Are there breast lifts that create less scarring?
Yes. For patients that need less of a lift, a smaller procedure can be done that eliminates some of the scarring. A minimal lift can be done where a small crescent of skin is removed from just above the areola. This elevates just the nipple and areola two centimeters or less. I call this a superior areolar mastopexy. A somewhat larger lift is done by removing a doughnut of skin from around the areola. This leaves a scar around the edge of the areola only and provides some elevation of the breast as well. This is known as a doughnut, periareolar or Binelli mastopexy. The next larger lift incorporates the doughnut mastopexy with removing some skin from below the areola in cases where there is too much skin for just a doughnut lift. This leaves a scar around the edge of the areola and one extending from the bottom of the areola towards the crease. This is known as a VOQ mastopexy.
