3 Types of Breast Lift Scars: Which Is Right for You?

Why Would I Want a Breast Lift?

There are countless reasons to get a breast lift or mastopexy. Your motives may range from physical discomfort to a desire to restore and reshape your breasts. You may have noticed that your breasts have sagged from breastfeeding. Even after you stop having babies, your breasts don’t regain their previous form.

Another reason for wanting a breast lift is the effect of bariatric surgery, which often creates excess skin. Fluctuating weight can also cause droopy breasts, or ptosis as it’s called in medical circles. In addition to being unsatisfied with the profile your breasts have taken, they can cause physical distress too. Breast sagging can cause your bra strap to dig into your shoulder. This indention sometimes creates an uncomfortable abrasion.

For all these reasons and others, you may decide to get a breast lift. A breast lift contours your breasts and makes them more proportional and symmetrical. But some scaring is almost inevitable. The three kinds of breast lift scars are lollipop, donut and anchor. Find a board certified cosmetic surgeon in New Jersey or New York City who uses his skill to minimize your scarring.

Can I Have a Breast Lift at Any Age?

Your breasts are more prone to sag as you get older. They can also droop due to pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss. Top plastic surgeons advise you to wait until you stop having children before having a breast lift. You must also wait until after puberty, while your breasts are still developing. Some reasons breast lift surgery isn’t a viable option for you may include:

• Certain underlying medical issues that make any surgery unwise
• Being a chronic smoker, which impedes your ability to heal
• Obesity or weight that consistently fluctuates
• Poor health in general

The team at Rowe Plastic Surgery provide a free virtual consultation to discuss your age and any healing process concerns. As with any surgery, some post-surgery care is required. Ultimately, you’re responsible for following your surgeon’s advice to best assure successful results.

How Do I Decide Which Breast Lift Is Best for Me?

After you’ve decided to investigate getting a breast lift, find the best breast surgeon you can. At Rowe Plastic Surgery in New Jersey and New York City, you can get the procedure that positively impacts your self-esteem. Which procedure your surgeon recommends depends on many factors, including the choice of where you want the scars from the surgery. Note that there is a scarless breast lift procedure, but it only provides a minimal lift.

Tell your cosmetic surgeon your goals and expectations, and your doctor can advise you on the best scenario. Be absolutely candid about what you desire regarding the shape and size you want. The three types of breast lift scars include:

1. The lollipop scar. This breast lift is usually for smaller-breasted women, as it provides moderate results and fewer wrinkles. In this procedure, your surgeon makes an incision that circles the areola, then another that’s a straight line extending from this donut-shaped incision to the bottom fold of your breast. The scar resembles a lollipop, which fades to tolerable levels in time.
2. The donut scar. This breast lift results in a donut-shaped scar around your areola. It provides the least scarring, since its scar is nearly invisible, but it also yields the least lift.
3. The anchor scar. This is a well-established breast lift for significant sagging due to breastfeeding. It offers the most striking results. The scar traces around your areola, extending down to the breast’s bottom, and then continues horizontally along the fold. The shape of this scar looks like an anchor, but it heals as well as a lollipop scar. If you have excess skin, surgeons use this lift.

During your consultation, discuss repositioning your nipple, changing the look or size of your areola and creating fuller breasts with your doctor. As with most surgeries, anticipate some downtime. For a breast lift, you may need two to 14 days to recover without complications. Healing depends on the amount of skin removed. And you can’t do any heavy lifting while you heal.

What Type of Post-Surgery Care Do I Need?

A breast lift is a surgical procedure. Any time a surgeon has to cut your skin, you end up with some scarring. To recover from surgery, you must take care of yourself afterward. Conventional recommendations include:

• Have someone to meet with you and your plastic surgeon after the procedure, but before going home, to go over any caregiving special instructions
• Have someone drive you home, as you’ll still be woozy from the anesthesia
• Get some help around the house for a couple of days after surgery while you recuperate
• Due to a decrease in activity, you may experience some constipation, so eat more fruit and drink plenty of fluids
• Don’t smoke, as it slows down the healing process and makes you prone to infection
• Don’t soak in a tub; keep the incisions clean and dry
• Start walking as soon as you can to minimize swelling and prevent blood clots
• If you’re taking pain medication, don’t drive
• Don’t reach or swing your arms until your post-operative doctor’s appointment
• Don’t lift anything more than five pounds for at least four weeks

You should expect some swelling, bruising and soreness in your breasts. If you adhere to your plastic surgeon’s directions, you’ll heal quickly and be pleased with the outcome. Have patience.

How Do I Care for My Breast Lift Scars?

Your scars are usually the last thing to heal. So even when your lifted breasts feel better, even when you’re back to your normal activity level, you’ll still have to care for your breast lift scars. To reduce the appearance of your scars, use common sense and rely on the advice from your surgeon. Some suggestions include:

• Don’t forget your sunscreen every day, even under a bathing suit
• Use some scar gel or ointment as directed
• Gently massage your scar once it’s no longer tender
• Don’t exfoliate the skin around your scar
• Don’t scratch the area around your breast lift scars no matter how much they itch

While most breast lift procedures leave some scarring, the one that’s best for you is the one that leaves you with the breasts you want, in lift, size and shape. All scars fade in time, especially if cared for properly. When you’re ready for a lift, contact Rowe Plastic Surgery in Manhattan, Long Island, New Jersey and the Hamptons for a consultation.