What are the Challenges of Breast Lift Surgery in the 2020s?
Experiencing the joys of motherhood is an indescribable experience, but pregnancy and breastfeeding can take a toll on your breasts. You might find yourself longing for the beautiful, round, and augmented breasts you see on social media or achieved with a push-up bra.
However, standard breast lift procedures may not always deliver the results you desire. In the 2020s, women are seeking alternatives that can provide fuller, more youthful-looking breasts without the need for implants.
In this article, we’ll explore the challenges of traditional breast lift surgery and discuss innovative techniques that help overcome these limitations.
Popular Breast Lift Techniques
Crescent Lift
The crescent lift is the least invasive breast lift technique, designed for women with minimal sagging or asymmetry. It involves a small incision running along the top half of the areola’s edge, creating a crescent-shaped scar that is typically barely visible due to its location.
This technique is often performed in conjunction with breast augmentation to achieve optimal results.
While the crescent lift can provide a subtle improvement, it may not be suitable for women with more significant sagging or those who require more extensive reshaping of their breasts.
Donut Lift
The donut lift, also referred to as a periareolar or Benelli lift, is ideal for women with mild sagging who want a subtle lift. The donut lift may not be suitable for women with larger breasts or more significant sagging, as it can sometimes result in a flattened breast shape and poor projection.
This technique is often performed in conjunction with breast augmentation to fill the breast envelope. The Benelli lift uses a single circular incision around the outer edge of the areola to remove excess breast skin and place implants, resulting in a scar that is usually well-concealed within the darker pigment of the areola.
Lollipop Lift
The lollipop lift, also known as a vertical breast lift, is an excellent option for women with moderate sagging who desire a perkier appearance and some reshaping of their breasts.
This technique involves two incisions: one around the areola and another vertically from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease, creating a “lollipop” shape.
One of the main advantages of this technique is that it results in less scarring compared to more extensive procedures like the anchor lift, and the scars are generally well-hidden. Also, the lollipop lift can provide excellent projection and a natural-looking shape to the breasts. The main disadvantage of this technique is its applicability. The technique is best suited for those with milder breast sagging and most patients will require a more comprehensive lift.
The lollipop lift can also be combined with breast augmentation.
Anchor Breast Lift: The Status Quo
Also known as the inverted-T technique, the anchor breast lift is perhaps the oldest and most common breast lift technique out there. It’s often recommended for women with severe sagging and significant skin excess. It can also be combined with breast reduction for those with overly large and heavy breasts.
This procedure is named after the shape of its incision pattern, which resembles an anchor. It involves three incisions: one around the areola, another vertically from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease, and a third along the inframammary fold.
But while this technique can achieve dramatic results, it does come with some drawbacks.
One of the main concerns with the anchor breast lift is the scarring it leaves behind. Although these scars typically fade over time with proper care, they may still be visible when wearing certain clothing.
Also, this technique relies heavily on the tightened skin envelope to maintain the breast’s new shape, which can lead to a phenomenon known as “bottoming out.” This occurs when the breast tissue settles back down to the bottom of the breast within weeks to 3 months after surgery, resulting in a loss of upper pole fullness and an outcome that’s less than ideal.
As a result, many plastic surgeons have attempted to improve on this standard breast lift technique to create a more lasting result.
Internal Bra Breast Lift
Since 2016, some plastic surgeons have begun using synthetic mesh to create an internal bra, which acts as a hammock to support the lifted breast tissue. The goal is to provide long-lasting lift from the inside, potentially offering more durable results than traditional breast lift techniques.
This procedure can be versatile, suitable for women seeking a standalone lift or those combining it with other breast surgeries like augmentation or reduction. It’s suitable for those who’ve experienced significant breast changes due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, or aging.
The surgery involves incisions similar to that of the anchor-type breast lift, through which the surgeon sutures a synthetic biocompatible mesh as the internal support structure. Over time, your body integrates this support, potentially leading to longer-lasting results.
While the internal bra lift aims for natural-looking results, it’s important to have realistic expectations. Like any surgical procedure, it comes with potential risks and considerations. Recovery time can vary, though it’s often similar to that of traditional lift techniques.
The Internal Dermal-Bra Breast Lift: Dr. Agha’s Pioneered Technique
The internal dermal-bra breast lift is a procedure that was pioneered by Drs. Agha and Rubin in 2005 and has been published in several plastic surgery textbooks. This revolutionary technique uses your own dermal layer (the connective tissue layer of the excess breast skin) as a natural internal bra to support the lifted breast.
Dr. Agha has since refined this technique over the past 20 years to offer a comprehensive, three-dimensional approach to breast reshaping. It involves elevating and suturing the breast tissue to the chest muscle at a higher position, creating an internal bra with the dermal layer, and then draping the breast skin over the lifted mound to achieve remarkable results.
The internal dermal-bra breast lift not only lifts and reshapes your breasts but also helps to create cleavage, narrow wider breasts, and enhance projection, all without the need for implants. The multiple internal suturing points provide a strong foundation for your newly shaped breasts, leading to more long-lasting results compared to traditional breast lift techniques.
Another advantage of this technique is improved healing, as there is no internal pressure on the incisions from the lifted breast tissue. Unlike some other breast lift methods, the internal dermal-bra breast lift does not typically result in a reduction of breast volume.
While this revolutionary procedure is more complex and may take longer to perform than other breast lift techniques, the results speak for themselves: round, perky, and natural-looking breasts that can boost your confidence and help you feel like your best self.
Combining Breast Lifts With Implants
While a breast lift can effectively address sagging and reshape your breasts, some women opt to combine this procedure with breast implants to achieve a fuller, rounder appearance with enhanced cleavage.
When you combine a breast lift with implants, you can enjoy the benefits of both procedures. The lift will reposition your breasts to a more youthful, perky position on your chest wall, while the implants will add volume and fullness, particularly in the upper pole of your breasts. This combination can be especially beneficial if you’ve experienced a loss of breast volume due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight fluctuations.
If you have larger breasts to begin with, your surgeon may recommend a breast reduction in conjunction with your lift and implants to achieve optimal results. This will ensure that your breasts are not only lifted and fuller but also proportionate to your body.
Conclusion
As breast lift surgery continues to evolve, it’s clear that there are many exciting advancements on the horizon.
From innovative techniques like the internal dermal bra breast lift to the growing trend of combining lifts with implants, women have more options than ever before to achieve the youthful, perky breasts they desire.
But remember that every woman’s body and goals are unique, which is why personalized treatment plans and thorough patient education are so important.
If you’re considering a breast lift, schedule a consultation with Dr. Agha at The Aesthetic Centers to discuss your options and take the first step towards achieving your ideal breast appearance.
