Don't compromise your result by trying to minimize scars.

Marian, Many patient are afraid of the scars / incisions used to perform breast lift surgery. However, in general, these incisions heal very nicely. It is a shame when patients compromise their result by demanding shorter or fewer incisions. There are minimal incision breast lifts, but these are best for people who only need a minimal lift. For people who need more extensive lifting, then you need longer or different incisions to achieve a nice aesthetic result. Sometimes, if you have an implant placed at the same time as the lift, then you may not need as long of incisions, but this also depends on your anatomy. I hope this is helpful. David Shafer, MD New York City

Hi, Marian,

1)  If you have only a little sagging, maybe you just need breast implants, which are put through very short incisions in the armpit, or in the fold under the breast, or under the nipple.

2)   Also, if you have minimal sagging, an internal lift can be done through one of the scars described above.

3)  Some patients (depending on the anatomy), can get a good lift with a "doughnut" scar just around the nipple.

4)  If you have a lot of sagging, then you need a vertical breast lift with a lolly pop scar. This can be done with or without implants.  But is the MOST scarring that you might need. For breast lifts, I never use the traditional longer scars that look like an upside down T. 

5)   The thing to understand is that, if properly informed, most women are happy with the trade off.  Afterwards, you have some scars (which fade but do not disappear) BUT you have nice, perky breasts.  It usually is a trade off, though.

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In my opinion, using an implant to lift a breast is a losing situation for the patient. Typically the size of the implant necessary to remove the sag is too large for the patients ultimate aesthetic desires. If you are sagging and want llarge breasts then fine. But if you want to be lifted and desire to remain around the same size then just get a lift! The Donut Mastopexy is a deceiving term - There are many different types of procedures that utilize a scar only around the areaola - The Benelli mastopexy, The Goes mastopexy, Skin Only Mastopexy. In my opinion, the only one that give a beautiful, durable shape is the Goes Mastopexy.

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Dear Marian,

A breast lift can be performed in many different ways depending on the needs of the patient.

Generally speaking, the size of the incisions depend on the amount of correction required. The more the correction, the bigger the incision.

Undergoing breast implant surgery with a small incision under ther breast, in the armpit, or belly button can give you a slight lift effect.

For  a slightly greater lift, an incision may be needed that would go all the way around the nipple/areola (AKA Doughnut lift).

For an even greater lift, the incision would go around the nipple/areola and then straight down to the botton of the breast in the shape of a lollipop.

For severe sagging, the incision would go around the nipple/areola, straight down to the bottom of the breast, and along the fold beneath the breast (AKA anchor incision).

Based on your description, it appears that you would NOT need major incisions to achieve an attractive breast lift.

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The least amount of scarring is from no surgery. It progresses from breast implants only, circumareola lift (scar around the border of areola, a lollipop lift (vertical procedure), to a wise pattern ("anchor type incision). These techniques are  employed based upon the amount of loose skin, the amount of breast tissue, and the position of the nipple.

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