safe to do so by a MYA Nurse. Patients can wash around the area and have shallow baths.  It is very important to attend all your post-op appointments at your MYA clinical hub for a nurse to monitor your healing and deliver wound care.  

Healing will evolve over several months, but it can take up to 1 year post-op to see the final result. Scars are a natural part of the healing process following breast surgery, most will fade and become paler and flatter over time, although they never completely disappear.