Plastic surgeons define a breast lift as a plastic surgery procedure that is used to firm, reshape and lift breasts that have become droopy or saggy from weight loss, pregnancy, aging or genetics. During mastopexy (breast lift) surgery, the diameter of the dark skin around the nipples (the areolas) can also be reduced.

Different Types of Breast Lifts: Patients can choose from a number of breast lift procedures. Your physician will assist you in determining the best breast lift procedure for you by evaluating the level of sagging (called “ptosis”) and the size of your breasts. The surgeon’s goal will be to produce optimal lifting and reshaping with a minimum of scarring. The placement of the incision differentiates the various breast lift techniques. These include an anchor-shaped incision (full mastopexy), donut-shaped incision (concentric or Benelli mastopexy) and a lollipop-shaped incision (short scar or vertical mastopexy).

The full mastopexy procedure is performed using several incisions that form an anchor shape on the breast. One incision encircles the areola, another leads down from the areola to the chest wall and a third runs horizontally along the crease under the breast.The breast is elevated, excess skin is removed, and the areolas can be reduced in size if desired.

Concentric (Benelli) Lift. An egg-shaped incision is made around the outside of the nipple and areola. The surgeon removes skin outside the areola and raises the nipple’s location on the breast.

Vertical Breast Lift. An incision around the areola is combined with a vertical cut leading from the areola to the bottom of the breast. The cosmetic surgeon may also remove a moon-shaped bit of skin from the underside of the breast in a variation of the vertical mastopexy known as the crescent lift.

Best Breast Lift Results: Studies suggest that the vertical mastopexy procedure often produces the best long-term result. The superior medial pedicle procedure may also be used to maintain a pleasing, full aspect in the upper breast area as the surgeon is sculpting. This technique helps the breast to retain its new shape longer with less drooping over time. The goal of breast lift surgery is to lift and shape the breasts, not to enlarge cup size. If the patient wishes to increase breast size as well as lift and re-shape, surgeons can perform a breast lift augmentation.

Breast Lift Candidates: Women suffering from breast ptosis who are otherwise physically and mentally healthy may be candidates for mastopexy. Patients need to understand that the surgery will likely leave behind some visible scarring. Women considering breast lift surgery should also understand that breast lift procedures are not a permanent solution, as gravity and the natural aging process will probably cause future ptosis.

Breast lift surgery is not advisable for women who have plans to become pregnant or lose an excessive amount of weight; these situations can cause stretching and loosening of the skin and ligaments associated with the breast.