Benelli vs. Donut Lift and Areola Reduction?

Question

I would like a Breast lift and Areola reduction. I am scared of getting Breast implants and have no intention of getting Breast Augmentation. What is the difference between a Benelli/Donut lift and Areola reduction? Are they one and the same? Is the cost different? I am a C cup & really interested in an areola reduction because it is inexpensive and also lifts. Thanks.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

The incisions used for a Benelli or Donut lift are the same incisions that are used for an areolar reduction. This incision is called circumareolar.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

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. Costs will depend on several factors such as the geographic location, the skill and experience of the surgeon, and operating room and anesthesia fees.  Approximate costs can be found on the Real Self website, Surgery.org, or PlasticSurgery.org

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

A Benelli Lift entails wider undermining and underlying positioning of breast tissue with or without areolar diameter reduction. An areolar reduction usually requires removal of excess areola, minimal undermining and skin closure. You may want to consider a more natural way to augment your breasts with fat transfer. (see below link)

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

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. Generally, the cost is about the same as other breast lift types, although you will have to ask your specific surgeon if this is the case for them.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Hi,

	Great question! My colleagues are correct. The differences are minimal, but essentially the same. The Benelli lift does not and cannot permanently lift low lying breast tissue. It only provides minimal lift by pulling the nipple/areola up. Hopefully, you would be a candidate for this procedure. If, however, you have a significant amount of ptosis (sagginess) the Benelli will not give you an adequate lift. There is another option if you do not desire implants or do not want visible scars. The Ultimate Breast Lift is a new technique which designs and constructs an internal cone using your own tissue to imulate an implant. It also constructs straps made from the excess skin to permanently attach the newly formed cone on to your chest muscles. This 'internal bra' provides the lift and upper pole fullness most women are looking for after loosing weight, pregnancies, and breast feeding. It's worth looking into. Best wishes,

	Dr. Horndeski

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-
Your question raises many important issues. First of all, and to directly answer it- there is no difference you will perceive between the two breast lift techniques you mention (as I imagine you are referring to a circumareolar breast lift when you say "areolar reduction"). The techniques are a bit different with regard to details important to the surgeon, but as far as what you would see, there are none.
Both will reduce your areola (but ANY breast lift technique would). Both will also flatten the center of your breasts and take away the central cone or area of projection.. Which is NOT always a good thing.... and brings us to the bigger issue your question raises.
It is very common, in the age of the internet, for patients to do a lot of reading and decide they want a certain technique used on themselves because of the scars they saw online (or the scars they didn't see), because it is less expensive, or because of some testimonial from a patient or surgeon online. BE CAREFUL.
It is important to realize that the reason there are so many different breast lift techniques is because not a single one of them is best for all patients. Each will produce a characteristic change in the shape of your breasts, and so the outcome of each will depend on the shape you are starting with. In other words, the decision about which breast lift technique is best for you should be made by you and your chosen Board Certified Plastic Surgeon together based on your current appearance and your desired goals- NOT by yourself alone and based on the scar you want, the price you want to pay, or other considerations. This is not something you are going to want to have to do more than once because the first operation gave you funny looking breasts...
Choose a good surgeon and listen to their advice. You'll be happier going about it this way.

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

A donut mastopexy, benelli and periareolar mastopexy are pretty much the same.  Areola reduction has the similiar incision that a benelli has, but it just reduces the size of the areola.  A mastopexy involves lifting the NAC to a desirable level.  The periareolar lift is not a very powerful lift and is most commonly performed with an implant.
If you have breast ptosis or breast drooping, you may need more than a periareolar mastopexy.  You should see a board certified plastic surgeon to go over your options.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Your question has two parts. First, the general term that plastic surgeons use for the Benelli lift is peri-areolar mastopexy. It involves removal of a donut-shaped area of skin around the areola, with the outer edge of the circle closed down to the inner edge. This can be done to lift the breast, reduce the diameter of the areola, or both. They are all basically the same thing, with the idea being that the scar is a circle at the border between the darker skin of the aroela and the skin of the breast. Benelli is the french surgeon who popularized the procedure.
In my experience, there is a limit to how much lift can be accomplished with this procedure unless implants are used for augmentation at the same time. I believe that most people who have a fear of implants have been misinformed about silicone safety. Also, some believe that they all look fake or obvious, which is certainly not the case. Try to keep an open mind on this. Realistically, your options are probably going to be either some other kind of lift or a periareolar lift with implants.

Robert Frank, MD · Answer

One point patients frequently misunderstand is that a lift is essentially a way to move your nipple to the correct location while an augmentation is to increase the size of your breast. Expecting one surgery to do the job of the other frequently leads to disappointment. I could see a rare patient who would just want an areolar reduction but, as stated the amount of lift would be minimal.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

With proper implant selection and quality of your breast tissue you may be a candidate for a Benelli type doughnut mastopexy. This type of lift works best if you are only removing areolar skin. Also know that this type of breast lift has the highest rate of patient dissatisfaction if it is pushed too far.

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