Do different lifts provide different results? Anchor, lollipop, crescent and donut lift? I’m borderline lift.

Hi Nolastl,

Breast lift surgery aims to re-volumize the breast with either and natural implant or fat grafting followed by nipple repositioning using the lift. I prefer to use a vertical incision (lollipop pattern) breast reduction technique instead of the anchor scar pattern for more significant lifts. This reduces more noticeable scarring than usual. Mastopexy that requires less than 2cm of lift only needs a donut incision. Every incision is also closed in five precise layers without using reactive sutures that can cause inflammation and eventual scarring.

If you are considering a breast lift, you should consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options and make sure your surgeon understands your goals. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Differing lift techniques are employed depending upon the degree of droop/ptosis. In general, the scar burden will increase directly with the degree of ptosis which needs to be corrected. Mild ptosis can be corrected with crescentic or donut mastopexies. More significant ptosis will require a lollipop or anchor scar. A more "aggressive" lift will provide a "better" in outcome in those situations where it is necessary (significant droop). Or more simply put...mastopexy technique is not a function of surgeon/patient preference but rather patient anatomy. If you need an anchor scar then doing anything less will lead to unsatisfactory results.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Yes,
different lifts provide different results. 
If you only need a small lift, a circumareola approach using a modified
Benelli is an alternative.  If you need a
more significant lift, I always avoid the vertical scars of anchor or
lollipop.  The Bellesoma Method reshapes
your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevates 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. 
Unfortunately, you have not provided photographs or told us your bra
size but this may be ideal for a major lift.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D. 

hello thank you for your question and provided information as well..  yes its exist different type of  breast lift , but to know what technique do you apply , its necessary to get consultation in person to check ...based in your question its difficult to evaluate you if the case dont have a case.its recommend get a consultation in person with a plastic surgeon to evaluate you.

In my practice, I need to evaluate the patient's goals and their skin quality. If they have poor skin quality then usually more skin needs to removed with a breast lift (sometimes even with an implant).  The following removes skin from most to least: anchor, lollipop, donut, and then crescent. Surgical plans need to be individualized so make sure to see a board certified plastic surgeon with experience.

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  With that
being said, for most patients, the best shape and contour could be
achieved with a vertical or wise pattern breast lift.  I rarely
recommend a Bennelli or circumareaolar (donut) lift.  Over time, the
areola tends to enlarge with a thickened scar.  The other even worse
problem with a circumareaolar lift is that it flattens out the shape
of the anterior breast over time.  A vertical or wise pattern lift can result in a very nice shape if good technique is
used.    This decision should be based on a
detailed discussion with equal input from both you and your
surgeon.   Make sure you specifically look at before and
after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your
surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most important aspect is to
find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation
with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in
person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

The lower the nipple is below the crease under the breasts, the more aggressive the approach needs to be. The purpose of the scar under the breast in the anchor approach is necessary to shorten the distance from the nipple to the crease under the beast, in severe droopiness. The lollipop approach is for less severe droopiness and the donut lift does no lifting. The donut lift tightens skin and may provide some illusion of lift. The definitive answer for your needs relies on an in person examination and discussion with a plastic surgeon.Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author

This is impossible to provide a solid answer for without in person exam and or excellent photos. "Better outcome" depends on what the breast is like to start with. For example, an anchor or Wise-pattern lift would provide a "better outcome" for someone who has lost a lot of weight and has very protic breasts but would not be good for someone who needs just a little lift. In general, lifts that are crescentic elongate the areola and flatten the breast - so I agree with you, I would stay away. Periareolar/circumareolar lifts (all the way around the areola) can work in select patients, but typically in my experience with an implant but they can also flatten the breast and are at higher risk for wider scars. Vertical/keyhole lifts are most common with/without an implant and are most common. But to tell you what is "better" for you will require an in person exam. Also, if implants are being added, you typically need less "lifting". Also, there are adjunct to lifts like fat transfers, supportive procedures for the breast tissue, etc that can optimize a result depending on the patient. Best of luck.

All variation of a breast lift have advantages and disadvantages. The more reshaping that is required, the more aggressive the lift needs to be. A "crescent lift" is not a lift at all.A donut lift is best for a small amount of lift on a breast that has some "cone shape".The vertical and T lifts offer progressive more three dimensional reshaping.

The type of mastopexy(breast lift) needed or required depends on the amount of breast ptosis(sagging/droopiness) present. Just as there are different stages of ptosis, there are different types of lifts. A face to face consult with a Board Certified Plastic surgeon is always recommended in order to have a thorough exam and personalized recommendations which may include the addition of implants or even fat transfer at the time of your lift. That being said, much of the deciding factor is up to you and the look you desire.