Vertical Technique Mastopexy or Breast Lift Treats Sagging With Less Scar*

This 43-year-old woman desired somewhat smaller breasts and wished to have treatment of her sagging. Breast sagging is also known as ptosis and is treated with mastopexy also known as breast lift. Breast reduction and breast lift are very similar but differ in the degree of tissue removal. This patient had a small reduction, less than the third of a pound on each side. The breast lift is designed to narrow the breast diameter, create a nicer shape, improve upper pole fill and lift the nipple position as well as reduce the areola. Breast augmentation may be added to improve upper pole volume; however many women do not want implants and their own tissue can be supported to achieve an all natural breast. Occasionally, surgical mesh is used to support the lifted breast tissue. In some cases, fat transfer can be added to improve volume. Incision design generally involves either an inverted T ( also known as anchor pattern) or Wise pattern or a vertical pattern also known as a lollipop. Patients with excess skin and desire for significant reduction may require a full inframammary fold incision. But in many occasions, the scar can be limited to the vertical component perhaps with a small extension laterally which creates a L shaped scar. This patient was very pleased with the improvement in shape, nipple position and volume of her breasts after mastopexy done by Dr. Glenn Lyle at his outpatient surgical facility.