Mastopexy, so-called breast lift surgery, is a solution to change of breast shape. Those changes may be triggered with gravity, pregnancy or breast feeding. Skin loses its flexibility and breasts lose its firmness. Therefore the aim of the surgery is to obtain fresh and young look of breasts. From a medical point of view, this type of surgery is recommended in case of definite breast asymmetry or partial reduction of the breast. However, the effect is not permanent because of inevitable impact of gravity and passage of time. There are the following various types of applied techniques of breast lift:
1. Full mastopexy is the most popular technique, in which an incisions is made in a shape of anchor. Cutting begins at the base of the breast and is conducted vertically to the place where the breast connects to the chest. Then a piece of skin in a half-moon-shape is cut exactly over that place. That technique leaves the greatest scars, however its usage is indispensable in case of very large breasts with ptosis (sagging) .
2. Full mastopexy (anchor) with reduction or transfer of nipples. The procedure is practiced if a patient wishes to lessen the nipples. Sometimes the nipples may undergo a process of wrinkling in cases such as breast lift or reduction of nipples. However, they are smoothed out with time. Then the paper tape or silicone plaster helps to eliminate the problem.
3. Crescent lift technique involves removing a piece of tissue in a half-moon-shape over the nipple and stitching the tissue up. The technique effects with slight breast lifting and is usually used when breast ptosis is not significant. Due to skin extension, the nipples may obtain a oval shape, especially in case of patients with large breasts.
4. Benelli lift technique is considered less invasive, with scars appearing around the nipple. It consists in removal of tissue around the nipple and execution of stitches. The most popular is the pursestring closure. Sometimes a little bit more tissue is removed from the place over the nipple to make the effect of lift greater. Then breasts obtain more circular and flat shape.
5. Benelli – Lollipop technique (vertical mastopexy) resembles the previous one , however, there is a simple incision from the nipple to the inframammary fold. The technique is intended for patients with a medial ptosis whose breasts are too large for application of the Benelli technique and simultaneously there is no necessity to use a full mastopexy.