In a tubular breast, also called a tuberous or tube-shaped breast, the breast has developed abnormally. Here you can find out how to recognise it, what forms there are and what treatment options exist.
RecognisingA tubular breast has a tube-like shape, the tissue is partly thickened in a nodular fashion, and the nipples are usually conspicuously large.
Four gradesThe degree ranges from an underdeveloped lower breast quadrant to a complete absence of breast tissue formation.
TreatmentOnly an operation changes the shape, depending on the grade with your own fat, implants and further corrections, often in several procedures.
The shape of a tubular breast can only be changed by an operation. Without surgery, it can merely be concealed by suitable bras. After a thorough consultation, two surgical methods are an option, which we explain to you below.
01
How can you recognise a tubular breast?
If you are asking yourself, “Do I have a tubular breast?”, you can tell by the following features: As a rule, a tubular breast is deformed, because the upper part of the breast has sagged downwards and the tissue takes on the shape of a tube.
The tissue is partly thickened in a nodular fashion, and in this snout-like breast the nipples are usually conspicuously large. There may also be differences in size between the two breasts. The features mentioned appear to a different degree in every woman.
What are the causes of a tubular breast?
Such a deformation of the breast is genetic and usually shows itself as early as puberty. The shape is, so to speak, already congenital and predetermined. When the breasts develop in puberty, the upper parts of the breast grow more than the lower parts.
This imbalance then causes the upper parts to slip downwards. As soon as the breast develops and grows, the connective tissue and the areola can no longer support the weight of this glandular body and it slips forwards, which forms the tube-like shape of the tubular breast.
02
What types of tubular breast are there?
There are different types, or rather degrees, which from a medical point of view can be divided into four grades:
1
Grade 1
In this milder form the breast is of average size and largely normally formed, and the areola is normal as well. However, here the tissue in one of the two lower breast quadrants is underdeveloped.
2
Grade 2
Here we find fairly small breasts with a normal areola, in which, however, both lower quadrants, including the inframammary fold, are underdeveloped.
3
Grade 3
This degree also shows very small breasts with too little skin. In addition, we find an enlarged areola and a downward-pointing nipple here.
4
Grade 4
The most severe type of deformation shows itself in a massive underdevelopment of all breast quadrants, up to a complete absence of breast tissue formation. In addition there are a large areola and a protruding mammary gland.
03
How can a tubular breast be reconstructed surgically?
Many women find the more pronounced degrees especially distressing. At an initial discussion in our clinic, we first determine how pronounced the tubular breast is and suggest surgical methods suited to the individual case.
In the milder forms, breast augmentation may be an option. Either silicone implants or treatment with your own fat can be chosen for this. In severe cases additional reconstructive measures are added, such as a breast lift, a correction of the areolae and a glandular correction. These steps cannot be carried out in a single operation and require several procedures.
Treatment with your own fat (“lipofilling”)
Treatment with your own fat is an option for smaller corrections of minor malformations. This corresponds to grade 1 of the deformity. The procedure takes around 2 to 3 hours and can be carried out without general anaesthesia. A second treatment may be necessary to build up more volume.
For grades 2 and 3, operations are necessary that release the fused and hardened areas of tissue so that they can be moved better within the breast and thus achieve more volume. Where both options are not sufficient, implants are also inserted.
Implants
As already indicated above, in difficult cases it is not enough to insert an implant alone. In addition, the fused connective tissue must be corrected and the breast area evened out. In this way the implant can be embedded in the newly shaped tissue and missing volume can be compensated with your own fat. This fat is harvested from the lower abdomen or from the buttocks.
In addition to these measures, it is often necessary to reduce the excessively pronounced areola and to carry out a breast lift to adjust the so-called skin envelope. Which steps are required in the individual case is explained in the detailed consultation and discussed with the patient.
In the consultation, the starting situation can be shown with the help of 3D images. The procedure with implants is carried out under general anaesthesia. The patient stays in the clinic for at least one night.
What risks are associated with a tubular breast operation?
At the preliminary discussion the patient is informed about possible risks that can occur in principle with any surgical procedure. For example, an infection or a wound healing disorder can occur. If implants are inserted, there is a risk that they may slip. By resting, avoiding sport and ensuring adequate hygiene and scar care, every patient can influence the healing process positively.
