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

Question

Ive always been very self conscious of my breasts. I never let anyone see them, and my self confidence is very low. I have been thinking about getting a breast augumentation for a long time and after doing research, have realised my case might not be as simple as a normal procedure. I don't really care much for size, would like them a tiny bit larger, but more concerned with with shape.

William Andrade, MD · Answer

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.

Steve Merten, FRACS - Account Suspended · Answer

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

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Guy Watts, MBBS (Hons), FRACS (Plast) · Answer

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

Jean Paul Giudicelli Saba, MD · Answer

Hi, thanks for sharing your concern and photos with us!
First I want to congratulate you for making this important decision. Deciding to get an aesthetic procedure to change your body and get a new life style is a big step!
  
Looking at your photos I might say that you´ll be a great candidate to get a breast augmentation with implants. The size of the implant will depend of what you want and what your body support; the results of this procedure are beautiful, giving you and excellent shape of the inner and outer pole of the breast.     you don't have tubular breast.
Before all this, of course, you need to get a complete medical evaluation and laboratory exams to check everything is fine. For us your safety, always, is going to be first.
  
Have a great day! 
  
Dr. JPG

Mark Hanikeri, MBBS, FRACS · Answer

Hi and thanks for the question and photos.
I don't believe you have tuberous breasts.  You do appear to have a mildly constricted base with a short base height but your areola's are normal.  You don't really fulfil the criteria for a tuberous breast and I don't believe have a significant enough construction to qualify for a Medicare rebate.  
The best advice I can give would be to have a face to face consultation with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon who can properly examine you, give accurate advice and submit your photographs if appropriate to the Medicare claims review panel for consideration.
Good Luck
Dr Mark Hanikeri MBBS FRACS

Sean Doherty, MD, FACS · Answer

Based solely on your photos, no, you do not appear to have tubular breasts. You do have some asymmetry which could be improved with a breast augmentation, but your cleavage, which is naturally wide, would stay the same. If the asymmetry doesn't bother you and you are ok with your size, I would let things be. Otherwise, speak with a board certified plastic surgeon about a breast augmentation. Which is not covered by insurance here in the states. Hope this helps --
Dr. Sean Doherty

Roger Khouri, MD · Answer

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.

Douglas McManamny, MBBS, FRACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question. There is a little asymmetry of breast shape present (no one's breasts are perfectly symmetrical). The base of your right breast appears a bit tighter than the base of your left breast. This might qualify as a very mild example of tuberous breast change, but it's really borderline. If the appearance of your breasts is really bothering you, it may be worthwhile seeing a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with a particular interest in Tuberous Breast surgery. Dr McManamny

Jon Ver Halen, MD, FACS (license suspended) · Answer

Hello and thank you for your excellent question. Based on your photos, you do not appear to have tuberous breasts. However, your breast shape and size can be greatly improved with augmentation, and will certainly increase your confidence. The size, profile, shape, texture, and type of implant (e.g., saline, silicone gel, “gummy bear”) is based on your desired versus existing breast size and shape, your chest wall measurements, and soft tissue quality. Preoperative visualization and surgical simulation with the Crisalix system may help with your decision. Any treatment plan should be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you and your surgeon. 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 in person with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck!

Best,
Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS

Harvard educated plastic surgeon

Best,
Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS

Harvard educated plastic surgeon

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

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