Breast lift/augmentation and Medicare rebates.

[PumpkinZulu]

Wondering if there's anyone here who has had/knows someone who has had a breast lift/augmentation and was eligible to receive the Medicare rebate?

[Tinks]

A girl I know recently had a reduction through the pubic health system completely free. She was on a waiting list for many years though.

[AnyDream]

My understanding is that Medicare pretty much only pays if there is a medical need for the procedure.

So, for example, for a reduction, the woman would need to have had ongoing issues with pain etc that makes the reduction necessary.

In terms of augmentation, the only situation I've ever heard of it being covered by Medicare is in the context of breast reconstruction after breast cancer. For eg, if a woman has had one breast removed and reconstructed, and has the other breast lifted/augmented so that the reconstructed breast and the healthy breast match each other. In that instance the surgery there is a rebate and the surgery can be done in the public hospital system.

I have also read that Medicare pays a rebate for lifts only if the degree of breast droop (ptosis) is of a certain severity (nipple has to lie below the crease under your boob) provided your child is under a certain age, but in that instance implants/augmentation would not be paid for. I don't know whether you could get it done through the public system (I suspect it would be a verrrrrrrry long wait) so there are likely to be other costs involved if you see a private surgeon. If this is something you want to pursue, it's worth having a chat to your GP and if possible get a referral to see a surgeon who operates both in the public/private system as they will know how it works in both places (sometimes you can get get added to their surgery list at the public hospital andit works out a bit cheaper that way).

[AnyDream]

PS - get ready to say "ouch" when you're told about the costs because cosmetic surgeons generally cost a bomb.

[PumpkinZulu]

Yeah, I'm expecting 10k+ for this, and it won't be until I'm done making babies. I have level 3 ptsosis, and since losing weight I've lost pretty much all volume from the top part of my breasts as well. According to the Medicare Benefit Scheme website from the research I've done today I'd be eligible for the rebate.

[PumpkinZulu]

Thanks MD, I wasn't sure whether first step would be to see a gp, so I'll definitely think about doing that and getting a referral for a consult so I have some idea of what would be involved.

[AliBaby]

Im wanting to get this done after I finish breastfeeding DS. I am fairly certain he will be my last baby.

I come from a long line of heavy in the bust women. My grandmother even had a reduction. She had severe back pain because of the weight up top and chaffing underneath the bust. These all made it a medical issue rather than a cosmetic issue so then became significantly cheaper. I will have to ask her how much it cost her.

[HotI]

when you say ptosis, what does this mean? Wikipedia just says sagging or dropping breasts.

[PumpkinZulu]

It's pretty embarrassing really, it has upset me a lot since I was about 14. I'm 23 years old and I have the boobs of an old lady. They were quite bad before kids but after they're worse. Here's a diagram:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/08/y6u6a5ug.jpg

[nickle730]

I'd be pretty surprised if too many mature women have the 'normal' breasts, particularly after pg and bf'ing!!

[Amity]

I have grade 3 as well.

[PumpkinZulu]

I'd be pretty surprised if too many mature women have the 'normal' breasts, particularly after pg and bf'ing!!

Nah, they wouldn't. Ptsosis happens to everyone, especially after pregnancy and breastfeeding. But for some people it's more extreme and the onset is earlier. Without a bra my boobs point right down and are a few cm's from my belly button Having big boobs, losing weight, not much skin elasticity all play a part.

[Astrid]

Same here. Considering a lift in the next few years.

[nickle730]

They shouldn't label it 'normal', it indicates everything else is 'abnormal'!! (Completely unrelated to the fact that you are personally unhappy with your own breasts )

[PumpkinZulu]

They shouldn't label it 'normal', it indicates everything else is 'abnormal'!! (Completely unrelated to the fact that you are personally unhappy with your own breasts )

Preaching to the choir sister. I agree.

[2CheekyMonkeys]

According to the diagram I'm more of a lower breast sagger!! :-(

[beansbeans!]

Im grade 3 and its got so bad since having the girls and losing all my weight.

[feeb]

I am a grade 3 as well, even with a proper fitted bra they never look as big as they actually are.
What I hate the most is when small child leans on saggy boob in bed on middle of night while turning over ouch!.

Would love a boob job but doubt will ever get one.