Can I Get a Breast Lift Without Huge Scars?

If we could avoid breast lift scars, we would. When we can reduce their length, we do. But they are there for a reason.
The brief answer to your question is that yes, breast lifts can be done with a scar only around the areola. But depending upon your breast shape and size, that may not give an ideal shape.
The history of breast lift surgery (and breast reduction, too) is really a journey into finding a better pattern of scars for removing the excessive skin, so that there is an optimal shape, a longlasting result, shorter scars, and thinner scars.
As you would imagine, some breasts require more scar to get an ideal shape. And some women put a different value on the trade-offs of scar length and location for breast shape. And surgeons have their own opinions about which looks the best and gives the best result.
The most common procedure is something that involves an "inverted T" or an "anchor" scar,one that goes around the areola, goes straight down, and then underneath. It's a lot of scar. Advocates - and I am one - feel that it gives the best shape, tightens the breast most completely and thoroughly, and because tension is distributed evenly along the length of the scars, that though long, the quality of the scar is likely to be good. Critics think that the benefits of the shape do not justify the length of the scar, and that this technique is prone to something called "bottoming out", which is when the lower part of the breast stretches.
Gaining in popularity is something called the vertical lift, which involves a scar around the areola and then straight down the breast, eliminating the underneath scar. Proponents think that the shape is good, that the breast maintains a lot of projection over time without bottoming out, and that the underneath scar is avoided. I believe that many of these breasts look overly projecting to my taste, and that bottoming out can be minimized with the inverted T style pattern. I also feel that the underneath scar is rarely seen, and that the scars that are seen - around the areola and going straight down, seem relatively more visible with this technique since it requires some bunching up of the skin during closure. Understand that some of the best surgeons in the world argue with one another about this issue at meetings all the time!
Finally, lifts can be done with a scar just around the areola. A frenchman named Louis Benelli popularized this procedure, as did a Brazilian named Goes. But they do extensive work on the inside to shape the breast, something that few american surgeons actually do. In their hands, terrific results can be achieved, but I have seen inconsistent results with this procedure with american surgeons. Allegedly, it is the operation that has the highest incidence of malpractice suits. This is not due to anything inherently wrong with the procedure, but that the procedure is being used in breasts that are probably too droopy, heavy, and loose for this technique. I have achieved excellent results with this, but only on breast that are relatively small and light, and that don't have a lot of droopiness.
While on the subject of minimizing lift scars, many people use breast implants to fill up an empty or slightly droopy breast. Though this is just a semantic way of thinking about it, droopy breasts need to be lifted, and deflated/collapsed breasts may be fixable with an implant. Of course, a woman has to want to have implants and be larger to approach droopiness with an implant. And one of the most common problems I see in women with implants is women who really needed a lift, but instead chose to put in a big implant, making them larger than they wanted to be and stretching and thinning their tissue out more.
What you need to do is to see several well-recommended surgeons, and listen to their advice. Don't just go with the one who promises you great results with less scars; make sure that everything they say makes sense. If one person suggests that they can get a great shape with substantially less scar than everyone else, be a little suspicious. It may be true, but it may not. Try going to surgery.org to find a good plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Thank you for your question.When it comes to breast lifts the most common questions I get each day concern the probability, risk, and/or how we can avoid scarring.  While I would like to be able to offer patients a 'scarless' breast lift, the reality is that breast lifts will always require incisions and to get a great cosmetic result the type or placement of incisions is not dependent upon what I would prefer to do but rather it is dependent upon how much breast sag or ptosis a patient exhibits, the patients balance between skin and breast tissue and where this laxity in skin and tissue exists.  The goal of a breast lift or mastopexy is to reshape the breasts, bring the nipple to the appropriate height and reposition the breast tissue to provide for a more youthful, perky and cosmetically appealing breast shape.  If you are interested in having a breast lift, my best recommendation would be to consult with board-certified plastic surgeons who are well-experienced in these procedures.  Remember that scarring is necessary and a reality of a breast lift procedure, and while a good plastic surgeon will do their best to minimize the appearance of a scar, your propensity for a 'good' or 'bad' scar is more genetic than anything.  I hope you find this helpful and best of luck!

