Glossary of cosmetic surgery

A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · K · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · T

A

Abdominal apron: A fold of skin and fat that hangs over the lower abdomen, sometimes over the pubis, after pregnancy or weight loss. When it covers at least part of the pubis, a tummy tuck may be covered by French national health insurance. Read more

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck): Surgery that removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and tightens the abdominal wall. The scar sits low, within the underwear line, and around the navel. Read more

Anatomical implant: A teardrop-shaped breast implant, fuller at the bottom than at the top, for a more natural contour. Read more

Areola: The round, pigmented area around the nipple. Its size and position are often changed during a breast lift or breast reduction. Read more

B

Baker classification: A 4-grade scale of capsular contracture around a breast implant, from a soft breast (grade I) to a hard, painful, distorted breast (grade IV). Read more

BBL (Brazilian butt lift): Buttock fat grafting: fat taken by liposuction is reinjected to shape the buttocks. For safety, it is injected only under the skin, never into the muscle. Read more

BIA-ALCL: Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a rare cancer of the immune system that develops around an implant, almost only with textured implants. Macrotextured implants have been banned in France since April 2019. Read more

Blepharoplasty: Eyelid surgery: it removes excess skin from the upper eyelids and corrects bags under the lower eyelids. Read more

Body lift: Surgery that tightens the abdomen, hips, buttocks and outer thighs in one operation, usually after major weight loss. The scar runs around the waist, within the swimsuit line. Read more

Botox: The best-known brand of botulinum toxin. Injected into a muscle, it relaxes it and softens expression lines (forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet) for 2 to 6 months. Read more

Botulinum toxin: A protein that temporarily blocks muscle contraction. In aesthetics, it softens expression lines; it also treats excessive sweating. Read more

Buccal fat removal: Reduction of the buccal fat pads, pockets of fat inside the cheeks, to slim a round face. The incision is made inside the mouth. Read more

C

Cannula: A thin, blunt-tipped tube used to remove fat (liposuction) or to inject a product with less risk of bruising. Read more

Capsular contracture: Hardening of the capsule around a breast implant, which squeezes the implant and can make the breast hard, painful or misshapen. It affects fewer than 1% of patients; at Baker grades III and IV, the implants are replaced and the capsule removed. Read more

Capsule: A thin membrane the body naturally forms around any breast implant. When it thickens and tightens, it is called capsular contracture. Read more

Capsulectomy: Surgical removal, partial or total, of the capsule around a breast implant. It is performed for capsular contracture, rupture, or when implants are removed. Read more

Capsulotomy: An incision in the capsule, without removing it, to enlarge or reshape the pocket of a breast implant. Read more

Chemical peel: Application of a product that exfoliates the upper layers of the skin to improve radiance, pigmentation and fine lines. Its depth (superficial, medium or deep) determines its effect and recovery. Read more

Collagen stimulators: Injectable products (Sculptra, Radiesse) that stimulate the skin’s own collagen production, to firm it and gradually restore volume. Read more

Compression garment: A garment worn for several weeks after liposuction, a tummy tuck or a body lift, to limit swelling and help the skin retract. Read more

Cooling-off period: In France, at least 15 days must pass between receiving the quote and cosmetic surgery. It cannot be shortened, even at the patient’s request. Read more

Cryolipolysis: A non-surgical technique that destroys some fat cells by cooling them through the skin. Read more

D

Day surgery: Surgery with admission and discharge on the same day, with no overnight stay. Read more

Diastasis recti: Separation of the two vertical abdominal muscles (the rectus muscles), common after pregnancy, which causes a bulging abdomen. It is corrected by stitching the muscles together during a tummy tuck. Read more

Double bubble: A possible complication of breast augmentation: two folds appear under the breast instead of one, when the implant sits below the original fold. Read more

Drain: A small, soft tube placed in the operated area to remove blood and lymph during the first days. Removing it is quick and causes little discomfort.

