One of the primary reasons patients seek plastic surgery is to combat the effects of aging on their bodies. These days, there is no plastic surgery more popular than a breast lift. While very large breasts were all the rage in the 90s, not all patients today want that look. Many simply want to retain their youthful shape by returning their breasts to their original position.
A breast lift is a procedure during which the plastic surgeon removes excess skin on the patient’s breasts and tightens the surrounding tissue to create a more youthful shape. This extra skin often results from stretching due to age, weight loss, or pregnancy. Unlike the breast augmentation procedure, no material is added to the body during the surgery. This is simply a resculpting procedure.
At Florida Center for Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, we offer four different types of breast lifts. Below we’ve included an outline of each.
1. The Crescent Lift
For patients with slight breast sagging, the Crescent Lift may be the ideal procedure. Often paired with a breast augmentation, the process results in minimal scarring. During the Crescent Lift, the surgeon removes a crescent-shaped section of tissue from the top side of the areola. Then, when the incision is stitched together, it creates a natural and youthful lifted appearance. The location of the incision allows the plastic surgeon to hide the scar along the top edge of the areola, making it difficult to see.
2. The Periareolar Lift
The Periareolar Lift is slightly more involved than the Crescent Lift. During this procedure, the surgeon makes a single incision around the edge of the areola and then a larger circle around that one. The method used in this lift gives it the nickname The Donut Lift. The donut-shaped section of tissue is removed, and the two incisions are stitched together. Once the gap between the inner and outer circles is closed, the nipple will be at a higher position and excess skin removed, creating a tighter, more youthful-looking breast.
3. The Vertical Lift
As you’ve likely noticed, these lifts are becoming progressively more involved. The Vertical Lift, also known as the Lollipop Lift, is ideal for patients with moderate sagging in their breasts as it requires more tissue sculpting than the other procedures we’ve mentioned. During the Vertical Lift, the surgeon cuts an incision in a circle around the areola and then from the bottom of the areola to the crease on the underside of the breast. While this procedure creates a more prominent scar than the previous options, the scar is easily hidden due to its placement underneath the breast.
4. The Anchor Lift
The final lift we offer is the Achor Lift, also known as the Inverted T Lift. We recommend this procedure to patients who have the most severe sagging in their breast tissue. The Anchor Lift combines some of the incisions of the procedures listed above, including the incision circling the areola and the vertical incision from the bottom of the areolas to the bottom of the breast. Additionally, an incision is made along the bottom crease underneath the breast, which is referred to as the inframammary fold. While this surgery leaves the patient with the most scarring, the scars are easily hidden by clothing, and the results are well worth it.
For many women, the shape and youthfulness of their breasts are part of what makes them feel feminine and beautiful. We’re consistently thrilled to see our patients respond positively to our breast lift procedures and fall back in love with their appearance. If you’re ready to make a change and return your body to its youthful perkiness and want to get more information about our services, contact our office today.