Frequently Asked Questions

French law requires at least two consultations with a mandatory 15-day cooling-off period between the written quote and the procedure. The first consultation (~30 min, fee-based) includes examination, photos, and a detailed quote. The second (free) confirms your decision. A separate consultation with the anaesthesiologist is also required before any general anaesthesia.

Purely cosmetic procedures are not covered. Functional or reconstructive procedures may be partially reimbursed: rhinoplasty with documented nasal obstruction, blepharoplasty limiting the visual field, breast reduction (≥300 g per breast), or abdominoplasty for pathological skin apron. Dr Julienne will advise you on the applicable process.

Most surgical procedures are performed under general anaesthesia for patient comfort. Minor procedures (ear pinning, facial fat grafting, small liposuction) may be performed under local anaesthesia with or without sedation. A pre-operative assessment with the anaesthesiologist is always required.

Yes, absolutely. You must stop smoking at least 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery. Tobacco reduces tissue oxygenation, increases the risk of infection, impairs wound healing, and can cause irreversible skin necrosis — particularly dangerous after abdominoplasty, facelift, or breast surgery.

Incisions are placed in anatomically discreet areas (natural folds, hairline, armpits, under the breast). Scars go through a red, slightly raised phase for 3 to 6 months, then gradually fade over 12 to 18 months to become thin and pale. Silicone gel and sun protection speed up this process.

Post-operative pain is generally moderate and well controlled with prescribed painkillers. Time off varies: 1 week for blepharoplasty or breast augmentation, 2-3 weeks for rhinoplasty or facelift, 3-4 weeks for abdominoplasty — depending on the physical demands of your job.

Gentle walking is encouraged from the first days. Light sports (swimming, cycling) can resume after 4-6 weeks. Intense exercise (weight training, running, contact sports) should be avoided for 6-8 weeks after most procedures, and up to 3 months after abdominoplasty.

Yes, but wait at least 6 months after breast or abdominal surgery. A future pregnancy may alter results from breast augmentation, breast lift, or abdominoplasty. Ideally, complete your family plans before these procedures.

Verify that the surgeon holds the French board certification in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (DESC) and operates in an accredited facility. Dr Antoine Julienne is board-certified, University Hospital practitioner in Bordeaux, trained in Paris with recognised expertise. The trust built during your consultation is equally important.

The procedure takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on complexity. A nasal splint is worn for 10-15 days. Bruising and swelling around the eyes resolve in 2-3 weeks. You can return to work after 10-15 days. The final result is assessed at 12 months, once all residual swelling has subsided.

Perfectly normal. Post-rhinoplasty swelling resolves very gradually. The tip of the nose is the last area to de-swell and can remain slightly puffy for up to 6-12 months. Don't judge your result before 12 months. Your surgeon monitors progress during this period.

Yes, partially. Correction of a deviated septum causing documented breathing obstruction (septoplasty) can be partially reimbursed by French Social Security upon prior approval. The cosmetic component remains at your expense.

Non-surgical rhinoplasty using hyaluronic acid injections can correct minor defects (camouflaging a small bump, lifting the tip). Results last 12-18 months and corrections are limited. It cannot reduce a wide nose or fix a functional deviation.

Upper eyelid surgery may be partially covered if drooping eyelids are functionally limiting the visual field (documented by visual field test). Lower eyelid surgery (under-eye bags) is always at the patient's expense.

The goal is to rejuvenate without altering your expression. Well-performed blepharoplasty removes puffiness and excess skin while fully preserving the shape and character of your eyes. Scars are hidden in the natural eyelid creases and become invisible within weeks.

With modern deep-plane SMAS techniques, the result is natural and long-lasting. The "windswept" look is associated with outdated techniques. Dr Julienne lifts deep tissues along anatomical vectors without excessive skin tension, giving a refreshed, natural appearance.

A cervico-facial facelift lasts 8-12 years on average. Ageing continues naturally, but your face remains rejuvenated compared to its pre-operative state. A second facelift is possible after 10 years if desired.

Modern implants have no fixed expiry date. MRI monitoring is recommended at 5 years, then every 2-3 years. Replacement is only necessary if a complication occurs (rupture, capsular contracture) or if you wish to change volume. Without issues, implants can remain in place indefinitely.

