I just did a breast reduction on a patient and she said “I’m a Type 6” of breast drooping. I said what is that? I do tons of breast reductions and we grade breast ptosis (a fancy way of saying drooping) Grade I, II, III. I haven’t heard of a Type 6. She had been on a website where the doctor had a schematic looking at breast drooping, and his was more extensive than just where the nipple position is relative to the fold.
I tried to find the photo online or find an article on the seven types, but could only find the traditional Grades I-III remarked on.
GRADES OF PTOSIS:
- GRADE ZERO: not drooping. The nipple/areola is at the level of the mid humerus.
- GRADE ONE: The nipple has dropped and is at the level of your inframammary fold (where you underwire goes)
- GRADE TWO: The nipple is below the fold, but higher than most of the breast tissue.
- GRADE THREE: The nipple is low/ frequently points to the ground.
Anytime you are grade 2 or 3, you need a breast lift.
NIPPLE POSITION SHOULD BE AT THE MID HUMERUS.
I drew out a sample on Canva for you to get an idea.
Regarding the “7 types,” I couldn’t find the exact definition, but they were looking at the position of the breast relative to the inframammary fold, humerus and elbow, with the Type 7 breast being near the elbow with the nipple pointing down. (Yes I do see women with breasts hanging below the elbow. Some even go down to their waist.) I did find a chart for 7 types of gynecomastia. Not sure if the other plastic surgeon conflated the two?
Regardless, we always aim to get you back to normal when doing any kind of breast lift or breast reduction. I use the vertical short scar lift for all types of breasts.