Types of Breast Lift
There are as many different names for various breast lift or mastopexy procedures as there are types of cars. At the Mandell-Brown Plastic Surgery Center, we divide breast lifts into 4 categories:
Breast Augmentation and Lift
For patients with Type I sagging or very minor sagging, sometimes a breast augmentation alone can be performed to fill out the stretched breast skin and give a small elevation to the breast. This occurs because the loose breast tissue is filled out with the implant, giving the breast a more full, youthful appearance. The advantage is only a small implant incision is needed.
Crescent Lift
With the Crescent Lift a small amount of skin above the areola is removed in a half moon shaped pattern. The incision follows the upper half of the areola and elevates the nipple one half inch to 1 inch.
“A” Lift for Right Breast to raise nipple up to match left breast
Oval Lift
With the Oval Lift, an oval shaped skin around the areola is removed and the incision follows the complete areola. This elevates the nipple 1 inch to 1.5 inches. The skin can appeared puckered around the areola for several weeks but flattens out with time.
The Mandell-Brown “B” lift is used to raise the breast more than the “A” lift and can also be used to reduce the size of the areola.
Lollipop Lift
The Lollipop lift removes skin around the areola, and a segment of skin below the areola is also removed. The amount of skin under the areola removed is determined by the amount of lift needed and the amount of excess skin contributing to the breast sagging. When the incision is closed, a lollipop-shaped incision results around the areola and straight down toward the bottom of the breast. Occasionally, a horizontal incision is made in the breast crease to further improve the breast position. This breast lift raises the nipple 2 inches to 4 inches.
This patient requires a “C+” lift on the right breast which includes the anchor incision underneath the breast. The left breast requires a “C” lift which makes a “lollipop” or key hole closure.
What the Mastopexy Procedures Do:
- Help elevate the breast nipple.
- Improve breast sagging
- Create permanent (usually small) incisions around the areola and breast depending on the breast lift or mastopexy.
What MASTOPEXY Procedures Will Not Do:
- Improve the amount of breast tissue in the upper half of the breast (a breast augmentation is needed to add fullness to this area)
At the Mandell-Brown Plastic Surgery Center, considerable time is spent discussing which breast lift (mastopexy) and possible augmentation is needed. The benefits, risks, and alternative options are all carefully discussed so that you can make a better decision which procedure is best for you.