Can an Uplift Be Done Without the Anchor Scar?

Yes, a lift can be done without an anchor scar or without a vertical scar.  The alternate technique results in a scar only around the areola.  Patients with implants often need the implants lifted too. This can be acomplished by making the pocket higher. If what you really have is 'excess skin' then, that excess skin can be removed by doing a donut mastopexy. If however, what you are needing is for your own breast tissue to be lifted, then it too can be acomplished by making an incision around the areola and stratigically placing permanent sutures into your 'low lying' breast tissue to drape it over your newly raised implant. What looks the best is the implant, breast tissue and nipple all aligned in the same horizontal plane high on the chest wall.  This can all be done through one incision that is hidden at the areola skin junction.

Best of Luck,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hard to tell about your particular case without photos or exam.  There are many options.  Typical lifts have scars, but there are different types of scars depending on what you need.  Best to see a board certified plastic surgeon.  They will run through the options with you.

The short answer to this question is "yes".  A more detailed answer would be to review the three main surgical patterns or scar patterns for a breast lift. One scar pattern for the breast lift would involve only a crescent shaped scar around the top of the areola (nipple) or a scar around the entire edge of the nipple, in a circular fashion.  An additional option would be a peri-areolar scar or a scar around the edge of the areola with a vertical scar down to the breast crease.

From your description you do not need an anchor pattern scar technique and for all practical purposes I have abandoned that procedure about 15 years ago for a lollipop scar breast lift technique (and wish I had done it sooner !).

The procedure is done on an outpatient basis under intravenous sedation and local or general anesthesia. As mentioned above there are a variety of techniques for these operations used across the USA.  Most commonly there is an incision around the areola, with or without a vertical incision on the lower part of the breast (donut, vertical or “lollipop” techniques).  Although the “anchor-shape” or inverted “T” incision is still more popular in the United States, it represents an older technique with extensive scarring and a less optimal result in many cases.  These new techniques are utilized in the vast majority of cases, the rare exception being extremely large breasts.  The nipple-areola complex is repositioned higher, the excess skin is removed, and the breast is reshaped in a pleasing contour and in a more normal position.  The insertion of an implant as well, may be advisable to restore superior fullness which is lost with aging and after pregnancy despite the rest of the breast being overly large.

The incisions used really depend on the anatomy of the patient.  If there is minimal skin, then you may only need the vertical incision.  However, without seeing pictures or evaluating you in person, it is impossible to give you specific advice.

 

Good Luck.