Also called a Benelli mastopexy or circumareolar mastopexy since the incision is around the areola, a donut mastopexy removes a ring of skin from outside the areola. Sutures are then placed around the areola and the skin is tightened like a purse string to lift the breast. Puckering of the skin may occur, and usually resolves on its own within a few months.

The donut mastopexy is also helpful for breast lift patients with a projecting nipple/areola complex (sometimes called torpedo or missile-shaped breasts), and can also be used to reduce the size of the areola at the same time. However, one less satisfactory result is that in the normal-shaped ptotic breast there is a flattening of the areola and peri-areolar skin, reducing the overall projection of the breast.

As the name implies, the incision for a lollipop mastopexy is made around the areola and then down the center of the breast to the inframammary fold. This technique is used for mild to moderate breast ptosis when no more than 3 cm of nipple/areola lift is required. As with the donut lift, the size of the areola may be reduced at the same time.

Also referred to as a Wise pattern (or Weiss pattern) mastopexy, full breast lift, or inverted-T incision, the anchor mastopexy is considered the traditional technique among plastic surgeons for breast lifting. With this technique, elevation of the nipple/areola over 3cms is achievable as well as removal of excessive skin laxity of the lateral and lower poles of the breasts.

The incisions are made around the areola, down the center of the lower portion of the breast, and then across the breast in the inframammary fold. Like the donut and lollipop incisions, the areola can be made smaller at the same time. The resulting scar is in the shape of an anchor. Although the Wise pattern or anchor mastopexy used to be the standard, it is now usually reserved only for those with moderate to severe breast sagging.