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I’ve seen postings recently in a feminist forum about tuberous breasts, and whether one would be justified in having plastic surgery to improve them. The woman who initiated the discussion said she wanted to have the procedure to fix her tubular breasts, but felt bad about it. As a feminist, she said she felt “angry” that she was longing for surgery and even that she “wanted to die at the thought.”
If there ever were a condition that might drive a woman who thinks that “plastic surgery, on the whole, is ridiculous” to go under the knife, tuberous breasts would be a good candidate. Named for the fact that the breasts resemble tubers in shape, tuberous breasts (sometimes called “tubular breasts”) are formed when the base of the breast is smaller than usual. This constricted circumference causes the breast tissue to push forward and sometimes down, exacerbated by the fact that the inframammary fold (where the breast attaches to the chest wall) is often higher than normal.
Women with tuberous breasts usually have large areolas as well. When all these factors are present, it’s easy to see why one of the nicknames for this condition is “Snoopy breasts.” Although you may consider the famous Beagle adorable, you probably don’t want to have breasts that remind you of his nose.
In most cases, to create breasts that are more pleasing in appearance requires a bit more work than simply inserting implants. Plastic surgeons often need to make internal incisions to release constricting tissue and expand the base width of the breast. The breast pocket may need enlarging to accept an appropriate implant. Because women with tuberous breasts often have scant breast tissue, it’s often best to place implants below the chest muscle for a natural looking result. For this group of patients, silicone gel breast implants should be considered, as they tend to hold their shape well.
The feminist whose posting I read said that her tuberous breasts were “self esteem shattering” and that she always kept her bra on while having sex. In my view, those feelings are reason enough to feel ok about considering plastic surgery, regardless of which body part is the culprit and how “cosmetic” the procedure might be. In fact, body image is the key. If you happen to have tuberous breasts and aren’t bothered by them, great.
But this woman, who obviously does suffer significant embarrassment, can take comfort in the fact that tuberous breasts are considered to be a true deformity. Dictionaries define “deformity” as a part of the body that’s abnormally formed, “abnormal” meaning not usual or typical, deviating from what’s considered standard. What would you do if you were born with a cleft palate? Webbed fingers? You’d probably have surgery to fix the condition. And you’d probably feel a great sense of relief that you took the plunge.
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I think a couple of our readers have missed the point of Cathy Enns' article. All she was relating is a story about a woman, who happens to be a feminist with views against breast reconstruction, who is suffering a body image problem because of her tuberous breasts.
Cathy went on to state that, if you have this condition and enjoy a healthy self image and self esteem, great!
But, if you don't, and you want to elect reconstructive surgery, who is to say you shouldn't.
That's all.
August 3, 2009 - 8:05pmThis Comment
well said :)
November 24, 2010 - 9:29pmThis Comment
I do not classify tuberous breasts as a deformity, the world of medicine does. You can find numerous publications about tuberous breasts authored by physicians on pubmed.gov (a Website of the National Institutes of Health and U.S. Library of Medicine), springerlink.com (science book source), elsevierhealth.com (medical journals and books) and others. You'll find most authors actually refer to the condition as "tuberous breast deformity." That's why the surgical procedure to correct the condition is most often called "reconstruction."
Check it out on breasthealthonline.org, healthboards.com, realself.com and forumsobgyn.net also. You'll find many women on these sites are as unhappy with their tuberous breasts as the woman I quoted who said her breasts are "self esteem shattering." Are you saying they should just live with this feeling, or perhaps try to celebrate instead of feeling dissatisfied, and not have a procedure that could possibly change their life? Are you for real?
Like it or not, it's human nature to react well to people who are perceived as conforming to a general norm. That's why people with harelips, microtia (ear deformity), extra fingers, webbed fingers, severe breast asymmetry and other deformities are often so traumatized whether function is impaired or not--they look different to other people. That's what I meant by a "more pleasing appearance;" many people feel better about themselves when they feel they fall into a normal range in the way they look.
Everyone wants to feel ok about themselves. Some with deformities do, some don't. What I said in the original article was that if you're not bothered by your tuberous breasts, great. I would never advocate cosmetic or reconstructive surgery for someone who is happy with the way they look.
But if a woman really suffers because of tuberous breasts, whose to say she should not have plastic surgery? I guess you are?
August 3, 2009 - 6:10pmThis Comment
I guess I don't understand, since there doesn't really seem to be a "normal" for breasts, and every pair of actual, real live breasts I've ever seen have looked different from one another in shape, size, nipple size, etc, why having this particular shape--which many women have--is a deformity. And I think it also begs the question, is there an epidemic of this deformity in Africa? Because if you pick up a National Geographic Magazine, widely spaced tubular breasts with big nipples (which seems to be the definition of tubular breasts) are all over the place. It...well, it kind of sounds like something made up by plastic surgeons. It seems no different to me than saying gay people have a sexual disorder. Are most people gay? No. But it's an acceptable (or should be) way to be. To classify breasts that for all intents and purposes, function as other breasts do as a deformity is not empowering. It implies that it should be corrected. It implies that they are not acceptable.
