What is a Benelli Lift?

Louis Benelli, a Parisian plastic surgeon, described a form of breast lifting with the only scar being around the edge of the areola.  If you go to my website, breastimplantcenterofhawaii.com, on the bottom left hand side is a link to a YouTube video describing the Benelli mastopexy in great detail.  In the right hands, this lift is a very valuable surgical procedure for minimal scarring in conjunction with breast lifting. 

We plastic surgeons have our own set of coded buzz words, and I apologize for that, but the simple answer is view my video and you will know what a Benelli mastopexy is.

The #BenelliLift, developed by French surgeon Dr. Benellil,is also known as the "DonutLift"to most surgeons, is performed by removing a donut-shaped piece of the areola and the surrounding skin. Followed by applying a #Pursestring, or, a double purse-string suture, to tighten the skin. Initally, a #Benelli was developed to access a majority of the breast through the incision. The breast is then shaped and lifted with sutures. This is a very complex procedure which is not often performed. However, the term is widely used to refer to breast lifts involving an incision around the #areola. A #mastopexy or #BreastLift enables the Plastic Surgeon to create nipple and areolae of a desired size and at the correct height.

The periareolar ("donut" or Benelli) technique is suitable for the treatment of mild to moderate ptosis (classified as grade I or II). It is also the least invasive form of breast lift. You may find that you won't be able to achieve the results you want with this technique.

A Benelli lift is a type of periareolar lift that relies on an incision around the areola.  The problem is that there is quite a bit of tension afterward that tends to distort the areola, and very little improvement in breast sagging.  The surgeon is placing the incision where he or she wants to place it, but not where it needs to be!  The vertical technique is a good alternative.  Few experienced plastic surgeons use the periareolar technique anymore because of numerus problems and the need for redo surgery.  Who wants that?  I've attached a link to the section of my website showing vertical lifts.

As has been described by my collegues below, Benelli lift is a form of breast lift that is used to remove some skin and reposition the nipple areola on the breast. Also known as peri-areolar breast lift, it is best used in combination with a breast augmentation. The implant can be placed through the same incision.