Dual plane: Placement of a breast implant across two planes: the upper part under the pectoralis major muscle, the lower part under the breast gland. It is the placement Dr Médard de Chardon uses most often. Read more

E

Explantation: Removal of breast implants without replacing them, often combined with a capsulectomy and, if needed, a breast lift or breast fat grafting. Read more

F

Face and neck lift: Surgery that corrects sagging of the lower face and neck (jawline, jowls, neck) by tightening the SMAS in depth, then redraping the skin without tension. Read more

Facial fat grafting (lipostructure): Fat grafting to the face: your own fat is reinjected to fill hollows (temples, cheekbones, under-eyes) and improve skin quality. Read more

Fat grafting (lipofilling): Your own fat is harvested by gentle liposuction, prepared, then reinjected to restore volume (breasts, buttocks, face). In the face, it is also called lipostructure. Read more

Filler: An injectable product used to fill lines and hollows, most often made of hyaluronic acid. Read more

G

Galactorrhoea: Milk discharge from the nipple outside breastfeeding, rare after breast augmentation. When milk collects around the implant, it is called a galactocele. Read more

General anaesthesia: Complete, controlled sleep managed by an anaesthetist, used for long or extensive procedures. It takes place at the clinic, after an anaesthetic consultation at least 48 hours beforehand. Read more

Genioplasty: Chin surgery that moves the chin bone (forward, backward or to correct asymmetry), through an incision inside the lower lip. Read more

Gynaecomastia: Enlarged breasts in men, due to excess gland, fat or both. It is treated by liposuction and removal of the gland. Read more

H

Haematoma: A collection of blood under the skin after surgery. A large haematoma may require a return to the operating room to drain it.

Hyacorp: A highly cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel designed for the body: it adds volume to the buttocks, calves or chest muscles without surgery. It is not suitable for the breasts. Read more

Hyaluronic acid: A molecule naturally present in the skin that holds water. As an injectable gel, it fills lines and hollows or restores volume (lips, cheekbones, chin). Its effect is temporary, and it can be dissolved with hyaluronidase. Read more

Hyaluronidase: An injectable enzyme that dissolves hyaluronic acid: it can correct an unsatisfactory result or treat a complication. Read more

Hypertrophic scar: A red, thick, raised scar that stays within the operated area and usually fades over time. Read more

I

Implant rotation: Turning of an anatomical implant within its pocket, which distorts the breast. With a round implant, rotation has no consequence. Read more

Informed consent: Agreement given by the patient after receiving clear information about the procedure, its risks, recovery and alternatives. It is signed before any cosmetic surgery. Read more

Inframammary fold: The fold under the breast. It is the landmark for placing implants and can hide a breast augmentation scar. Read more

Inverted nipple: A nipple that turns inwards, present from birth or acquired, corrected by a short procedure. Read more

K

Keloid scar: A thick scar that spreads beyond the operated area and keeps growing over time, without regressing on its own. Unlike a hypertrophic scar, it is not confined to the original scar. Read more

L

Labiaplasty: Reduction of the labia minora when they are long, asymmetric or bothersome. Read more

Liposuction: Removal of excess fat with thin cannulas inserted through small incisions. Read more

Local anaesthesia: Injection of an anaesthetic into the area being treated: the patient stays awake and feels no pain. It can be combined with sedation. Read more

M

Mastopexy: The medical name for a breast lift: the gland is raised and excess skin removed to correct a sagging breast (ptosis), with or without an implant. Read more

Mesolift: Superficial micro-injections into the skin of non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid and vitamins, to hydrate it and restore radiance. Read more

Microneedling: Treatment with very fine needles that create micro-punctures in the skin to stimulate collagen production (acne scars, texture, fine lines). Read more

Mondor’s disease: Inflammation of a small vein under the skin, forming a hard, tender cord, most often under a breast augmentation scar. It goes away on its own within a few weeks. Read more

