Breast Lift: Q&A

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Lollipop Reduction vs. Anchor Lift - What Would You Suggest?

I recently had consultations with a few different DR's in my area. One, wants to give me a lollipop reduction (saying the lift would be greater, minus the anchor scar)with implants. The second, said just to get a anchor lift with implants. I want to keep my nipple and blood supply attached. I do as you can tell need a lift and I've lost breast volume.

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19 Doctor Answers | Asked by CreoleLady

Doctor Answers (19)
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Lollipop or Anchor?

As you can see from the answers here, just as you found in your consultations, experts may disagree on the optimal technique. You can see that we even disagree on whether it is OK to do the breast augmentation at the same time. Skin removal pattern (shape of the scar) and internal (breast reshaping) may be entirely different considerations. You appear to be a great candidate for breast lift to improve shape and position, and breast augmentation (implants) to restore volume... more

Breast Lift Technique?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Based on your pictures I would suggest a full ( anchor) mastopexy. Although patient's concerns regarding scars are very understandable I would suggest that their first concern should be obtaining the best results possible (scarring concerns should be secondary). Most patients undergoing this procedure will accept scarring as long as their overall goals in regards to size, shape, contour and symmetry are met... more

PHOTO: Pronounced sagging/droopiness (ptosis) and options for breast lift (mastopexy): anchor versus lollipop

From the appearance of your breasts, I would advise vertical and horizonta scar mastopexy (anchor) because you would have signficiant cutaneous redundancy and pleating from a vertical which would likely require revision. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Lollipop vs Anchor Breast Lift!

If you are satisfied with the volume (with breasts supported in a bra) you do not need an implant. Although the lollipop lift is preferred, in your case, with so much skin, an anchor lift would be indicated. The lollipop scar may extend onto the abdomen or require revision with a scar in the inframammary crease anyway.

Lollipop and anchor pattern breast lifts

Most of the issues are covered in the answers so far. I would strongly advise against an implant at the time of the lift procedure. You don't need volume and the implant will work against many of the issues involved in maximizing the result for the lift including the risk of complications and the need for a revision. Lifting the breast up to the correct position with the nipple-areola attached and getting it healed there is one thing and in serious sagging such as yours... more

Safest way to approach sagging breasts

Based on your photos above which show grade 3 ptosis (sagging) I would recommend a wise-pattern lift (anchor-type incision). It appears that you have a fair amount of excess skin that a vertical incision alone (lollipop incision) can not address. I would not place implants in you at this time. If you desired an increase in size/volume you could have implants placed at a second stage, 6-9 months later. The reason you want to perform these in separate stages (in your case) is... more

You need a significant lift possible only through an anchor type scar

Looking at your pictures it is clear that you need a significant lift. If you are happy with the volume of your breasts (when wearing a bra) then you do not need an implant. An anchor lift alone will give you great results. Lollipop lifts will not be able to give you sufficient lift. However if you wish to avoid the anchor scar and are willing to accept a smaller lift then lollipop is perfectly acceptable. I would, however, recommend a complete breast... more

3rd degree ptosis in your case = Anchor lift. Implants optional.

Based on the picture you shared, your case is certainly very challenging in that you have what we call third degree ptosis. That is the most extreme form of droop related to excess skin, loss of breast volume and downward directed nipple areola complexes. The vast majority of augmentation mammoplastys that I perform utilize the vertical “lollipop” incision or periareolar because it allows for a bit more lift to the breast. But in a case such as yours I would likely recommend the... more

Anchor or lollipop lift for deflated breasts.

Thank you for your photos, they help in formulating my response. My first question would be, "When you are in a bra, are you happy with the volume/size of your breasts?" If the answer is yes, you do not need an implant and a lift will give you the same volume but a better shaped, more youthful breast. The volume of your breast would be tucked inside a smaller envelope of skin so the skin is plumped out and the breast looks full and round. A predictable,... more

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

18 reviews

Boston Plastic Surgeon

Breast Lift/Augmentation in very Ptotic, Deflated Breasts

You have a very significant problem that will require someone with significant experience if you are to get an optimal result. For such breasts, there is a moderate chance of needing to remove an inframammary crescent at a second procedure following a “Lollipop” mastopexy. For this reason and others, many prefer a modified anchor incision at the original surgery. With care, both the lift and augmentation can be done at the same time. Pick a surgeon with whom you feel... more

Enhancing VERY Sagging, Deflated and Asymmetric Breasts

You have very sagging, asymmetric and deflated breasts. Correcting them requires a lifting procedure and, if you want more fullness (IE volume), breast implants will need to be added either at the time of the Breast Lift procedure or in staged fashion a while later. The crowning difference between a breast and another appendage is an attractive nipple complex located at a youthful position on a perky breast. As the breast sags, the blood vessels supplying the nipple complex are... more

Lollipop and anchor lifts are both good operations

Both operations are good ones when done by surgeons comfortable with the technique. The anchor incision takes out more skin and may give you a better result as you are really stretched out. The traditional anchor approach does not do a whole lot to re-form a nice breast mound with the droopy breast tissue while the lollipop operation does. However it is possible to improve the shape of the breast tissue through either approach. In my practice re-shaping the breast tissue itself is an... more

Lollipop Reduction vs. Anchor Lift - What Would You Suggest?

Thanks for the photo. My choice is the "anchor" lift. You should obtain 3 in person evaluations. Best of luck from MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski, 305 598 0091

Short scar vs inverted t scar breast lift

Certainly we all want to minimize scars and achieve the best results. In your case I would do a lollipop incision breast lift. This technique (which I've been doing for over ten years) relies on rearranging and suturing the breast tissue internally and not relying on the skin to support it. You already showed that you have very stretchy skin.I would not place an implant at the same time as your breast lift due to the increased risk for complications. Once you heal from your breast lift... more

You will ned to have full lift with anchor without implants

You have fair amount of breast tissue and I would not recommend implants at the time of the lift. You have very stretched out breast tissue and doing combined lift and implant will have higher risk of complications like nipple loss and implant bottoming out. Most patients force their surgeon to do the lift and implant at the same time to save recovery time and surgical suite expenses. This increase the risks of the complications.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Lollipop breast lift lasts longer and has less scarring.

This is true because the lift is done from the inside, without relying on pulling the skin tight (skin stretches, as you know!). It can be done with or without implants. see video

Anchor vs Lollipop incision

When performing an anchor type incision or a lollipop, the goal is to perserve the viability of the nipple areola and preserve sensation if possible. Either technique may work for you with implants but an exam would be vital.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Lollipop Incision or Anchor Lift may be options, and a decision may needed in the OR

In general, a lollipop incision is used for a small to normal amount of lift. If the incision needs to be extended, then the incision is usually converted to an "L" incision, with the rest of the incision placed in your breast fold and extended to the underarm areas to the sides. The anchor, or upside down T incision, is more traditional, and can give your breast a more boxy look long-term. Having done both types of surgery, careful measurements need to be made... more

Lollipop or vertical lift is the best way.

I have been in practice over 20 years. I was taught in residency to do all lifts and reductions with an anchor scar. I always hated the scars, so I started doing all reductions and breast lifts with a vertical or lollipop scar only. Not only does it give you less scarring, but also makes a rounded and higher breast. The breast tissues is suspended, lasting longer with less scars. I do all my breast reductions and lifts with this technique. In my practice, there is no need for an Anchor. more