Are my breasts tubular? Will OHIP cover breast implants? (Photo)

Hi gingergal96,

Tuberous breasts are not simply small or underdeveloped breasts. The appearance of the breast can range from mild to severe, and typical traits include: enlarged, puffy areola, rather wide spacing between the breasts, very little breast tissue, sagging, higher than normal inferior breast fold, and narrow base at the chest wall.

The type of surgery best for you will depend on the severity of your condition.

My preferred technique for tuberous breast correction involves a multistep procedure where the breast tissue is released in a radial pattern to prevent herniation into the areola and placement of a custom implant size is in the breast to allow appropriate expansion of the breast in the restricted dimensions. This can often be done in a single procedure but sometimes may require two surgeries.

When it comes to sizing, we have all of our patients find 3 photos of their desired breast size. We ask for naked breast photos because clothing can obscure the true size (push up bras). Next, we consult with patients and go over the photos and take detailed breast measurements during a physical exam. Next, we using a sizing algorithm to determine a range of implants that will work based on the exam and the measurements.

Lastly, during the operation, we use silicone sizers in the operating room to see how the size actually looks in the breast. We sit the patient up in the operating room, while asleep of course, and compare the sizer result with their desired look photos. If it is too small, we start the process over with a slightly larger implant. We don't stop until we get the perfect match.

Of all of my breast augmentation patients, every one of them has been happy with their size due to this detailed and meticulous process. You don't want to invest time and money into a result that is either too big or too small.

That said, it is best that you visit a board-certified plastic surgeon for an in person examination. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

hello thank you for your question and provided information as well.based in your question and the picture showed, you are good candidate for breast augmentation, in your case its recommended to get a consultation in person to check how to use it a very well results.

Hello and thank you for your question. You do appear to have tuberous breasts.  You are a great candidate
for a breast augmentation.  The size, profile, and shape of the
implant is based on your desired breast size/shape, your chest wall
measurements, and soft tissue quality.  This decision should
be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you
and your surgeon.  Cost varies based on geographic region and surgeon expertise.  Make sure you
specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have
had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most important aspect is to find a
surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a
qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Tuberous breast is not, technically speaking, a "yes" or "no" question. There can be different points on the continuum. The typical hallmarks include a high, tight fold with "puffy" or distended areola, minimal breast tissue and potentially herniation of the breast tissue through a tightened ring thus the "tuberous" label. It is a congenital deformity which usually manifests at puberty. To what degree it manifests will vary from one patient to the next.
Treatment of tuberous breasts varies depending on the degree of the breast architectural distortion. Surgical correction typically involves:
-areolar reduction
-submuscular augmentation
-release of constricted breast tissue
All of these techniques work in concert to correct the tuberous deformation of the breast.
Based upon your photos alone, you do exhibit some features of a tuberous breast. You would benefit from augmentation with radial parenchymal scoring to release the constricting band. I cannot comment as to whether this would be covered. However, one might make a case for surgical correction falling more in the realm of reconstruction of congenital deformity rather than purely cosmetic.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Thank you for the question and pictures.
Yes, your breasts do demonstrate some of the characteristics seen with tuberous (constricted) breasts.  There are lots of variations of tuberous breasts.
Some of the characteristics seen with tuberous breasts include a very narrow base, short distance from areola to inframammary fold, tight (constricted) lower pole of the breasts, relatively wide space between the breasts, "puffy" areola and some degree of ptosis (drooping).  
Generally,  correction of tuberous breast anomalies involves breast augmentation with areola reduction / mastopexy procedure. The distance from the inframammary fold is increased (to create a more rounded out appearance). Proper breast implant positioning improves the distance (cleavage) between the breasts. The areola reduction helps to treat the pointed and "puffy" appearance of the areola.
In your case, if the appearance/shape/size of the breasts are a concern,  you may be an excellent candidate for corrective surgery.  Exactly what operation would help you will depend on a full communication of your goals. Based on  your question and pictures provided,  a breast augmentation as well as an areolar skin/tissue  reduction  will serve to significantly improve the shape/contour of your breasts.    
 When you are ready, please make sure you consult with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons who have significant (demonstrable) experience with this type of surgery.
I hope this helps.  Best wishes.

Based on the photographs submitted, you do have a tuberous breast deformity.
A tuberous breast deformity usually consists of small cylindrical shaped breasts with large, out of proportion, areolas that can protrude (puffy).  The crease under the breast is high, the distance from the nipple to the inframammary crease is too short, making the breast appear "constricted".  The name arises because the breast resembles the shape of a tuber, an enlarged area of a root vegetable like a yam or sweet potato.
The surgical correction consists of:
Reducing the size of the areolaChanging the shape of the breast from cylindrical to round with implantsLowering the inframammary creaseReleasing the constricted band under the breastThe placement of the implant can be either over or under the muscle, depending on each individual and saline or silicone implants can be utilized.  It is an outpatient procedure and the recovery is similar to a breast augmentation.  Always, Always, Always see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with experience in tubular breast deformities to assure the best possible result. Health insurance carriers will not cover this procedure.
Good Luck!