N

Nanofat: Finely emulsified and filtered fat, injected into the skin to improve its quality (under-eyes, fine lines, scars) rather than to add volume. Read more

Non-surgical rhinoplasty: Correction of certain nasal imperfections with hyaluronic acid injections, without surgery. Read more

O

Oedema (swelling): Swelling of tissues after surgery or an injection, caused by fluid build-up. It decreases gradually; after rhinoplasty, it takes several months to disappear completely. Read more

Otoplasty: Correction of prominent ears, through an incision hidden behind the ear. Read more

P

Piezo surgery (ultrasonic rhinoplasty): Use of ultrasonic instruments to sculpt the nasal bones precisely while preserving soft tissues, which limits bruising and swelling. Read more

Plastic surgeon: A doctor holding the French specialist diploma (DES) in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. In France, cosmetic surgery is restricted to qualified surgeons, each within their specialty. Read more

Prior approval: A request sent to French national health insurance before certain plastic surgery procedures (breast reduction, abdominal apron…) to obtain coverage. Read more

Profhilo: A skin booster made of highly concentrated hyaluronic acid, which firms thin skin that is starting to loosen. Read more

PRP (platelet-rich plasma): A preparation made from a blood sample, concentrated in platelets, injected to stimulate the regeneration of the skin or scalp. Read more

Ptosis: Drooping of an organ or tissue. Breast ptosis means a sagging breast; eyelid ptosis means a drooping upper eyelid. Read more

Q

Quote: A detailed, dated document, mandatory before cosmetic surgery and given after the consultation: it sets out the procedure, the surgeon’s and anaesthetist’s fees and the clinic costs. Read more

R

Revision rhinoplasty: A further rhinoplasty to correct the result of a previous operation. Read more

Rhinoplasty: Surgery that changes the shape of the nose: hump, tip, width, length. It can be combined with surgery to improve breathing (functional rhinoplasty). Read more

Rippling: Folds of a breast implant visible or palpable under the skin, especially in the cleavage, more frequent when the covering tissues are thin. Read more

Round implant: A symmetrical breast implant that fills the upper breast more and gives a fuller cleavage. Read more

S

Secteur 2: The status of French doctors contracted with national health insurance who may charge fees above the standard rate. For a covered procedure, the extra fee is paid by you or your top-up insurance. Read more

Sedation: Medicines injected by the anaesthetist that relax and make you drowsy without putting you fully to sleep; it complements local anaesthesia. Read more

Septoplasty: Straightening of a deviated nasal septum to improve breathing; it is often combined with a rhinoplasty. Read more

Seroma: A collection of lymph (clear fluid) under the skin after surgery, especially after a tummy tuck or body lift. It is usually treated by one or more needle drainages.

Skin booster: Fluid hyaluronic acid injected into the skin to hydrate and firm it, without adding volume (Profhilo, Restylane Vital). Read more

SMAS: Superficial musculo-aponeurotic system: a fibrous and muscular layer of the face, under the fat and connected to the muscles of expression. A modern facelift tightens it in depth, which avoids pulling on the skin. Read more

Subglandular implant: A breast implant placed under the gland, in front of the pectoralis major muscle; also called prepectoral. Read more

Submuscular implant: A breast implant placed partly behind the pectoralis major muscle, which hides it in the cleavage. Read more

T

Transaxillary approach: Placement of breast implants through an incision hidden in the armpit, guided by a camera (endoscopy). Read more

Tuberous breasts: A breast malformation that appears at puberty: narrow base, tube-shaped breast, large and puffy areola. Read more

Dr Victor Médard de Chardon, a plastic surgeon in Cannes since 2011, sees patients at his practice at 101 rue d’Antibes from Cannes, Nice, Antibes and across the Alpes-Maritimes; others travel from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux or Toulouse.

Missing a term? See the frequently asked questions or ask during your consultation.