Breast Lift Basics
Written By: Leonard M. Hochstein, M.D., P.A.; Miami, FL, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
When women have excess skin or skin laxity due to weight loss, the effects of pregnancy, or breastfeeding, breast lifts are very important and may be their only option to regain their desired shape. A breast lift (Mastopexy, bennelli or lollipop) operation is often combined with a breast augmentation using saline or silicone implants under the muscle. Also due to pregnancy women often combine breast lift surgery with an abdominal surgery (Tummy Tuck) and Liposuction. These combined surgeries are also known as mommy makeovers.
Bennelli Lift
The Bennelli lift is an areolar lift where skin is removed circumferentially around the areola. Bennelli lift involves making an incision solely along the areola. It entails the removal of a donut-shaped piece of tissue around the areola border. Sometimes a little more tissue is removed above the areola to compensate for a lifting effect when it is sutured; comparable to the crescent. This may result in flatter and rounder breasts in the end.
Lollipop Lift
Lollipop lift is similar to the Bennelli lift; however this technique may be more effective on women who have medium ptosis. With straight incisions that run from under the areola to the breast crease, the lollipop is a good option for patients who may have too much sagging for the Bennelli and not enough for a full mastopexy. In general, scars around the areola fade faster than in other areas like the breast crease.
Mastopexy Lift
Finally, a formal mastopexy using the anchor scar or the Wise-pattern technique is an excellent lift that usually leads to a nice shape of the breasts. Mastopexy can be combined with implants placed behind the muscle. This lift scar is an anchor-like incision which can be good or bad, and depending upon color of skin, can lead to increased hyper pigmentation, wide-spreading scars, hypertrophic scars or even keloids. This should be discussed with the plastic surgeon in great detail prior to undergoing a formal mastopexy or anchor scar Wise-pattern lift.
Please note that the after photos of these patients took place within 3 months of surgery. Scars will usually remain red for about 6-12 months. Most incisions will heal to a fine white line that should be barely visible when finished healing.
