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Lollipop Lift Vs. Periareolar Lift for Breast Augmentation

asked 2 years ago by momofmany83 in USA
Latest answer by Johan E. Brahme, MD
Question viewed 2,027 times
Tags: lollipop, periareolar

My two favorite surgeons are recommending different approaches to my lift/ augment (Also Tummytuck). One prefers a lollipop lift and recommends 280 to 320CCs. The other is ok with a periareolar but can make a decision during surgery on a lollipop, and recommends 300 to 500 CCs. Currently a saggy 38D, I want some lift and increased pole volume while increasing to a full D or DD. Your thoughts on Lift and implant size?

Measurements: Sternal notch to nipple- L:23,R:24.5 Nipple to nipple:22 Intermammery distance:1.5 Base width- L:18, R:17.5 Aerola Diameter- L:7,R:7.5 Nipple to fold- L:9,R:9 Ht: 5'-8" Wt: 158lbs

22 answers to Lollipop Lift Vs. Periareolar Lift for Breast Augmentation

Donut versus vertical mastopexy

In my practice I have found over the years that the "donut Mastopexy" is of limited use at best, It tends to distort and flatten the normal cone shape of the breast, while taking out a "dart" which is what you essentially do with a vertical mastopexy, mainatins the natural shape better and gives a nicer result. Insist on seeing lots of before and after photos before making up your mind. Good Luck!

Johan E. Brahme, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Choosing your surgeon based on the operation you think you want is a mistake...

Hi there- Please understand I only say this to prevent you from experiencing headaches down the road... The best way to go about this is to choose a surgeon based on his/her education, training, experience, reputation, personality, outcomes, and patient satisfaction. Once you've chosen a surgeon based on those things, follow the recommendation they give you after you've communicated your goals. A good surgeon will know what works well in their hands to achieve the goals you describe. Some of the more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation may require a "lift" for a good result

Hello - It appears as though you may need the lollipop incisions for your lift and augmentation. Typically, during the operation I'll place the implants first and then lift the nipple-areola over the implant into a good position. If I can do the lift with just an incision around the areola then I'll leave it at that. Otherwise, I'll make a small vertical incision below the areola if required to make the breast aesthetically pleasing.

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift type depends on desired appearance

It depends on what you want to look like. If I can see what you want to look like it is easier to evaluate what you need. Lifts are done each way depending on the desired appearance.

Robert Whitfield, MD
Milwaukee Plastic Surgeon

Hope you like sweets because the lollipop may be the answer

Based on the information given I have the following thoughts. 1. In augmentation-mastopexy a modest size implant is usually warranted to reduce the chance of loss of the nipple/areolar complex from pressure of a very large implant (500cc) in combination with incisions around the complex. 2. Your natural base widths do not match the base widths of modest size implants 275-325cc.). In order to match those widths then a vertical component to the lift would be necessary to... more

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift and choice of implant size depends on the look and size you want.

It is great that you included so much information in your posting. Breast augmentation can help breasts look perkier, but does not reposition a low nipple unless a really large implant is used.. A breast lift moves the nipple up to a higher position. A combination of both procedures can be carefully done, when the patient wants both a perkier and a larger breast. If you currently wear a 38D bra, any implant will increase your size to higher than a D, and a 500 cc implant will make you... more

Elizabeth Lee, MD
Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift with implants: lollipops and donuts.

You are describing too difrerent looks. Ones is a perky and full breast with the lollipop and smaller implant whereas the latter will achieve a buxom full breast with possibly enlarged nipples. Discuss your expected look with your surgeon. IF you truly desire a DD, it sounds as if you can accomplish your result with a periareolar lfit.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Periareolar lift abandoned in my practice

I have totally abandoned the periareolar lift because 9/10 the pts. areola's stretch 1 year later. This has never occurred with the lollipop lift. The additional scar is worth avoiding the unsightly large areola.

Blane T. Shatkin, MD
Ft. Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift with augmentation

As you have witnessed, there are many ways to achieve a goal. I find you in the gray zone where I would recommend an augmentation alone, allow you to heal and ensure the implants stay in the desired position, then decide later if you still desire the lift as you may be pleasantly surprised with the result and no longe desire one. Your areolas will be stretched out more and subsequently larger if a lift is not done and you will have to be accepting of this and less than perfect results. If... more

Curtis Wong, MD
Redding Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift and augmentation

With the heavy size of your breasts the lollipop lift is the preferred option. Also, going with a smaller implant is more beneficial to prevent more rapid sagging due to the weight of the implant itself. Breast lift options all revolve around the amount of scarring involved vs. the shape and longevity of the results obtained. The less scarring will give you less of a long lasting result - specially with larger breast size to begin with. The lift surgeries with more scarring will give you a... more

Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Lollipop lift vs. periareolar lift for breast augmentation

After reviewing your statement and photos (so kindly posted, thanks), and the other expert comments. MY CHOICE ------ is the "SECOND OPTION" ----the larger implant and donut lift. From MIAMI Dr. B

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Approach for lift/augmentation

I usually favor the lollipop lift to the periareolar approach. Although there is a longer scar, I feel the periareolar incision often results in significant widening of the scar over time. As far as the size of your implants, I would vote for a 300-350cc implant, but this is a decision that you must make with input from your surgeon. Larger implants placed at the time of mastopexy generally leads to a higher complication rate.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

WHICH Type of Breast Lift to Have -

You are asking for several diametrically competing options- Large breast ("D or DD") which require large implants- (Long-Lasting) Breast Lift with Minimal scarring. Owing to the rapidity of breast volume disappearance, skin thinning and rapid breast drooping seen with large breast implants, the longest lasting Breast Augmentation/Lifts are seen when SMALLER implants are used (minimizing the pressure on breast tissues and gravitational pull). In your case, this would mean being... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

LIft choices

I think the periareolar approach ifor an augmentation and lift is a great way to accomplish your goals. The only incision you will see is around the border of the areola which can camouflage very nicely.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Wider chest = wider implants

Hello, From what I read I would likely go with the lollipop lift and the larger implants. I would first examine you to make sure I agreed with the reference points of the measurements. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Lollipop or periareolar lift

I prefer the second approach. To get the size you want you need to go with the larger size range of implants but I would not go above low 400s. That being said, I would use the smallest implant I can because it will improve the longevity of the result. Remember that implants work against lifts and the larger the implant, the heavier it is and the more it will "weigh down" the breast. In my opinion it is better to have a breast that is slightly smaller than your heart's desire... more

Tracy Pfeifer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

drpfeifer.com

Periareolar breast lift works well with breast implants.

Hi. Periareolar breast lift will work well. Here's how to pick breast implants: Answer by George J. Beraka, MDManhattan Plastic Surgeon1) This is the most common type of question on RealSelf. 2) It is the surgeon's job to pick the right breast implants, not the patient's. Implant selection is really pretty technical. 3) Make sure your surgeon REALLY understands the look you want. Mentioning a cup size is not enough. Show your surgeon pictures of breasts you like. 4) Then your surgeon has to... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Mastopexy choices with breast augmentation

I believe you will need the larger implants to meet your goals. While it is likely that with your degree of ptosis you will need the lollypop lift, I would discuss with your surgeon the use of a lower areolar incision the place the implants with a decision about the best lift for you once the implants are in and positioned. This way, your surgeon has the freedom to do exactly what it takes to meet your goals and make your breasts look great.

Bruce Genter, MD
Abington Plastic Surgeon

www.drgenter.com

Lollipop lift gives a better lift

I believe with the amount of ptosis that you have, you would have a better result with the lollipop lift. This gives an actual lift to the breast and can even raise the infra mammary crease whereas a periarolar lift tends to flatten the breast without lifting it much. I would recommend an implant in the 300 - 350 range. The other disadvantage of the periareolar lift is that sometimes you feel or even see the purse-string.

Robert M. Jensen, MD
Medford Plastic Surgeon

Circumareolar vs vertical mastopexy

Looking at your pictures it appears to me tha you are more of a C cup rather than a D cup, but pictures can be depective. One very important factor is where your nipple is located in relationship to your breast fold. From what I can tell from your photo, your nipple at rest is located above the breast fold, and if this is the case, chances are good that you can get by with the circumareolar mastopexy, the 'lollipop' scar. I would advise against using huge... more

Timothy R. Jones, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon

Periareolar lift and lollipop lift

While it is impossible to give you a definitive recommendation, I would suggest a few considerations in making your decision. Any lift scar is permanent, while any change in shape is temporary. The larger the implant and more projecting the implant, the less you will look like you need a lift. A periareolar lift will tend to cause enlargement of the areola over time. Your nipple appears to be near or above your inframammary fold, particularly on the right. Correction of asymmetry of the... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Lifts and breast augmentation choices

In your case, you won't get to a full D or DD with the 280-320 cc implants proposed by the one doctor. Also, the smaller the implant, the more the extra skin needs to be removed with the vertical scar. With a larger implant the periareolar can maybe be good enough and can be converted to a vertical in the OR if the surgeon thinks it is necessary. I'd agree with doctor #2 here.