The Benelli lift was designed to lift smaller breasts in women with less obtrusive ptosis, better known as sagging, through the removal of a doughnut-shaped piece of tissue around the areola.

The Benelli Mastopexy results in only a scar around the areola. In cases where the nipple must be moved a long distance, or when the skin is very loose, an additional vertical scar or crease scar will be made. Over time the scars will fade and flatten, causing no aesthetic issues for the patient.

This surgery is considered to be less invasive- when the piece of tissue around the areola border is excised, the surrounding tissue is carefully sutured to the areola. Those incisions are closed with purse string sutures and at times a little more tissue may be removed above the areola to allow for a lifting effect when it is sutured. This results in a flatter, rounder breast shape, with minimal scarring. The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with sedation.

Patients are able to return to work within one week and have reported that it may take up to one year for the full effect to be seen.

With all breast augmentation surgery, there is a small risk of decreased sensation, slow healing, and loss of nipple/areolar tissue. With aging and weight fluctuations, results over time may vary.