Dr. Robert Troell - Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV & Irvine, CA
Cosmetic and Facial Plastic Surgeon
WHAT IS A BREAST LIFT (MAMMOPLASTY OR MASTOPEXY)? (*)
A breast lift is a cosmetic procedure that elevates the breasts to a more aesthetically pleasing position. The breast contour orfootprint on the chest is optimizedby eliminating both sagging skin and excess tissue. Unlike breast augmentation, a breast lift focuses on elevating the nipple-areolar complex and altering the position and shape of the breasts, instead of just improving breast fullness or volume enhancement.
GOALS OF BREAST LIFT SURGERY:
• Lift the breast to a more superior aesthetic position on the chest wall
• Re-position the nipple-areolar complex to an improved location on the breast (lifted)
•Improved superior pole fullness (may need fat grafting or an implant to achieve)
• Good projection of the breast mound on the chest
• Safe procedure, minimal postoperative discomfort, acceptable skin scarring
• Improved breast shape
• Breast size can be either reduced or enlarged
• Symmetry: position of the breasts and nipple-areola complex on the chest wall, shape, & size.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR A BREAST LIFT?
Women with a significant amount of sagging or drooping breastswith the nipples at or below the lower breast crease (inframammary fold or IMF), referred to as Ptosis,are candidates for a breast lift. The most common conditions that women present for a mastopexy are:
• Patients who have birthed children, especially in those who breast fed
• Those who have lost a significant amount of weight
• Result ofthe aging process
• Medical conditions that create decreased elasticity of the skin
TYPE OF BREAST LIFT (MASTOPEXY) PROCEDURES:![]()
• NO INCISION LIFT
• CRESCENT LIFT
• BENELLI LIFT (PERIAREOLAR ROUND BLOCK)
• VERTICAL LIFT (LOLLIPOP INCISION APPEARANCE)
• ANCHOR LIFT (INVERTED “T” OR WISE PATTERN
NO INCISION LIFT
(VASER ULTRASOUND LIPOSUCTION +/- RENUVION HELIUM ACTIVATED RF)
When Indicated:
Combining lifting with reduction. Mainly with mild to moderate sagging breasts with moderate to large amount of fat present in the breasts.
Benefits:
No observable scar with reduction of tissue throughout the entire breast and it achieves 1-2 cm of lifting
Limitations:
The breasts are always made smaller. The amount of lift is related to the amount of fat that is present and can be removed by liposuction. The amount of lift is poorly predicatable.
CRESCENT LIFT
When indicated:
Mainly droopy or redundant skin at the superior aspectof the breast, minimal sagging ofthe breasts and the nipples pointing forward. It can also correct some asymmetries of the areola.
Benefits:
Smallest incision, least invasive, can be performed under local anesthesia and oral sedation. Incision is along the areola skin junction, minimizing the appearance of any scar.
Limitations:
Not indicated for more than one centimeter of droopiness. Poor choice in patients with inelastic skin, since it will only stretch out within 6-12 months. Does not re-position breast tissue.
BENELLILIFT(PERIAREOLAR ROUND BLOCK)
When indicated:
Mainly for minor sagging of the breasts, typically between 1-2 cm and with symmetric or mildly asymmetric areola. Best with good skin elasticity for a longer duration of correction.
Benefits:
Incision is along the areola skin junction around the entire areola, minimizing the appearance of any scar on the breast. Large or asymmetric areola can be made smaller and more symmetric.
Limitations:
Typically, not indicated for more than one to two centimeters of droopiness. Not a good choice in patients with inelastic skin. The anterior projection that can be created is limited. Areola enlargement and thickening or widening of the scar are possible. Flattening of the shape and recurrent droopiness (ptosis) are possible.
VERTICAL LIFT (LOLLIPOP LIFT)
When indicated:
Typically, moderate sagging breasts, including those with those with down pointing nipples. Although the Optimal Candidatesare the following:
• Young patients
• Mild to moderate breast hypertrophy
• Mild to moderate breast droopiness or ptosis
• Normal quality skin elasticity
Extended candidates for a Vertical Lift:
It is still the method preferred by most patients with increased breast size and more droopiness, because of the lack of the horizontal incision.The surgical technique in this patient population requires more surgical skill and experience to achieve best aesthetic outcomes.
Benefits:
Incision is along the areola skin junction around the entire areola, minimizing the appearance of any scar on the breast. There is no horizontal scar, which 69% of women do not like.Large or asymmetric areola can be made smaller and more symmetric. The areolas can be made smaller to the optimal width (4 cm) and the areola-nipple complex placed at a more appropriate position on the chest. Typically, a longer aesthetic result, less boxy look, and less risk of the breast “bottoming out”, which is the breast looking like it is saggy again.
Limitations:
Large breasts and those with more pronounced ptosisare those patients where it’s more difficult to achieve the desired result. They are also more likely to need a revision procedure to optimize the cosmetic result. The most common revision is to remove skin and soft tissue between the areola and inferior breast crease (inframammary fold), known as a “dog ear”. The reason this is tolerated, is the absence (in most patients) of a horizontal scar. The final resting place of the nipple position is more difficult to estimate at time of the marking of the breast before the surgical procedure than the Inverted “T” or Anchor technique.
ANCHOR LIFT (INVERTED “T” OR WISE PATTERN)
When indicated:
From mild to significant breast droopiness or ptosis with the nipples pointing straight or downward.
Benefits:
Allows for the most breast tissue and skin to be removed. More consistent results than the Vertical Lift in women with large or more droopy breasts. The areolas can be made smaller to the optimal width (4 cm) and the areola-nipple complex placed at a more appropriate position on the chest.
Limitations:
The horizontal scar is the biggest limitation with 69% of women preferring not to have the horizontal scar. The vertical breast scar heals with an acceptable scar in nearly all women, however, the horizontal scar appearance and length is the main concern.
ADVANTAGES OF VERTICAL LIFT OVER ANCHOR LIFT
1.Avoids the horizontal scar (69% of women undergoing Anchor lift dislike this scar)
2.The inframammary crease (IMF) is elevated, where in the Anchor is lowered
3.Themethod of lifting the breast (tissue instead of skin) offers better long-term support
4.The skin of the lower breast is less likely to expand or stretch
5.“Bottoming out”-breast sagging downward again much less likely with the better support
6.Much less likelyto create the “Boxy look” of the lower breast seen in Anchor method
Contact Dr. Troell’s Office for Your Free Consultation:
Dr. Troell and his staff are happy to discuss Gluteal Sculpting (Brazilian Butt Lift) procedures with you and answer your questions. Please feel free to call our offices in Las Vegas, Nevada (702) 242-6488 and Irvine, California (949) 220-0532.
For your free private consultation or appointment click here.