Breast reduction at a glance
- Duration2 to 3 hours
- AnaesthesiaGeneral
- Hospital stayDay surgery or one night
- Time off work7 to 15 days
- Final result3 months
- Covered by Assurance MaladieFrom 300 g per breast
- Price€4,000 to €7,500
Breast reduction reduces the volume of breasts that are too heavy (breast hypertrophy), lifts them and reshapes them; at the same time it corrects ptosis (sagging) and asymmetry. It often relieves neck, back and shoulder pain. The procedure takes 2 to 3 hours under general anaesthesia, as day surgery or with one night at the Clinique Oxford in Cannes. Time off work is 7 to 15 days; the shape and volume are final at 3 months, the scars at 1 year. It may be covered by French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie) if at least 300 g are removed per breast.
Price: €3,000 to €5,000 when covered by Assurance Maladie, €4,000 to €7,500 for a cosmetic breast reduction, on a written quote after a consultation (€100).
What is breast hypertrophy?
Breast hypertrophy means breasts that are excessively large for the patient’s build. It is most often accompanied by ptosis (sagging breasts) and sometimes by asymmetry. It frequently causes:
- neck, back and shoulder pain, and marks left by bra straps;
- difficulty playing sport;
- difficulty finding clothes that fit;
- psychological distress.
What technique and what scars?
Breast reduction removes part of the gland, fat and skin, then reshapes and lifts the breast; the areola is raised and, if needed, reduced. The volume kept is chosen according to the patient’s build and wishes. Liposuction of the sides of the chest and of the extension of the breast towards the armpit is sometimes added.
| T-shaped scar | Vertical scar | |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable for | Marked hypertrophy and ptosis: the most common case | Moderate hypertrophy and ptosis |
| Scars | Around the areola, vertical and horizontal in the fold under the breast | Around the areola and vertical, with no scar in the fold |
| Length | The horizontal scar is proportional to the hypertrophy and the ptosis | Shorter |
| Point to watch | Longer scars, hidden in the fold | Risk of the ptosis recurring as the lower breast lengthens |
When the breasts sag without being too large, the appropriate procedure is a breast lift (mastopexy), without reducing volume.
Breast reduction in diagrams
Removing and lifting
Side cross-section of a breast that is too heavy. Hatched: the gland, fat and skin removed; blue-green dotted line: the outline after surgery, raised above the fold.
The tissue removed is analysed by the pathology team.
T-shaped scar
Marked hypertrophy and ptosis: around the areola, vertical and horizontal in the fold under the breast.
There are no stitches to remove; the scars are final at 1 year.
A lighter, lifted breast
Before: breast too large and sagging, nipple below the fold.
Diagram of the principle: the shape and volume are final at 3 months.
Before and after photos
Breast hypertrophy and asymmetry
Moderate breast reduction, correction of breast ptosis. Scars on black skin usually heal very well; occasionally keloid scars may develop.
Breast hypertrophy with asymmetry of volume and ptosis
Breast reduction with correction of asymmetry and areola reduction. Result at 11 months, with cosmetic and functional improvement (less back and shoulder pain from bra straps)
Breast hypertrophy, breast ptosis
Breast reduction: result at 7 months
See all breast reduction before and after photos
Why is breast reduction a demanding procedure?
- Both breasts must be symmetrical in volume, shape and areola height, even though they are often unequal to begin with.
- The areola must keep a good blood supply while being raised, sometimes by several centimetres for very large reductions.
- The shape must hold over time without the lower breast lengthening.
- The scars must be as short as possible for the volume removed.
Dr Médard de Chardon’s experience in breast surgery
- Qualified plastic surgeon in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, former Chef de Clinique (university hospital senior registrar), Nice Faculty of Medicine; practising in Cannes since 2011.
- More than 1,500 mastopexies and breast reductions performed.
- MD thesis on aesthetic breast augmentation; more than 3,000 breast implants placed.
- Member of SOFCEP (French Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), SOFCPRE (French Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery) and ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery).
Who is it for, and when?
- Once breast growth is complete, most often from the age of 18.
- After a pregnancy, whether or not you breastfed: at least 6 months afterwards.
- If you are overweight: ideally after weight loss, once your weight has been stable for 6 months.
- Smoking must be stopped at least one month before and one month after surgery, because it increases the risk of healing complications.
How does a breast reduction with Dr Médard de Chardon work?
