Different Types of Breast Lifts

Aging, breastfeeding and weight fluctuations can result in dramatic changes to the shape of a woman’s breasts. At Schaffer Plastic Surgery we know how distressing this can be, so we offer several different types of breast lifts to help achieve the most aesthetically pleasing result for any breast shape. Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Christopher Schaffer, is a highly regarded expert in breast lifts and augmentations. Working with you to ascertain your desired results, he will recommend the best type of breast lift for your unique anatomy and goals.

Benefits of a Breast Lift

Breast lifts are a popular procedure for women who may not necessarily be interested in augmentation but rather in a correction to the natural aging process. Breast lifts can restore more youthful, feminine body proportions that can make undergarments and swimsuits fit more attractively. Breast lifts should be highly personalized, based on a woman’s unique anatomy and goals. There are several breast lift techniques to help achieve the most aesthetically pleasing result for any breast shape.

How Different Types of Breast Lifts Work

Before detailing the different types of breast lifts offered by Dr. Schaffer, it is important to understand the general nature of how they work. Breast lifts can restore more youthful, feminine body proportions that can help undergarments and swimsuits fit more attractively. They are achieved by surgically repositioning the breast tissue and lifting the nipples to create a perkier appearance. Also known as a mastopexy, a breast lift is often combined with augmentation or a fat transfer to increase size as well as lift. Sometimes excess skin is removed but the overall technique of the breast lift recommended by Dr. Schaffer will account for your natural breast shape and desired outcome.

Most Common Types of Breast Lifts Performed at Schaffer Plastic Surgery

Dr. Schaffer is a recognized expert and innovator in the field of breast enhancement surgery. He is also deeply committed to patient safety and will never perform a procedure in which he does not have complete confidence. Breast lifts that lead to consistently poor outcomes are not performed at Schaffer Plastic Surgery. The most ideal and commonly performed types of breast lifts performed by Dr. Schaffer are as follows:

Peri-Areolar Breast Lift

Resulting in only a single scar, a peri-areolar breast lift corrects mild sagging. Also known as a donut lift, this technique involves a circular incision around the areola. With the incision tracing the edge of the areola, the scar is typically barely noticeable after healing. Dr. Schaffer commonly performs this type of breast lift in conjunction with breast augmentation.

Vertical Breast Lift

Also known as a lollipop lift, a vertical breast lift is ideal for women who are experiencing moderate sagging. For this technique, Dr. Schaffer makes an incision around the areola and another incision running vertically from the inframammary fold to the bottom of the areola. Through these incisions, Dr. Schaffer can remove excess skin and reshape the entire breast with easily hidden scars.

Anchor Breast Lift

Women who have considerably sagging or pendulous breasts are ideal candidates for anchor breast lifts. This breast lift technique requires three incisions: one around the areola, one from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease and another along the inframammary fold, hidden in the breast crease. Dr. Schaffer can remove significant amounts of excess skin and sagging tissue through these incisions to make the breasts less heavy. Although there can be considerable scarring after an anchor breast lift, this will typically fade with proper aftercare.

Breast Lifts with Augmentation

Achieving optimal, desired results often requires augmentation of some kind. Dr. Schaffer can advise whether the augmentation should be performed by an implant or a fat transfer. A breast lift with fat transfer involves liposuction of either the abdomen, flanks, thighs or bra line to remove fat which is subsequently processed and transferred to the breast. A breast lift with implants involves placing an implant behind the breast tissue for a natural look.

Choosing the Best Breast Lift Option for You

Breast lifts involve a number of decisions on technique and whether to involve augmentation or not. Rest assured that in choosing Dr. Schaffer, you will never have to make these decisions alone. Dr. Schaffer will spend time getting to know you and your goals before making a recommendation on what type of breast lift would be best for you. As one of Alabama’s most experienced and acclaimed board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Schaffer never leads his patients down the wrong path. As a prior member of the Mentor LEAD Advisory Board (a prestigious group of plastic surgeons selected for their leadership and experience in shaping the future of breast augmentation), he is truly an expert in every type of breast enhancement surgery.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Schaffer to learn more about breast lifts and to determine which technique is best for you. Call us today on 205.278.7969.