Pros and Cons of Benelli Lift?

Thank you for the question. There are many different types of lifts that are specifically selected for each individual patient based on their needs. Benelli lift procedure involves the tightening of the loose skin and suturing around the areola perimeter, also known as a “donut”. While many patients prefer this lift, know that the lift that one would need should NOT be determined by scars or lack of them, but rather what lift will give the best outcome. A Benelli lift tends to flatten a breast without much lifting and if not done correctly can lead to very large Areolas in the future. I hope this has helped.

The key to success lies in letting you surgeon know
specifically what you would like to look like following the surgery. For
example, how perky do you want to be, what shape do you want to have,
etc.? However from your description it would appear that a lollipop
type lift would be best for you rather than a periareolar lift. Here is a rule
of thumb that works for most patients. If you nipple is above your lower breast
crease then often a periareolar lift will be sufficient for most patients. If
your nipple is at or below your crease then a vertical lift (lollipop lift),
inverted T or anchor pattern may be required. In your case if you have a "mild grade 2 ptosis" then a periareolar like the Benelli procedure may result in a good result. 



The Lollipop incision for Grade 3 or 4 ptosis (areolar near
or below your breast crease) works best in my hands and the use of a Lollipop
technique can lift your breast to the perkiness you desire. However, other
plastic surgeons are more comfortable with an inverted T or Anchor Pattern
technique.The donut lift does tend to both
flatten and have scars widened as you are removing skin around the areola which
causes tension in that single area causing it to "spring' apart over time.
With the Lollipop incision the tension is spread out over a greater distance of
the lower vertical scar (where the areola once was) causing less tension on the
areola and entire closure. The vertical lift tends to cone the breast making it
more shapely (conical) and less flat.
For a visual take a paper circle, cut out a small wedge on the bottom and bring
the edges together to see this effect. In general I would pick the best Surgeon
and explain fully what you want to achieve rather than the technique. Always
insist on a board certified Plastic Surgeon.

The Benelli breast lift is
indicated for mild cases of breast sag and therefore has limited application.
The procedure is often referred to as a periareolar mastopexy or a donut
mastopexy.

 

         In cases of mild
breast sag, the excess skin and sag can be treated with a Benelli mastopexy.
This procedure removes and tightens the excess skin around the areola. This
leaves a scar at the junction between the areola and surrounding tissue. This
procedure can be done in combination with breast augmentation when patients
want larger breasts as well.

 

         The success of the
Benelli lift is dependent upon appropriate patient selection. When sag is
minimal, the procedure is less invasive and wounds heal nicely with minimal
scarring. Unfortunately, the procedure is often utilized when moderate amounts
of breast sag are present. This results in tension on the wound closure which
can cause spread of scars and flattening of the areola complex.

 

         Without pictures or
a physical exam, it’s hard to know what option is best for you. Under the right
circumstances, the Benelli lift is associated with excellent results, but this
is dependent upon appropriate patient selection. It’s important to thoroughly
discuss this procedure with your surgeon before proceeding so you’re
comfortable with your decision. 

The better lift for you depends on how much lifting is needed. The benneli lift (around the nipple) usually works best for small amounts of lift. If you need more lifting, a lift with incision around the nipple and vertically to the bottom of the breast works. If you need the greatest amount of lifting, the anchor shaped incision (around the nipple, vertically to the bottom of the breast, and in the crease underneath) works. I find that patients are much happier having a breast that is properly shaped even if it takes more incision.
It will help you to look at before and after photos of women who have the same amount of breast sagging as you do, see which operation they had, and what it looks like. Then you can decide which works best for you.

The Benelli breast lift involves removing skin completely around the areola.  This circumferential excision  involves more skin excision superiorly and inferiorly,  allowing for the nipple/areola to be moved up. It is a useful breast lift for a limited number of patients given that only a small degree of breast lifting can be achieved with the technique. Also, the breast profile (side view) tends to flatten with this procedure. Sometimes, areolar spreading  can occur.Again, proper patient selection ( as with any plastic surgical procedure) is key.I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

A word of caution: many surgeons perform what they call a 'circumareolar' (or 'donut' or 'Benelli' ) mastopexy. In my opinion there is absolutely no such thing as a 'circumareolar mastopexy'. Removing skin around the areola may enable a surgeon to elevate the position of the nipple/areola complex perhaps 1-2 cm on the breast mound, but it DOES NOT lift the breast itself. In most cases, unfortunately, it serves to distort the shape of the breasts, making them appear flattened at the top. If the breast needs to be lifted, it absolutely requires some internal rearrangement of breast tissue to create a projecting, aesthetically ideal and lasting result - which in turn requires that vertical incision and vertical surgical scar below the areola (and sometimes in the inframammary fold as well.

For several years I have been using a 'vertical scar' technique for most breast reductions, which eliminates the long, horizontal incision in the inframammary fold below the breasts. I have also adapted this technique for breast lift surgery, and have been extremely pleased with the results. As with breast reduction patients, this new technique not only eliminates the horizontal incision, but also creates more impressive breast projection and maintains it better over time. The breast lift procedure I perform not only removes breast skin but also moves some lower pole breast tissue to a higher position, increasing the projection of the nipple/areola area.

Breast lift surgery works well for patients with enough existing breast tissue to build a projecting 'breast mound'. However, in most breast lift Raleigh / Durham patients it is difficult to create sustainable fullness in the upper poles of the breasts by means of a mastopexy alone. This is particularly true in patients who have experienced significant deflation following pregnancy and lactation. For patients who indicate that they wish to achieve a fair amount of fullness in the cleavage area as a result of their breast lift surgery, I recommend that they undergo augmentation mastopexy. This surgery combines a breast lift with the placement of a breast implant usually of modest size, which produces the most youthful breast profile possible.

You are definitely well-educated about the Benelli lift and seem to have a good understanding of the benefits and possible disadvantages of it.  A photo would be very helpful, but your description sounds like you would be a good candidate for the benelli augmentation mastopexy.  You really don't see much breast flattening when you use an implant and have only a small amount of skin to remove. 

 

There are many techniques today for breast lift surgery. The priorities for a breast lift should include creating a natural and full breast mound and to minimize the scars much as possible. A Benelli is an excellent technique to accomplish this. Be sure that your board-certified plastic surgeon has a great deal of experience with this technique. Also discuss with your plastic surgeon what the lower pole of the breast will look like a measly after the surgery. They will want to discuss with you if it is acceptable to have a longer scar in this area if you shuuld have excessive breast tissue.

A benelli lift and an implant to raise the areola is certainly a great combination. I do them all the time in the right patient. 

Any time you operate around the areola there is a chance your ability to breast feed in the future can be diminished as well as a chance of decreased sensation. Both techniques suggested to you will have scars aound the areola but the addition of the vertical component of the lift will give you a stronger lift.
Dr Edwards