Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnchor LiftLollipop LiftDonut LiftCrescent LiftScarless LiftFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Anchor Lift

Lollipop Lift

Donut Lift

Crescent Lift

Scarless Lift

Frequently Asked Questions

There are several different incision patterns and techniques used inbreast lift surgery. Each technique is suited to different types of people and desired results.Some of these techniques have been in use for a long time, while others are still fairly new.

This article reviews some of the most commonly used techniques, including the anchor, lollipop, donut, crescent, and “scarless” lifts.

The anchor lift incision is made around the perimeter of the areola, vertically down from the areola to the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease.

Vertical scar techniques like the anchor incision are best suited when smaller volumes of skin and internal tissues are removed, resulting in shorter scars and a reduced risk of puckering and indentations.

The lollipop lift involves an incision that is made around the perimeter of the areola and vertically down from the areola to close to the breast crease.

The donut lift involves an incision made only around the perimeter of the areola only. It is called a peri-areolar incision or a Benelli lift (so-named for the surgeon who pioneered the technique in 1990).The donut lift was designed to minimize scarring, preserve nipple sensation, and shorten surgery time.

Although less commonly used than the other techniques, the crescent lift involves a crescent-shaped incision along the upper half of the areola.

The ends of this crescent-shaped skin are then reattached with fine sutures. This lift is usually done withbreast augmentationand is most suitable for people with a small amount of sagging.

The crescent lift can also be used to lift thenipple andareolaonly or correct nippleasymmetry(when one nipple is higher than the other). The results are generally very good, with 98% of people expressing satisfaction with the altered appearance of their breasts.

For a select few people whose cosmetic concern has more to do with the loss of volume than with actual sagging, there are procedures available to lift the appearance of the breast that is touted as “scarless."

These procedures can utilize or combine various techniques, including thermage (radiofrequency skin tightening), fat grafting and quill threads (barbed sutures that don’t require knotting) to lift the breasts with minimal scarring.

However, many of these procedures require incisions of some sort, no matter how small or well-hidden. Therefore, they cannot truthfully be called “scarless.”

Best Candidates for Scarless LiftThese procedures are best suited for people with very little breast sagging. Like the crescent technique, they will not accomplish the same amount of lifting as those that employ larger incisions.

Best Candidates for Scarless Lift

These procedures are best suited for people with very little breast sagging. Like the crescent technique, they will not accomplish the same amount of lifting as those that employ larger incisions.

There is limited research available to evaluate the success rate of scarless breast lifts. Breast liposuction is the best-studied of the procedures; it is ideal for those with minorasymmetryand less suitable for people with severe drooping or poor skin elasticity.

Summary

Different techniques and incisions are used based on the person’s amount of sagging, nipple symmetry, and desired results. Breast lifts can be done alone or in conjunction with breast augmentation. Breast augmentation is the use of implants or transplanted fat to increase the size or fullness of the breast.

A Word From Verywell

There are several types of breast lifts available to you. It can be helpful to consult with several plastic surgeons and ask which technique they recommend before making up your mind.

Frequently Asked QuestionsA breast lift does not change the size or add fullness to the breast. Breast augmentation involves either a fat transfer or implants to make the breast larger and fuller.While they may not give the same results as a surgical breast lift, there are non-surgical options for those who do not want to undergo surgery or anesthesia. Some of these techniques include thread lifts, laser therapy, injections of your own blood (Vampire lift), botox, and fillers.Many plastic surgeons state that 10-15 years is the average life span of a breast lift.It depends on age, pregnancies, genetics, dietary habits, overall health, and surgical technique. Taking good care of your skin, avoiding weight fluctuation, and wearing a supportive bra helps you achieve long-lasting results.

A breast lift does not change the size or add fullness to the breast. Breast augmentation involves either a fat transfer or implants to make the breast larger and fuller.

While they may not give the same results as a surgical breast lift, there are non-surgical options for those who do not want to undergo surgery or anesthesia. Some of these techniques include thread lifts, laser therapy, injections of your own blood (Vampire lift), botox, and fillers.

Many plastic surgeons state that 10-15 years is the average life span of a breast lift.It depends on age, pregnancies, genetics, dietary habits, overall health, and surgical technique. Taking good care of your skin, avoiding weight fluctuation, and wearing a supportive bra helps you achieve long-lasting results.

