Dual plane + donut lift. How many cm on average can dual plane technique raise the breast? (Photo)

Dear Lori1990,
my preferred lift is a lollipop lift when a periareolar won't do (ie greater than 2cm lift required). The lollipop technique was created by a Canadian plastic surgeon named Elizabeth Hall-Findley and treats the breast as a three dimensional structure instead of two dimensions (anchor - lift). Most importantly it does not require the horizontal component scars that the anchor-lift requires and breasts appear much more natural, lifted, and less boxy. Lastly, the lift lasts longer because the lollipop doesn't rely on the skin to hold the breast up, its actually breast tissue thats being brought together to support the breast and hence improves longevity.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello and thank you for your question. From the picture you have provided, you have some striae (stretchmarks) throughout the upper breast pole and some associated flatness there as well. From just this view, I cannot tell if there is any ptosis (drooping/sagging) present, or if you just have a deflated upper pole. The "donut lift" you are referring to addresses a different issue than the dual plane technique for breast augmentation. Regarding the "donut" incision sometimes used for mastopexy (breast lift)- this incision is only used when there is minimal excess skin and the nipple areolar complex (NAC) needs to be slightly repositioned or lifted a max of 1-2 cm. It results in changed to the breast shape- breasts tend to be flatter after this technique. Also the most common complication after the procedure is NAC widening. The vertical (or "lollipop") incision allows for removal of more skin than the other technique, would allow you to lift the NAC higher than 2 cm, and would not result in flattening of the breast shape. Also it would be better to help control the symmetry achieved with the surgery. Regarding the vertical scar, if you adhere to proper scar care and sun avoidance after surgery, it should eventually heal to be minimally noticeable.
If you are happy with the size of your breasts in a bra, and their size is pretty close (hard to tell here), then the volume is not the issue, so breast augmentation would not help you achieve your goals. If you desire more volume, that's when breast augmentation (implants) can help. Generally, any technique for breast augmentation can provide a very minimal amount of lift to the breast, so if you are on the border of even needing a breast lift but you also desire improved volume, breast augmentation alone might be sufficient to achieve your goals. The difference between subglandular (above the muscle), submuscular (below), or dual plane technique concerns the plane in which the breast implant is placed, not the amount of lift achieved. The main benefit of dual plane placement, is it can provide a little more upper pole fullness by partially releasing the pectoralis muscle.
With all that said, it is always difficult to provide tentative surgical recommendations, as there is only so much information to be gained from any photos and descriptions provided. I recommend for you to come see me or another plastic surgeon for a formal consultation to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate all your options (surgical and nonsurgical), and decide on the best procedure(s) for your specific case. I hope this helps!
Best wishes,
Dr. Donald Groves
Plastic Surgeon

A donut lift usually raises the nipple-areola complex about 2-3 centimeters and the implant may or may not lift the breast at all depending on the technique used. The technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained. Later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

There are multiple types of saggy breast:
-Lower position of the areola-nipple complex in relationship with the breast mound.
-Saggy lower pole of the breast with correct position of the areola-nipple complex (pseudoptosis).
-Lower position of the areola and saggy breast real ptosis which has degrees: 1rs, 2nd, 3rd degree.
And the combination with most of volume of lack of volume as is your case.
Donut lift will only lift the position of the areolas and It will do nothing to your breast tissue and the implant will not lift the breast tissue. So you will end with large widen areolas , flat breast and no beautiful shape.
You are an absolute candidate for a Circumvertical (Lollipop) breast lift to remove the excess of skin and breast tissue which are causing the saggy bottom and it will help to reposition the areolas without the risk of closure with tension and it will help to make smaller areolas.
Implantes dual plane under the muscle.
Be encouraged!!
Dr. Cárdenas

On average, you can lift up to 2 cm. You, however, will need more than just the doughnut lift to have the best results. The doughnut lift will not be able to reshape your sagging breasts and you will be flatter and wider, even with implants added.

A Benelli mastopexy a.k.a. donut lift, has certain advantages and also disadvantages.
The procedure is a deal for women who only need a very small amount of lift, and want to reduce the size of their areola. When this approach is used to lift the breast more significantly, it tends to flatten the areola, and can lead to scarring problems with a whitening incision that can be difficult to fix later. I generally prefer not to do this procedure, because the side effects are too common and undesirable. This is especially true on women who need a substantial lift,
It may seem like an ideal choice because it limits the amount of scar, but this at the cost of other issues like unsightly scars and flattening of the areola.
The most important variable is provider selection. Distinguishing between the various procedures in applying the correct procedure to each patient based on their own candidacy and doing so correctly is what gives consistent quality outcomes.
Implant augmentation is excellent for treating pseudo ptosis, but does not lift lift nipple areola complex all that much.
I suggest having multiple inperson consultations with plastic surgeons who have extensive breast surgery experience. Ask each surgeon to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of before, and after pictures of previous patient who had similar breast characteristics to your own who had the recommended treatment proposed. An experienced plastic surgeon should have no difficulty showing you the before and after pictures of at least 50 previous patients.
Continue having consultations until you feel quite confident you found the right provider for your needs.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD