What is a Breast Lift?

Clinically referred to as a mastopexy, a breast lift is a surgical procedure where the breasts are elevated to a higher position on the chest and excess skin is removed to give a tighter, perkier appearance. A mastopexy involves reshaping the existing breast tissue, removing the excess skin, and changing the position of the nipple to a more desirable location. Mastopexy is one of Toronto’s most popular procedures in addition to being one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed around the world.

What are My Breast Lift Options?

Once it’s been determined that you are a good candidate for a breast lift, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Plant will discuss which type of breast lift would benefit you most, and if there are options, he will review the pros and cons of each procedure that you are eligible for. Whereas most surgeons will only offer one type of procedure that results in the most extensive breast lift scars (the anchor lift), Dr. Mathew Plant is one of the very few plastic surgeons in Toronto that offers all breast lift procedures. The most common choices for breast lift are:

CRESCENT BREAST LIFT

This is the simplest breast lift, which involves removing a small crescent-shaped piece of skin along the upper edge of the areola to raise the nipple-areolar complex higher on the breast. The crescent breast lift is primarily used in patients who have a good current breast shape but one or both of the areolas sit slightly low on the breast. A crescent breast lift is commonly combined with breast implants to improve minor asymmetries.

PERIAREOLAR MASTOPEXY (BENELLI LIFT OR DONUT LIFT)

This breast lift procedure utilizes two circular incisions made around the areola, allowing the removal of a donut-shaped piece of skin. This allows Dr. Plant to elevate the nipple, decrease the size of the areola, and generally tighten the breast skin. This procedure is ideal for those who need a subtle lift and a 1-2 centimeter of nipple elevation. It is also frequently combined with breast augmentation.

VERTICAL MASTOPEXY (THE LOLLIPOP LIFT)

This is the most common breast lift that Dr. Plant performs. This involves a circular incision around the areola, and a vertical one below the areola, extending to a few centimeters above the inframammary crease. The vertical lift is ideal for breast lift patients who need lifting and reshaping of the breast mound, as well as the elevation of the nipple and reduction of the areola. This procedure can be combined with a breast reduction or augmentation, or be performed by itself. As the incision heals, the scar goes around the nipple and straight down towards the breast crease, resembling a lollipop shape.

WISE PATTERN LIFT (INVERTED-T LIFT OR ANCHOR BREAST LIFT)

This is the most common and traditional breast lift procedure in North America, but in Dr. Plant’s hands, it is usually reserved for those with sagging breasts caused by a significant amount of excess skin between the nipple and the breast fold, or for very large breast reductions. This is because it uses an additional incision in the inframammary fold as well as the lollipop incisions, so Dr. Plant tries to avoid using this technique in most cases to minimize scarring.

The incision is made around the nipple, down towards the inframammary crease, and within it as well, removing tissue and skin from all three locations. The nipple can be relocated to a more aesthetically pleasing position on the breast, and this procedure allows a lot of control to reshape the entire breast. The resulting scar goes around the nipple, down towards the breast fold, and along the crease, resembling an anchor shape.

What Do the Scars From Breast Lift Surgery Look Like and Where Will They Be?

Dr. Plant will speak to you at your consultation about which type of breast lift and which scar placement will be best for your cosmetic surgery. Incisions almost always go at least partway around the nipple (Periareolar) but as more of a lift is needed they can extend vertically towards the crease and horizontally within it. In addition to giving you the shortest scars possible, he uses the most up-to-date suture technology, including antibiotic embedded sutures to minimize inflammation and give the best possible final scar.

The specific scars that you can expect for the various breasts lifts are:

  • Crescent Lift – Since this procedure involves removing a crescent-shaped piece of skin above the nipple and areolar complex the final scar will outline the top portion of the areola from about 9 o’clock to 3 o’clock.
  • Donut Lift – Because this procedure involves removing a circular piece of skin around the areola, the resulting scar is a circle around the outer edge of the areola.
  • Lollipop Lift – Once the ‘snowman’ incision is closed the scar ends up going around the areola border and straight down towards the breast fold, like a lollipop. It may sometimes curve slightly towards the armpit at the bottom of it in order to get a round bottom to the breast.
  • Anchor Lift – The incisions around the nipple, down towards the inframammary crease and within the crease close with a scar that goes around the nipple, down towards the breast crease, and along the crease, resembling an anchor shape.