From when can an operation be carried out?
The operation can be carried out at the earliest on a patient who is of legal age and whose breast is fully grown.
What does a tubular breast operation cost?
There are no flat-rate prices here, because the number of procedures and the surgical method vary greatly from person to person, especially if, besides inserting the implants, further corrections to glands, skin and areolae have to be made. In general, costs from around €6,000 should be expected.
Before a tubular breast operation, the patient should ask her German statutory health insurance to what extent the costs can be covered. Typically, health insurers do not cover the costs of aesthetic surgery, unless it involves serious deformities that cause demonstrable psychological distress.
Medically reviewed by
Dr. med.Michael Bromba
Dr. Bromba has checked the medical information in this article for you.
I am a lipoedema and lymphoedema patient and have been trying to find help for about 10 years. Here it was no problem at all! I was called in quickly, was well looked after, my questions were answered very professionally, and I was able to leave the practice in tears of joy! Many thanks for the support so far.
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Anonymous · July 2026
I had my appointment at the practice for a consultation about my lipoedema, and I really want to leave a review even though I haven't had any surgery there yet. The reason is that this was the first time I felt truly taken seriously during an examination of my lipoedema. Dr. Witt was very friendly and professional from the start, and at the same time incredibly pleasant and humane. He took an exceptional amount of time, examined me very thoroughly and answered all my questions in detail. He is incredibly respectful and explains realistically what could be done and how the whole process would work. I found it particularly positive that at no point did a hectic or unpleasant mood arise. You never had the feeling of being “brushed off” or being under time pressure. Instead, the whole atmosphere was calm, relaxed and trusting. Dr. Witt was very committed, photos were taken of the affected areas and every possible treatment was explained in an understandable way. Dr. Witt explained everything in detail, yet never came across as complicated or distant. Although he is an absolute specialist in his field, I felt at all times that I could speak openly and ask any question. It felt more as if I had been a patient there for a long time. It was also particularly important to me that I never felt pushed towards an operation. It is still not at all clear whether I will have my operation at all, and yet I was taken incredibly seriously and treated with respect. That is exactly what built so much trust in me. I would also very much like to mention the lady at reception, Marris, in a positive way. She was super polite, had a very pleasant and calm manner and immediately gave me a good feeling. Although it was almost 5 p.m. and the end of the working day was approaching, she was incredibly friendly to me and did not seem at all annoyed or stressed. It is precisely such little things that make a huge difference to me personally and reinforced my positive overall impression of the practice. The practice itself is also absolutely impressive. It is extremely modern, high-quality and stylishly furnished. You feel more as if you are entering a luxury hotel than a traditional doctor's practice. Everything seems very well thought out, calm and professional. The organisation around the appointment was also excellent. Even before the appointment, communication was always very friendly, quick and professional. Questions were answered immediately and the whole process seemed perfectly organised. I was also allowed to park in the clinic's car park, which was an enormous relief since everything in the area was completely full. Although it was already later in the afternoon, Dr. Witt even personally saw to it that enquiries were made internally about my question regarding costs. Shortly after I had left the practice, I already received all the information by email. That too simply shows how professionally and attentively they work there. Overall, an exceptionally positive experience, of a kind you unfortunately only rarely have in the medical field. Absolutely fabulous.
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Sandra W. · April 2026
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Elisabeth-katrin · March 2026
Everything was great, just one small remark..... I didn't get any dinner/bread in the evening. The most important thing for me was the operation, or rather everything around it.
Mix · February 2026
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Anonymous · October 2025
I had a consultation and felt taken seriously and understood. They took a lot of time for me, and the examination and the conversation were very thorough. In the end, the treatment is too expensive for me, so I won't be able to have it done.
Anonymous · October 2025
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Medical assistant with partly insufficient professional competence.
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I really liked the super friendly manner of the ladies at reception, and also that the doctor took the time to see and advise me, as well as the nice lady who went through the cost plan with me. I felt wonderfully looked after and will definitely have my treatment there. Thank you once again for everything so far.
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I was welcomed very nicely. The doctor was also very nice and answered all my questions. She also showed understanding that one does not decide straight away.
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Dr. Bromba's calm, matter-of-fact manner and his competence really convinced me during the consultation.
