Specialist breast surgery
Tuberous breast surgery in Madrid, Spain
An individual approach to correcting breast shape, guided by careful assessment and medical judgment.
Dr. Jorge Aso
Tuberous breast correction with Dr. Jorge Aso
Tuberous, or tubular, breasts develop during puberty. Restricted tissue expansion can affect the way the breast gland develops, producing a narrow base and a characteristic change in shape.
Surgery can address these features through a plan tailored to each breast. At Dr. Jorge Aso Clinic, we assess your anatomy and goals before discussing the corrections that may improve shape and proportion, along with their limitations.
The condition may affect one or both breasts, which can appear narrow, tubular or pointed. It usually becomes apparent during breast development at puberty.
Some patients do not know the term “tuberous breasts” and simply notice that their breasts seem small or have an unusual shape.
An individual surgical plan
What does the operation involve?
Tuberous breast correction often combines several surgical steps to improve shape, the breast crease, the lower pole and projection.
- Lowering a high breast crease to a more appropriate position.
- Lengthening the lower pole.
- Correcting protruding or enlarged areolas.
- Reshaping the glandular tissue behind the nipple.
- Adding an implant when appropriate to improve volume and shape.
The Grolleau classification
How are tuberous breasts diagnosed and classified?
Diagnosis is based on a clinical examination, not breast size alone. We assess the shape and width of the breast base, crease position, tissue distribution, the areola and differences between the breasts.
Features assessed during your consultation
- A narrow or constricted breast base
- A high breast crease
- Underdevelopment of one or more breast quadrants
- An enlarged areola or protruding glandular tissue
- Differences in shape, volume or position
Type I
Lower-inner quadrant deficiency
The lower-inner quadrant is underdeveloped. This can be subtle and may be mistaken for isolated asymmetry.
Type II
Both lower quadrants are affected
The lower breast is more restricted and the crease is often high. The base may look short or constricted.
Type III
Constriction of the entire base
All four quadrants are affected, with a generally narrow base and a more pronounced change in shape.
Important: this classification helps describe the anatomy but does not determine the treatment on its own. Features may overlap, each breast may be affected differently, and mild forms can require an experienced clinical examination.
Different concerns
Tuberous breasts, small breasts and asymmetry: what is the difference?
These concerns can overlap, but they describe different features. Distinguishing them helps avoid a surgical plan focused only on increasing volume.
| Feature | Tuberous breasts | Small breasts | Breast asymmetry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defining feature | A developmental difference affecting the shape and base of the breast. | Less volume, with a shape and breast base that may be otherwise typical. | A difference between the breasts in volume, shape, height, areola or crease. |
| Breast base and crease | The base is often constricted and the crease may be high. | There may be no constriction or unusual crease position. | They may be similar or different, depending on the cause. |
| Areola | It may be enlarged or have protruding glandular tissue, although not in every case. | It may be proportionate, without tissue protrusion. | Its diameter, height or projection may differ between sides. |
| What needs to be planned | Shape, base, crease, volume, areola and symmetry. | Primarily volume, proportion and the patient’s preferences. | The underlying cause and a realistic goal for balance between the two sides. |
Photographs or self-assessment may suggest certain features, but they do not replace an examination. The diagnosis and treatment strategy are established during your consultation.
Your questions, answered
Surgery takes place in a hospital with the appropriate facilities and a specialist team: an anesthesiologist experienced in plastic surgery, skilled nurses and other surgical staff.
An overnight stay is included when medically indicated. The hospital has advanced intensive care facilities. Careful planning and medical standards guide our approach.
Important decisions
Implants, scars and planning
Are breast implants always needed?
Implants are used in many cases, but not all. After the gland is reshaped, an implant can help support a different contour. In some larger tuberous breasts, a reduction may improve shape without implants. Your own fat may be used instead of an implant, or in combination with one.
What scars will I have?
Each case is different, but many patients have a circular scar around the areola. This provides access to reshape the gland and adjust areola size and shape. The scar follows the transition between areolar and surrounding skin; its final appearance depends on healing.
Less commonly, correction can be performed through a small breast-crease incision alone. Where tuberous breasts are also sagging, a lift with an inverted-T scar may be needed.
Virtual simulation and planning
Virtual simulation may help discuss breast shape and volume during planning. It is a communication tool, not a prediction or guarantee of the surgical result.
Tuberous breast correction in Madrid
An individual correction plan aims to improve breast shape, balance, symmetry and proportion. Understand what may be achievable for your anatomy.
Surgical approach
How do we approach tuberous breast correction?
Changing the structural features of tuberous breasts requires surgery. The plan aims to improve shape and proportion, as well as size where appropriate.
Careful tissue handling, efficient surgery, controlled implant insertion and avoiding drains when they are unnecessary are part of our approach to postoperative comfort. Recovery varies between patients.
We often use submuscular implant placement, depending on tissue coverage and the correction required. It can cause more discomfort in the first days. The appropriate plane is chosen after weighing the benefits and limitations for your anatomy.
Surgery is performed in a hospital with an experienced anesthesiologist, nursing staff and appropriate facilities, including access to intensive care. An overnight stay is included in the quote when indicated.
Real patient cases
Before and after tuberous breast surgery
These clinical cases illustrate possible changes to shape, the lower pole, the areola and breast proportions. They do not guarantee the same result for another patient.
Meet Dr. Jorge Aso
Dr. Jorge Aso completed specialist training in Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery through Spain’s MIR system at Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre in Madrid. He holds a doctorate in Medicine awarded cum laude by Universidad Complutense de Madrid. His surgical practice has a particular focus on aesthetic breast surgery.
