Anchor vs. Lollipop Breast Reduction

When deciding to undergo a breast reduction, you may wish to first understand which procedures will best match your needs. The chart below will summarise their different advantages and disadvantages:

Ideal Candidate for Anchor vs. Lollipop Breast Reduction

Both ‘anchor’ and ‘lollipop’ are different types of breast reduction incisions that can have a transformative effect on the shape and size of your breasts.

If you are interested in pursuing a breast reduction, our surgeon at the CREO Clinic, Dr. Omar Tillo, has extensive experience conducting reductions using a variety of techniques, including both lollipop and anchor-shaped.

In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of each method in more detail.

Breast Reduction with an Anchor Incision

An anchor-shaped incision is a technique used in breast reduction that can be extremely effective, particularly for women with severe sagging.

What is an Anchor Incision?

An anchor incision runs downwards around the outline of the nipple, then follows in a straight line downwards towards the breast crease. At the breast crease, a horizontal incision is also created across the crease itself.

The resulting anchor-like shape is the reason for its moniker.

Benefits of an Anchor Incision

All breast reduction types can greatly improve your quality of life, and an anchor incision method is no different. Here are some of its main benefits:

• Makes a Significant Reduction – For women suffering from the consequences of very large breasts, an anchor reduction can make a significant decrease in breast size.
• Can Drastically Alter Shape – Its more extensive nature means an anchor incision can lead to drastic alterations in the shape of your breasts.
• Prevent Sagging – If you are experiencing severe sagging, an anchor reduction can reposition your breasts and work to prevent further sagging over the long term.

Limitations of Anchor Breast Reduction

As with any surgery, an anchor breast reduction has its limitations, such as:

• More Scarring – Anchor reduction requires more incisions and therefore results in more significant scarring.
• Can Affect Breastfeeding – While rare, any reduction removes breast tissue around the nipple and can negatively affect milk production when breastfeeding post-reduction.

Anchor Breast Reduction Recovery

The recovery period from a breast reduction is always roughly the same, regardless of the incisions used by the surgeon.

After 1–2 weeks, you should be able to return to work. Then, after 2–3 weeks, you may be able to return to most of your daily routine. Only after six weeks will you be sufficiently recovered to resume more strenuous physical activities.

Breast Reduction with an Lollipop Incision

Using a lollipop incision for your breast reduction will mean striking a good balance between effectiveness and subtlety.

What is a Lollipop Incision?

A lollipop incision is smaller than an anchor incision. Similarly, it follows the outline of the areola vertically but stops at the breast crease.

Benefits of a Lollipop Incision

There are some important advantages of a lollipop incision worth noting:

• Less Scarring – A lollipop incision is less invasive than an anchor reduction, requiring fewer incisions and leaving less scarring. 
• Can Make Drastic Change – Despite being more moderate, significant change to the size of your breasts is still possible.

Limitations of Lollipop Breast Reduction

There are some drawbacks to a lollipop reduction that are worth remembering:

• Not for Severe Cases – if your reduction needs are very severe, the lollipop production may be insufficient.
• Can Affect Breastfeeding – a lollipop reduction removes tissue around the nipple, and as such, it can negatively affect milk production, though this is rare. 

Lollipop Breast Reduction Recovery

Recovery from a lollipop reduction is not significantly different in terms of timeframe to an anchor reduction despite having one fewer incision.

Ideal Candidate for Anchor vs. Lollipop Breast Reduction

Both procedures are capable of comfortably meeting your reduction needs, but there are some important differences, demonstrated in the table below:

Schedule a Consultation with CREO Clinic Today

If you feel you want to know more about either of these breast reduction procedures, book a consultation with Dr. Omar Tillo, the CREO Clinic’s experienced, double board-certified body contouring surgeon.

Dr. Tillo will use his experience, having performed many successful breast reductions, to help create a personalised treatment plan designed specifically to work towards fulfilling your desires for your body.