Breast appearance can change over time due to factors like age, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight gain or loss, and genetics. Skin elasticity decreases, and breasts may start to sag, leading to a condition called breast ptosis. For many women, sagging breasts can affect not only body confidence but also how they feel in certain outfits and swimwear. Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a type of cosmetic surgery that can correct this by reshaping the breasts to a firmer, more lifted, and youthful position.
The most common question women have about getting a breast lift is, which type of breast lift should I get? The answer to this will depend on the extent of sagging, size of your breasts, the results you are looking for, and a few medical factors. To understand the procedure in depth and discuss your goals and options, consult a well-trained plastic surgeon in Delhi, India.
Understanding Breast Ptosis (Sagging)
When discussing types of breast lifts, it is important to first note that doctors will often classify breast sagging into 3 grades:
- Grade 1 or Mild Ptosis: Nipples sit a little lower than breast crease.
- Grade 2 or Moderate Ptosis: Nipples sit well below the breast crease, but they remain above the lowest point of the breast.
- Grade 3 or Severe Ptosis: Nipples point down and sit at the lowest point of the breast.
There is no right or wrong ptosis grade, as each patient will have a different anatomy, skin elasticity, and desired outcome. However, the type of lift you need will usually be determined by these 3 factors.
Types of Breast Lift Procedures
1. Crescent Lift
- Ideal Candidates: Best for women who have slight sagging.
- This procedure involves a smaller incision, placed around the upper half of the areola. The surgeon will cut and remove a crescent-shaped area of skin. This will slightly elevate the nipple and breast area.
- Advantages: Scars will be less visible, shorter surgery time, and faster recovery.
- Limitations: This type of lift is not recommended for women with moderate to severe breast sagging.
The crescent lift is most often done along with breast augmentation for women who want volume and just a little bit of lift on the breasts.
2. Peri-Areolar (Donut) Lift
- Ideal Candidates: Best for women with mild to moderate sagging.
- The surgeon makes a circular incision around the entire areola and tightens the skin around it.
- Advantages: Scarring is minimal and is well camouflaged with the natural border of the areola.
- Limitations: Does not provide adequate lift for more severe sagging. There is a risk of the breast shape becoming slightly flattened.
This procedure is frequently used for women who also want to reduce areolar size along with breast lift.
3. Vertical (Lollipop) Lift
- Ideal Candidates: Best for women with moderate sagging and who need more reshaping.
- The vertical lift (or lollipop lift) is more involved than the donut lift. This technique involves 2 incisions—one around the areola and the other is a vertical line that runs from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease. The extra skin can be removed for lifting the breast and reshaping of breast tissue.
- Advantages: It provides a more dramatic lift than a donut lift and more efficiently reshapes the breasts.
- Limitations: It leaves a visible scar running down the breast, which, however, will fade with time.
The lollipop lift is one of the most common and effective types of breast lift for women with noticeable sagging.
4. Anchor (Inverted-T) Lift
- Ideal Candidates: Best for women with more significant sagging and excess skin.
This procedure involves making three incisions—one around the areola, one vertically down to the breast crease, and one horizontal cut along the breast fold. This will allow for maximum removal of skin and reshaping of the breast.
- Advantages: The surgeon can take away the maximum amount of skin and shape the breast in a more comprehensive way. This will give the most dramatic results.
- Limitations: Scarring is more significant, though it is usually well hidden by clothing and bras.
Anchor lifts are often performed on women who have had significant weight loss or women with larger breasts that sag more.
5. Breast Lift with Implants
- Ideal Candidates: Best for women who also want fuller breasts.
This is a procedure that combines breast lift with the placement of implants.
- Advantages: This procedure will not only lift your breasts but will also help to add volume and fullness to the upper pole of the breast.
- Limitations: There will be a longer recovery time and a more involved surgery than a breast lift alone.
Breast lift with implants is very popular among women post-pregnancy or after breastfeeding who also want to restore volume in addition to shape.
Which Type of Breast Lift is Right for You?
The type of breast lift that is best for you will depend on several factors:
- Degree of Sagging: Mild sagging may be improved by a crescent lift, while significant sagging may require an anchor lift.
- Breast Size: Larger breasts may require more involved lifting procedures.
- Skin Elasticity: If skin elasticity is poor, it may limit the amount of lift that can be achieved through the procedure.
- Desired Aesthetic: Some women may desire subtle and natural-looking lifts, while others want more dramatic changes with added volume.
- Augmentation or Reduction: Women often combine a breast lift with augmentation (adding volume) or reduction (smaller, lighter breasts).
Why Consult a Plastic Surgeon in Delhi, India?
The capital city of India boasts some of the best plastic surgeons and world-class facilities. When it comes to which type of breast lift you should get, expert opinion is key. There are many benefits to seeing a qualified surgeon for your breast lift surgery:
- Professional surgeons will examine your breast sagging and recommend the best type of lift for you.
- Your surgeon will ensure you have realistic expectations and are fully aware of the pros and cons of each method.
- They will provide a personalized approach, considering your anatomy and what you want to achieve from the surgery.
- Safety is the top priority for any surgeon, so risks and complications will be minimized.
- A board-certified plastic surgeon will also be able to show you before-and-after photos of their patients to help you imagine possible results.
Recovery and Aftercare
Exact healing times and downtime from surgery can vary based on the type of breast lift procedure and whether or not breast implants are used. In general, however, patients can typically expect the following:
- Healing Time: You should be able to resume light activities within a week, but more vigorous movements, heavy lifting, and exercise should be avoided for 4–6 weeks.
- Support Bras: After surgery, you may need to wear a surgical bra that helps your breasts heal in their new shape and supports them.
- Scars: The surgical incision lines will fade with time, with proper care. The doctor may recommend scar-reducing creams and sun protection for this purpose.
- Visible Results: You will begin to see the final results of the lift after the swelling goes down, which can take 2–3 months.
Thinking about a breast lift in Delhi? Book a consultation with Dr. Shobhit Gupta at Shobhit Aesthetics, one of the leading cosmetic surgery clinics in Delhi, to explore the best treatment options for you.
Dr. Shobhit Gupta is a gold medalist Senior Consultant Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon with MCh Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, MS General Surgery, and MBBS. Dr. Gupta is the Founder & Director of Shobhit Aesthetics, a Premier Plastic Surgery & Women’s Health Care Centre at Karol Bagh in New Delhi, India. He is the Head of Department Plastic Surgery at Saroj Superspeciality Hospital, Head of Department Plastic Surgery at Jeewanmala Hospital and a visiting consultant at BLK, Apollo Spectra, NKS and Kapoor Hospitals. Dr. Gupta specializes in the treatment of gynecomastia with extensive experience in breast surgeries, liposuction, tummy tucks and reconstructive procedures.
