There are a number of different forms of tubular breasts, but all usually involve a tightness of the base of the breast with deficiency of skin and glandular tissue, often in the lower inner or lower inner and outer quadrants. There are usually also low hanging nipples, associated with glandular tissue bulging into the areolas.

Tubular breast reconstruction involves insertion of an augment to fill out areas of the breast where tissue is deficient and improve breast shape. This is normally combined with scoring of the breast tissue internally to allow the implant to stretch out the breast tissues where they are tight.

Usually, a form of areola lift is also used to lift the nipples into the correct position, and correct the bulging of the breast tissue into the areolas.

The surgery is usually performed in one or two stages under general anaesthetic.