What goes up, must come down. Unfortunately, as we age the law of gravity can take a toll on our bodies.
Many women experience sagging of the breasts. It is a natural occurrence that results from aging, weight changes, pregnancy and genetics. In addition to sagging, women can experience issues with breast firmness, size, and/or projection. It is common after breastfeeding or weight loss for women to find that their breasts droop below the breast fold making the nipples nearly point downward.
The best way to correct sagging breasts is with a breast lift procedure, known as mastopexy. A breast lift raises the breasts by removing excess skin which tightens the surrounding tissue to reshape the new breast contour. The plastic surgeon will also reposition the nipples so that they are in the center of the breasts and both nipples are at the same level.
There are several different options and techniques used when performing a breast lift. Each patient is different and has a different set of needs based on the current condition of their breasts, as well as the desired outcome. Your plastic surgeon will discuss all the options available and suggest which technique will offer the best outcome. Here are the most common breast lift techniques:
The anchor incision is the most common method of performing a breast lift. The incision is made around the areola, vertically down to the breast crease and finally along the line of the breast crease. This technique is the best option for women with a significant amount of sagging, who would not get the desired results by other less-invasive techniques. Because is offers the most correction with a predictable outcome, this is the most-often used breast lift approach.
A Keyhole incision, or “lollipop lift”, is when the incision is made around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease. Performing a breast lift this way will give great results for patients with a moderate degree of sagging.
The Benelli lift or the peri-areolar incision is made around the areola only. This method of breast lift is best suited for women with a mild degree of sagging, or women that wish to reduce the areola size. This technique is often used in conjunction with a breast implant and is good option for patients that have a loss of breast fullness and projection, along with some sagging.
Many women are concerned about scarring from a breast lift. Although any breast lift procedure does create an incision, which means there will be a scar, these scars can be well-hidden and treated after surgery to reduce their appearance.
If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your breasts, schedule a consultation today with one of our award-winning, board certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Peter Butler or Dr. Jocelyn Leveque.
