A breast lift will not have a significant impact on the size of the breasts, nor will it restore volume to the upper portion of the breasts. Women who want breasts that are both higher and fuller often need to undergo both a breast lift and an augmentation at the same time for optimal results. On the other hand, a breast lift can also be combined with a breast reduction procedure to both lift the breasts and simultaneously make them smaller.

Your breast lift procedure can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques.

The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:

• Breast size and shape
• The size and position of your areolas
• The degree of breast sagging
• Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 – The incision

A breast lift is performed by restructuring the breast tissue; in many women a delicate incision around the nipple area is all that is needed, in others who have a large amount of excess skin, the incision will need to be extended. There are three major kinds of breast lifts, depending on incision type:

• The donut, Benelli, or circumareolar technique achieves a lift by making a donut-shaped incision around the areola. The amount of lift is limited, so the technique offers mild correction to sagging.
• Lollipop or vertical incisions circle the areola and extend downward. This option is rapidly becoming more popular and can be used for moderate to severe sagging correction.
• The anchor technique starts with lollipop incisions and adds a horizontal incision along the breast crease. This older technique is particularly helpful in more extreme cases of sagging.

Step 3 – Reshaping your breasts

After your doctor makes the incisions:

• The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness.
• The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height.
• If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.
• Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.

Step 4 – Closing the incisions

After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed.

Some incision lines resulting from breast lift are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.

Many women desire the smallest scar possible. However, your plastic surgeon will recommend the incisions which best suit your anatomy.

Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape may be used to close the skin.