A breast lift delivers increased perkiness and revitalization to women whose breasts have started to sag. If you’re embarrassed by your breasts because of sagging or asymmetry, which is unfortunately inevitable, you may be considering having a breast lift. And in the last few years, lollipop lifts have become a popular choice.
This lift is called a lollipop breast lift because of the position of the incisions, and it can cure moderate drooping while leaving little scars. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about this procedure and what goes into the entire process.
What is the lollipop breast lift?
A Lollipop breast lift, which is also known as a vertical breast lift, is a surgical procedure designed to lift and reshape sagging breasts.
During a lollipop breast lift, a circular incision is created around the areola; then, an incision is made vertically from the bottom of the areola to the crease where the breast meets the chest wall. The intersection of these two incisions resembles the outline of a lollipop, and that is how this procedure gets its name.
A lollipop mastopexy lets your physician remove extra skin and tissue compared to a donut mastopexy, resulting in less scarring than that of a full breast lift.
What is the technique used in the lollipop breast lift?
This outpatient operation typically lasts between one to two hours, letting you return home following surgery. They will use a general anesthetic to relax you and reduce your discomfort during the treatment.
The physician makes two incisions: around the areola and beneath it. The superfluous/extra skin and tissue are removed before lifting the areola to a higher position. Many patients choose a lollipop breast lift in combination with breast enhancement to improve size and projection while also producing a lift.
This process gives your breasts a younger and firmer appearance with a natural look, unlike many other types of lifts.
Soreness and swelling are common side effects of breast lift surgery, but you’ll be given pain medication to alleviate your pain. It would help if you avoided physical exercise and other vigorous activities, and it’s also a good protocol to sleep on your back for many weeks after surgery.
Depending on the degree of the surgery, most patients are capable of going back to work within the initial week of recovery.
What incisions are made during the lollipop breast lift, and how do they differ from other types of breast lifts?
The lollipop breast lift is done by creating two incisions on the breast: one along the edge of the areola and one extending vertically from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease. This produces a “lollipop” form. The lollipop breast lift incision is less substantial and involves fewer incisions than other kinds of lifts, like the anchor or inverted T breast lift. This allows them to remove sufficient skin to contour the breast while not leaving as much scarring as other types.
The anchor or inverted T breast lift usually requires three incisions: one around the areola, one vertically from the areola to the breast crease, and one along the breast crease.
A doughnut lift has a single scar and is a type of periareolar lift in which the incision is performed exclusively around the areola. It isn’t as popular as a lollipop lift because it just removes a small quantity of skin.
It is usually done during breast augmentation and is advised for ladies with smaller breasts who are interested in correcting drooping or improving sagging.
How does the Lollipop breast lift address sagging or drooping breasts?
The biggest advantage of a lollipop lift is that it leaves only one visible scar, which will diminish over time. Because there are fewer incisions, patients recover faster than with methods that require larger incisions, such as anchor mastopexy.
Your breasts may feel deflated as a result of sagging and a breast lift gives support and tightening for this natural process. If your nipples point downward and your breasts have flattened, you can benefit from the improved position provided by a breast lift. Surgeons will move the nipple-areolar when reshaping your breasts, creating a more youthful and desirable appearance.
Raising the breast tissue and removing any extra tissue will assist in achieving a more appealing shape and supple feel and improves your physical proportions. This will, in turn, give you the confidence you’ve always deserved.
Am I a good candidate for the Lollipop Breast Lift?
Lollipop mastopexy/breast lift is an excellent choice for those who want a moderate lift. Lollipop mastopexy may be appropriate if your areola has descended below your breast fold or even slightly above it. Individuals with significant sagging may require more substantial excision of skin and tissue with a full breast lift. To reduce surgery risks, breast lift patients have to have good overall health.
