An Expert Reveals What Makes the Internal Bra Technique Powerful

An breast lift with an internal bra is a great option for women with stretched out, sagging breasts or those who have had breast implants in the past and developed capsular contracture. In Part One of this blog series, we discussed what internal bras (GalaFLEX, by Galatea Surgical) are and how they can provide additional support for the previously mentioned women. In this Part Two, we’ll get technical. Here, we will take a closer look at the surgical steps involved in the internal bra technique of a Breast Lift.

Consultation is Key

Before any surgery, including internal bra placement, a thorough consultation is essential. During this meeting, you will discuss your goals for the surgery with your board-certified plastic surgeon. She will review your medical history and examine you to determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure. Click to watch this video taken in surgery showing Dr. Tannan performing this Breast Lift with Internal Bra Technique. Continue reading this post for a step-by-step surgical photo tutorial with captions describing each step.

Internal Bra Technique: A Surgical Case

Here is a Breast Lift with Internal Bra (Mesh) case shown below. This patient had large breast implants placed by another doctor. She felt that these implants were too big for her frame. She has had the breast implants for many years, and her body has changed over time. As a result, she became unhappy with how low her nipples had fallen and how her breast shape became wider and longer. During her consultation with Dr. Tannan, we recognized that the tissue of her breasts were stretched out and the skin envelope was likely not sufficiently strong enough to support the new breast shape and location.

These findings led to the ultimate decision to use an internal bra made of absorbable mesh to improve her long-term breast lift results. Dr. Tannan lifts the nipple and reshapes the breast with a breast lift procedure. However this patient’s skin envelope was so destroyed that performing the internal bra technique allows the mesh to provide additional support until the body can form a durable scar to support the breast internally, much like a bra. Read below to see this internal bra technique in action.

Top Left: At this point in the Internal Bra Technique Breast Lift, Dr. Tannan has reshaped the breast and performed the breast lift and implant removal. Shown here is the bottom part of the breast where she is planning to place the internal mesh bra. She is checking the position and shape of the breast, and making sure to align the mesh with the inferior pole of the breast for maximal support.

Top Right: Here Dr. Tannan is anchoring the Absorbable Mesh to the chest wall. This will secure the bottom of the mesh in place against the chest so that the mesh can support the breast gland.

Bottom Left: At this point in the Internal Bra Technique Breast Lift, Dr. Tannan has finished anchoring the mesh into place and now she is draping the skin over the top surface of the mesh. She is bringing the flaps of skin together to shape the final lifted breast.

Bottom Right: Here Dr. Tannan is performing “tailor tacking” where she temporarily places staples to confirm nipple and breast placement and shape. She sits the patient up in surgery to confirm that in the upright position the nipple is in the ideal position. After confirmation Dr. Tannan will remove staples and replace them with absorbable sutures. Now, Contrast the patient’s lifted right breast to her left breast which has not been lifted yet, nor has it been reshaped. The only thing done to the left breast at this point was implant removal and removal of the skin around the nipple. If Dr. Tannan did not do a Breast Lift, then the breast shape on both sides would look like the left breast: long and wide. The Breast Lift elevates the nipple and reshapes the breast. The mesh, or Internal Bra Technique, holds the tissues in place until a stronger scar can heal and support the breast internally.

The Surgical Process

The Breast Lift with Internal Bra Technique is typically performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you will be able to go home the same day as the surgery. The general steps involved in the surgery include:

• Anesthesia: You will be given general anesthesia to keep you comfortable and asleep during the surgery.
• Incisions: Typical incisions are made around the nipples, then straight down, and finally in the crease beneath the breasts. The shape is like an anchor.
• Placement of the Mesh: The internal bra mesh is carefully positioned and secured at the lower pole of the breast, in the space between your breast and your skin. We anchor the mesh to your chest wall to hold it in place until your tissues heal.
• Closing the Incisions: The incisions are then closed with dissolvable stitches.

Over the next 1-2 years the mesh will become incorporated into your scar tissue, and the mesh will dissolve away but your residual scar will be stronger than it otherwise would be if we had not placed the mesh. This new scar tissue that forms to replace the mesh is 2-3 times stronger than your own tissue.

Recovery

After surgery, you will likely experience some swelling and bruising around the breasts. Your doctor will provide you with specific instructions on how to care for your incisions and manage any discomfort. You will also need to wear a surgical bra for a period of time to support the breasts as they heal.

Important to Remember

It’s important to remember that the internal bra technique is a surgical procedure and should only be performed by a qualified and experienced board certified plastic surgeon. We recommend seeking consultation with a plastic surgeon who is familiar with many different techniques so she can identify the one that works best for you.

Our all-female team is here to answer all of your questions. Call (919) 797-0996 to schedule your Breast Surgery consultation today!

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