What is the Benelli Lift?

The Benelli lift is a breast lift designed specifically for women that have small or medium breasts with mild ptosis or sagging. It is less invasive than the traditional breast lift, and fewer incisions are needed.

How is the Benelli Lift performed?

The Benelli lift, or doughnut mastopexy, is considered an outpatient procedure. It usually takes between one to three hours to perform. Local anesthesia and sedation are typically used. A small incision is made around the areola, followed by a second incision that outlines it. Tissue from the areola is then removed in the shape of a doughnut. An implant can be added for further augmentation, or more tissue may be removed to increase the lift of the breast. The remaining tissue is then reattached to the areola using a purse string suture, which is a single, circular suture.

Who is a candidate for the Benelli Lift?

Women with small to medium breasts and moderate ptosis, or sagging, are generally good candidates for the Benelli lift. If a woman wants the areola lifted more than 3 to 5 centimeters, or if she wants the nipple to be raised more than 4 centimeters, she should talk to her doctor about alternative procedures. Since the Benelli lift is a form of cosmetic surgery, potential candidates should be in good overall health.

What is the recovery like?

Most women feel mild pain and tingling following surgery. The doctor will prescribe painkillers to help alleviate the pain, as well as antibiotics to help prevent infection. Many women can resume normal activities or go back to work a week after having a Benelli lift. More strenuous activities should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks. The scars left by the sutures around the areola will most likely be unnoticeable a year following the surgery.

What are the risks?

The Benelli lift involves removing tissue from around the areola, and this can affect the nerves in the breast. Some women experience decreased or absence of sensation in one or both breasts. This may be temporary or permanent. There may be loss of nipple tissue as a result of the surgery. The breasts may become slightly asymmetrical in appearance due to differences in healing following the procedure.

What are the side effects?

The surgery may cause temporary bruising and swelling at the incision site. The patient may experience numbness and discomfort. There may also be slight discoloration of the breasts. Puckering of the areola can be a result of the type of suture used, but in most cases it disappears shortly after surgery.

What will the results be like?

For ideal candidates, the result will be younger, perkier breasts. The breasts will have a rounder shape, although any implants that were added will affect the final outcome. It can take up to a year for the full results of the Benelli lift to be noticeable. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and weight fluctuations can change breast shape, even after having surgery.

Disclaimer: This information is intended only as an introduction to this procedure. This information should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor does it guarantee results of your elective surgery. Further details regarding surgical standards and procedures should be discussed with your physician.