Breast Lift Techniques

The following are several of the techniques a surgeon may employ for a breast lift. While there may be a greater variety, these are the most standard. As a rule of thumb, the techniques with the greater number of incisions allow for the greatest change in shape and fewer incisions allow for less modification.

So, there's a tradeoff in potential scars for change in overall shape. A surgeon will know what's best for each patient and will be able to go over each technique in detail at consultation.

Inverted-T or Anchor Technique - The most common breast lift procedure is referred to as an inverted T or Anchor technique. This is due to the shape of the incisions made during the surgery. This shape follows the natural contours of the breast and usually reduces the size of the areola in the process. Incisions are made in three places: around the areola, along the contour beneath the breast and between the areola and breast base. This allows the breast lift surgeon to lift the breast and reduce the size of the areola. The traditional technique is greater in the number and size of incisions than modified techniques, but it maximizes the amount of change that can be made to the breast. It is also used most often because it consistently produces the most pleasing results.

Doughnut Technique - The doughnut lift is another form of modified lift and is usually performed on smaller breasts. The Benelli Breast Lift is another name for the procedure, but it gets its name as the doughnut lift because of the shape of the skin removed. The surgeon removes a ring a skin from around the areola and scarring is limited to this area. It's technically referred to as a concentric mastopexy. As a modified breast lift, fewer incisions are made, but this allows for less change to the shape. So, a doughnut lift is best when less change is needed.

Crescent Breast Lift - The crescent lift is modified breast lift and a modified version of the doughnut lift. Like the doughnut lift, a ring of tissue is taken from around the areola. However, more tissue is removed from above the areola than from below, giving the "crescent" name. This allows the surgeon to raise the nipple and areola. Just as in a doughnut lift, the incisions and scarring are less than the traditional procedure, but the degree of change available is also limited. An experienced surgeon will know when it's best to use a modified technique like this.

Lollipop Breast Lift - The lollipop lift is a modified breast lift technique. Like the doughnut lift, a ring of tissue is removed from around the nipple and areola. However, another vertical incision is made that runs to the crease beneath the breast. This shape gives this technique its name. Just as with other modified lift techniques, the lollipop lift limits the amount of change that can be made to the shape of the breast, but it also limits the number and shape of visible incision lines.

Additional Procedures To Breast Lift

Many times, a patient may elect to augment her breasts at the time of a breast lift.

This is primarily done by adding saline breast implants. These implants may be added beneath the breast tissue or beneath the muscle tissue. These enlarge the breast and also enlarge the cost of the surgery. However, the cost of doing this surgery at the same time is less than having a breast enlargement done separately.

As well, some patients may opt for a breast reduction as the same time as a breast lift. In this case, the surgeon will remove excess tissue and skin as needed before setting the breast in an ideal shape and position.

Breast Lift Conclusion

In all, the techniques will vary according to the patient profile and goals. To truly know which techniques will fit your personal desires, you will need to sit down with an experienced surgeon. To best help a surgeon know what you need, it is fine and helpful to brings pictures that represent how you'd like your breasts to look following surgery. The directory on this site can help you locate a breast lift surgeon in your area to set up a consultation. A consultation comes with no risk. It is a time to have questions answered by an expert with time and experience.