What is considered a good candidate for a crescent lift without implants?

Question

I had my implants removed 3 weeks ago, i absolutely love the size. i was a size D and now a size C. The measurements of both breasts are 23 centimeters. the nipples do not point down, no sagging or stretch marks. I'm interested in a crescent lift. Can this be done with local aesthetic ?

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  Crescent excisions can accomplish minor changes in areola shape but do not provide much of a lift.   Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most
important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend
that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

George Volpe, MD · Answer

A Crescent Turk breast lift can be performed to reposition the nipples slightly following removal of implants but in general I find that one should not for much more than a centimeter or so of lift. This does depend a bit on the diameter of the areola, a larger areola will allow for a larger list. It can be performed under local anesthesia and is a relatively simple procedure although discuss with your surgeon expected outcomes.

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

Crescent lifts can often be done under local anesthesia.  However, they are best for minor adjustments in nipple shape.  They are actually a pretty weak type of lift.  They tend to tighten one portion of the areola excessively if they are used to do anything more than a minor adjustment.
There are a whole array of available lifts, from around the areola to lollipop to full lifts.  It's important to perform the right lift on the right patient!

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Not sure why you would want a lift if "the nipples do not point down, no sagging or stretch marks". A cresent lift will not help all that much.  I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach Trained, Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear cosmo17,
it is really hard to tell without photo or in-person examination. You mentioned that you are satisfied with your breast size and that the nipples aren't pointing down, so you might be a candidate for a doughnut mastopexy. It can be done under local anesthesia.
 I would recommend you to visit a board-certified plastic surgeon for an in-person consultation. 
Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

George Sanders, MD · Answer

The answer to your question is that a crescent lift can be done under local anesthesia.
That being said, there are problems with a crescent lift. First of all, it doesn't lift the breast but only the nipple, and that by a very small amount. As if lifts the nipple, it tends to distort the areolar shape, producing an oval areola that frequently does not have the nipple in its center.
I would ask your plastic surgeon about his/her recommendations concerning a lift and choose accordingly.
Best of success to you!

Eric G. Halvorson, MD · Answer

If you are happy with the size and shape of your breasts, as well as the position of the nipple, then DO NOTHING!  Any type of mastopexy will add scars to your breast.  The most effective lifts add the biggest scars.  Crescentic or circumareolar lifts do not provide much of a lift and come at the cost of a scar right in the center of your breast.  Crescentic mastopexy can be used to help areolar shape, but you must be careful with these procedures as they may distort things.  I think most of us agree on this one, as you can see from the other responses.  As always, an in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the way to go if you want to explore this further.  You are lucky to be so happy after implant removal - not everyone is!  Best,  EGH

Donald W. Hause, MD · Answer

That is a good question. Minimal Scar Breast lifting techniques are methods that attempt to reposition the nipple areolar complex and remove extra skin to enhance the appearance of the breast with out the larger Anchor Scar. However, the lesser the scar, the lesser the resulting lift. However, all lift procedures have the compromise of leaving a visible scar. So when considering a lift, you have to ask yourself if the result justifies accepting the scar. In the case of a Crescent lift, the amount of improvement is really minimal and there are very few patients that actually realize much benefit. There is no real breast sculpting or reshaping with this procedure.  As my colleague stated, it is used to improve minimal asymmetry in the position of the nipple in patients undergoing Breast Augmentation. Although you did not show any pictures, this minimal procedure probably offers you little if any great improvement but will leave you with a permanent scar above your areola. That's probably not a great trade-off. However, the best thing to do is seek the advice of an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and see what they say.

Johnson C. Lee, MD · Answer

Crescent lifts can be done in the office under local anesthetic only. There may be better options for lifting for you depending on your in-office examination. A periareolar lift for example uses a more symmetric incision around the areola and causes less distortion and greater nipple elevation than a crescent lift. It can also be done with local anesthetic as well. It is best to have an in-office examination to determine your current breast measurements and the procedure that you are a best candidate for to achieve your goals. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MD Plastic Surgery

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Crescent lift is the worse option amongst lifts as it provides sub optimal lift and poor areola scarring. It is only good for slight nipple asymmetry (

What is considered a good candidate for a crescent lift without implants?

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