Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Surgery for tubular breasts (hypoplastic)?

26 replies

changedforaday · 18/07/2013 16:40

As the title says, has anyone been through this?

I am considering it more and more after crying in yet another changing room today trying to find summer dresses/bras/strappy tops which make me look vaguely feminine and attractive.

I am worried about the cost of surgery, the recovery time (I have a two year old) and just everything really!

Has anyone any experience? Would love to hear.

OP posts:
Original poster
changedforaday · 18/07/2013 16:50

They make me feel like a freak

OP posts:
CajaDeLaMemoria · 18/07/2013 16:50

My sister has this. We spent 8 months meeting surgeons, but the best they could offer was a breast enlargement which would correct some of the problem, but tubular breasts become more noticeable on bigger breasts, so the results vary.

After hours of looking at before and after pictures she couldn't decide, so we got in touch with some people who were having surgery, and in the end the results weren't what she wanted. It was either people looked very fake (think Pamela Anderson, huge and very round, even under clothes) or the problem was still there.

At the moment, she's not done anything about it. On the one hand I'm glad, because I worry about her, but I wish I could help her feel better.

Bert2e · 18/07/2013 16:52

Have you spoken to your GP? Will the NHS do surgery?

Jaffalemon · 18/07/2013 16:57

If you decide to go ahead with surgery then do a good amount of research and speak to your G.P. I would stick to clinics like Spire rather than the glossy Harley Street ones that i used. I had mine done years ago and have never regretted it but i had them done for me and not anyone else. I breast fed 2 DDs and they looked like 2 empty ears stuck on my chest. I only had them boosted to a 34C but as time has gone by and i have gained weight they are now 36DD/36E Grin It cost me 4000 but that was some time ago so i think its cheaper now. Recovery time was about 2 weeks and the first 3 days was very uncomfortable but i soon bounced back. For some odd reason i cant do paragraphs so i do apologise!

Original poster
changedforaday · 18/07/2013 16:57

I saw the Harley Medical Group a couple of years ago for further information about a breast enhancement. I had no idea I had something wrong with them - just thought they were very very small and lopsided. The doctor exclaimed 'I cant help you! Not with those' or similar and seemed really cross that his time had been wasted as this was not the type of surgery he did. He then said they were tubular. I had never even heard of this before.After that, I have been horrified at the thought of even showing them to anyone else so I have no idea whether the NHS would do it or not.

Caja - that is really disappointing that surgery wont correct the issue.

OP posts:
Original poster
changedforaday · 18/07/2013 16:59

Jaffa - thank you. Were your breasts tubular or was it a straightforward implant?

I was unable to feed my little boy - produced miniscule quanitities of milk and think this was because I have hardly any breast tissue. Found that hugely upsetting too.

OP posts:
CajaDeLaMemoria · 18/07/2013 17:00

Ah - nobody else has mentioned it to you?

Cosmetic surgeons are notorious for telling people they have tubular breasts if they don't want to do the surgery (usually if you want small implants and they specialise in big ones or vice versa) or if you are looking for "cheap" surgery.

There was a fair few investigative reports on it, but I think the links are on an old laptop.

Original poster
changedforaday · 18/07/2013 17:03

They are very definitely tubular. I have seen alot of pictures and I am convinced they are. The surgery wasn't a cheap option and they company later suggested I contact a different surgeon who worked for them but I was very put off after my first visit.

No one else has ever seen them - medical people I mean.

OP posts:
CajaDeLaMemoria · 18/07/2013 17:05

Ah okay, fair enough.

You could see more people, but unfortunately you seem to have heard the same that my sister did - not enough breast tissue, so even with implants, the issue is still present.

It might be worth trying it, to see if it does improve it at all? Or just going for very big implants, so that they would distract from it?

I don't know what else to suggest :( I wish I did. My sister sobbed when she realised that there isn't really anywhere to go from here. I've avoided telling her that breastfeeding may be an issue, so I don't worsen how she feels...

Jaffalemon · 18/07/2013 17:06

Hmmmm be careful with whoever you saw and discount them straight away as an option. Yes mine were tubular but not too badly as i was only a 34B so they hadnt stretched too far with weight IYKWIM. I am very happy with the results but when i had my consultation they did say that sometimes with tubular breasts they recommend a lift at the same time to overcome the sagging skin. Find another surgeon that answers your questions without being rude and insulting to you. Still no pargagraphsBlush

Original poster
changedforaday · 18/07/2013 17:09

Thanks Caja.

The breastfeeding was awful. Made worse by peoples assumptions that I was lying when I said I didn't have enough milk etc - really did not want to have to start telling old women in cafes I actually had something wrong. Had my mother in law lecturing me that the problem was me not offering him enough etc...

Your poor sister. It is very depressing to hear there doesn't seem to be much hope. I didn't realise that implants wouldn't just sort them out.

OP posts:
CajaDeLaMemoria · 18/07/2013 17:13

Maybe it depends on the severity?

I don't know, in all honesty. We saw SO MANY surgeons, and some were really lovely, but nobody could help.

When we looked at photos, my sisters' didn't seem too severe, either.

Jaffa seems to have had a different experience, so perhaps there is hope?

EhricLovesTeamQhuay · 18/07/2013 17:19

There was a woman on embarrassing bodies who had corrective surgery for hypo plastic breasts and they looked good, but they acknowledged that it was more complex. They had to remake the nipples and stretch the skin and I don't know what.
Surgery will probably mean you won't be able to breastfeed at all in future, would that be ok?
I have struggled to come to terms with mine but I was kind of ok with it until I struggled to breastfeed and found out that was what I had/why. I wouldn't get surgery though, the risks are just too high. I don't like the look of fake breasts and I don't like the culture of cosmetic surgery. I have just accepted that my breasts are what they are and that can't be changed. I am ok with that now. I'm sorry if you are disappointed by the response about surgery. I understand how you feel.

Jaffalemon · 18/07/2013 17:19

I think its an easier issue if the boobs are smaller as there isnt so much excess skin to deal with. I used the Welbeck Hospital in London but i think they are part of the Harley Medical Clinics.

They were fantastic with me from start to finish but i would still stick to Spire if i was to have them redone.

Original poster
changedforaday · 18/07/2013 19:04

Thanks all.

Mine are tiny - seem to be all nipple - the characteristic sort of puffy areola. One is even smaller than the other and literally no breast tissue under the nipple - can just feel my ribs instead. No cleavage whatsoever - just hard bone between swollen ugly nipples. I don't see that there would be excess skin but I was also wondering how much my skin would need to stretch to accomodate an implant.

Ehric - I am happy to hear you have accepted your tubular breasts. I have tried so hard to - but time and time again I get very upset by them and trying to dress them and just wondered if I could change them would I be much happier?

Jaffa - did you have a referral to the Welbeck Hospital? Why do you think Spire are the best?

OP posts:
Jaffalemon · 18/07/2013 19:19

I had to go private and would never have asked the NHS to fund it tbh as it wasnt a medical issue for me, it was purely my feelings towards my body after having the DCs.

I would choose Spire now because they were one of the only clinics that addressed the PIP scandal with any sort of moral obligation towards the women that had implants. Harley Medical Group turned their back and whacked the price up of removal and replacement to cash in on a terrible situationAngry

There are lots of forums on breast augmentation so you can read and ask questions to other women in the same situation as you.

Have a good google around and get personal recommendationsSmile

Most clinics put the implant behind the muscle now so a smaller implant can be used if you are flatter in the chest area. I saw lots of before and after pics before i went ahead and had measurements done at consultation so that my profile would be correct and my skin not stretched too much.

My boobs are like 2 lethal weapons now that i have naturally grown chubbier but i can wear clothes that i wouldnt have dared wear before and even bikinis.