Thank you for your question. There are three types of surgical techniques for breast lifts. The most common is the vertical technique, which does involve the scar down the lower pole of the breast. However, surgical scars typically heal more cleanly than accidental trauma. After twelve months, many of my patients have thin, almost imperceptible lines. I also offer a comprehensive scar care regimen after surgery to optimize the appearance of the ultimate scar.
If you have a milder degree of ptosis, or sag, you may be a good candidate for a periareolar breast lift, where the only incisional scar hides well along the border of the more darkly pigmented areolar tissue.

Thank you for your question.  Photos would be helpful to best answer your question.  A  breast lift will bring the breasts up and reduce the size of the areola.  The type of incision needed is best determined by physical exam.I perform a liposuction breast lift/reduction known as Breast LipoLift®. This specialized technique spares more nerves and blood supply as well as 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 excess skin to tighten the breast and create a more proportional silhouette with better cleavage. This procedure is also more accurate than traditional breast lifts or reductions since I use 3D measurements to uncover size asymmetries. During the procedure I remove exactly whatever is more from the larger side to get as close to symmetry as possible. Since I perform this less invasively the recovery time is faster and drains are not necessary. Over 90% of my patients are out to dinner the next evening taking only Advil and Tylenol if even needed. The size would depend on the proportion with your body versus going for a cup size.  It has been proven to have less complications than traditional breast reduction (please see my Breast LipoLift® page web page) and should not affect nipple sensation, mammograms, cancer risk or breast-feeding. 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 breast plastic surgery.  Best of luck!    Dr. Schwartz Board Certified Plastic Surgeon#RealSelf100Surgeon #RealSelfCORESurgeon#RealSelfTopContributor

Unfortunately,
scarring is a reality of any breast lift surgery. The amount of scarring and
positioning of the incision, however, can be personalized and tailored to the
patient’s condition. Generally, a patient who needs a more pronounced lift may
need a full anchor scar, while a patient with milder sagging can get away with
a single vertical scar. A board certified plastic surgeon will guide you toward
the correct type of breast lift for your condition, but it is important to
understand that this scarring is the tradeoff that results from having perkier,
more youthful breasts.  

Dr. Nichter and Dr. Horowitz prefer to use a short #scar technique, known as the “lollipop scar” or “donut lift” rather than anchor pattern lift which involve more significant scarring, and is used by the majority of surgeons in the United States. Additionally, scar therapy with scar maturation products (e.g. BioCorneum or Embrace) are suggested for managing scars. However, we recommend you begin usage of scar improving products a few weeks following your surgery. It is always recommend to call and see your surgeon to discuss your #healing concerns.

You can do a breast lift without the vertical incision.  The scar would be around the areola. But...depending on the size and shape of your breasts the technique that depends on only one scar might not give you the ideal outcome.  As plastic surgeons if we could avoid scars, we would.  But our goal is to give our patient the best result.  Keep in mind that after surgery there are options that you can do to minimize the scar that our patients do.  The results are great and scarring is minimal.  The post-op options range from the  EMBRACE System, Scar Fade gel or laser treatment.  Please discuss with your surgeon the best surgical technique for you to get the best results, then talk to him/her on what you can do post-operatively to help minimize your scar(s).  Good Luck! 

There are multiple
techniques to achieve excellent result with a breast lift
without the need huge scars. As long as you are willing to have a scar, you
can anticipate lifted, perkier breasts. Depending on your anatomy, the type of
scar can vary. Sometimes, a circular scar around the areola will be sufficient,
other times a keyhole of lollipop type or anchor scar may be needed.Sincerely,Joshua Kreithen, M.D.
Sarasota, FL

It is possible to do a breast lift without a long scar running down the lower part of the breast or along the lower breast crease.  However, the shorter-scar breast lift will not provide the degree of lifting and shaping desired by some patients.  During a consultation your plastic surgeon will be able to recommend the best type of lift for your body type, taking into consideration many factors such as the position of your nipple on the breast, skin tone, amount of breast tissue, and your goals and expectations of the result.

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. Please see an experienced board certified plastic surgeon to determine whether this type of lift would help you.

When you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon, they can tell you if you qualify for a minimal scar technique.  Sometimes an implant alone will help!