Breast lift type for 21 year old, do I have mild, moderate or severe sagging? (Photos)

A crescent lift or peri-areolar lift is a worthless procedure and will do nothing except leave unsightly scars. You need a proper breast reduction to get a durable, proportionate breast shape that you are looking for. Of course, you are young and need to consider breast feeding and nipple sensation; but if you have resolutely decided to proceed, do the right thing and get a proper reduction (with the usual "anchor" scar.) I hope this helps and thank you for the inquiry! See attached link for an example.

Thanks for your question. From your picture, it seems like you have grade 3 ptosis/sagging and are a good candidate for a breast lift. Note, if keeping or increasing your size matters, a breast lift with implants would be best. I recommend scheduling a consult for a proper evaluation. Please always consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Take care, Dr. Moises Salama, board certified plastic surgeon.

Dear Original512462,

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

Based off your photos - your breasts have ptosis (sagginess) and asymmetry that need an anchor lift in order to fully lift and reshape. The crescent or donut lift are very limited in certain breasts that need only nipple positioning and have mild lower pole reshaping needed. In your case, the larger one would need more tissue removed to get it closer to but not be the same as the smaller side. (If you aren't ready for the scar and potential issues that can be associated with the anchor lift - hold off until you are.) If you choose to do the lift and in the future you fluctuate in weight or become pregnant - likely the breast will enlarge and stretch and need another lift if you desire.

Surgery results can change with future pregnancies and/or significant weight change. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Thank you for your photos. You appeared to have a grade 2/3 ptosis with enlarged, asymmetric breasts. Your skin has already shown you that it can not support the weight of your breasts. Therefore, performing only a breast lift would likely result in future bottoming out of your breasts. Using a mesh inside your breast at the time of your breast lift may add some additional support and strength to the lower pole of the breast to help maintain their position, but the mesh increases the cost and may have some attendant problems itself. You may consider a breast reduction which would improve your asymmetry, reduce the size of your anreola and lift your breasts, while reducing their weight and therefore making it more likely to maintain their shape and position over time. Neither a crescent lift or a donut lift would serve you well. You would require an anchor incision to optimize your outcome and shape your breasts. Downtime is approximately 4 weeks. Maintaining a steady weight into the future would also help you maintain your result. Discuss this in detail with your plastic surgeon.

Giving your medical information and the level of ptosis that you have the best type of technique to give you the best prolonged result would be an anchor lift. Otherwise, if you do limited incision like a lollipop or only around the areola, you may still print sagging after the procedure, so in this case a full lift would give you a great result!

Because of the size and degree of ptosis, you have far too much skin excess for even a ‘lollipop’ breast lift, never mind the crescent or donut lifts. You need a lift that directly addresses both vertical and horizontal skin excess: an anchor scar pattern breast lift. Nothing else will give you even an ‘ok’ result, whereas the anchor will give you beautiful breasts.

According to my experience, I would suggest you vertical scar breast lift. Donut lift not allow to reshape the breast tissue and has a limited amount of lifting. With vertical scar breast lift you will get much more perky and natural looking breasts.

From the photos the recommendation would be a full anchor lift. This would remove excess skin, raise the nipple position, and downsize the areola. If you are wanting less volume you could consider a small reduction as well. A donut lift would not be recommended for you as it would provide only a minimal lift and the areola may stretch again.