Question 1

What is the difference between a senologist and a breast surgeon?

Accepted Answer

A senologist is a physician specialised in breast diseases, who may be a radiologist, a medical gynaecologist or a surgeon. The breast surgeon is a surgeon trained in the operative management of breast pathologies: benign lesions, high-risk lesions and breast cancer. Dr Jérémie Zeitoun is a surgical oncologist and breast surgeon — he handles the consultation, the surgical indication, the operation itself and the post-operative follow-up. He holds the DIU in Breast Surgical Techniques from Institut Gustave Roussy (2023) and a DU in Breast Pathology from Institut Curie.

Question 2

How long does breast cancer surgery take?

Accepted Answer

The duration of breast cancer surgery depends on the type of procedure: a lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery) takes between 30 and 60 minutes; a simple mastectomy takes 1 to 2 hours; a mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction takes 2 to 5 hours depending on the technique (implant, latissimus dorsi flap, DIEP). These procedures are performed under general anaesthesia at Clinique Hartmann (Neuilly-sur-Seine). Breast-conserving surgery can be performed as day-surgery (going home the same day).

Question 3

Is breast reconstruction covered by French Social Security?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Breast reconstruction after breast cancer is covered at 100% by French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie) under the ALD (Long-Term Condition) scheme. All techniques are covered: implant reconstruction, flap reconstruction (latissimus dorsi, DIEP, PAP), and breast lipofilling. There is no out-of-pocket cost for cancer-related care in sector 1 practice. In non-OPTAM sector 2 practice, additional fees apply, partially reimbursed by complementary health insurance (mutuelle). Dr Zeitoun practises in non-OPTAM sector 2 at Clinique Hartmann.

Question 4

Can you choose your surgeon for breast cancer treatment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. The right to freely choose your practitioner is enshrined in French law (Kouchner law 2002 and the Public Health Code). You can consult any surgeon of your choice, including for a second opinion, regardless of the institution where you were diagnosed. When choosing a breast surgeon, the important criteria are: dual oncology and surgery specialty, training in an expert centre (Gustave Roussy, Institut Curie), annual surgical volume, and participation in a multidisciplinary oncology team meeting (RCP).

Question 5

How do you request a second opinion for breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Requesting a surgical second opinion is a right and a frequent, legitimate step. To consult Dr Zeitoun for a second opinion, simply book via Doctolib and bring: your imaging reports (mammography, ultrasound, MRI), your biopsy results (with histology slides if possible), and the report of the multidisciplinary team meeting (RCP) if you have one. Second-opinion consultations are available in person at the practice in Paris 8th district or via teleconsultation. They are reimbursed by national health insurance.

Question 6

What is oncoplastic breast surgery?

Accepted Answer

Oncoplastic breast surgery is a surgical technique combining tumour excision (lumpectomy) with immediate partial breast reconstruction, allowing larger tumour volumes to be removed while preserving an optimal cosmetic outcome. It avoids mastectomy in cases where classic breast-conserving surgery would have left a deformity. Dr Jérémie Zeitoun is trained in oncoplastic breast surgery through his DIU at Institut Gustave Roussy. Oncoplasty is performed in a single operative session, most often under general anaesthesia at Clinique Hartmann.

Question 7

Do dense breasts increase cancer risk?

Accepted Answer

Yes. High breast density (categories C and D of the ACR classification) is an independent risk factor for breast cancer. Women with very dense breasts (ACR-D) have a 4 to 6 times higher risk of developing breast cancer. Additionally, dense breasts make mammography less sensitive (tumours hide in dense tissue). Complementary screening with annual breast ultrasound, or even breast MRI, is recommended. If in doubt, a consultation with a breast surgeon allows your personal situation to be assessed.

Question 8

What is prophylactic mastectomy and when is it recommended?

Accepted Answer

Prophylactic (or preventive) mastectomy is the surgical removal of breast tissue in a woman who does not have cancer but presents a very high risk of developing one. It is primarily recommended in cases of BRCA1 mutation (60-80% breast cancer risk) or BRCA2 (40-60%), very strong family history, or certain high-risk lesions. It is combined with immediate breast reconstruction by implant or flap. This decision is always made in multidisciplinary consultation and after oncogenetics counselling. Dr Zeitoun provides this comprehensive care at Clinique Hartmann.

Question 9

How long is the sick leave after a lumpectomy?