Volume is personalised based on your body shape, chest width, and goals. Size trials with simulation implants are performed during the consultation. Dr Julienne also offers Crisalix 3D simulation so you can visualise potential outcomes before surgery.

Yes, absolutely. Dr. Julienne uses a technique that fully preserves breastfeeding ability. Implants are placed without interfering with the milk ducts or nipple innervation. Breastfeeding is possible after surgery, and future pregnancy plans are not a contraindication to breast augmentation.

Fat transfer uses your own fat (harvested by liposuction) for a moderate, very natural increase of up to one cup size — no foreign body, microscopic scars. Implants allow a more significant and stable augmentation. Both can be combined for improved décolletage coverage.

Yes, partially, if at least 300 g per breast is removed and documented back pain, skin problems, or functional impairment is present. Prior approval from French Social Security (CPAM) is required. Surgeon's fees above the base rate remain at your expense; private insurance may cover the difference.

Yes. Combining a lift with implants in a single procedure is common when sagging is accompanied by volume loss (after pregnancy or weight loss). It corrects both breast position and volume in one operation with a single recovery period.

Partial coverage is possible if the gynaecomastia is medically documented (hormonal cause, medication-related) and persistent. A hormonal workup is required beforehand. The surgeon's fee above the base rate remains the patient's responsibility.

Fat cells removed by liposuction are permanently eliminated. However, significant weight gain can cause remaining fat cells in untreated areas to enlarge. Maintaining a stable weight through balanced nutrition and regular exercise is essential for lasting results.

No. Liposuction removes deep fat but does not address cellulite (superficial dimpling caused by connective tissue bands). It may slightly improve the overall appearance but is not a cellulite treatment. Dedicated options (endermologie, radiofrequency) exist for that purpose.

Common areas include: abdomen, flanks (love handles), inner and outer thighs, buttocks, hips, arms, knees, double chin, and back. Multiple areas can be treated in a single session. The harvested fat can also be reused for fat transfer (face, breasts).

Liposuction removes fat but doesn't address excess skin or weakened muscles. A tummy tuck removes loose skin, tightens separated abdominal muscles (diastasis), and redefines the waistline — with a low scar hidden below the underwear line. Both can be combined for optimal results.

Abdominoplasty has the longest recovery among body contouring procedures. Expect 3-4 weeks off work (more for physical jobs). A slightly bent posture is adopted for 10-15 days. A compression garment is worn for 6-8 weeks. Return to intense sports is at 3 months.

The effect lasts 4-6 months on average. Early treatments may fade faster; with repeated sessions, wrinkles gradually soften and the effect may last longer. Maintenance 2-3 times per year is typical.

When properly dosed and precisely injected, the result is natural and expressive. A "frozen" look results from excessive quantities. The goal is to smooth wrinkles while preserving your ability to smile, frown, and express emotion naturally.

Duration varies from 6 to 18 months depending on the treated area, product density, and individual metabolism. Lips fade faster (6-9 months) than cheeks or under-eyes (12-18 months). The product is fully resorbable and degrades naturally.

Hyaluronic acid is almost completely reversible. If you're unhappy with the result, hyaluronidase (a dissolving enzyme) can rapidly break down the product. However, recent studies show that microscopic traces may persist for several years after injection — though without clinical consequence. This remains one of the main advantages of HA over permanent fillers.

Botulinum toxin relaxes muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles (forehead, crow's feet, frown lines) — lasts 4-6 months. Hyaluronic acid is a volumising filler that corrects static wrinkles, restores volume (cheeks, lips, under-eyes), and deeply hydrates — lasts 9-18 months. Both are complementary and often combined in a single session.

Yes. Transplanted grafts come from the donor area at the back of the head, which is genetically resistant to hair loss. Once transplanted, they retain this resistance and grow permanently. However, native hair in untreated areas may continue to thin, sometimes requiring a second session.

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) harvests individual follicles with a micro-punch — no linear scar, faster recovery. FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) removes a strip of scalp — more grafts per session but leaves a linear scar at the back. The choice depends on the area to cover and your preferences.

Transplanted grafts typically shed within the first 2-4 weeks (shock loss — perfectly normal). Regrowth begins around 3-4 months. Progressive thickening continues until 12-18 months for the final result.