When researching breast lift procedures, you’ll find lollipop lifts mentioned quite frequently. Also called a vertical lift, the lollipop lift allows for a fairly extensive lift while still keeping scarring to a minimum. It’s important to know that the amount of breast sag, medically known as ptosis, is graded on a 3-point scale. A lollipop lift is generally appropriate for a level 2 ptosis or below.
What is the Lollipop Breast Lift?
During a lollipop breast lift, your surgeon will make an incision around your areola. He will then extend the incision straight down from the areola to your breast crease, which is where the bottom of your breast meets your chest wall. This results in an incision that resembles a lollipop. Through this incision, your surgeon will adjust and remove excess breast tissue as needed to decrease sagging and restore your breasts to a more youthful height.
What is the Difference Between a Donut and Lollipop Breast Lift?
Lollipop lifts are often mentioned alongside donut lifts, so you may be wondering what the difference is between the two. During a donut breast lift, the doctor makes an incision around the areola but makes no other cuts. The lollipop lift adds a vertical component, however, adding an incision from the areola to the breast crease. The donut lift leaves even less scarring than the lollipop lift, but it can correct only level 1 ptosis. The lollipop lift can correct more extreme sagging, although not as much as a Wise pattern.
Are You a Good Candidate for a Lollipop Breast Lift?
You’re a good candidate for a lollipop lift if you have ptosis of level 2 or less and don’t mind having a visible vertical scar below your areola. Your scar will fade in time but will never be completely invisible. As is true for any surgery, it’s also best for you to be fairly healthy and have any long-term conditions such as diabetes well under control prior to surgery. If you smoke, you should quit prior to your surgery. Doing so decreases both recovery time and scarring.
What are the Benefits of a Lollipop Breast Lift?
A lollipop lift allows your surgeon to correct moderate breast sagging in a way that leads to minimal scarring as you heal. You will be left with a vertical scar, but other breast lift techniques can leave both vertical and horizontal scarring. A lollipop lift reverses breast sagging, providing a more shapely and younger-looking breast position.
What is Recovery Like?
Recovery from a lollipop lift is generally fairly easy, but it’s important to rest and give your body time to heal. You’ll need to wear a compression garment for about 6 weeks after your surgery. Although fairly uncommon after a breast lift, your surgeon may place drains in your incisions to reduce swelling and inflammation. If he does, he’ll show you how to empty and clean them. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication to keep you comfortable, but you may feel somewhat bruised and a bit tender.
You’ll need to refrain from lifting your arms over your head for a few days and should keep your elbows close to your sides when using your arms. Your doctor will require that you skip the gym and rigorous exercise for a few weeks, but most patients can return to a desk job about 2 weeks after surgery. Expect to sleep on your back while healing as well.
What Scarring Will I Have After the Procedure?
As we’ve mentioned, a lollipop lift requires an incision around the areola and then vertically down from the areola to the breast crease. Your scars will, of course, fall where your incisions were made. Because the skin color and texture naturally change there, the portion of the scar around your areola will likely be well hidden. The vertical portion of your scar will be more visible although it will fade over time. If desired, you can minimize the appearance of your scars by massaging them and applying silicone scar treatments as soon as your incisions have completely healed.
When Will Results Be Seen?
The results of a lollipop lift are immediately noticeable. In fact, they may be too noticeable, so don’t panic! Your breasts will instantly sit higher on your chest after your breast lift, and some women fear that they’re breasts are sitting too high. In a few weeks, however, the swelling will go down and your breasts will settle into a more natural position and shape.
How Long Will Results Last?
Your surgeon can counter gravity but he can’t stop it, so your breasts may start to sag again in time. But most women find that a lollipop lift holds their breasts in place for 10 to 15 years. Pregnancy, however, can change the shape of the breasts and may stretch the skin and cause the breasts to sag again. A significant weight gain can do the same.