Are my breasts tubular? Would I qualify for a medicare rebate? (Photo)

Hello, the photos do not show your entire chest but it appears that one breast might have mild tuberous features.  In my region a person must have a very pronounced tuberous shape or other severe shape abnormality to qualify for coverage, but you could check locally.

your photos do look like you have tuberous (constricted) breasts. You should be covered under Medicare, but there is a possibility this may be removed from Medicare in the near future, so you should see an experienced plastic surgeon asap. Regards, Dr Steve Merten, Sydney

I appreciate your question.
 From the photo of your breast if you appear mildly constricted 
Constricted or tubular breasts tend to be too narrow with a breast crease that is too high. Tight ring-like bands of tissue around the areolae and nipples may create the appearance of protruding or puffy areolae. A higher than normal breast crease may make your nipples appear to be too low or down pointing. Constricted breast features can be very mild or severe. In fact, mild variations are relatively common. To summarize, the features can include:
Inframammary fold (breast crease) too highInframammary fold misshapenBreasts too narrow (disproportionately narrow base width)Insufficient breast skinConstricted or tubular shape, resulting from tight bands of tissue within breastsProtruding or bulging appearance of areolae (pigmented area around nipples)Improvement is possible and generally includes a breast augmentation, sometimes combined with a lift (mastopexy). The lift is usually limited to an incision around the areolae. During the procedure, I release the tight, constricting bands from the inside, allowing the skin to expand properly. I also lower the inframammary fold to a more ideal position and improve it’s shape. Breast implants help create the right amount of volume and improve breast contours, resulting in a more rounded or tear drop shape. In some cases I have been able to fix this with just fat grafting in milder cases.
The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.
Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.
best of luck!
Dr. Schwartz
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
#RealSelf100Surgeon
#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Thank you for your question and images. From the images that you have provided there is some tightening of the skin below the nipple and a relatively short distance from the nipple to the fold. Although there may be a very mild form of tuberous breasts I do not think that you would meet the medicare criteria for tuberous breast. I have had a patient recently, with a very similar breast shape that was not accepted. The process for approval is to first see a specialist for a clinical assessment and and then send your pictures to the medical claims review panel. Unfortunately, though I do not think they would approve your case.RegardsDr Guy Watts

There are a variety of congenital breast deformities including tuberous/tubular breasts, Poland Syndrome, and asymmetry. In many breast deformity cases there is internal tissue that contracts and distorts the breast and tissue around it. In your case there does appear to be constriction. But you would need a consultation to diagnose it as such. We specialize in correcting deformities of all types through the most natural method: with your own fat. It's very successful and the results are permanent. Patients from all over the world come have this procedure. In the US, some patients have been covered through their insurance, but not many.