To be a good candidate for a lollipop and other types of breast lifts, you may fit the following:
- If you’re fit and healthy and have a stable weight without too much fluctuation
- If you don’t smoke
- If you have realistic expectations with the limitations
- If you’re unhappy with the shape, volume, or sagging of your breasts
- If your breasts are flat and have an elongated shape
- If your nipples rest below your breast line or your nipples point downwards
- If your areolas are enlarged or have stretched/sagging skin
- If your breasts are different sizes
Lollipop breast lift – Procedure
A lollipop breast lift is done as an outpatient procedure and will require general anesthesia. The process will involve several steps and is not as invasive as other types of lifts or augmentations.
Step 1
Breast lifts are performed as an outpatient procedure and require general anesthesia. Your first step will require consultation and clear discussions of outcomes and expectations.
Step 2
The lollipop incisions will be made in each breast at the bottom crease and this incision is divided into two sections: a circle around the areolar complex and a second incision down the center of each breast to the bottom breast fold
Step 3
The breast is then secured and shaped to improve projection and position. These incisions allow your doctor to reposition and secure the underlying breast tissue, remove excess skin, reposition the nipple-areolar complex, and if needed, reduce the size of the areolas.
Step 4
The nipples are relocated to a higher position. Because the surrounding tissues are tightened, the breasts appear more lifted and natural.
Step 5
Excess tissue and fat are eliminated if there’s an excess.
Step 6
Sutures are used to close the incisions.
Potential side effects of the Lollipop breast lift
A breast lift can carry a number of hazards, even with a lollipop lift, and can include the following:
- Scarring – while scars are inevitable, they will soften and diminish over the course of 1 to 2 years. Scars can become thick and wide due to inadequate healing in rare cases.
- Nipple or breast feeling changes and loss of feeling may be permanent, although this is not common.
- Breasts have an irregular form and size in rare cases.
- Nipple or areola loss, either partial or complete.
- While breastfeeding is normally viable following a breast lift, some women may experience difficulty producing enough milk.
- Like any major surgery, this has the risk of bleeding, infection, and a poor reaction to anesthesia.
- An allergic response to the medical tape or other components used before or following treatment is also possible.
How long will it take to recover after a Lollipop breast lift?
A mastopexy, or breast lift, is an outpatient treatment performed under a general anesthetic. This procedure can take between 1 and 3 hours. The patient is discharged home after about two hours in the recovery room. Patients are advised to relax, and bed rest is not required – doctors prefer that you move around a little.
After-care and recovery after a lollipop breast lift include the following:
- You are free to eat whatever you want immediately following surgery.
- Shower either that day or the following.
- There is little requirement for wound care.
- Strips of medical tape cover the incisions.
- The lower portion of the breast is covered by a big clear plastic dressing.
- Everything will be removed about ten days following surgery.
Often, just one or two sutures need to be removed. The remainder is buried beneath the skin and will disintegrate over time. Drains are often not essential.
For four weeks, a surgical bra is worn continuously. Patients are usually absent from work for three to seven days. After three weeks postoperatively, there are no more restrictions. The breasts typically take 6 to 12 weeks to reach their ultimate shape.
How long will a Lollipop breast lift last?
While considering breast lift surgery, it is normal to question how long the results will last. In most cases, you could see great results in up to 10 to 15 years.
It is critical to have reasonable expectations for your breast lift results and to recognize that the aging process, gravity, and other factors that may impact the position of your breasts will still need to be kept in mind.
While these factors cannot be avoided, there are several recommendations to help your breast lift last longer, such as:
- Stay away from weight fluctuations
- Delay surgery until after you have finished having children and breastfeeding
- Use supportive bras as much as you can
- Keep a healthy way of life
- Do not smoke
Conclusion
You deserve to feel confident and comfortable in your own skin. If you find that the natural aging process or effects of gravity are causing you to feel less than your best, a lollipop breast lift can be a wonderful option to help you achieve the body appearance you desire.
Sources:
https://gsloanmd.com/recovery-and-healing/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-lift/about/pac-20393218
https://drrochlin.com/different-types-of-breast-lifts-explained/