Tubular breasts are small and narrow and tube like. The breast skin is tight and the breasts pointed. The areola and nipples are distorted. Often the nipples are lowered causing sagginess or ptosis. It is not uncommon and many women have them. People who have them feel conscious and embarrassed and wish they had more normal rounded figures. Plastic surgery can definitely cure them of this affliction and they can lead a fuller, happier life after the surgery. By inserting saline or silicone gel breast implants it is possible to give the patients a better and improved breast contour. Tubular breast deformity reconstruction is a challenging proposition and a good and qualified plastic surgeon can definitely do it and make the patient an extremely happy one.
The procedure involves making small incisions around the areola to loosen the tight skin. Some surgeons place a breast implant on the underside of the breast below the muscle tissue. The procedure has to be discussed in advance with the surgeon to familiarize the patient with the procedure, its plus points and the minus points. The implant will loosen the skin of the breast around the areola, which will eventually reshape itself around the implant. The implant can be made from saline or silica gel. Both are good and have their own merits and demerits. The saline implant is safe even if it ruptures as the body can absorb saline. The silica gel is thicker and more viscous as it is exactly like the fatty tissue of the breast and may not be absorbed if it ruptures and leaks. The silica gel implant feels like a breast, as it is smooth while the saline is a bit tough but newer techniques have made this also appealing to the patient.
Some surgeons will combine a breast lift with tubular breast surgery to give a better appearance. The surgery is done under local anesthesia and takes about two to three hours. But if a breast lift is also included it may take longer. After the surgery an elastic garment will be given to the patient to wear so that it supports the breasts and lessens the swelling. Some pain and inconvenience may be there but it is quite normal and will go away in a couple of days. The patient may feel a bit tired and needs to rest at least for a couple of days. It may take ten days to heal and normal work can be resumed only after three weeks. It may take about six months for the breasts to take a final shape.
The procedure is quite safe but as with any surgery some risk is always there. Some pain, infection or allergy to the anesthesia may be there but it can all be overcome with medication. Insurance may not cover this operation, as it is termed to be a cosmetic surgery. There may be a couple of scars but they will become lighter with time. Tubular breast reconstruction is a lifelong one. |
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