In all these cases, Dr. Plant will recommend a scar treatment plan to help you achieve fully concealable scars, which can easily be hidden in a bra or bathing suit.

Am I the Right Candidate for a Breast Lift?

If you are a healthy woman who is not satisfied with the shape or size of your breasts, you may be the right candidate for breast lift surgery in Toronto. In general, If you are content with the size of your breasts, but want a more perky appearance, then a lift may be the right procedure for you. The most common reasons patients undergo a mastopexy are:

  • Breast sagging or droopy breasts
  • Stretched areolas
  • Nipples that point downwards
  • Breast asymmetry
  • Lack of firmness
  • Deflation following breastfeeding or weight loss

If you find that your breasts are sagging and also need volume then a combined breast lift-breast augmentation procedure may be a better choice. If your breasts are too large, you can combine a breast lift with a reduction to get a more reasonable breast size. If you are happy with the shape of your breasts, but want them to be larger, then you may benefit from an augmentation alone.

The best way to know which procedure is best to get the results you want is to book a consultation with Dr. Plant so he can examine you and answer all your questions.

What is Breast Reduction Surgery?

breast reduction in Toronto helps in reducing the size of the breasts by removing excess skin and breast tissue.

Breast reduction surgery is a frequent choice for many women in Toronto who are not comfortable with the large size of their breasts. Patients suffering from related issues like pain in the breasts, skin rashes, back pain, or excessive sweating below the breast may be good candidates for a breast reduction.

Dr. Plant performs breast reduction surgery for patients all over Toronto and the surrounding areas like Markham and Vaughan, Ontario. Breast reduction patients trust Dr. Plant to perform their surgery because of his personalized approach and extensive knowledge of breast surgeries. To see if a breast reduction is right for you, call our Toronto office for a consultation today.

All good things!

“Honestly, I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Plant. Knowing how extremely nervous I was from day one, he definitely had my best interest at heart. He remained professional, and made me feel comfortable. I am more confident and happy with the outcome. He answered all my questions, and didn’t beat around the bush about the procedure and the over all experiences post-op. I would do it over again if given the opportunity. He met all my needs, and understood my issues and concerns.” Read More Reviews

Am I the Right Candidate for a Breast Reduction?

If you are a Toronto woman with large breasts that are interfering with your lifestyle or making you self-conscious, you may be a good candidate for a breast reduction. Large breasts can cause neck, back, or shoulder pain, which affects your overall lifestyle. If you have any of these problems, contact Dr. Plant to set up a breast reduction consultation at his Toronto office to see if breast reduction is right for you.

To some patients, excessively large breasts lead to medically documented problems like neck, back, or shoulder pain. In such cases, your Toronto breast reduction surgery may be covered under health insurance. Dr. Plant will help you determine whether your procedure is likely to be covered during your consultation.

What Can I Expect During a Breast Reduction?

Dr. Plant will remove excess breast tissue and skin during the procedure giving you smaller and firmer breasts. The areola and nipple will be raised higher as well, to incorporate the new proportions of the breasts and create a more natural look.

How Long is the Downtime from a Breast Reduction?

After the surgery, you will be required to take at least 7 days off from school or work. Some women may require a longer recovery time, but this varies from one patient to another. Dr. Plant will instruct you on follow-up appointments for removing bandages and stitches.

Scheduling a Breast Lift or Breast Reduction Consultation

If you are considering breast lift or breast reduction surgery, book a consultation with Dr. Plant at his Toronto office so he can personally go over the different options available to get the results you desire, while also answering any questions you may have about your breast lift surgery. His office is conveniently located in central Toronto near both the 401 and the Don Valley Parkway which has allowed him to serve mastopexy patients from the entire greater Toronto area. His office is 17 km from Scarborough, 40 km from Mississauga, 31 km from Vaughan, and 19 km from Markham. He also sees patients from all over Canada who travel into Toronto specifically for his expertise and natural results.

Dr. Plant is a Royal College Certified plastic surgeon who is widely known for actively listening to what his patients are looking for and delivering those results through his meticulous surgical technique. He is an expert not only in primary mastopexies but also in revision mastopexy as well. This means that not only does he achieve beautiful, natural results for patients coming for their first breast surgery, but he is also one of only a few surgeons willing and able to correct problems from breast surgeries performed elsewhere. Contact us today to schedule your breast lift consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mathew Plant.


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