SPAIR or Anchor Technique? (photo)

I would not use either of the techniques that you listed, but that does not mean that they would be wrong to use. Every surgeon is going to have a technique that works best for them. And I would agree that the surgeon is more important than the technique. I personally have seen the best results using a vertical breast reduction technique popularized by Elizabeth Hall Findlay. This technique allows for internal shaping of the breast tissue and minimizes scarring. Check the before and after photos of the surgeon's that you are considering.

In my hands, I would do the anchor technique.  I feel this method is better at providing fullness in the upper portion of the breast because it  repositions breast tissue in the upper portion of the breasts better than short scar technique.  Overall ,however, you are best off with an experienced surgeon using the approach he or she feels they can obtain the best result with.  Good luck!

HI,

The best technique for breast reduction is the one your doctor is most comfortable with. What this means is that there are several good and equally effective ways to reduce a breast while lifting it at the same time. If your doctor is used to the SPAIR technique, then by all means go with that. In general, I personally find (especially with the way that your left breast looks) that the wise pattern "inverted T" or anchor technique is the most straight forward and reproducible technique. The scar at the inframammary fold is longer but is hidden in the fold. Make sure that your surgeon feels very comfortable with handling the volume differences between your two breasts.

All my best,

Daniel A. Medalie, MD

Hello,

Having seen many of his surgeries and presentations, and after reading his book, Dr. Hammond's SPAIR seems unnecessary and offers no real advantage over the standard anchor/Wise pattern technique in a woman with your breast type (especially your left breast).  In the best of hands (Dr. Hammond's?), you will have horizontal extensions of both your vertical incisions to the outer part of the inframammary fold (the J pattern). 

The suggestion that the SPAIR offers more natural or long lasting results is just unfounded. The anchor technique does not always yield a boxy shape to the breast either; that is merely a result of insufficient skin and tissue resection on the sides.  The best and most durable results are gotten when the breast is made smaller and lighter, regardless of the technique.

In my practice, scars are almost always a non-issue, and I am used to the anchor/Wise pattern lift/reduction.  I think you will be best served by a very experienced cosmetic breast surgeon who has done hundreds of reduction and lifts who performs the lift of his choice on you (most likely not the SPAIR).

Best of luck!

 

 

In agreement with other responders, technical execution of your procedure should be the domain and responsibility of the surgeon you select.  Both techniques you mention are standards, and, in my opinion, both can provide a good result.  One surgeon feels more comfortable with "anchor," the other with "SPAIR."  Look at "before and after" photos demonstrating results of each technique, and decide for yourself based on breast shape, scars, symmetry, and also based on your confidence in the surgeon to produce your desired outcome.  Regardless of who you select and what techniques are incorporated, there is no perfection.