- First consultation€100 at the practice, 101 rue d’Antibes in Cannes: what bothers you and your expectations, examination and measurement of the breasts, photographs; estimate of the weight to be removed from each breast, which determines whether it can be covered.
- Second consultationChoice of volume and scars; detailed written quote and the SOFCPRE information sheet; a mammogram and/or ultrasound is prescribed.
- Cooling-off periodAt least 15 days, required by law, between receiving the quote and the surgery.
- PreparationPre-anaesthetic consultation; stopping smoking and aspirin.
- SurgeryAt the Clinique Oxford in Cannes, 2 to 3 hours under general anaesthesia, as day surgery or with one night. No stitches to remove. The tissue removed is analysed by the pathology team.
- Follow-upBy Dr Médard de Chardon’s team until the final result.
What is the recovery like?
- Pain: not very painful; a feeling of tightness in the fold under the breast.
- Bra: medical support bra for 4 weeks, then a bra without underwire for 4 weeks.
- Sleep: no sleeping on your side for 7 days.
- Driving: no driving for 7 days.
- Time off work: 7 to 15 days.
- Sport: resumed after 4 weeks.
- Shape: just after surgery, the breasts are deliberately full at the top and slightly flat at the bottom; they find their shape in 2 to 3 months.
- Volume: final at 3 months, once the swelling has gone.
- Scars: final at 1 year; on darker skin, healing is usually of very good quality, but keloid scars may develop.
- Sensation: altered sensation in the breast is common and temporary; it improves over 6 months to 2 years.
Where will you be?
14 days after the procedure
What are the risks and complications?
Like any surgery, breast reduction carries risks, which are rare and explained at the consultation:
- haematoma or infection;
- delayed healing, particularly where the T-shaped scars meet and in smokers;
- compromised blood supply to the areola, which is exceptional and more frequent with very large reductions;
- thick scars (hypertrophic or keloid);
- residual asymmetry;
- altered sensation;
- partial recurrence of the ptosis over time.
Choosing a qualified, experienced and reputable surgeon reduces these risks, and can even eliminate some of them.
How much does a breast reduction cost, and is it reimbursed?
€3,000 to €7,500
The price of a breast reduction ranges from €3,000 to €5,000 when it is covered by Assurance Maladie, and from €4,000 to €7,500 for a cosmetic breast reduction. It is set on a written quote after the consultation (€100, free for a patient already followed at the practice). Liposuction of the sides of the chest, if added, is included in the price.
It may be covered by Assurance Maladie under certain conditions, including a planned reduction of at least 300 g per breast, estimated at the consultation. The costs are then reimbursed by the French national health service (Sécurité sociale) and by your top-up health insurance (mutuelle), partially or fully depending on your policy. Dr Médard de Chardon practises in Sector 2 (fees above the national health insurance rate): additional fees remain payable by you or your mutuelle. Below 300 g per breast, the procedure is cosmetic and is not reimbursed.
Book an appointment: +33 (0)4 93 68 86 68 or Doctolib.
Frequently asked questions about breast reduction
From how many grams is breast reduction reimbursed?
Assurance Maladie may cover it if the planned reduction is at least 300 g per breast. The weight to be removed is estimated at the consultation.
Does breast reduction relieve back pain?
Often. Neck, back and shoulder pain caused by the weight of the breasts and by bra straps frequently decreases after a breast reduction.
What scars after a breast reduction?
Most often a T-shaped scar: around the areola, vertical and in the fold under the breast. For moderate hypertrophy, the scar in the fold can be avoided. The scars are final at 1 year.
Is the result of a breast reduction permanent?
Yes: the shape and volume are stable at 3 months, in the absence of pregnancy or significant weight change. The breasts then continue to change naturally over the years.
From what age can you have a breast reduction?
Once breast growth is complete, most often from the age of 18. After a pregnancy, you should wait at least 6 months.
Should you lose weight before a breast reduction?
If you are overweight, it is better to lose weight first and wait until your weight has been stable for 6 months, so that the result remains stable.
Can you breastfeed after a breast reduction?
Breastfeeding often remains possible, but it may be reduced, because part of the gland is removed.
When can you return to sport after a breast reduction?
After 4 weeks. The medical support bra is worn for 4 weeks, then a bra without underwire for a further 4 weeks.
What does a breast reduction cost in Cannes?
The price of a breast reduction ranges from €3,000 to €5,000 when it is covered by Assurance Maladie, and from €4,000 to €7,500 for a cosmetic breast reduction. It is set on a written quote after the consultation (€100, free for a patient already followed at the practice).