My 2 oldest DDs were sad when i told them they were implants because they were convinced we had a good boob gene. I felt very guilty when i told them the truth!

I should add that they are both in their 20's now and not children.

Original poster
changedforaday · 18/07/2013 19:23

One more question Jaffa - did your breasts change alot after having your children? Did the tubular issue get worse? I do want more babies and wonder if it would be wiser to wait. However, that means putting up with hating my appearance in the meantime - potentially for quite a few years. As I didn't produce milk anyway breast feeding is really not an issue.

Many thanks for all your kind advice and suggestions.

OP posts:
Original poster
changedforaday · 18/07/2013 19:24

PS - I always thought I would inherit the good boob gene too! All the other women in my family have ample bosoms!

OP posts:
Jaffalemon · 18/07/2013 19:38

Yes they changed from being a bit shit and smallish (34B on a good day) to being like 2 droopy empty bags just hanging there like a empty 'W'Blush

DD2 made no difference as DD1 had finished them off. The difference was with how i felt with my body when i knew i had completed my family.

I wanted me back, so i lost all the baby weight, toned up but still wasnt happy because my boobs were nasty so i made the decision to get them done.

I then split with now Ex Dh, remarried and have 2 more DC so life has a habit of throwing a spanner in the works! The 2 other DC had no impact on my boobs. They pinged back nicely!

Lots of clinics have before and after pics, have a good look around and do comparisons.

A good surgeon will show you pics anyway and discuss all options and what results to expect. I was told not to expect miracles but i would be able to fit clothes better and fill a bra but what i got far exceeded expectations so i know i'm lucky. Like i said before you must read about complications just so that you know the risks. Mine are pretty hard now so will need replacing soon but money is tight and they still look good so they arnt my priority atm but its an expense we can do without which will have to be done.

I was unable to Breast feed my 2 DC after Boobs were done but successfully expressed milk.

Original poster
changedforaday · 18/07/2013 20:33

Thank you so much. It is good to know that your breasts were not affected by more children and interesting that you were still able to express.

OP posts:
EhricLovesTeamQhuay · 19/07/2013 08:40

Changed, it sounds like yours are more affected than mine. I do have some breast tissue and in a decent bra they look normal. (Though disproportionately small). I think if I had less to work with I would find it harder to be ok with. I know there are surgeons who do this so don't lose heart. Do some research!

EhricLovesTeamQhuay · 19/07/2013 08:45

Just had a thought, have you tried padded bras for post mastectomy women? It would maybe help with confidence in clothes. How supportive is your DH also?

pingulingo · 19/07/2013 08:54

I had/have this. Saw a surgeon at 18 and had implants under the muscle. The nipple area was still a little "tubular" in appearance to start with but they have settled down in ok/normal looking boobs - noone knows I've had implants unless I say. At the time I was offered it on the nhs but I didn't want to wait, I don't know if its still offered these days.

I did bf both DC although I had to really work at it with DC1 and did end up mix feeding after a few month. Although I didn't use domperidone until DC2 (she was prem) and that did help - I would recommend getting a prescription asap if you do still have supply issues even after trying all the other great bf advice in here.

Parmarella · 19/07/2013 13:55

Have you googled enough? Apparently there are surgeons who specialise in correcting tubular breasts.

Do think about if though, after all nobody is perfect :)

TheMouseDancing · 19/07/2013 14:40

I hadn't heard of tubular breasts until reading this thread but am now thinking this is what I have.

I had always been very unhappy with my breasts and decided to have breast implants 5 years ago.

Prior to my surgery I had no breast tissue on the right and a very small amount on the left, my implants we placed behind the muscle and I went to a 34b. I was concerned that the implant would be visible but they look very natural. I had some mild discomfort after surgery and was back to work in 2 weeks.

I had my dd 15 months ago and tried to breast feed but didn't produce enough milk and had to switch I formula.

Change - it might be worth you seeing your gp but I would be happy to recommend the surgeon I used, she was fantastic and I had consultations with a few surgeons before choosing this one.