A breast lift is a great procedure for women who are bothered by the appearance of their sagging breasts. Aging, weight fluctuation, childbirth, and breast feeding can all contribute to breast “ptosis” which is sagging of the breast tissue and low nipple position. Many women feel self-conscious about these changes. A breast lift involves removal of excess skin, reshaping of the breast tissue, and elevation of the nipple position to give the breast a more youthful appearance.

Which breast lift technique is best?

A breast lift can be performed in a variety of ways depending on the patient’s anatomy and the degree of loose skin. Your surgeon will make decisions about where the blood flow will come from and how to reshape the breast tissue, but what patients most often ask about is the incision pattern they will end up with. These are the two incision patterns most often used by Dr. MacLennan and Dr. Schmidt:

Lollipop Incision

A lollipop incision is the most popular technique, and it involves an incision around the areola that extends vertically to the bottom of the breast. With this type of incision, the nipple and areola are repositioned to sit proportionately at the center of the breast.

Anchor Incision

For patients with more severe ptosis, the anchor technique may be recommended. This requires an additional incision along the bottom crease of the breast, creating the look of an upside-down T. Like the lollipop technique, the nipple-areolar complex is elevated to a more youthful position.

How visible will the incisions be?

Whether you have a lollipop or an anchor shaped incision, it will be well-hidden beneath undergarments and bathing suits. The incisions will be pink at first but will eventually fade to a fine white line that is barely noticeable. The process of scar maturation takes about 1 year.

Am I a Candidate for a Breast Lift?

If you are bothered by sagging breast tissue and low or downward pointing nipples, you are most likely a good candidate for a breast lift. At Mountain Lake Plastic Surgery, we require that patients are in overall good health and have a BMI less than 35. These basic health criteria significantly reduce the risk of post-operative complications.

Some women experience significant volume loss or flattening of the breasts in addition to sagging. A breast lift does not add volume or improve fullness of the cleavage area, but it can be combined with an augmentation to restore lost volume. If you are concerned about the size or shape of your breasts, your surgeon may recommend either adding an implant or performing fat transfer to improve your shape.

Schedule a Consultation

At Mountain Lake Plastic Surgery, our female plastic surgeons understand a woman’s concerns about her body. Drs. MacLennan and Schmidt provide a comfortable treatment environment where your concerns will be heard and we can develop a treatment plan customized to your needs and cosmetic goals. If you are interested in a breast lift, schedule a consultation today at our office in Burlington, VT.