Breast surgery is a highly personal decision that should be made with the considerations of your personal anatomy and outcome goals in mind. In this day and age, there are an overwhelming number of options for those seeking a breast lift, from a doughnut lift to an anchor lift. We recently checked in with experts to get insight into the vertical breast lift, which has become a popular choice.

Featured Experts

• Mariam Awada, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Southfield, MI
• Mokhtar Asaadi, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York
• Robert Singer, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in La Jolla, CA
• Mark Jewell, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Eugene, OR

What Is a Vertical Breast Lift?

“A vertical breast lift, also known as a lollipop lift, is one of the most advanced and natural-looking breast lift techniques available. It uses two incisions—one around the areola and one vertically down the breast—to remove excess skin, lift the nipple and reshape the entire breast mound, not just the skin,” explains Southfield, MI plastic surgeon Mariam Awada, MD. “Unlike smaller lifts that only tighten the surface, the vertical lift allows the surgeon to reposition and sculpt the breast tissue itself, restoring fullness to the upper breast and cleavage while creating a rounder, perkier shape.”

The Benefits of a Vertical Breast Lift

The vertical breast lift technique avoids creating scars in the inframammary areas (under the breasts), as some believe that area reaps more visible scars, says New York plastic surgeon Mokhtar Asaadi, MD. Instead the final scars are around the areola and vertically—resembling a lollipop. “For women who do not need extensive skin removal, this is the ideal middle ground: maximum reshaping with minimal scarring,” says Dr. Awada.

Dr. Awada finds this technique to be superior because it allows the surgeon to reposition the breast tissue, not just the skin. “The vertical approach lets the surgeon narrow the breast base, add projection and create a natural breast cone—something a crescent or doughnut lift cannot do,” she notes.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Vertical Breast Lift?

“It’s about applying the right procedure to the patient based on their anatomy and desired outcome,” says La Jolla, CA plastic surgeon Robert Singer, MD, so be sure to discuss your options with a board-certified doctor. He says a patient with a little bit of drooping and adequate volume who wants their nipple brought up a little bit to where it used to be can be a good candidate for the vertical lift, as long as they are realistic about the outcome and permanence of the scar. Other indications of a good candidate include moderate sagging, widened or stretched breasts and good skin quality with enough elasticity to tighten once the internal reshaping is done, says Dr. Awada.

Dr. Awada notes that “After pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss or aging, the breast tissue settles into the lower half of the breast, making the breast look wide, flat and deflated.” The vertical breast lift might be a better option for these patients as it moves the breast tissue back up above the fold, restores upper-pole fullness, creates roundness and rebuilds feminine cleavage, says Dr. Awada.

The vertical lift combines “powerful reshaping, significant lifting, upper-pole enhancement and minimal scarring,” says Dr. Awada. It’s ideal “for most women seeking natural, youthful, beautifully contoured breasts after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes or aging.”

Who Might Not Be the Best Candidate for a Vertical Breast Lift?

Eugene, OR plastic surgeon Mark Jewell, MD says a vertical breast lift is a great option for those who need minor elevation and skin tightening. However, “When more ptosis/looseness is present, a standard lift is needed, especially in cases of massive weight loss.” He adds that a vertical lift would not be the best choice to repair ‘waterfall deformity.’ A standard lift offers the greatest amount of skin tightening and elevation, especially without implants, notes Dr. Jewell.

Things to Know

Dr. Asaadi notes that patients need to be aware that the “shape of the breasts is not attractive immediately after a vertical reduction, and it takes a while for the breasts to settle.” Additionally, Dr. Singer notes that decreased sensation around the areola is possible.