Breast augmentation– Explanations : Docteur POIGNONEC plastic surgeon in Paris
A breast plastic surgery (breast augmentation) can be combined with a mini abdominal plastic surgery.
Breast augmentation : 3D animation with narration for information purposes
Video credit : 
Specialist in aesthetic breast surgery
Here are the questions that arise for all women who wish to perform a surgical procedure that is far from trivial. Hypotrophy, implants, position of scars, operation progress and possible complications.
Photo before after breast augmentation
At what age and for whom breast augmentation is recommended by prostheses?
The operation is performed by our breast augmentation specialist in aesthetic breast surgery, in a private clinic in Paris. The breast augmentation operation can be performed, from the age of 18, by the plastic surgeon in Paris.
It is indicated for women suffering from breasts insufficiently developed with respect to their morphology but also to those whose pregnancies, weight loss or hormonal disturbances caused a loss of their morphology with, sometimes distension of the skin generating a « drooping » chest or a « washcloth » effect.
Lack of breast (hypotrophy) – or drooping chest – is often poorly accepted both physically and psychologically. The patient feels it as an attack on her femininity, she feels uneasy, she is complex, she lacks self-confidence…
Note the questions you will ask your surgeon :
During the consultation by appointment, the doctor examines the patient in her medical practice in Paris, questions her about her health, takes into account her medical history, studies her morphology, observes the quality of her skin, her muscles and her breasts. To see the result in advance, the surgeon performs a live 3D simulation of the breast augmentation using prostheses.
How much does breast augmentation cost?
The price is established on estimate according to the procedure
€INCL. TAXES Consult us !
Breast augmentation : which size to choose?
- The patient expresses her wishes and the doctor advises and guides her in her choice.
- A computer simulation is possible from photos of the patient taken during the consultation.
- The patient can come with pictures of breasts found in women’s magazines, this gives an idea of her imagination.
- The patient should try different templates for different breast sizes.
Warning : when you have small breasts, you don’t have much skin. In this case, opting for breasts that are too generous would not be natural: the skin would be taut, the breasts would appear swollen and would produce a “bimbo effect”.We must also be wary of large volumes when thinking about future pregnancies and body changes: today’s improvement must not be destructive in the long term. There are limits not to be exceeded. Therefore, the choice of size is crucial. But in case of bad choice, it is possible to repeat the operation some time later to change the size of the prostheses.
Note : The size of the prosthesis must be chosen according to the morphology, the quality of the skin, and the width of the shoulders.
What are the techniques for breast augmentation?
To place the breast prosthesis, , the incision is most often made at the lower part of the areola (2), either in the armpit (3), (there is therefore no scar on the breast), or in the breast fold (1).
The scar will most often be practically invisible. An incision is then made at the location determined during the consultation, a dressing room is created to place the prosthesis in front of or behind the muscle depending on the patient’s thorax.
- The procedure takes 30 to 40 minutes per breast.A restraint band is placed at the end of the procedure and removed after a few days.
- The operation requires 24 hours in the clinic.
Before the operation a complete examination of the patient is carried out :
- We need to do a preoperative checkup.
- The anaesthetist must be seen at least 48 hours before the operation.
- A mammogram and/or ultrasound are required, unless the last check-up is very recent.
- You must stop taking aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs within 10 days before the procedure.
- The wearing of compression stockings is desirable before the operation until the exit of the establishment in order to avoid phlebitis.
- Since the operation is usually performed under general anaesthesia, it is necessary to fast for six hours before the operation, so do not eat or drink anything.
During the days before the operation :
- It may be necessary to have mammograms or x-rays of the breasts before surgery. The plastic surgeon will do a routine breast exam.
- Several days before surgery, you may need to stop taking acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), warfarin (Coumadin), and other medicines that make it difficult for blood clotting.
- Ask your doctor what medicines you should always take on the day of surgery.
- You may need to fill prescriptions for pain medicine before surgery.
- Ask someone to drive you home after surgery and help you home for a day or two.
The day of the surgery
- Will usually be asked not to drink or eat after midnight the day before surgery.
- Take the medicine your doctor has told you to take a small sip of water.
- Wear or bring loose clothing as buttons or zipper on the front, such as a soft and relaxed bra fit without underwire.
- Be on time at the clinic.
[Article What is a breast implant? by Dr. POIGNONEC available in digital reader]
Breast augmentation surgery : duration and procedure
The operation for a breast augmentation will be performed by our team of surgeons experts in aesthetics. The doctor will explain in detail the entire process of pre-surgical breast enlargement and the diagnostic tests you must perform to verify that your health is optimal for such an operation. Everything will be done in one of our clinics, 12 avenue Alphand, 62 rue de la Tour, 75016 Paris ou 136 bis rue Blomet, 75015 Paris. The procedure takes about 2 hours and the hospitalization is 1 day. Most patients return to their daily lives normally within 2 to 3 days.
Our team accompanies you to provide a complete and personalized service for the achievement and complete control of results. In addition, you can perform all postoperative visits at no additional cost. Your health and well-being is our priority.