According to the clinic’s internal records, he performs more than 500 aesthetic breast operations per year and has performed more than 4,000 breast augmentations.
Dr. Aso assesses the chest and breast anatomy, tissue quality, asymmetry and your goals. Implant type and volume, placement and incision are then selected individually where implants are appropriate.
His approach combines surgical planning with support through consultation, preparation, surgery, recovery and follow-up. He also teaches and lectures internationally on aesthetic breast surgery.
* Experience and surgical volume figures are from the clinic’s internal records, updated in June 2026.
- Specialist training in Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery through Spain’s MIR system at Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre.
- Doctorate in Medicine cum laude from Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
- More than 500 aesthetic breast operations per year.
- International teacher and lecturer in aesthetic breast surgery.
International patients
Discuss your options in English
A consultation can help you understand the shape differences you have noticed, whether treatment is appropriate and which options fit your anatomy.
Dr. Aso speaks native-level English and has trained in the United States. Our team can also help by email and WhatsApp in English.
First consultations: 100 EUR, by video or in person in Madrid. An in-person examination is needed to confirm the diagnosis and surgical plan.
Before arranging travel, agree the required stay, early reviews and follow-up after returning home with the clinic. Returning to office work is not the same as being cleared to fly.
Technique and recovery
Avoiding unnecessary drains and dressings
Our aim is careful surgery and a recovery that is as comfortable as possible, avoiding measures that are not needed for the individual case.
Planning for postoperative comfort
We aim to avoid drains when they are not needed. They can add discomfort and leave a small additional mark, but may still be appropriate for safety in an individual case.
We also generally avoid compression dressings that cause excessive pressure or discomfort. Most patients leave the operating room wearing a special postoperative bra and small dressings.
No drains when they are not needed
The decision is made individually during surgery. Where the procedure and clinical situation allow, we avoid drains to limit discomfort and additional marks.
Without routine compression dressings
Our usual approach uses a special postoperative bra and small dressings rather than tight compression bandages.
No-touch implant insertion
We limit contact during implant insertion and use freshly changed surgical gloves as part of measures intended to reduce contamination. This does not eliminate the risk of infection or capsular contracture.
Every case is assessed individually: drains or another measure will be used if needed for medical safety. The aim is to balance safety, surgical precision and postoperative comfort.
Recovery
What to expect after tuberous breast surgery
The breasts and your general recovery are assessed after surgery. Discharge is usually around 24 hours afterward if medical criteria are met. Most procedures use general anesthesia. A special postoperative bra, and sometimes an upper-breast band, may be recommended; follow your surgeon’s instructions about dressings and massage.
Pain or discomfort is common and can usually be managed with prescribed pain relief. A review takes place in the first days to assess healing. Sutures are usually placed internally. Many patients return to work without strenuous physical activity, such as office work, after approximately 7–10 days.
In the first weeks, breast shape and implant position are not final. The tissues gradually stretch and settle. This can be particularly noticeable in tuberous breasts because the lower pole starts with restricted or underdeveloped tissue.
It can take up to a year for the final result to become apparent. Early changes should not be mistaken for the settled outcome.
Selected tissue-preserving options
Can MIA or Preservé be used for tuberous breasts?
MIA Femtech and Preservé are tissue-preserving approaches to breast augmentation. They share some principles but differ in their access incision and other technical details.
They were not designed specifically for tuberous breast correction. Our clinic has experience using them in selected mild cases. A careful examination is needed because they cannot replace the more extensive correction required for marked constriction.
MIA Femtech
The MIA Femtech approach uses a small armpit incision and places the implant above the chest muscle. In suitable patients, it is usually performed without general anesthesia or an overnight hospital stay. Recovery is individual.
Preservé
The Preservé approach uses an incision in the breast crease, often around 2.5 cm, with controlled tissue expansion and placement above the muscle. The aim is to limit tissue disruption; it is still a surgical procedure with scars and risks.
Mild tuberous breast features
For some patients with mild tuberosity, MIA or Preservé may be considered. Selection requires particular care, and these options do not replace conventional surgery when the structural difference is substantial.
If you would like to know whether a less invasive approach might be suitable, contact the clinic for an individual assessment. We will explain both the options and their limitations.
Medical information from Dr. Jorge Aso Clinic
Adapted from the clinic’s Spanish guide to tuberous breast diagnosis, classification, surgery and recovery. This information does not replace a personal medical consultation or informed consent.
Dr. Jorge Aso’s qualifications and experience · Explore breast surgery options
Selected interviews, mentions and third-party articles. Coverage is in Spanish.
Medical authorship
Specialist in Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery (Spanish MIR training)
Medical registration no. 2828/61062 · Madrid
About Tuberous Breast Surgery in Madrid: clinical information, safety and expectations. Based on the original Spanish content.
Translation does not constitute a new medical review. This information does not replace an individual medical assessment.
View profile, training and credentialsMedical sources and editorial standards Selected references for this page 3 references
References support the general medical information. Suitability, alternatives, and risks are discussed individually during consultation.
- The Different Surgical Strategies for Treating Tuberous Breast Deformity: A Scoping Review Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery Open / PubMed Central
- A Systematic Review of Outcomes and Complications of Tuberous Breast Surgery Aesthetic Surgery Journal / PubMed
- Review of Tuberous Breast Deformity: Developments over the Last 20 Years Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open / PubMed Central