Is Anchor Mastopexy the Best Choice to Correct Sagging Breasts?

asked 1 year ago by 6059anon in United States
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 3,798 times
Tags: age 25-34, technique

32 y/o 34B with sagging breasts encouraged to do 'classic' Anchor mastopexy - advice? I am unhappy with my saggy breasts. I went to a local ABPS certified plastic surgeon, and he suggested I get a mastopexy since I'm happy with the size of my breasts. He suggested making my aureolas smaller and lifting them and using the anchor technique. I have read on several forums the Lejour technique might result in longer lasting results. Any advice on surgery or technique choice? Would implants be better at stopping sag and the dreaded "boob sweat" when braless?

9 answers to Is Anchor Mastopexy the Best Choice to Correct Sagging Breasts?

Anchor vs lollipop mastopexy

This will continue to be a subject of debate among plastic surgeons because there is no right answer. Despite arguments on both sides, I rather suspect that how well the lift lasts is more dependent on your own tissues, your elasticity, pregnancy and weight gains and losses. You can get good and bad results with both techniques depending on who is doing the surgery. I personally prefer the anchor because in my hands it is extremely versatile and allows me to sculpt the... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Mastopexy options

There is a lot of debate among plastic surgeons about the best procedure for breast lift. The goal is always to get the shape right while minimizing the scar, and the anchor technique has a long track record of success. The LeJour, lollipop, or vertical pattern procedure has also been in use for some time, but it has not been proven to produce longer lasting results.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast Lifting Technique?

Thank you for the question and picture. I think you should have an excellent result with breast lifting surgery; you should do well with either technique that you mentioned. The results of your surgery will depend more on your surgeon that on the specific procedure performed. In other words, I can imagine you ending up with beautiful results if you pick your plastic surgeon carefully. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift

From your photos, you m ay be a good candidate for a vertical lift, but you have to realize that your nipple areola complexes will more than likely still be lateralized.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift method

There is no “right” method for mastopexy. Sometimes it is just what works best in a particular surgeon’s hands. I personally rarely use the “anchor” incision, but find it necessary occasionally. I do not, however, use the LaJour method, as I have found it unnecessary to get longevity and I get better form with a modification. This does not mean this is best, just that it works best for me. I would also never use an implant to achieve lift if your present... more

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

Breast Lift VS. Breast Augmentation WITH Lift - "Short Scar" VS. Anchor Mastopexy

In the debate of WHAT OPERATION to have - Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation with Lift - the simplest way to decide is for you to answer the question - Are you happy with the SIZE of your breasts? IF the answer is - YES - then all you need is a Breast Lift (Mastopexy). If you would like more volume, you need breast implants and would need a Breast Augmentation WITH a Lift. Breast Implants do NOT stop sagging - they accelerate sagging. The breasts are organs which WILL sag with... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

The secret & key to LeJour breast lift or vertical mastopexy is treatment of the breast tissue NOT THE SKIN

Irregardless of the incisions used to accomplish the lift or mastopexy, treatment of the underlying breast tissue may have more of an effect on the shape and longevity of the breast lift. Probably one of the key features of the Lejour is the rearrangement and stitching of the breast tissue AND NOT THE SKIN that truly determines the outcome of the procedure.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Anchor mastopexy the best choice to correct sagging breasts

Thanks for the photos and prose. I agree with the choice of either a anchor or lollipop mastopexy, leaning toward anchor but an in person evaluation with additional plastic surgeons is in order. From MIAMI DR. B

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Mastopexy choices

If you are happy with the size of your breasts in a bra, then a mastopexy is all you need. It is quite rare to need an anchor-type mastopexy in my hands. I suspect that you would do well with a lollipop scar or an L or J scar.