Is a Full Anchor Lift the Only/ Best Option for Me? (photo)

Hi I'm 26 years old 5'3 and have one child who I breast fed for 1yr. I'm biracial black/ Caucasian and wear a 30 F uk size bra. I weigh on average 112lbs. My breasts pre pregnancy have pretty much always looked like this since developing. Although they ballooned to a 32 H during pregnancy then lost volume. I'm not sure if my sore back is connected to the proportions of my breast to my frame. With my family complete I am researching an uplift. Will scars heal better/ worse than my c section?

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20 Doctor Answers | Asked by Doloresriodel

Doctor Answers (20)
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Vertical Breast Lift

For several years I have been using a 'vertical scar' technique for most breast reductions, which eliminates the long, horizontal incision in the inframammary fold below the breasts. I have also adapted this technique for breast lift surgery, and have been extremely pleased with the results. As with breast reduction patients, this new technique not only eliminates the horizontal incision, but also creates more impressive breast projection and maintains it better over time. The breast lift... more

Michael Law, MD

17 reviews

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

Is a Full Anchor Lift the Only/ Best Option for Me?

I think it is the best, though perhaps not the only option. It is unwise to give definitive advice from a photo when an actual in person exam is so much more useful, but this advice is not definitive! It may be that a vertical lift, with an incision around the areolas and then down to the breast fold will be enough. But if the nipples and areolas need enough lift, there can be too much breast skin in the lower part of the breast, and an incision in the fold may be needed to trim the... more

Which mastopexy incision?

If you are willing to accept the HIGH risks of needing a revision of your inframammary area, you can have a vertical lift/lollipop scar. If you want to minimize the need for a revision, an anchor technique will likely produce a smoother result but at the expense of significantly more scarring. Its a tough choice but one you will have to make.

Curtis Wong, MD

7 reviews

Redding Plastic Surgeon

Good Candidate for a Breast Lift, Key Hole Type

From your description and photographs it appears that you have significant breast sagging or ptosis. I would estimate that you have greater than 6 cm of breast tissue below your inframammary crease. It is likely that some of your somatic complaints such as upper back pain may be associated with your breast sagging. The best surgical procedure for you would be a key hole type mastopexy. It is also difficult to predict your degree of scarring as compared to your C... more

Is a Full Anchor Lift the Only Option?

Based on your photos and the imformation provided, I would most likely recommend a traditional anchor type breast lift. You appear to have a significant amount of extra skin and a good deal of ptosis (sagging), so I feel achieving a good correction would require the so-called anchor lift. There are likely some surgeons who feel the could achieve a good result for you with a verticle mastopexy (lollipop lift). The techniques not only differ in the amount and location of the scars but also the... more

Full anchor lift no longer the only option

Hi Dolores, Thank you for your question and photos. The Ultimate Breast Lift does not require the visible vertical scar. A vertical scar inherently weakens the lift by weakening the skin envelope at the point of maximum tension. This is why all vertical lifts eventually bottom out. Another architectural advantage of the UBL technique is that the weight of the breast is permanently anchored to the chest muscles to relieve the skin envelope from the breast load. The incisions are... more

Anchor Lift vs Vertical Lift

Most plastic surgeons have a preference one way or the other, but both may be appropriate. Make sure you look at before and afters and the shape of the breasts after.

Anchor vs Lollipop type of Breast lift

Although you may be a reasonable candidate for either a lollipop or anchor type of breast lift, given your photos, you may require some vertical skin reduction/resection and therefore the anchor type of breast lift may give you a better final shape. A good compromise may be a short scar anchor lift which limits the lenght of the scar in the inframammary fold. One could also consider the use of Acellular Dermal Matrix graft, which may help give the breast better support and... more

Breast lift options

I think either anchor or lollipop lift can give you a more lifted result. In the hands of capable and experienced surgeons you will get a significant result with either of the techniques. The differences is personal experiences of the surgeon with a particular technique. With regard to scar healing, there is no guarantee that it will heal better or worse than your C-section scar. Hopefully the benefit of a breast lift will be enough to go through with your surgery. With good surgical... more

What is the best breast lift option?

Dear Dolores Many thanks for your question. Although difficult to say for sure without a face-to-face meeting, I would suggest that a circumvertical (lollipop) type scar pattern may be an option with you. Regarding your C-section scar - at 1-year post-op, the scar can still be expected to improve over the next 6-12 months. In my practice in Kent, in the UK, I prefer the vertical scar option for breast surgery whenever possible. Good luck! Mr Marc Pacifico Consultant... more