Differences Between Breast Reduction Techniques?

asked 2 years ago by michellemcc in North Carolina
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 587 times
Tags: breasts, female, anchor, scar, shape

For Breast Reduction surgery, what are the differences in types of surgery? What are the differences between "Wise pattern", "anchor scar" versus "vertical" or "keyhole scar?"

Can Liposuction of breast be used in conjuction with Breast Reduction surgery to reshape breasts?

9 answers to Differences Between Breast Reduction Techniques?

Breast Reduction Techniques?

There are a variety of different breast reduction techniques available. The type of breast reduction technique selected for a patient will depend on several factors including size and position of the breasts as well as skin elasticity and patient goals. It will be in your best interests to visit with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons who can most easily demonstrate the different types of breast reductions via photographs and diagrams. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction techniques

Breast reduction surgery removes excess breast tissue and reshapes the contour of the breasts so that they are smaller and perkier. I commonly use a minimal incision technique (Le Jour), eliminating the need for large scars while providing a pleasing breast contour and shape that is proportionate to the patient’s body. This Le Jour technique can now be used on a wide range of sizes and results in a perky, conical breast that many women find desirable. The resulting incision from this... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD
New York Plastic Surgeon

No best Breast Reduction technique

From your question it seems your are concerned about which of the MANY techniques for breast reduction is the BEST! There is no best. The correct technique is determined by the surgeon for your type of breast. Previous posters have described or outline ONLY a few of the options. For a lay person this will be very confusing. Best to ask these questions to technique in an in person evaluation with a experience boarded plastic surgeon. Other older techniques are the Skoog, McKissock bipedicle,... more

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction and techniques

There are many differnt techniques and skin pattern excisions. I certainly want to minimize the incisions for patients. For smaller reductions, and smaller lifts, a vertical skin excision or lollipop incision is good. A wise pattern or anchor type incision is often done for larger breasted patients and for larger reductions with poor skin quality.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction incisions, techniques and scars: Confusing names explained

Wise Pattern = Lexer = Inverted T = Anchor Scar = Verical & Horizontal = Keyhole Scar all describe a technique with a scar around the areola with a vertical scar extending downwards to a horizontal scar in the breast crease (underwire area) whereas Vertical = Hall-Findlay = Lejour = Circumvertical = Lollipop = Tennis Racket. all describe a technique with a scar around the areola with a vertical scar extending downwards. The choice depends on the extent of ptosis (sagging) and the... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Vertical breast reduction better for most women.

Hi. In New York City, we use the vertical or lollipop scar breast reduction for most women (unless the breasts are really huge). It shapes the breasts internally and gives much better long term results, as well as less scarring. And we do use liposuction as part of the breast reduction.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction technique differences

Essentially, there are now four techniques utilized for breast reduction. Within these four basic types of procedures, there are multiple variations. The main types of procedures are: 1) The Wise pattern or anchor incision that puts an incision around the areola then down to the inframammary crease and along under the crease; 2) The Vertical (or “Lollipop” or “Keyhole”) which eliminates the inferior inframammary incision; 3) The transverse that uses only the... more

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction or lift scar variations

In general, breast reduction and breast lift are the same except that breast tissue is removed in addition to skin with the reduction. So the terminology used to describe the scar patterns is the same. To begin with, breast lifts/reductions almost always need to move the nipple/areola higher, so there will be a scar around the edge of the areola (it isn't removed and re-attached, just repositioned) . The simplest type of lift, called a Benelli, periareolar, or donut mastopexy leaves only... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction techniques differ on the inside and outside of the breast

For patients, the obvious difference between the varying breast reduction technique is the extent and position of the scar. A breast reduction addresses two separate, but inter-linked problems: excess skin and excess breast tissues. The pattern of scars placed on the breast is a consequence of the technique used to remove the excess skin. For a woman with a breast composed of a large amount of breast skin surface area, it often necessary to use a Wise pattern, or 'anchor' scar to reduce the... more