Breast Lift: Q&A

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Can a Crescent Breast Lift Be Performed Without Implants?

Can a Crescent/Circumaerolar/Semi-areolar breast lift be performed without breast implants? And how will it affect breast size? I've often heard Mastopexy reduces the size of the breasts by one cup, but I don't like implants so that's not an option for me. I'm a C cup and I only have mild ptosis. Judging from the pictures I've seen of Benelli aka Periareolar lifts, they seem to flatten out the natural shape of the breast. It's seems like a crescent lift might be able to give me just the tiny bit of boost I need. Any advice?

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17 Doctor Answers | Asked by AmyBelle in California

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Breast Lift Without Implant Options

The short answer to your question is that a crescent lift can be done without implants. But a picture (of you) is worth a thousand words (an exam worth a lot more). In other words it would be very important to see just how much lifting you require. In general a Crescent Lift Doesn't Lift Much ! If in the mirror you need to lift your areola/nipple more than an inch to an inch and a half it is not the right technique for most women. The second thing to consider is that if you... more

Crescent Breast Lift?

Thank you for the question. The crescent breast lift provides a very minimal amount of movement of the nipple/areola complexes. It can be problematic causing spreading of the areola and/or change of shape of the areola. Considering the minimal potential benefit ( very minor lifting) and the significant risk of unsatisfactory cosmetic result, it is not an operation I recommend. Best wishes.

Can a Crescent/Circumaerolar/Semi-areolar breast lift be performed without breast implants?

Regarding: "Can a Crescent Breast Lift Be Performed Without Implants? Can a Crescent/Circumaerolar/Semi-areolar breast lift be performed without breast implants? And how will it affect breast size? I've often heard Mastopexy reduces the size of the breasts by one cup, but I don't like implants so that's not an option for me. I'm a C cup and I only have mild ptosis. Judging from the pictures I've seen of Benelli aka Periareolar lifts, they seem to flatten out... more

Cresecent lifts

A cresecent lift or circumareola can flatten the breast that is why it is best limited to short areola moves in patients also receiving implants.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Crescent breast lift

A Crescent breast lift can definitely be performed without using implants. The ideal patient for this procedure is a woman who does not have a great deal of breast sagging and has a pleasing breast shape already. This patient merely requires repositioning of the nipple into a higher position. If further lifting is necessary, the Crescent may be lengthened so that it goes around the entire circumference of the areola. This then becomes a donut mastopexy.

Not that common

Hi, Thank you for your question. Yes, a crescent breast lift can be performed without implants. However, it is not that common because it is usually only used for women who have minor ptosis and is most effective on women with smaller breasts. This type of a lift does remove a little bit of skin and breast tissue, but is very minor so it should not effect your size too drastically. This really can be a great procedure when performed with a periareolar breast augmentation, but as you said,... more

Crescent lift has limitations

A cresent lift has very limited uses and has signficant limitations. It is almost always done in conjuction with an implant. It relies on your skin to keep the breast lifted and therefore it is not very long lasting even with an implant. In fact it may result in the areola becoming oval in shape rather than round. It is typically used to correct asymmetries in nipple positions. It is also different than the peri-areolar which is completely around the whole areola. Make sure you discuss your... more

A crescent breast lift is indicated for only very mild breast sagging

A crescent breast lift is indicated for only very mild breast sagging (mammary ptosis). An augmentation is not necessary required. A thorough examination is required to determine if you are a reasonable candidate. I would strongly recommend that you make a consultation with a board certified/eligible plastic surgeon experienced in breast surgery.

Crescent or Periareolar Breast Lift

The crescent breast lift is performed by removing a crescent shaped section of skin from just above the areola. An incision is made from the 3:00 to the 9:00 positions. The nipple can only be raised about 2cm because the top incision becomes so much longer than the bottom incision there is excessive bunching of closure. It will flatten eventually but takes time. The Benelli or circumferential lift takes tissue out from completely around the areola. Again if too much tissue is taken out... more

Types of Breasts Lifts

There are many breast lift and mastopexies. There are basically four types and they go from minimal scars to larger scars. As the scars get larger, the lifts become more powerful. Crescent lift is for minor lifts and usually used for patients with implants to even out the nipple location. It is hard to say what you need, but I would bet on it that you are not a candidate for crescent lift and need something more to lift your breasts. You may read more about this on the link at the bottom... more

Crescent breast lifts without implants

A crescent breast lift is the very most minor lift available and almost always is done in conjunction with an implant. In fact, in my 20+ years of practicing plastic surgery, I have only seen one patient with a periareolar lift with no implants and none using a crescent alone. That periareolar patient came from another office and wasn't happy.

Periareolar Mastopexy a good option for mild ptosis.

There are a number of parts to your question. Yes, a crescent mastopexy can be done to provide some lift of the areolae. This will only work for very minor degrees of ptosis (droop). The top of the areola must be above the inframammary crease level. It will flatten the areolae some, just like the Benelli, This is usually a reasonable trade for no other scars. For those with only “mild ptosis” and with adequate breast size, this has been a very good method. I have found that it... more

Crescent Lift alone not recommended.

Hello, I think without implants you would get very little out of this. A "crescent lift" with implants lifts very little. It is more of a nipple position tweek. I only use them for fine touches hesitating to call them "real" breast lifts.

Crescent breast lift

Hi! The crescent breast lift gives you really minimal results, and I personally have not done it without implants. Without having examined you, I would say not worth it. Let an expert plastic surgeon tell you what's the best breast lift for you. The results can be wonderful, and the scars fade, whether it's a circular scar or a lollipop scar. The key to a good breast lift is not to rely on tightening the skin, because skin stretches. The lift has to be done internally.

A Crescent lift Alone Will Give You a Very Modest Result

Hi Amy. Photos would be helpful ! I have found very few patients who actually need a small crescent lift, but if you simply desire a little nipple uplift, it may work for you. In my opinion, any of the peri-areolar techniques are not so great with an implant because of flattening of the breast mound and scar widening. I do agree that patients with very long breasts will be wearing a bra thats up a cup size or two because they have to "roll up" their breasts to fit in the bra. ... more

Minimizing breast lift scars

Your question covers a lot of issues. First, a breast lift should not affect cup size since no breast tissue is removed (except for some skin.) A crescent mastopexy will only snug up the position of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) a liitle bit so it is almost always done with implants. That is because most women who need a lift need a boost of the whole breast rather than just a little elevation of the NAC. It's a matter of shape, which can't really be altered with the crescent lift. Some... more

Minimal Scar Mastopexy without breast implants

Hi Amy Belle, This is a question which will undoubtedly lead to varying opinions. Suffice it to say, no 2 plastic surgeons will feel identically on this subject. That being said, a crescent mastopexy, without implant placement or significant breast tissue re-shaping will likely give you good short-term results, but not long-lasting results. Even with significant reshaping of the breast tissue to give more projection to the upper pole of the breast, your results 3 months after surgery may... more