Mastopexy: The Benefits of Breast Plastic Surgery

By Doctor Waldemar Weiss

9 January 2020

Plastic surgery is commonly used to correct defects related to skin ageing or weight problems. Very often, patients who consult a specialist experience complexes that can prove particularly debilitating in daily life. Breast plastic surgery represents an ideal alternative to effectively combat breast sagging, or breast ptosis. To learn more about the details of such a surgical procedure, and to fully reassure yourself about the risks involved, consult your breast surgery specialist in Paris now.

An Overview of Breast Plastic Surgery

The question of breast surgery is regularly raised when there is breast sagging or ptosis. In this situation, the breasts sit low and may be accompanied by abnormal breast volume, also known as hypertrophy. Conversely, ptosis can be associated with breast hypoplasia, meaning a lack of volume. The most common phenomenon is congenital ptosis, which generally appears during adolescence. However, breast ptosis can also occur following significant weight loss or pregnancy. Post-effects of prolonged breastfeeding are also observed. These situations can cause profound distress in some women, who may resort to a lift designed to raise the breasts or perform what is known as a breast reshaping.

Several cosmetic surgery techniques exist and can address various situations. In general, mastopexy is a surgical technique that removes excess skin from the chest area. This lifts and reshapes the breasts, restoring a rounded, contoured appearance.

Many Public Figures and Celebrities Have Undergone Breast Surgery!

If you are hesitant about cosmetic surgery, know that many celebrities have undergone such procedures during their careers. And this is especially the case when it comes to the breast area! For example, the reality TV star Jennifer reportedly had nasal reconstruction from the age of 15, followed by breast augmentation. Adored by fans worldwide thanks to the series Friends, Courtney Cox was also unable to resist the temptation of breast surgery, despite having long denounced such practices.

To find out whether you have breast ptosis, try the pencil test at home: place a pencil in the fold beneath the breast. If the pencil falls, it means you do not suffer from any sagging. However, if the pencil does not fall or is held in place, you may be facing a collapse of the skin envelope. A breast surgery specialist in Paris will be able to advise you in your best interest.

What Are the Pre- and Post-Operative Steps of Mastopexy?

As with the majority of surgical procedures today, breast surgery requires a pre-operative assessment with your specialist doctor and your anaesthetist. Two consultations will be organised to determine whether the procedure is essential for the patient's well-being. A mammogram will also be performed. The procedure itself lasts between 1.5 and 3 hours and is performed under general anaesthesia. The surgeon then makes an areolar or vertical incision, that is, all around the nipple and down to the fold beneath the breast. The recovery room stay may last several hours.

During the weeks following the procedure, the patient will need to wear a dressing that should be replaced daily. Depending on the case and the surgeon's preferences, it will be strongly recommended to continue with a compression garment or a sports bra. Depending on the scale of the operation, a more or less lengthy convalescence period will be advised. However, the patient may resume professional activity no more than 3 weeks after the procedure.

What Are the Coverage Terms for Mastopexy?

Breast surgery, like other forms of cosmetic surgery, is generally not covered by Social Security except in specific cases. For example, Social Security may agree to cover a breast reduction of at least 300 grams, subject to certain indications such as marked breast hypertrophy, back pain or dorsalgia. In addition to these conditions, the patient's age, height and weight, in relation to bra size, are also considered.