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Four main types of breast lifts
exist, and the common names of them are based on the
shape of the incision and resulting scar. The more sagging
you have, the more likely that you will need more extensive
and longer incisions to achieve a desirable result.
With any of these techniques, the nipple and areola
complex can be shifted to either side as well as up,
if necessary, for the most aesthetic appearance. A breast
lift does not involve removal and replacement of the
nipple. The nipple and areola stay attached to the breast,
and only surrounding skin is removed.
crescent mastopexy - For
patients with mild sagging, excess breast skin in the
upper half of the breast, and a normal amount of skin
in the lower half, a semi-circular incison is made on
the upper portion of the areola. A crescent shaped piece
of skin is removed, and when the skin edges are sewn
back together, the nipple and areola are raised slightly
(1 to 2 inches). A crescent mastopexy is best for women
with only mild breast ptosis (sagging).
donut mastopexy - Also called
a Benelli mastopexy or circumareolar mastopexy since
the incision is around the areola, a donut mastopexy
removes a ring of skin from outside the areola. Sutures
are then placed around the areola and the skin is tightened
like a purse string to lift the breast. Puckering of
the skin may occur, and usually resolves on its own
within a few months. The donut mastopexy is also useful
for women with a projecting nipple/areola complex (sometimes
called torpedo or missile shaped breasts), and can also
be used to reduce the size of the areola at the same
time.
lollipop or vertical mastopexy
- As the name implies, the incision for a lollipop mastopexy
is made around the areola and then down the center of
the breast to the inframammary fold. This technique
is used for mild to moderate breast ptosis. As with
the circumareolar or donut lift, the size of the areola
may be reduced at the same time.
anchor mastopexy - Also referred
to as a Wise pattern (or sometimes Weiss pattern) mastopexy,
full breast lift, or inverted-T incision, the anchor
mastopexy is considered the traditional technique for
breast lifting. The incisions are made around the areola,
down the center of the lower portion of the breast and
then across the breast in the inframmamary fold. Like
the donut and lollipop incisions, the areola can be
made smaller at the same time. The resulting scar is
in the shape of an anchor. Although the Wise pattern
or anchor mastopexy used to be the standard, it is now
usually reserved only for those with moderate to severe
breast sagging.
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