Would a donut lift with small implants help me achieve a natural teardrop shape? (photos)

Dear Eclectic660772,
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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

A donut lift would only achieve a minor improvement, and you may find this insufficient since your nipples are located below your breast fold. Please let your surgeon know how much of a lift you’d like to achieve and they’ll let you know if a donut lift and implants would suffice.

Never ever ever do a donut lift. A donut lift leads to the worst scarring around the areola as while as widening of the areola over time. I would recommend a lower profile implant with an inverted T ("anchor type") scar pattern mastopexy or breast lift. I would recommend seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience/adequate training in breast surgery.

The donut lift can be used to excise skin and elevate the breasts slightly higher and more medial. At the same time, small implants can be placed. The goal would be to move your breasts more medially and slightly higher to elevate the center mass of your breasts. However, the donut scar can widen and may need a revision at 6 months.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Your breasts are large and too ptotic for a donut lift to do anything other than making your breasts look abnormal. Those scars will fade very well when you go to a breast surgery expert, but will require months of taping to ensure fine scaring. Your breasts' shape is the key factor in your breasts' attractiveness, and fine scars will not deter that! In a breast like yours with high inframammary creases and substantial hanging mass, you would actually be a great candidate for a breast reduction/lift, and replacement with an implant to restore volume. This will give your breast the most optimized shape.

I discourage the donut lift whenever I get this question. It will provide very little lift and it will stretch out the areolae and often the scars are poor.

I appreciate your concerns and particular situation with regard to work. It appears from your photos that you have ample breast tissue and donut lift with a small implant may be a reasonable option for you and the best option with regard to minimizing scarring. Come see me or another board certified plastic surgeon in our area to explore the best options for you. Good luck.

Measurements are needed to be certain, but I think the vertical lift would do a much better good and keep a pretty natural shape. You can use makeup to cover scars. Some peri-areolar lifts, which are not full lifts, stretch the areolae out and flatten the breasts.

Dear Eclectic,
In general, scars from a donut mastopexy are not great and the lift effect is relatively short lived. The scars tend to widen over time and are sometimes more problematic than a vertical scar. The procedure also tends to flatten the breast projection. Adding an implant to counter that flattening can be done, but it creates added tension on the periareolar scars, i.e. greater likelihood of widening. So, yes you are a candidate for a donut mastopexy, with these concerns. Good luck!

The donut lift is not guaranteed to be scar free although it avoids the vertical T component. The question is whether an augmentation alone would give adequate improvement to satisfy your needs.
Best wishes.