Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
For perkier, more youthful looking breasts
As women age or after breastfeeding or weight loss they can experience what is termed ‘sagging breasts’ or ptosis. Younger women can also experience ptosis as a result of significant weight loss or due to heredity. A breast lift or mastopexy can improve the position and shape of the breasts without decreasing their size.
A breast lift procedure can improve the sagginess of breasts, as well as nipple repositioning, such as reducing areola size and raising the position of downward pointing nipples and areolas. However, breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast i.e. create upper pole fullness. If you want your breasts to look fuller, consider breast lift and breast augmentation surgery.
If you want smaller breasts, consider combining breast lift/breast reduction surgery.
We’ve helped people across Melbourne and Canberra achieve the results they want, whether you’re in Hawthorn or Curtin, you have access to support from a specialist plastic surgeon close at hand. View examples of successful procedures in our Breast Augmentation and Lift Gallery.
Case Example: Dr Milovic performed a combined vertical scar breast lift & augmentation procedure.
Breast Lift Techniques
The location of the incisions will depend on the size and shape of your breasts, the amount of skin and tissue that may need to be removed and your preferences.
Dr Milovic uses the following limited or minimal scar techniques to achieve a breast lift, for suitable patients, including:
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Lejouror “lollypop” method
The Lejour method, also known as the “lollypop” or “vertical scar lift” has two incisions, one around the areola and another vertically down from the lower edge of the areola to the crease under the breast (infra-mammary fold). It is very effective and produces a long lasting result with minimal scarring.
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Periareolar Goes-Sampaio method
This technique was pioneered by Dr Jaio Sampaio Goes, a Brazilian surgeon has produced excellent results in elevating the nipple and breast tissue, as well as less scarring than the traditional inferior pedicle method. This breast lift procedure involves only one incision around the areola and will be suitable in selected cases, depending on your anatomy and goals.
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The inverted “T” or “anchor” method
For women with extremely large breasts, the inverted T or anchor method may be more appropriate, although Dr Milovic would use this procedure more rarely than his modified vertical scar method for large breasts. The nipple areolar complex can be suspended on the superior medial pedicle, and the skin and glandis redraped with an anchor type closure. This technique results in avertical and horizontal scar.
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The Crescent lift technique
For a minor breast lift, best suited for women with smaller breasts and minimal ptosis, a crescent mastopexy may be suitable. The skin from the upper area of the areola is removed, leaving a minimal scar around the outer edge of the upper areola.The above breast lift techniques are preferred by Dr Milovic when performing breast lift procedures because they are effective with minimal scarring, thereby producing a pleasing aesthetic result. Not all patients will be suitable candidates for limited scarring techniques
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The inferior pedicle method
This is a traditional method; however Dr Milovic typically would only use in breast revisional reductions/lifts where this technique was used in the original surgery. This technique involves three incisions – around the areola, vertically down from the lower edge of the areola to the crease under the breast (or inframammary fold), and horizontally, along the natural curve of the breast crease. A downside of this technique can result in a “boxy” shaped breast, as well as resulting in a thickening of the skin at the bottom of the breast.The most appropriate breast lift technique will be discussed with you, once Dr Milovic has assessed the shape and volume of your breasts, the position of your nipples and the condition of the skin on your breasts. He will also ascertain your desires and aesthetic goals and together, a decision will be made on which incision option will give you the best possible results. Often women choose to have Breast Augmentation in conjunction with a Breast Lift, and Dr Milovic will usually perform them together in the one procedure.
To find out which technique is most suitable for you, book a consultation with Dr Milovic at either of his Deakin, Canberra and Malvern, Melbourne clinics.