This procedure is used to correct assymetry between two breasts and also for slight ptosis, usually for breast feeding.  With women that have one nipple slightly lower on the chest wall than the other breast, a crescent lift can be performed on that side and not on the other, to allow the nipples to be at the same level.  Some women can also have both nipples that sit lower on the chest wall than what is desired.  For these women, they can choose to not do a lift, however their implants will be lower on the chest wall.  Typically, women choose to do a crescent lift on both sides to allow us to place the implants higher on the chest wall and get upper pole fullness.  This is a nice option that is available for those women that don't need or want a full lift, but need just a little help without major scars.  This method allows us to place implants below muscle in most cases, whereas if the patient chose not to have the lift, they would need to put their implants above the muscle to avoid a double contour.

Eyebrow/Crescent Nipple Lift Line Drawings

The eyebrow/crescent lift is accomplished by removing a crescent shaped piece of skin from the upper edge of the areola.  When the edge of the areola is stitched to the skin edge above the areola it lifts the nipple position on the breast mound.  The maximum amount of skin that can be removed without puckering and distortion is 2 cm because the upper skin migrates downward to the same extend that the areola skin migrates upward, the amount of nipple lift that can be acheived with this procedure is approximately 1 cm.

The advantage of this procedure is the very minimal scarring that results.  It is most usefull when combined with placement of a breast implant.  When combined with a breast implant, best results are obtained by placing the implant above the muscle in the subglandular position.