Not having a chest that matches their body shape leads many women and men to resort to cosmetic surgery.
Breast reduction may be desired by the patient in a purely aesthetic context such as a loosening of the curve, an unsightly shape of the breasts or even asymmetry.
The demand can also result from breast hypertrophy often involving physical and functional problems such as neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, discomfort when playing sports, or difficulty dressing.
Breast reduction surgery aims to make life more comfortable and enjoyable in daily activities.
Concerning the functional part, the operation very quickly brings comfort in the practice of sport, new clothing possibilities and psychological well-being.
Patience is required in this type of intervention and the final, stabilized aesthetic result can only be judged one year after the intervention.
The purpose of this sheet is to clarify the information provided by the doctor and to answer the various questions relating to this intervention.
What is plastic surgery?
Plastic surgery is the surgical specialty that primarily concerns the skin and soft tissues of the body.
Practiced by qualified plastic surgeons, it aims to improve, repair certain areas of the body or reduce the effects of aging.
Cosmetic surgery affects different parts of the body such as the face, breasts, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, etc.).
The well-being of women is at the heart of our concerns, which is why we have developed various information sheets concerning certain aesthetic procedures.
What is a breast reduction or reduction mammaplasty?
The surgical procedure aims to reduce the volume of the breasts, to correct ptosis or possible asymmetry in order to obtain harmonious breasts in line with each person’s morphology.
Performed under general anesthesia by a plastic surgeon, the procedure lasts 1 to 3 hours.
The length of hospitalization is generally 24 hours.
This procedure can be carried out at the end of the breast development phase.
What is the principle of surgery?
The plastic surgeon will remove the excess breast tissue and adapt the skin envelope to the new curve. It will maintain a volume in harmony with the silhouette and in accordance with everyone’s desires.
Depending on the extent of hypertrophy and ptosis, the surgeon suggests either:
a 2-scar technique. This is a vertical method. The scar in the inframammary fold does not exist. This method is used when hypertrophy and ptosis are moderate.
How do scars evolve?
The scars will be carefully monitored during the weeks following the procedure.
Indeed, during the second and third post-operative months, they can take on a pink and swollen appearance. Then, they will gradually fade but will never completely disappear.
Good healing depends on the patient’s state of health and/or lifestyle. In certain cases, this healing can be compromised (obesity, smoking, diabetes, insufficient personal hygiene, etc.)
What is post-operative care?
Wounds are disinfected and refreshed. Any drainage is removed before returning home by the nurse or
However, as with any surgical procedure, possible risks and complications linked to anesthesia but also to the procedure itself may arise:
Necrosis of the skin, gland or areola which may be responsible for delayed healing,
A reduction in sensitivity, particularly of the nipples, may be observed, with a return to normal sensitivity within 6 to 18 months,
After this type of intervention, it is advisable to wait 6 months before starting a pregnancy.
The repositioning of the areola after the removal of excess skin can lead to the division of the sensory nerve branches and the milk ducts and therefore reduce the ejection of milk. This effect fades over time as the subcutaneous innervation gradually reestablishes as does the flow in the healed canals.
Also, you should know that breast reduction surgery can reduce the sensitivity of the areola but, depending on the individual, this phenomenon does not manifest itself in all cases.
the body mass index BMI or BMI must be less than or equal to 26,
The glandular resection must be greater than or equal to 500 grams per breast.
The costs of the operation will first be advanced by the patient and subsequently reimbursed after agreement by the CNS.
If the procedure is for aesthetic purposes, there is no coverage from the National Health Fund. The intervention is the responsibility of the patient. Reimbursement criteria differ from one insurance to another.