Breast Lift Techniques

Each patient that comes to see Drs. Marcus Crawford and Steven Bailey is unique in terms of goals, concerns, and physique. This is particularly true in the case of a breast lift procedure, which involves the use of surgical techniques depending upon the size and shape of a woman’s breast. The breast lift procedure will remove excess breast skin to address sagging or drooping breasts, lifting them upward, giving them a more youthful look. The nipples can also be repositioned. Depending on the amount of work to be done, there are several surgical methods that can be used to lift the breast.

Nipple Reduction and Repositioning

This procedure is used for women with only minor droop or sag to the breasts, who only need the nipple and areola (the darkened skin surrounding the nipple) structures to be reduced in size and moved higher on the breast. An incision is made around the areola. The nipple and areola structures are then lifted, repositioned higher on the breast, and sutured back into place.

Lollipop Incision

A lollipop incision technique uses an incision pattern that resembles a lollipop. It can be used for women who have a moderate amount of breast droop. In addition to the circular incision to reposition the nipple and areola structures, a second incision is made vertically from the underside of the areola down to the inframammary crease (the point at which the underside of the breast joins the chest wall). Excess breast tissue is then pulled together and upward to lift the breast and reposition the nipple and areola.

Anchor Incision

In cases of severe droop or sag, in which the nipple line has fallen below the point of the inframammary crease and the nipples point downward, rather than out, a third incision is made. This horizontal incision follows the inframammary crease on the underside of the breast. This is referred to as an anchor incision pattern due to its shape. In cases of severe sag, the breast lift may be combined with breast reduction or breast augmentation.

Cautions for a Breast Lift Procedure

The breast structure has no actual muscle to support it. Instead, the breast comprises gland and fat tissue, along with the mammary ducts. Because there is no muscle support for the breasts, any fluctuation in breast size or weight, even after a breast lift procedure, can cause the breasts to once again droop. Drs. Crawford and Bailey suggest that women who undergo a breast lift keep a diligent eye on their body weight, as this may affect the weight of the breasts. Although women who become pregnant after a breast lift can successfully breast feed, they should be aware that the pregnancy and lactation period can alter the shape of the breasts.

Whether as the result of pregnancy or weight loss, the breasts may lose their previous youthful appearance. A breast lift procedure may allow women to once again have the breast shape they desire.