Conditions
Tubular Breasts
Getting a bra that fits is enough of an ordeal as it is without being told that your boobs are a funny shape. Tubular breasts are in fact pretty common, though shouldn’t be confused with Tubular Bells – everyone’s favourite 1973 concept album. Tubular breasts are caused by a lack of development in the breast tissue during puberty which leads to the aesthetically bizarre malformation that can see breasts grow asymmetrically as well as been particularly droopy and unusually far apart. The term ‘tubular breast’ comes from the tube-like appearance that afflicted breasts may take. In contrast to the cone-shaped Madonna-style bosom that is deemed regular the base of a tuberous breast is very narrow with a long skin envelope. The malformation can affect one or both breasts and is only cosmetic in its irregularity, but can often cause low self esteem which could lead to other mental health related problems. The condition is most commonly corrected with a surgical procedure that typically involves either implants or tissue expansion. Breast surgery is a major operation which will take weeks to heal and goes with all the usual risks of major surgery, so no decisions should be gone into lightly.
Comments and Questions
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I'm 17, I think I have this condition, my breasts aren't very big I'm a 32C. I have large nipples, my breasts are wide apart and they are pointy. I don't feel very womanly at all and it makes me self conscious! My boyfriend says he likes them, but it doesn't make me feel any better! Is there anyway I can change the appearance of them to make them more rounded?
Hi there, I'm currently 18 and I have had this problem since I started to develop boobs. They are far apart and also totally different cup sizes which can be seen obviously if I don't wear a bra to help my self confidence in them. They get me depressed very often. And it doesn't seem normal to me. I got measured for a bra and got told there is a difference between the two of my boobs of up to 2 cup sizes! Is there any operations I could go about or see to get this seen to. As it currently depresses me highly
Go and spwak to your Doctor, it will be the only way to settle this issue. You are still growing and will do so until the age of 21. At that time you will have a good idea of costs and emotional maturity to decide if you want to go ahead with surgery.
i am 17 years of age , and i have this condition , this condition has affected my self esteem & my love life , ive even done many things to try improve my self esteem , i buy overly padded bras & even stuff it to make me feel & to make me look like i have 'normal' breasts .ive been with my boyfriend for many months now , and when ever sex is mentioned i feel embarrassed and scared. im afraid i cant have a normal love life , my self esteem is low enough as it is as i use to be bullied for being obese , i am now currently not , but still overweight . Despite having this low self esteem my boyfriend will always make me feel good about myself. I feel bad because i cant be myself sexualy . we have never had sex without me wearing clothing on my top half & i constantly have to wear a bra i dont no what to do ,is there somehow i could change the appearance of my breasts without spending money as i am currently a student any answers please let me know i feel desperate
I'm very glad you posted this. I'm currently dealing with everything you've said. I'm about to be 21, and I still can't take off my shirt during sex. i hate when my partner will even make a move with his hand towards my breasts. i hate them so much. I cant wear certain bathing suits, i look weird naked, i can't even undress in front of my girlfriends in the locker room at the gym. i just want to feel like a woman.
I never knew my condition untill i watched embarrasing bodies. Im a 44 year old woman and have thought i was abnormal for all of my adult life. I would do anything to cover myself up and not be seen. I would not even breast feed my two children incase anyone could see my horrid boobs. I would never let any one see them. I still hate them and only wish i had had help a long time ago.
I have this condition and it makes me feel extremely self conscious and physically sick just to look at them. My partner is fantastic but he has even asked before why my areola are so big and why they might not have grown properly. I no he is genuinely not trying to upset me and just shows an intrest but it really does not help. It's almost like all that fatty tissue under Neath the breast just never grew. Bras are redicules finding one to fit them is shocking and I'm forever pulling them up in the rounded bra cup. I already have mingle health problems with acrophobia and server anxiety my discussing figure and breasts do not help. I'm only 23 with two beautiful children I'm worried it could be hereditary and my little girl will end up the same as me. One day when I have the money I will have them changed just to look normal and hopefully this will help my confidence grow even if its just a little.
Hi, I'm 16 and I think I may have this condition. Now I know that I'm young and that I will probably find someone who will love me for me, but it really does get me down. I was wondering if there are any exercises or some sort of medication I could take to correct my breasts to make them appear more full and round and maybe a bit perkier. I wouldn't say that I have a severe case of this condition, but it still does really get me down and make me extremely self-conscious. I am willing to do pretty much everything I can (other than surgery, that just doesn't feel natural) while I'm still going through puberty, I don't know if it will make a difference but I am willing to give it a go.
Wow this is such a relief to see people with the same condition. I hate my breasts and I always a wondered why they were so weird. I spent ages on the Internet trying to find what it was and finally after years I have done. I'm so annoyed as when I finally gathered the courage to talk to the doctor, she dismissed them as 'its normal'. Being a medical student I find her conduct worse as she didn't address any of my concerns. However I'm not not sure if I want to go back and get surgery or leave them the way they are. I personally hate them so much and on top of that ones bigger than the other but I've always been against surgery... Bittersweet joy..
Hi think I have this I have one breast bigger than the other am in barrist to go swimming or take my clothes off in front of people I need help please can you help me thanks
I'm sixteen and I think I have this condition. My breasts are wide apart and quite small and droopy. I've tryed bringing it up with my mum but she just said to stop being so silly and I'm not old enough to be worried about it anyway. It has totally killed my self confidence and cannot get undressed infront of anyone, not even my bestfriend. I think about going to the doctors but without my mother's permission there is no way I can. Its really quite depressing actually:(
I had the same problem! I tried to tell my mom, I even showed her, and she said that its "normal" and "don't be so silly." My advise to you is to sit down with her and explain how this is impacting you and maybe she will change her mind. If not wait it out and go ASAP when your old enough. To be honest I don't think at your age the doctors will do anything. You need to be completely finished growing your breasts before anything correctional can be done.
Holly, you CAN get this treated on the NHS,but it takes strength and determination. The first hurdle is to tell your GP and ask for a referral to a breast surgeon who specialises in this condition. When you see the breast surgeon, ask if they will help your case by providing a report for your local PCT (Primary Care Trust). You will have to apply to your PCT for funding, and the more ammunition you have the better (eg letter from GP as to how it affects you, report from surgeon. It also helps if you can write to them too explaining things from your point of view). Your PCT should fund developmental disorders so you should be accepted. If they refuse you, ask why, and point out that it's a developmental condition. Good luck. I have been through all of this and having surgery was certainly the right solution for me.
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