The most commonly used breast lift techniques

Bosom fall or breast sagging can occur with age, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and weight loss. Breast lift (mastopexia) surgery is a cosmetic procedure that lifts and restores the youthful appearance of the breast. This is achieved by removing excess skin and tightening, reshaping and supporting the breast tissue.

There are many different incision designs and techniques used in breast lift surgery. Each technique is suitable for different types of people and the desired results. Some of these techniques have been used for a long time, while others are still quite new.

This article reviews some of the more commonly used techniques, including the anchor, lollipop, donut, crescent, and “scarless” lifts.

Lifting anchor

The anchor lift incision is made around the areola, vertically down from the areola to the breast crease, and horizontally along the breast crease.

This technique creates the most scarring and is suitable for people with a severe degree of sagging who will not be adequately helped by less invasive techniques. The anchor incision is the oldest technique used for breast lift and is the preferred technique in large volume breast reductions.

Vertical scar techniques, such as the anchor incision, are best suited when smaller volumes of skin and internal tissues are removed, resulting in smaller scars and a reduced risk of shrinkage and indentation.

Lollipop Lift

The lollipop lift involves an incision made around the perimeter of the areola and vertically down from the areola until the breast fold is closed.

This technique is suitable for people with a moderate degree of sagging who will not be adequately helped by less invasive procedures and do not wish to have breast implants placed.

Donut Lift

The donut lift involves an incision made only around the perimeter of the areola. It’s called a peri-areolar incision or Benelli lift (named for the surgeon who pioneered the technique in 1990). The donut lift was designed to minimize scarring, preserve nipple sensation and shorten surgery time.

This technique is suitable for people with mild to moderate relaxation. However, when used by a skilled surgeon in conjunction with the placement of breast implants, the donut lift can provide satisfactory results for someone with more severe sagging.

Crescent lift

Although less commonly used than the other techniques, the crescent lift involves a crescent-shaped incision along the upper half of the areola.

The edges of this crescent-shaped skin are then reattached with thin sutures. This lift is usually done with a breast augmentation and is most suitable for people with little sagging.

The crescent can also be used to lift the nipple and areola only or correct nipple asymmetry (when one nipple is higher than the other). The results are generally very good, with 98% of people expressing satisfaction with the altered appearance of their breasts.

Lifting without scars

For a select few people whose aesthetic concern has more to do with loss of volume than actual relaxation, there are procedures available to lift the appearance of the breast that is advertised as “scarless.”

These procedures may use or combine several techniques, such as thermage (radiofrequency skin tightening), fat grafting, and flap threads (barbed sutures that do not require knots) to lift the breasts with minimal scarring.

However, many of these procedures require some sort of incisions, no matter how small or well hidden. Therefore, they cannot honestly be called “scar-free”.

There is limited research available to evaluate the success rate of scarless breast lift. Breast liposuction is the best studied of the procedures. It is ideal for people with slight asymmetry and less suitable for people with severe sagging or low skin elasticity.

Summary

Age, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and weight loss can all lead to breast sagging. Breast lift (mastopexy) is a plastic surgery that lifts and restores the youthful appearance of the breast. This is achieved by removing excess skin and tightening, reshaping and supporting the breast tissue.

Different techniques and incisions are used based on the individual’s amount of sagging, nipple symmetry, and desired results. Breast lift can be done alone or in combination with breast augmentation. Breast augmentation is the use of implants or transplanted fat to increase the size or fullness of the breast.

A word from Verywell

If you are bothered by the appearance of your breasts and feel that they are sagging and out of shape, you may be a good candidate for breast lift surgery. This is especially true if you feel it has affected your self-esteem, confidence or relationships.

There are several types of breast lifts available to you. It may be helpful to consult with several plastic surgeons and ask which technique they recommend before deciding.