I've been told I need an anchor lift. Could I get good results with a periareolar lift instead? (Photo)

Hi rym237,
I completely understand your hesitation about an anchor scar when it comes to re-operative breast surgery. However, I ask that you look at this differently. First, you already have a scar on your breasts so you are more likely to heal like that than your c-section scars right?
Your abdominal skin heals differently than your breast skin always since they have different forces acting on them. Also your breast scars stretched a bit since you had placed an implant at the time. If you perform , re-operative breast surgery I recommend that you definitely do an anchor scar since it will give you a more secure, stable scar over long term. I also like to use an internal lower pole support in form of a sling as well to secure the breast position. At Cosmoplastic Surgery, we have used the "Naturabra" technique that allows for your own breast tissue to act as an internal bra that supports the lifted breast while filling out the superior pole. We just reported our results of the past 18 years of over 700 breast lift cases at the 100th anniversary meeting of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons in San Diego in April 2022.

The technique I recommend is a mini lift. Using a circumareola incision, your breast tissue is reshaped, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Good morning,
Given your propensity for scar formation, I would lean towards a donut mastopexy for your lift- with a full anchor you can never predict how well or poorly your scars may turn out!

The obvious answer is no. Revising your donut lift will not change anything: low and wide areola, big scars, less than desirable breast mound shape. Converting to a proper lift will give you smaller areola in a pleasing position, lift the bottoms of your breast, and improve breast mound shape. The scars will be potentially inconspicuous. How you scar is dependent on where it is on your body along with other factors, so your c-section scar is irrelevant, and your donut scars are due to high tension. Do the right thing, you will be so happy you did.

A periareolar lift will not give you a good result. I agree you need an anchor lift. You would be better off doing nothing compared to a periareolar lift.

You apparently had a periaerola lift in the past and have the poor scars to prove it. Periaerola lifts not only usually have poor scars but make the breasts more flat than conical. I think you would get much superior scars and a better shape if you have a lollipop lift or maybe with a small anchor component. Discuss in person with your surgeon. Good luck.

Dear rym237,
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 surgery, I would suggest you 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

Measurements are needed to be sure, but you might need the vertical lift. You do not need the anchor lift. You may have more sag than can be corrected with a peri-areolar lift.

From your photos it appears you need to consider the anchor lift. I don't think you'll have a nice result from a periareolar lift and may end up with stretched areola tissue. There are many effective scar treatments available on the market. I encourage you to discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

I agree with the evaluation for anchor lift only. Another option is much larger implants with donut lift "might" work but not sure.