Will a crescent or donut lift give me sufficient lift to achieve my goal? Or would I need a lollipop lift? (Photos)

A
crescent lift and donut lift will only move the areola a very small
amount.  The problem is that your implant
is at one level and your breast tissue at another, particularly on your left
breast.  I never use the lollipop lift
because it requires a vertical scar.  The
technique I recommend for you is The Bellesoma Method.  This technique will reshape your breast
tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on
the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation
and the ability to breast feed are maintained. 
At the same time or later, fat transfer can be performed if additional
volume is desired.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.    

A crescent or donut lift will not give you the lift you need. I would definitely perform the lollipop lift with implants.  I have seen many women with crescent or donut lifts who are very dissatisfied.  They really don’t provide adequate lift and usually the areola will stretch out quite a bit.  Not every surgeon knows how to perform the lollipop lift so they fall back on easier techniques.  Get other opinions.

Don't waste your time with a crescent lift.  It doesn't do much except elongate your areola.  It does nothing to reshape and tighten your breast skin envelope (which is what you need) and does not lift or reduce your areola (which is what all other breast lift procedures do).  The crescent lift also places excess tension on the closure of the crescent incision (as opposed to distributing it more widely and evenly along the lollipop or anchor incision).  The crescent lift for your case is a failure waiting to happen.  The ideal lift I think you need is the lollipop lift.  The scars are longer but the improvement in shape and degree of lift is worth it.  In the end, you have to decide what is more important to you- optimal breast shape or minimizing scars.  I think you already know what is more important to you.  I would definitely see several board certified plastic surgeons who are experienced and not afraid to do the lollipop lift.  It's a technically much more complicated lift to do than the crescent lift.  I would not trust it to someone who only knows how to do a crescent lift.  Best wishes.

Crescent lifts are for minor asymmetries, and donut lifts can work if the areolar diameter needs to be reduced and not a lot of lift. There are ways to prevent areolar widening (see link to an article below). In your case I think you would lose projection so a better shape will be with the vertical pattern (lollipop).

Hello,Be afraid of the crescent lift, and any surgeon that recommends it. You already know that donut lifts are inadequate for your breast size/tissue/skin excess, crescent lifts are even more so. Go visit a few ABPS certified/ASAPS member surgeons who specialize in revision breast surgery. Best of luck!

Based on the photos, I would prefer to do a lollipop lift because if looks like you have excess skin hanging below the fold.  A lollipop lift would allow me to be more aggressive with the shaping of the breasts and make them look perkier.  I recommend seeing other plastic surgeons for consultations if you're not comfortable with a crescent lift.

Thank you for your questionAlthough I am not the biggest proponent of the periareolar or doughnut mastopexy but there is always a place for it .  From looking at your pics I think you will have a great result with a lollipop or vertical lift and this will eliminate the possibility of areolar widening or flattening of the breast as seen with the periareolar lift.I also routinely perform a 3-d simulation for all of my breast surgery patients in order for the patient to see and really understand what the different lifts look like on each individual's breasts.

Dear MlaraYou are correct in your willingness to consider a lollipop scar. In your case, it is not just about nipple areola position but breast shape position and projection. The vertical part of a lollipop lift often fades very well and the circumareolar scar tends to heal better because it has less tension. Your asymmetry can also be better improved with a vertical lift. Take your time, see more than one consult and make a well informed decision.

Dear Mlara555,my preferred lift is a lollipop lift when a periareolar won't do (ie greater than 2cm lift required). The lollipop technique was created by a Canadian plastic surgeon named Elizabeth Hall-Findley and treats the breast as a three dimensional structure instead of two dimensions (anchor - lift). Most importantly it does not require the horizontal component scars that the anchor-lift requires and breasts appear much more natural, lifted, and less boxy. Lastly, the lift lasts longer because the lollipop doesn't rely on the skin to hold the breast up, its actually breast tissue thats being brought together to support the breast and hence improves longevity. Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello and thank you for your question. Revision breast surgery is a big deal, and while a crescent lift sounds like a good idea, in your situation, it is a horrible investment and will lead to distorted nipples, bottoming out, and need for further surgery and expenses. Lifts are done to shape the breasts, get rid of excess skin, and also move the nipple-areola complex so that it centers over the most projecting part of an implant in the center of the breast mound.  I do not do crescent lifts. I do circumareolar lifts (donut lifts) only when the nipple itself has to be moved up.  When over 30% of breast volume needs to be lifted, (as in your case on at least one of your breasts) the nipple-areola complex is NOT strong enough to hold the weight of the breast (as in a donut lift) and will result  in recurrent sagging and a stretched out areola. You will definitely need a circumvertical (lollipop) lift on your one side (maybe both) and possibly a full anchor lift. Cutting corners in situations like yours will create less optimal results. If I were you, I would seek the expertise of a board certified plastic surgeon with expertise in advanced aesthetic breast and revision surgery techniques. I hope this helps!Sincerely,Dr. Sean Kelishadi