12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ramanadham SR, Rose Johnson A.Breast lift with and without implant: a synopsis and primer for the plastic surgeon.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(10):e3057. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003057American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.Breast lift guide.Saleem L, John JR.Unfavourable results following reduction mammoplasty.Indian J Plast Surg. 2013;46(2):401-407. doi:10.4103/0970-0358.118620Qureshi AA, Myckatyn TM, Tenenbaum MM.Mastopexy and mastopexy-augmentation.Aesthetic Surg J.2018;38(4):374-384. doi:10.1093/asj/sjx181Egu OE, Forouzanpour F.Mild nipple asymmetry: using a supra-areola incision with crescent nipple-areola complex lift to address this problem in primary breast augmentations.Am J Cosmetic Surg.2017;34(2):97-102. doi:10.1177/0748806816685067Harris R, Raphael P, Harris SW.Liposuction-augmentation mammaplasty.Aesthet Surg J. 2018;38(4):385-397. doi:10.1093/asj/sjx174American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Breast lift mastopexy.Arora G, Arora S.Thread lift in breast ptosis.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2017;10(4):228-230. doi:10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_91_17Zochowski Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.How your breast lift changes over time.Lake Country Plastic & Hand Surgery.Breast lift: how long will my results last?RAO Plastic & Hand Surgery.How long will my breast lift results last?American Society of Plastic Surgeons.How long do breast lift results last?

12 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ramanadham SR, Rose Johnson A.Breast lift with and without implant: a synopsis and primer for the plastic surgeon.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(10):e3057. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003057American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.Breast lift guide.Saleem L, John JR.Unfavourable results following reduction mammoplasty.Indian J Plast Surg. 2013;46(2):401-407. doi:10.4103/0970-0358.118620Qureshi AA, Myckatyn TM, Tenenbaum MM.Mastopexy and mastopexy-augmentation.Aesthetic Surg J.2018;38(4):374-384. doi:10.1093/asj/sjx181Egu OE, Forouzanpour F.Mild nipple asymmetry: using a supra-areola incision with crescent nipple-areola complex lift to address this problem in primary breast augmentations.Am J Cosmetic Surg.2017;34(2):97-102. doi:10.1177/0748806816685067Harris R, Raphael P, Harris SW.Liposuction-augmentation mammaplasty.Aesthet Surg J. 2018;38(4):385-397. doi:10.1093/asj/sjx174American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Breast lift mastopexy.Arora G, Arora S.Thread lift in breast ptosis.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2017;10(4):228-230. doi:10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_91_17Zochowski Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.How your breast lift changes over time.Lake Country Plastic & Hand Surgery.Breast lift: how long will my results last?RAO Plastic & Hand Surgery.How long will my breast lift results last?American Society of Plastic Surgeons.How long do breast lift results last?

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Ramanadham SR, Rose Johnson A.Breast lift with and without implant: a synopsis and primer for the plastic surgeon.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(10):e3057. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003057American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.Breast lift guide.Saleem L, John JR.Unfavourable results following reduction mammoplasty.Indian J Plast Surg. 2013;46(2):401-407. doi:10.4103/0970-0358.118620Qureshi AA, Myckatyn TM, Tenenbaum MM.Mastopexy and mastopexy-augmentation.Aesthetic Surg J.2018;38(4):374-384. doi:10.1093/asj/sjx181Egu OE, Forouzanpour F.Mild nipple asymmetry: using a supra-areola incision with crescent nipple-areola complex lift to address this problem in primary breast augmentations.Am J Cosmetic Surg.2017;34(2):97-102. doi:10.1177/0748806816685067Harris R, Raphael P, Harris SW.Liposuction-augmentation mammaplasty.Aesthet Surg J. 2018;38(4):385-397. doi:10.1093/asj/sjx174American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Breast lift mastopexy.Arora G, Arora S.Thread lift in breast ptosis.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2017;10(4):228-230. doi:10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_91_17Zochowski Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.How your breast lift changes over time.Lake Country Plastic & Hand Surgery.Breast lift: how long will my results last?RAO Plastic & Hand Surgery.How long will my breast lift results last?American Society of Plastic Surgeons.How long do breast lift results last?

Ramanadham SR, Rose Johnson A.Breast lift with and without implant: a synopsis and primer for the plastic surgeon.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(10):e3057. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003057

American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.Breast lift guide.

Saleem L, John JR.Unfavourable results following reduction mammoplasty.Indian J Plast Surg. 2013;46(2):401-407. doi:10.4103/0970-0358.118620

Qureshi AA, Myckatyn TM, Tenenbaum MM.Mastopexy and mastopexy-augmentation.Aesthetic Surg J.2018;38(4):374-384. doi:10.1093/asj/sjx181

Egu OE, Forouzanpour F.Mild nipple asymmetry: using a supra-areola incision with crescent nipple-areola complex lift to address this problem in primary breast augmentations.Am J Cosmetic Surg.2017;34(2):97-102. doi:10.1177/0748806816685067

Harris R, Raphael P, Harris SW.Liposuction-augmentation mammaplasty.Aesthet Surg J. 2018;38(4):385-397. doi:10.1093/asj/sjx174

American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Breast lift mastopexy.

Arora G, Arora S.Thread lift in breast ptosis.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2017;10(4):228-230. doi:10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_91_17

Zochowski Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.How your breast lift changes over time.

Lake Country Plastic & Hand Surgery.Breast lift: how long will my results last?

RAO Plastic & Hand Surgery.How long will my breast lift results last?

American Society of Plastic Surgeons.How long do breast lift results last?

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