New Jersey Breast Lift Options

Descriptions of Breast Lift Procedures

A Breast Lift, or Mastopexy, is a procedure which surgically reshapes the breasts, tightens loose skin and lifts the breasts into a more youthful position.

	Crescent Mastopexy — Patients with minimal Grade 2 ptosis, or sagging, are candidates for this procedure. Dr. Parker will remove a small amount of skin from just above the areola elevating the nipple ~1 cm. A breast implant can be inserted through this incision. The incision is closed with several layers of dissolvable sutures along the upper border of the areola so that the resultant scar is usually very inconspicuous.
	Peri-Areolar Mastopexy — Patients with moderate Grade 2 ptosis, or sagging, are candidates for this procedure. Dr. Parker will remove an asymmetric ellipse of skin from around the areola. More skin is removed from above the areola to elevate it higher on the breast. This will elevate the nipple ~1-2 cm. A breast implant can be inserted through this incision. The incision is closed with several layers of dissolvable sutures along the outer border of the areola so that the resultant scar is usually inconspicuous. By filling the sagging breast skin envelope with an implant, removing excess skin, and raising the nipple-areolar complex, a dramatic improvement can be achieved.
	Vertical Mastopexy — Patients with more severe Grade 2 ptosis, or sagging, and moderate Grade 3 ptosis are candidates for this procedure. Dr. Parker will remove a V shaped piece of skin and breast tissue from beneath the areola as well as around the areola. Several layers of dissolvable sutures are used to close these incisions. In doing so, the nipple-areolar complex is elevated on the breast and supported by the sutures used to close the incision beneath it. The resultant incision usually heals well and has the shape of a lollipop, giving rise to the name “lollipop lift”. If the goal is to reduce the size of the breast and lift it, breast tissue can be removed to do so. The amount of the tissue to be removed is discussed with Dr. Parker based on the desired size of the breast after surgery. Some patients, instead of removing breast tissue, request an implant be added to the breast to restore the fullness they once had in the upper portion of the breast. The size of the implant is discussed at length before surgery and clarified in a Sizing and Shaping Session
	Inverted T Mastopexy — Patients with more severe Grade 3 ptosis, or sagging, are candidates for this procedure. This used to be the standard incision for mastopexy surgery until the advent of the crescent, peri-areolar and vertical mastopexies several years ago. In this procedure, Dr. Parker will remove excess skin and breast tissue through an anchor type incision. The desired size of the breast will determine how much breast tissue is removed. Closure of the incisions with several layers of dissolvable sutures will leave scars which usually heal satisfactorily. The nipple-areolar complex is elevated on the breast , the skin is tightened and the shape of the breast improved. This procedure is used most commonly by Dr. Parker today in patients with a significant amount of skin excess. Occasionally, an implant can be inserted to restore fullness to the upper portion of the breast, usually is patients who have lost a large amount of weight.

What Type of Lift is Right for You?

Patients with normal breast anatomy, Grade 1 ptosis and pseudoptosis who would like larger breasts, breast augmentation alone will provide a nice improvement. This will not only increase the size of the breast, but lift it somewhat higher on the chest wall.

Patients with Grade 2 ptosis will need re-positioning of the nipple-areolar complex with a crescent, peri-areolar or vertical mastopexy, depending on the severity of the ptosis. Additional options include the insertion of a breast implant as well if the patient desires more fullness in the upper portion of the breast and/ or a larger breast.

Patients with Grade 3 ptosis will need re-positioning of the nipple-areolar complex with a vertical or inverted T mastopexy, depending on the severity of the ptosis. Additional options include the insertion of a breast implant as well if the patient desires more fullness in the upper portion of the breast and/or a larger breast.

Patients with parenchymal maldistribution need release of the constricted lower pole, lowering of the inframammary fold, lengthening the distance from the fold to the nipple and a peri–areolar mastopexy to reduce the size of the areola. A breast implant is inserted through a peri-areolar approach to maintain these changes in the breast.

Additional Parker Center for Plastic Surgery Resources

• View before and after photos of breast lift with implants patients
• View before and after photos of breast lift alone patients
• View before and after photos of breast reduction patients
• Learn about the different ways in which breasts sag
• Learn how we help you test breast implants and find the right size during your sizing and shaping session
• View our animated breast lift procedure information
• Watch stories from real New Jersey breast surgery patients
• Read New Jersey breast augmentation stories
• Learn about the saline & silicone breast implants, your profile choices & more
• Learn about the emotional considerations associated with breast surgery