Is it better to perform surgery under local or general anesthesia?
General anesthesia is commonly used, but local anesthesia is also an option. The anesthesiologist will discuss with you the choice of the most appropriate anesthesia during the consultation.
— Breast surgery is performed in an operating room in the clinic, and in complete safety for the patient’s tranquility.
— This operation lasts between 1 and 2 hours, and is performed under general anesthesia. In some specific cases, you can use local anesthesia.
Breast augmentation surgery results
The results after breast augmentation are usually immediate and very pleasant for the patient, with a natural appearance and a firm consistency. Regular examinations by the doctor and regular mammograms (if you qualify for age), to ensure that if there are any complications that need to be detected and resolved early.
Source breast augmentation : Best extract from the book « La chirurgie esthétique, les solutions et les conseils de mon chirurgien » © Ambre Publishing | The author : Dr. Sylvie POIGNONEC - Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon, located in the heart of Paris, specialized in plastic, aesthetic & reconstructive surgery
Breast augmentation surgery by hypoplasia of the breasts:
Post-operative leaks and duration of the healing process ?
- Pain, treatment, edema and bruising, suture threads.
- Sometimes same-day discharge is possible for patients living close to the clinic.
Upon waking, the patient may experience a feeling of tension or even some pain, especially if the implants are large and/or placed behind the muscles.
- This pain usually subsides after a few days.
- An analgesic treatment is prescribed.
- Swelling and bruising can develop as soon as you leave the block – the chest is 10-15% larger than the desired effect in the first few weeks.
- The patient may feel some discomfort when the arms are elevated, which fades with time.
- After a few days, the first bandage is removed to make way for the support bra.
- It is recommended to wear a support bra without underwire day and night for 6 weeks.
- There is no redon (drain) so there is no need to remove them the next day.
- The threads are resorbable so no need to remove them just cut the excess and knot 8 days after the procedure.
- If non-resorbable sutures have been used, they will be removed around 7e Day.
- The patient should not drive for the first two weeks or lift weight for one month.
- She will have to wait at least six to eight weeks before resuming a sporting activity.
- It takes about two to three months to see the final result, this is the time needed for the breasts to regain their flexibility and for the prostheses to stabilize.
Specific risks and disadvantages of breast augmentation by prostheses?
Breast augmentation by prosthesis, although performed for essentially aesthetic reasons, remains a real surgical procedure, which implies the risks associated with any medical procedure, however minimal. The postoperative consequences are generally simple after a breast augmentation by prostheses.
However, complications can occur, some inherent to all breast surgery procedures, others related to the placement of a foreign body in the breast. Let us distinguish complications related to anesthesia from those related to surgery.
Complications inherent to breast surgery :
- Hematoma : the accumulation of blood around the prosthesis is an early complication that can occur in the first few hours. If it is important, a repeat operation is then preferable in order to evacuate the blood and stop the bleeding at its origin.
- Serous effusion : accumulation of lymphatic fluid around the prosthesis is a fairly frequent phenomenon, often associated with significant oedema. It simply results in a transient increase in breast volume. It disappears spontaneously and gradually.
- Infection : rare after this type of surgery. It may not be solved by antibiotic treatment alone and then requires a surgical revision for drainage and ablation of the implant for a few months (time necessary before a new prosthesis can be replaced without risk).
Other specific forms of infection :
- Cutaneous necrosis : It is due to a lack of tissue oxygenation due to a lack of localized blood supply, which can be promoted by excessive tension, hematoma, infection or heavy smoking in the patient. This is a very rare but dreaded complication because, in extreme cases, it can expose the prosthesis locally, notably through a disunion of the sutures. Surgical revision is often necessary, sometimes with the need to temporarily remove the implant.
- Healing anomalies : Since the healing process involves rather random phenomena, it sometimes happens that the scars are not, in the long term, as discrete as expected, which can then take very variable aspects: enlarged, retractile, adherent, hyper or hypopigmented, hypertrophic (blistered) or even exceptionally keloid.
- Sensitivity alteration : They are frequent in the first few months but usually regress. Rarely, however, some degree of dysesthesia (decreased or exaggerated sensitivity to touch) may persist, especially in the areola and nipple.
- Galactorrhea/milky spurs : Very rare cases of unexplained postoperative hormonal stimulation have been reported, resulting in milk secretion (« galactorrhea ») with sometimes a collection of fluid around the prosthesis.
- Staphylococcal toxic shock : Very rare cases of this brutal generalized infectious syndrome have been reported.
- Microabcesses: more frequent, they develop on a suture point and are quickly absorbed after removal of the incriminated thread and local care.
- Rare pneumothorax : it will benefit from a specific treatment.
The use of a qualified Plastic Surgeon assures you that this one has the training and the competence required to know how to avoid these complications, or to treat them effectively if necessary. As far as the surgical procedure is concerned.
Source: French Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery S.o.F.C.P.R.E
Mis à jour le: 19 June 2018 [MàJ]