Is an areola lift only appropriate for mild sagging? Will it work for me?

Based on your photos, it seems like you may benefit from a periareolar breast lift with implants. A breast augmentation and a breast lift work hand and hand to enhance the overall shape and size of a woman’s breasts. These procedures are ideal for increasing the size of the breasts while restoring balance and youthfulness to a woman’s bust. The augmentation lift can help eliminate the sagging skin and excess fat causing your breasts to develop a droopy look. It will give your breasts an uplifted appearance and a more desirable sloping shape.

Areola lifts can work for mild sagging. However, you do not have mild sagging. Your sagging is much more significant and I recommend The Bellesoma Method. This 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 (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained. Later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired. Implants are not lifetime devices. 8% fail within the first year and 30% fail within six years. Fat transfers are permanent and incorporated into the body.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

That is absolutely the worst procedure in a case like yours. A periareolar lift will not give you much if any lift and the areolae will stretch out. I’m wondering if you were shown photos of patients similar to you? You need either a full lift with an anchor type scar or a vertical lift with a lollipop. Do not get the periareolar lift. You are better off having nothing at all.

Dear KOA124,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.
If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

I think your nipples look too low for a periareola to be an adequate lift. I personally no longer use periareola lift at all since it always flattens the breast some and often has a poor scar. I would likely recommend a vertical [lollipop] lift with your augmentation. Feel free to get other in person consultations until you are comfortable with your choice. Good luck.

Just based on your photos, you would need the vertical lift in my hands to get the best results. The areolar lift is limited in how much is actually lifted. If it is pushed to do more, the breast shape is not ideal.

Thank you for your photos. Although I like doing areola or donut lifts in many of my patients, I do not recommend it in your case. The areola lift is only good for lifting about 1-1.5cm. You will require several centimeters of lifting even with a large implant being placed. You should get at least a lollipop or vertical lift. If your surgeon tries to compensate by making a large donut lift, your breasts will look flattened and oddly shaped. If the donut lift is not enough, you will have a waterfall deformity where the breast sags over the implant. Therefore I think you should avoid the areola lift if possible. Hope this helps!

Johnson C. Lee, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

There are numerous options: Implants and a variation of a lift - areolar (donut), vertical, anchor shape. They each produce different degrees of cosmetic improvement.

An areolar lift plus implants will not result in a good cosmetic reult in a patient with your extent of tissue sagging.

Keep in mind that following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you exactly what to do without examining you, physically feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history, and discussing the pros and cons of each operative procedure would not be in your best interest. I would suggest your plastic surgeon be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person and be very realistic about your potential cosmetic result.

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California

Thank you for the question and photos and unfortunately you appear to have too much drooping to be a candidate for a circumareola lift. So go on some complimentary consultations with experts and compare recommendations after a full examination and discussion of desired results and become fully informed

Dr Corbin