What is the Difference Between Lollipop Lift and 'Short Scar' Lift?

With the “lollipop” technique, an incision is made around the areola and another between the areola and breast crease. This technique avoids a long scar in the crease under the breast , which was an older technique known as the “anchor” or “inverted T.” Such methods create as much as twice the scar and can flatten the breast, creating less forward projection and sub-optimal shape. Hence, we prefer  the “lollipop” technique or “donut lift” to avoid more significant scarring, rather than the majority of surgeons in the United States that use an anchor pattern lift. With the short scar technique, also known as the #LollipopScar or #DonutLift, an incision is made around the areola, with or without a vertical incision on the lower part of the breast.

These terms may be the same. A lollipop incision includes a scar around the nipple-areola with a vertical scar connecting the lower part of the nipple to the breast fold. The short scar is typically a lollipop, but may "tail off" to the side like a "J," or include a very short scar along the breast fold at the bottom of the vertical scar. Your surgeon should be clear about the scars involved in breastlift surgery so your expectations will be set properly. Good luck!

There are different types of "short scar" techniques, and the lollipop scar is one type.  Some people also do a "J" scar which I don't think is as good.  The lollipop scar is the most common, and in my opinion, the best ,short scar method.

   They probably refer to the same thing, but a short scar breast lift is not a commonly used term.  Crescent lift, circumareolar, concentric, Benelli, circumvertical, vertical, lollipop, full breast lift, inverted T lift, anchor lift, and Wise pattern lift are popular terms in breast lifting.  Some of these would be considered shorter scar, but the term is nonspecific.

Thanks for your question.  As you read about plastic surgery, you will see similar procedures with several different names.  Some of this is due to marketing, some of it is regional, and some is based on where the surgeon was trained.  The lollipop and short scar lift generally refer to the same surgery where there is an incision around the areola and then extending vertically down to the crease under the breast.  Other common names are vertical and circum-vertical breast lifts.

Hi! Thank you for your question!


I am Dr. Speron, a proud member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS).  I am also certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
 

A short scar lift is a technique that was designed for women who are only getting a small amount of work done on the breast tissue. This procedure may be a better option for women who only need a very small adjustment to the breasts, and want to avoid the long incisions and scarring involved with the traditional breast lift procedure.


A Lollipop lift is a lollipop-shaped incision that is made from the crease of the breast vertically and surrounds the nipple. This is a very effective lift for many women with low hanging breasts.Discuss with your surgeon what lift is best for you.


I have provided a link below  for additional information as well as a lot of before and after pictures.


If you have any further questions, please feel free to call us at 847.696.9900 for a private consultation.
Best of luck and have a great day!
Regards,
Dr. Speron

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.

The lollipop lift has a circular scar for the areola and a vertical componet. The short scar lift is probably just the same and called such for marketing purposes

Thank you for the question.

As you have found, the terms used to describe various breast operations can be confusing,  and not necessarily helpful. Although it will be important for you to educate yourself about the different options available (as well as the potential risk/complications associated with breast surgery), the most important decision you do make ultimately will be your selection of plastic surgeon. This selection, as opposed to selecting a specific operation type, will be critical when it comes to achieving your goals.

 Direct physical examination and a full communication of your goals will be  necessary to determine which operation is indicated.

 Best wishes.

The lollipop lift, also known as a vertical breast lift, is so named because of the very visible pattern of the resultant scars around the areola and down vertically to the inframammary fold. The term 'short scar' breast lift is more ambiguous as it doesn't necessarily imply a specific technique and is more of a marketing term. It implies any breast lift method that results in less than that of a full anchor lift which has the vertical and horizontal scars.