So why are these breasts a deformity, but not breasts with nipples that point different directions? Or breasts with overly extended nipples? Or breasts with very large aereola? Or breasts with pinprick aareola? Or breasts that are pointy? Or breasts that sag? Or breasts that sit up high? Or on and on and on of the endless variations of breasts?
September 2, 2010 - 1:45pmThis Comment
You will note that it's the plastic surgery industry that consistently uses the term "tuberous breast deformity".
And while we're playing with semantics and terminology, remember that it was also not too long ago that homosexuality was considered a "disease" that needed to be "cured".
Plastic surgery is risky and expensive. Fake breasts are just that-- fake. In my opinion, that's a lousy solution for what is, in my opinion, not even a problem (i.e. tuberous breasts).
I'm all for women making choices about themselves. I'm choosing to voice my opinion as someone with first-hand experience with tuberous breasts. End of story.
August 3, 2009 - 8:22pmPerhaps your intent in the article was supposed to be positive, but, sorry, it just didn't come across that way.
This Comment
I have tubular breasts and it hurts emotionally all the damn time. Every time I look in a mirror, anytime I wear a shirt without a bra, every time I shower, I hate having the lights on during sex. Sure, there are weight insecurities too, but you can lose weight, you can't make your breast look better. It's not for anyone else, it's for ME, and how I feel. I want to wear a bikini without worrying that there's not enough support to make my chest look round.
For all we know you've never had a flaw that you fixate on every damn day, and can never fix. It feels worse than you'll clearly ever know. Just because you're ok with your chest, doesn't mean every woman is.
Also, do some research, fake breasts aren't like they used to be, and there's different ways of getting them that still look natural, and feel pretty natural too.
You know what else is fake? Hair dye, nail polish, make up, bras in general, shaving, acne removal, you're telling me you're "all natural" and don't do any of that? I doubt it, so get off your high horse, and if a woman can do something to help her feel good in her body, it's her choice.
June 11, 2012 - 4:14pmThis Comment
I have reread your article. Where exactly do you mention that there's no reason to have surgery if you're content with your body? Your article is full of disparaging remarks: Everything from creating breasts with a more "pleasing appearance" to "if there was ever a reason to get surgery..." to telling women what constitutes an attractive nipple to comparing tuberous breasts to a cleft palate. Are you for real? Cleft palates interfere with feeding, hearing and speech. Surgery can fix that. Tuberous breasts unfortunately go hand in hand with underdeveloped milk glands...which SURGERY DOES NOT FIX. So be it. Some people wear glasses. Some people have to supplement their babies' diet with formula. What else do you classify as a deformity? So if you have short legs, is that also a deformity? What are you going to do? Get leg extensions because long legs have a "more pleasing appearance"? Should black people lighten their skin? Should everybody be a bleach blond? Should we all wear blue contact lenses? Obviously not, but do you get my drift? Who determines what makes for a more "pleasing appearance"?
Beauty comes in many colors, shapes and sizes. Celebrating that fact is true empowerment. Not rationalizing risky surgery in order to conform to someone else's standard.
August 3, 2009 - 2:01pmThis Comment
Why are you so upset about what she is writing? She is speaking for a lot of women who feel the same way. Ever since I started developing breasts I have hated them and have been teased. Just because you dont agree with her viewpoint doesnt mean you have to type up an essay about it. Chill the fuck out and make your own blog about it if its that big of an issue. Tuberous shaped breasts fucking blow (talking from personal experience & in my opinion) and society will always be what it is so quit trying to change society and change yourself if it makes you happy.
May 2, 2011 - 11:08pmThis Comment
If you'll read the article again, you'll see that I mentioned there's no reason to have surgery if you're content with your body. Tuberous breasts and all. But if you're as traumatized as the woman who first prompted me to write, then surgery may be an option. You can choose to accept, even embrace your tuberous breasts, as you apparently do. Or if you hate them, you can make a change.
I'd call the choice empowering.
Also note that I did not advocate getting huge implants.
August 3, 2009 - 11:26amThis Comment
Cathy,
November 12, 2010 - 5:58amI am a young woman who has tuberous breasts and have all the same issues as your subject. I believe strongly in loving your body and respecting it the way it is and all the incredible things it does. However I have long been really embarrassed by my breasts and it strongly effects my sex life and ability to be confident with my body. But that embarrassment has made me ashamed for being so vain and not being strong enough to overcome that vanity.
I really really appreciate your article and you have captured an important issue really well.
In the end, after trying really hard to get over it, it IS an empowering choice to accept it as a problem and do something about it. Because in the end nothing is worth that much worry and time.
Just wanted to say thank you since so many people seemed to be COMPLETELY missing the point.
I really appreciate your article. Thank you
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