Header:

Breast cosmetic surgery hypertrophy and mammaplasty

Introduction: 
We use the term hypertrophy to describe a too large breast and the one of ptosis to indicate that the breasts have dropped significantly. Perform a mammary reduction is a surgery which significantly improves the lives of those of you whose breasts are too large or sagging. En France, breast reduction following medical advice is supported by social security.

What are the motivations for mammary reduction ?

Physically and psychologically, large breasts can prove to be embarrassing for the woman.

Frequent medical disorders are pain in the back, neck and the shoulders.
On an aesthetic level, the weight of the breasts can be a cause of ptosis, that is to say a sagging breast with low areolas, and an asymmetry. Difficulty in dressing and playing sports is also a consequence of hypertrophy, with a bent attitude of isolationism.

What are the objectives of cosmetic surgery ?

The intervention of breast reduction occurs in both the medical and aesthetic aspect.

Indeed, the objective of this intervention is to get a volume and shape to suit your needs, but also to correct the effect of ptosis shifting upward the areola, the nipple and removing the exceeding skin. The target will be to make the scar as discreet as possible.

Ideally, your breasts will be smaller, harmonious, firm and symmetrical.

What happens during the surgery ?

You will see an anesthesiologist during a consultation and you will receive pre-operative instructions to follow before surgery.
The surgeon removes glandular volume so that your breasts get the desired proportion.
Then, to give them harmony, he will reshape this volume.
Next, to ensure a nice appearance, he will remove excess skin and make possible alterations of the areola and nipple.
Finally,he will make the sutures that depend on the extent of hypertrophy and on the degree of ptosis.

+ How is the scar ?

Résultantes des sutures, les cicatrices dépendent de ce fait de l’importance de l’hypertrophie et du degré de la ptose.

Resulting from sutures, scars depend on the importance of hypertrophy and on the degree of ptosis. There are two types of scars after breast reduction: one shaped like an "inverted T" and one called "vertical" (the less visible).

The choice between these two scars is decided during the consultation.

+ How long is the surgery ?

Breast reduction takes an average of 2 hours while you sleep.

What are the postoperative courses ?

The Hospitalization can last 1or 2 days.
A "modeling" bandage adapted to your breasts is made for you.
Sometimes it may be beneficial to place a small Redon drain to evacuate accumulated secretions.
As the postoperative course is not very painful, only weak analgesics are prescribed.
Bruising (bruises) and an edema (swelling) appear on the treated area.
Recovery time ranges from eight to fifteen days where it will be necessary to stop your activities.
Sport and great efforts are not recommended during the first 6 weeks, and a suitable bra will be recommended.

What is the expected result of a mammary reduction ?

At its completion, the purpose of this intervention is to make your breast look harmonious, curved, firm and symmetrical.
To appreciate this result in a definitive way, it takes about a year during which your scars will be regularly monitored.
This is the time required for complete healing.
The first few months, your scars will be swollen, but they will fade gradually.
However you will enjoy the final shape of your breast, after a few months.
A breast undergoing breast reduction remains a natural breast that retains its sensitivity.
Breastfeeding is possible if your lactiferous ducts are not incised.

What are the possible complications ?

Following any operation whatsoever , certain complications can occur, the first ones related to the medical activity and the others to anesthesia.
Although possible complications only represent a small percentagefor this intervention, it is necessary to know them.
Although good security practices limit considerably serious risks, they do not suppress them.

+ What are the specific risks of anesthesia ?

During your obligatory talk with the anesthetist, he will inform you in detail of the risks of anesthesia.
It is useful to know besides that during the last twenty years, the risks have not been eradicated but remain almost insignificant.

+ What are the specific risks of the surgery ?

During the consultations with your surgeon all the possible complications will be detailed to you.

  • To inform you previously, here are the possible risks :
  • Hematoma : if heavy bleeding occurs, the blood should be evacuated.
  • Unfavourable evolution of the scars : it will require special treatment, sometimes long.
  • Infection : it will require antibiotic treatment.
  • Alteration of nipple sensitivity : it is possible during the first few months but you will recover your sensitivity.

These informations given by Dr. Philippe Letertre should only be a help or a supplement to your surgeon’s consultations
Our space "Questions / Answers" is also available for you.

Feel free to contact Dr. Letertre
so that he could meet your expectations.