Accepted Answer

After a lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery), sick leave is generally 2 to 4 weeks for office or sedentary work, and 4 to 6 weeks for physical work. Resumption of light sport (walking) is possible from the first week; intensive sports or overhead arm activities are not recommended for 4 to 6 weeks. After a mastectomy, sick leave is 4 to 8 weeks depending on the reconstruction technique. These durations may vary depending on the prescribed complementary treatment (radiotherapy, chemotherapy).

Question 10

Is labiaplasty covered by French Social Security?

Accepted Answer

Labiaplasty (labia minora reduction) is reimbursed by French Social Security only when medically justified by documented functional discomfort: pain during walking, sport or intercourse, chronic irritation, asymmetric hypertrophy. The CCAM code is JMMA005, with a reimbursement base of €57.44. Outside this indication, it is considered cosmetic and is not covered. Dr Jérémie Zeitoun is a gynaecological surgeon, qualified to perform this intervention with Social Security reimbursement when the criteria are met — this is what characterises the procedure when performed by a gynaecological surgeon.

Question 11

What is the difference between nymphoplasty and labiaplasty?

Accepted Answer

Nymphoplasty and labiaplasty refer to the same surgical procedure — reduction or correction of the labia minora. Nymphoplasty is the French medical term, used in the French Social Security nomenclature (CCAM). Labiaplasty (or labioplasty) is the Anglo-Saxon term, frequently used in cosmetic surgery contexts. Dr Zeitoun, as a gynaecological surgeon, uses the term nymphoplasty in French and performs this intervention as day-surgery at Clinique Hartmann.

Question 12

How do you book an appointment with Dr Zeitoun?

Accepted Answer

Booking an appointment with Dr Jérémie Zeitoun is done via Doctolib (available 24/7) or directly at the practice. Dr Zeitoun consults at the practice in Paris 8th district (241 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris) and at Clinique Hartmann (Neuilly-sur-Seine, 92200). Second-opinion consultations are available in person or via teleconsultation. Waiting time for an appointment is generally less than one week for a standard consultation, and faster in cases of diagnostic urgency. English-speaking patients welcome.

Question 13

Does Dr Zeitoun perform day-surgery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The vast majority of benign breast surgeries (fibroadenoma, cyst, papilloma, high-risk lesions) and labiaplasty are performed as day-surgery at Clinique Hartmann: the patient arrives in the morning and returns home the same evening. Lumpectomy for cancer can also be performed as day-surgery. More extensive surgeries — mastectomy alone (1 night), mastectomy with reconstruction (2-4 nights) — require a short hospital stay. Clinique Hartmann is accredited for ambulatory oncological surgery.

Question 14

Where does Dr Zeitoun operate?

Accepted Answer

Dr Jérémie Zeitoun operates at Clinique Hartmann, part of the Groupe Hospitalier Privé Ambroise Paré – Hartmann (48 ter Boulevard Victor Hugo, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine). This institution is part of the Institut du Sein Henri Hartmann (ISHH) network, one of the reference centres for breast cancer surgery in Île-de-France, ranked among the best private institutions for breast cancer care. He consults at his practice at 241 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8th district.

Question 15

Was Dr Zeitoun trained at Gustave Roussy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dr Jérémie Zeitoun was trained at Institut Gustave Roussy (Villejuif), Europe's leading cancer centre, where he completed in 2023 the DIU in Breast Surgical Techniques (oncology and reconstruction) — the reference training for oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgery. He also holds a DU in Breast Pathology from Institut Curie (2018-2019), a DES in Oncology with surgical option (2022) and a DES in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2020).

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From consultation to theatre.

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Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (BRCA): age, procedure, menopause

Bleeding after menopause: causes, tests and treatment

BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation: preventive breast and ovarian surgery

Ovarian cyst: do you need surgery, and how?

Dense breasts: what it means for your screening

Hysteroscopy: diagnostic, operative, recovery and risks

Adenomyosis: symptoms, diagnosis and surgical treatment

Bartholin cyst and bartholinitis: understanding your surgery

Labiaplasty: why have it done by a gynaecological surgeon?

Breast cancer surgeon in Paris: how to make the right choice?

Heavy menstrual bleeding: when to see a surgeon?

Uterine fibroid: myomectomy, hysterectomy or embolisation?

Breast fibroadenoma: should it be removed?

Breast biopsy waiting time: how long until results?

Immediate or delayed reconstruction: how to decide?

HPV vaccine: who, when, why?

HPV: how is the papillomavirus transmitted?

Abnormal smear: understanding your result

HPV positive after smear: what to do next

Deep contraceptive implant: removal in theatre

Lumpectomy or mastectomy: how to choose?

Breast lump: should you be worried?

Positive breast biopsy: what to do next

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