The writings or blogs are posted most recently on the top. For example, patients who are reading these writings on breast lift cosmetic surgery, it is best to scroll down and start reading the writings at Wilmington Breast Lift and Breast Reduction. This would be first. The later ones are in sequence as they have been added later.
The circumareolar pattern for breast lifting is mainly used for very small degrees of breast hanging. If it is used for more hanging than very small amounts, the result can be a shape that is very unnatural, with a flat and/or poor shape. A major understanding is that to make the breasts attractive in shape, with the nipples attractively lifted, the scars are a necessary evil. Make too few incisions, and you may end up with this poor shape and unattractive breasts. Larger breast incision patterns typically end up with attractive breasts with the main remaining issue being the fading of scars. Unattractive breasts after lifting or breast reduction may have changes that are difficult to correct even with re-operation. This type of re-operative surgery can be necessary after poor results. Think of it like a seesaw. On one side are breasts with minimal hanging. Some women might even say they don’t need lifting. These women can have small incisions, because there is a small amount of loose skin that needs to be removed. On the other side of the seesaw is significant hanging of the breasts, and the nipples are probably pointing significantly down. These breasts have significant amounts of loose skin and larger incision patterns are necessary. The “Real-Reality” is you cannot remove lots of loose skin with small patterns. Your anatomy determines the operation you need, typically not your wishes. Everyone wants a small incision, including the doctor.
The circumareolar pattern, as I have described, allows for only small amounts of skin removal and is for a limited number of patients with small degree of hanging. There are other problems with this pattern, including poor scar formation around the nipple, poor projection of the breast, a flat shape, and widespread nipples. Some doctors never use this pattern, because of these risks. I believe, if the woman has the correct anatomy, then the results from this pattern can be what is desired, and can be achieved.
The second pattern around the nipple and down, the “lollipop” pattern is much more frequently used than the other patterns. I like to think of it as a compromise pattern between the three patterns described. Moderate degrees of hanging and breast reduction can be done through this pattern. Lower risks of poor shape after surgery can be expected, compared to the circumareolar technique. The final pattern or “anchor” pattern might be called the “classic” incision pattern. It allows for as much skin removal as is necessary for women of any degree of breast size or shape. More severe degrees of hanging and very large breasts are typically best treated with this incision pattern. Once again, your anatomy and shape are major determinants, in regards to which pattern you will need.
Most breast lifts are done with the “lollipop” incision pattern. Patients with very little hanging can have the nipple incision only. Patients with large degrees of hanging will need the “anchor” pattern. The pattern of incision needed can change if a women decides she wants a breast lift and augmentation. A breast augmentation added to a breast lift leads to a bigger volume or size in addition to the lifted shape. The breast implant “takes up” extra skin and some patients will need smaller incisions because of this. Women interested in breast lift and augmentation might find they need just a “lollipop” incision instead of the “anchor” pattern if they add breast implants to the lift.
Finally, some women just need breast augmentation and no lift. This is if you have very little hanging however.
Women interested in breast lift, breast lift and augmentation, breast lift recovery, breast lift cost, and breast lift incisions should come in for a consultation with Dr. Saunders. Please also see the breast lift before and after photos and the breast augmentation before and after photos.