Where Are Breast Lift Incisions Placed?

By Dr. Saba Motakef

If you’re like most women, the appearance of your breasts can affect how you feel about your body overall. Having full, perky, symmetric breasts often makes women feel attractive and feminine, something every woman deserves to feel. Unfortunately, life events such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and aging can significantly impact the breasts. In many cases, women begin to notice drooping breasts, sagging skin, and downward-pointing nipples over time. For this reason, thousands of women each year turn to cosmetic surgery to enhance their breasts and achieve a more natural-looking, youthful figure.

Award-winning Newport Beach plastic surgeon Dr. Saba Motakef and the expert team at Motakef Plastic Surgery + Med Spa are proud to offer the most advanced and effective breast lift techniques to help women achieve or restore the perky, youthful, gorgeous breasts they deserve. Learn more about Orange County breast lift here, including how it is performed, where the incisions are placed, and what kind of scarring you can expect to have.

What is a breast lift?

Formally known as mastopexy, a breast lift is a cosmetic procedure designed to improve the shape, position, and overall contour of the breasts. This is accomplished primarily through skin removal, though in many cases, additional techniques are used to further enhance the results and achieve a youthful, perky, symmetric outcome. For example, some women may require a reduction in the size of the areola and/or repositioning of the nipple areola-complex to complement the position of her newly lifted breasts.

Who needs breast lift surgery?

Any woman who has begun to notice sagging breasts, drooping nipples, or similar cosmetic concerns may benefit from breast lift surgery. In a lot of cases, these changes are the result of one or more of the following:

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Weight loss
• Aging
• Genetics

When it comes to pregnancy and breastfeeding, the woman’s breasts swell significantly, causing the skin to stretch out. As volume is lost over time, the skin may remain stretched out and result in a droopy or saggy appearance. This is also true for patients who experience significant weight loss. Oftentimes, however, the aging process alone can result in drooping breasts or nipples that begin to point downward. All of these concerns can be addressed with breast lift surgery. Patients considering mastopexy should be healthy, not smoke, be at a healthy and stable weight, and have a good amount of skin elasticity. During your initial consultation, Dr. Motakef will carefully evaluate your breasts, discuss your concerns and goals, and determine if a breast lift is right for you. In some cases, Dr. Motakef may recommend breast augmentation in addition to – or instead of – breast lift, depending on a variety of personal factors.

What are the different breast lift incision types?

There are several surgical techniques available for breast lift surgery. Once Dr. Motakef has thoroughly examined your anatomy and discussed your specific goals, he will decide which surgical approach is most appropriate for your case. The most notable difference between the various types of breast lift procedures lies in the placement of the incision(s). The most commonly used breast lift incisions include:

• Crescent incision: The crescent breast lift incision is typically reserved for patients who have very minimal drooping and only require subtle lifting to achieve their desired outcome. This technique involves a semicircular incision along the top of the areola, and the resulting scar is usually well concealed along the tissue’s natural edge, making it virtually invisible.

• Periareolar incision: Also ideal for patients with fairly mild drooping or sagging, the periareolar breast lift incision – which runs around the entire areola – results in subtle enhancements and a relatively invisible scar.

• Lollipop incision: Probably, the most well-known and frequently used technique for breast lift involves a lollipop incision. This approach actually involves two incisions: one around the edge of the areola and another vertically down the center of the lower portion of the breast. A lollipop incision allows the surgeon to remove a greater amount of excess skin and/or tissue, significantly shape and reposition the breast, and achieve a more dramatic level of lift. While patients will have a visible scar, most women agree that their youthful and attractive new look is well worth the scar.

• Anchor incision: Another common variation of the breast lift requires an inverted-T incision, also known as the anchor incision. In addition to the areolar and vertical incisions required in a lollipop lift, an anchor incision also involves a third incision in the inframammary crease just underneath the breasts. The anchor incision breast lift, undoubtedly, allows for the most dramatic changes to be made and is a fantastic option for women with significant sagging, drooping, and excess skin.

The best way to determine which type of breast lift incision can best help you achieve the look you’ve always wanted is to be evaluated by a highly qualified and experienced plastic surgeon.

Restore a youthful, perky, stunning figure you can be proud of with a breast lift in Newport Beach, CA

If you are self-conscious about your saggy breasts or droopy nipples, it may be time to consider breast lift surgery. Call the welcoming team at Motakef Plastic Surgery + Med Spa in Anaheim Hills, CA to schedule your private consultation with renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Saba Motakef today, and discover how a breast lift in Orange County can enhance your body, boost your confidence, and change your life!