I've got grade 1 ptosis. What type of Breast Lift would you recommend? How much lift can you get with a doughnut lift in cm?

A donut mastopexy only lifts skin and will not produce any type of significant shaping of the breast. Most of the vertical techniques rely on the skin envelope to reshape the breast. Skin has proven to be too weak of a structure to hold breast shape or position. The Horndeski Method/The Bellesoma Method actually constructs an internal cone (to give shape similar to that of a breast implant) and designs an internal bra made from your own tissues to provide longevity to the lift. There are no foreign materials used. Attached is an example of a woman who underwent this procedure who did not want implants or the vertical incision. Feel free to view my gallery for patients that share your dimensions for a realistic result. I hope this helps.  
Best wishes and kind regards, 

Candidates for Breast Lift (#Mastopexy) surgery are women who have #saggingbreasts due to past pregnancies, genetics, or aging. Often times the sagging is too great to be treated by implants alone. Women with asymmetric or enlarged nipples or areolae (pigmented areas around nipples) also may be candidates for a breast lift or a modification of a lift. #Asymmetric breast can be adjusted by adding or removing volume. One side can be tightened more or less than another.Intended ResultA mastopexy or breast lift operation is designed to improve the shape and position of the breast without reducing their size. It is used for breasts which sag or droop (ptosis). Sagging of the breasts may occur with normal development for some women, or as part of the aging process. Pregnancy, breast-feeding and weight loss are other conditions which increase breast ptosis. Some patients will have a better shape to their breast such as increased superior fullness if an implant is used at the time of mastopexy. The procedure can also be combined with a minor breast reduction to reduce the breast width if desired. The surgery will create an elevated, more youthful breast contour. Also, the procedure will create nipple and areolae of the desired size and at the correct height. I prefer to use a #shortscar technique, #LollipopScar or #DonutLift” rather than the majority of surgeons in the United States that use an anchor pattern lift which involve more significant scarring.

True Grade 1 ptosis is usually amenable to augmentation alone if there is no pseudoptosis.  The donut lift will only give about 1 to 2 cm of areolar lift but will not really help with any skin laxity.

Thank you for your question about breast lift. Pictures would be helpful.No one can give you a good answer without pictures.  A Benelli or doughnut breast lift is very limited in the amount of lift that can be performed, usually about 2 cm.

To be sure, see two or more board-certified plastic surgeons in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have breast lift surgery.

I hope this helps.

A doughnut lift may be sufficient although you would need to be examined (in person, preferably) to make sure. Even within grade 1 ptosis, there are varying degrees, so a photo would be helpful.

I appreciate your question.



I perform a liposuction breast lift that removes tissue from the areas you don't want such as near the armpit and the lower portion hanging near your stomach. Once I use this to shape the breast I then remove the skin to tighten the breast and create a better shape with nice cleavage. Since I perform this less invasively the recovery time is faster and drains are not necessary. The size would depend on the proportion with your body versus going for a cup size. It works very well if there are asymmetries. I can also use the removed fat as a natural breast augmentation by grafting the fat back into the breast to create more projection or into the top to create more cleavage. This procedure can also be combined with an implant if needed or wanted.  It should not affect nipple sensation, mammograms, cancer risk or breast-feeding. If you gain or lose weight, the transferred fat can do the same.



The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.  Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery.  



Best of luck!    



Dr. Schwartz 



Board Certified Plastic Surgeon



#RealSelf100Surgeon 



#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Thanks for this question. An areola lift will get you about 1 to 2 cm of lift at best. Whether this will be enough depends on your measurements and the size and shape of the breast implants you chose to use for your procedure. If the areola procedure is chosen, there's a chance you may still need a full breast lift later. Have a few consultations with board certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes, Dr. ALDO

In general, I find a donut mastopexy design can only reliably give about 2-2.5 cm of lift.  So, it's pretty minimal.Without photos or measurements, it's hard to say whether this would be appropriate in your case.

Thanks for the question.  Without a photo, it is difficult to comment.  In general, a doughnut mastopexy can only provide a very small amount of lift.  You may not need a lift at all if the amount of ptosis is minimal. Mastopexy involves removing varying amounts of skin in order to reshape and elevate the breast. Options include a peri-areolar(doughnut), vertical (lollipop), and inverted T( anchor). Which operation is best depends on a variety of factors including breast size, degree of ptosis(droop), areolar size, skin laxity and patient desires.





With a periareolar mastopexy, skin is removed from around the nipple only. This is helpful in reducing the nipple/areolar diameter and can give a small amount of elevation.  This results in a scar just around the nipple. It is important to realize that this procedure generally provides only minimal lift. It is generally best for patients with only minor ptosis, and those who want to decrease areolar size. It is many times performed in conjunction with an breast augmentation.







A vertical mastopexy requires both an incision around the nipple and down vertically to the inframammary fold, hence the term “lollipop.” Sometimes the incision is extended laterally to create more lift.  This is a much more powerful operation in achieving lift and change in breast shape, as it allows more skin to be removed, and more control over the breast shape.







The most aggressive mastopexy is an inverted T, which is sometimes called and anchor lift, or a Wise pattern lift.  When compared to a vertical mastopexy, this adds a scar along the inframmammry fold. This type of lift may be needed when the patient has significant droop and skin excess. It can significantly  lift and change breast shape, but it comes at the cost of a longer scar. 







When meeting with a patient for a mastopexy consult, the surgeon will perform a thorough evaluation of the breast, looking at the amount of skin excess, skin quality, degree of ptosis, and nipple areolar diameter. In conjunction with the patient, a recommendation will be made.  It is important to note that the amount of lift that can be achieved is generally directly related to the amount of scar; if a patient has significant skin excess, a periarolar mastopexy will not be appropriate, and a more aggressive lift may be required.







I spend a great deal of time discussing the resultant scars with the patient.  In my experience, most patents are willing to accept a longer scar for improved shape. If the patient requires a more aggressive lift, but are not comfortable with the scars, it is better to not to perform surgery than try to do a lesser operation.Hope this helps.  Best Regards.

Restoring shape and volume is what breast enhancement procedures are all about.  When there is loose skin, this must be addressed.  There are many options available with different lift procedures and a multitude of breast implant options.  Here is a basic list of the four options available:

Breast lift alone (mastopexy)Breast lift combined with a small breast implant (below the muscle)Breast lift followed by a large breast implant (2 separate procedures)Breast implant alone (on top of the muscle, silicone)Every woman is built differently and every breast is different, even on the same person.  So, each procedure is customized for every individual.  The final decision on how to proceed can be made after a history and physical examination, detailed measurements, photographs, computer simulation, trying on sizers, reviewing before and after photographs of other women similar in shape and size and talking with your surgeon.  A surgical plan will be developed that depends on:

Patient desiresThe breast "footprint"The expertise of the surgeonCostDown timeScarsRisks and potential complicationsPlease consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who performs breast enhancement procedures frequently.  This is an outpatient procedure with a quick recovery and a very high patient satisfaction rating.

Good Luck!