Lollipop Vs. Anchor Incision Breast Lift, Which Should I Choose?

Thank you for the photos. Based on these, I would choose a short scar, or lollipop breast lift technique. As you can see from the previous answers, this is the preferred way to go for long lasting results with minimal scars and good projection. I've been doing the lollipop technique for 11 years, never regretted it and never returned to the anchor scar in any size breast! The anchor scar technique uses the skin as a brassierre to hold the breast, with an unnatural short vertical scar that forces the breasts to become more boxy in shape and loose superior fullness. The surgeons who use this technique will note (if they follow their patients long enough) that the vertical scar will stretch, the horizontal scar will move up on the breast and the breast slides south under the scar with loss of volume superiorly. In the vertical or lollipop lift, the breast crease moves up, shape of the breast is round at the lower pole, maintains superior fullness and anterior projection. You would need a little liposuction of the axillary fullness that shows in your photos. If you want to pay more for the longer scar, than see the more senior surgeon ( it seems he charges more because he has more work to do closing the longer anchor incisions).

Each surgeon has his/her preferences usually based upon experience and consistent results.  In other words two different surgical techniques may still result in a very good outcome.  So if you trust both surgeons equally, then the decision sometimes comes down to what technique you the patient would prefer.  Based upon your photos, a vertical (lolipop) mastopexy (breast lift) seems very reasonable.  Best of luck...RAS

Thanks for your question! In my experience of doing thousands of breast augmentation and lift surgeries, I’d say that it depends on whether you use an implant or not. If you use an implant (I’d strongly suggest at least a small one, it really, really looks better), then I’d def go with the lollipop approach, & you’ll look awesome! 
If you go without an implant, then do the full anchor scar, & go with the more expensive & experienced surgeon: he’s probably with it; do NOT price shop with your body! 
Best of luck to you!

Thank you for your question and photos,              
The Bellesoma Method is a current technique to lift and/or reduce breasts without using implants or the ugly vertical scars.  The incisions are hidden around the areola and in the inframammary crease. The vertical incision has been completely eliminated. The areola incision heals almost invisibly due to the fact that there is hardly any tension on the closure. With this particular technique, ducts are preserved along with nerve supply maintaining nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed. Because the breast is reshaped internally and is secured to your chest muscles, upper pole fullness is possible without an implant. Attached is a patient who underwent The Bellesoma Method. Please note that her tissue was used to create upper pole fullness and cleavage without any foreign materials (mesh, implants, etc).  It is a proprietary technique that only surgeons that have been trained by me can perform. I hope this helps. 
Best wishes and kind regards, 
Dr. Gary Horndeski

There are a variety of techniques for these operations. Most commonly there is an incision around the areola and another between the areola and breast crease. This technique is referred to as the “#lollipop” technique and avoids a long scar in the crease under the breast (older #anchor technique). On occasion, especially with mastopexy, these incisions may be modified and more limited. If breast sagging is minimal, the procedure may only require the incision around the areola. It is unusual to use the “anchor” or “inverted T.” This is an older method that creates as much as twice the scar and can flatten the breast, creating less forward projection and suboptimal shape. We prefer to use the #short-scar technique, “lollipop scar” or “#donut lift” rather than the majority of surgeons in the United States that use an anchor pattern lift which involve more significant scarring.

Thank you for your question. There are three general elements of incisions that can be used on the breast.1) Around the areola - partial or whole2) Vertically from the lower part of the areola towards the fold3) Horizontally from the inner to outer portion of the breast along the fold - partial of wholeSome combinations of these elements have different names.  For example:Lollipop incision combines 1) and 2)Extended vertical incision combines 1), 2), and the outer portion of 3).Inverted T or Anchor incisions combines 1), 2),
and 3)Apron incision combines 1) and 3) and leaves out the vertical scarYour
surgeon will choose one or more of these based on the desired result as
well as the physical exam. Some factors on the physical exam include
nipple position, skin laxity and distribution of breast tissue. The
lower the nipple, the greater the skin laxity and the more deflated the
upper portion of the breast, the more likely you will need all three
elements of the breast incision outlined above.  A consultation would help determine what you are looking for. In general, however, the internal reshaping is the stronger determinant of how long the lift lasts.  The different incision patterns should be viewed as  means to redrape the newly shaped breast and address skin laxity.

It’s not unusual for patients
with breast sag to request procedures that limit the extent of scarring.Unfortunately, these efforts often result in
significant compromises regarding the quality of scars and ultimately the shape
of the breast.Limited incisions can
create tension on wound closures that result in spread of scars and actual
distortion of the breast shape.It’s important to remember that breast sag is usually
accompanied by excess skin and failure to address this problem can result in a
less than optimal result.Breast lift
surgery often requires removal of excess skin in multiple dimensions to achieve
the best possible result.Patient’s with breast sag are always unique.They have specific anatomic findings and
personal aesthetic goals.It’s virtually
impossible to recommend one of these procedures in the absence of a physical
examination.It’s therefore important to
discuss certain concepts that are relevant to the surgical procedure.As a general rule, the breast contour and the
quality of the scars are more important than the length of the scars.In some cases, the degree of sag may be greater than the
capacity of a lollipop mastopexy to deal with the excess skin.Performing this procedure, under these
circumstances can result in tension on the closure with spread of the
scars.In this situation, an anchor
incision would be a far better option.It’s important that you consult a board certified plastic
surgeon who has extensive experience with these procedures.You have already seen multiple surgeons who
have recommended multiple approaches.I
suspect that it’s probably reasonable to start out with a lollipop
incision.If you have excess skin, it
can be easily converted to an anchor incision at the time of surgery.Make sure you have discussed all of these
options with your surgeon before proceeding.

Based on your photos, my recommendation would be a vertical breast lift with a small submuscular breast implant to provide some upper pole volume. An 'anchor scar' breast lift seems excessive for the amount of skin that you have.

Hello Dani,

Your breasts have significant and asymmetric sagging ( your left breast has more).  In your situation, I would want the lift that allows me to totally reconstruct the breasts and make them as symmetrical as possible. The anchor incision mastopexy does just that.  It can best deal with horizontal and vertical skin laxity without putting any forces of tension on the areola, which could distort the areola in it's shape or projection.

When a breast is a great candidate for a lollypop incision, there should be no need to create a J or L incision.  The fact that a J or L is being considered means there is too much vertical skin excess for a pure lollypop or 'circumvertical' incision pattern.  If that's the case, the same technique should be applied on both sides of the vertical scar, leaving you with an anchor.

Sometimes another consult may help.  Remember to see only breast specialists who do this type of surgery regularly.  They should all be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Best of luck!

You are a great candidate forca vertical or lollipop lift. I only use vertical lift and reduction with superior results. Thanks. Luis vinas md