Lift and Augmentation - Sutures to Rib Cartilage. How common are they?

Hi Momneedslift,Thanks for your question. Anything that can be done to support the breast tissue is a good idea! However, remember that regardless of how it is done that the tissue will relax. No greater increased risk of complications from suture but more pain for sure. The pain decreases in 3-10 days on average based on my patients experience. I would certainly do these sutures based on what you are describing but a physical exam would be necessary to know for sure! Good Luck and congratulations on the weight loss and the new body your going to have soon! 

All the best,



Carlos Mata MD, MBA, FACS





#breastlift #breastaugmentation





Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dear Momneedslift,



Your surgeon’s recommendation is quite sound. When we see patients who have lost a large amount of weight the tissues are permanently damaged with profound loss of elasticity and structure. We have found that using normal or large size implants has an unacceptably high chance of bottoming out later. Putting in what we call “the safety stitches” is a very good idea at the time of the surgery to prevent a complication. Others might also consider putting in various sub straights such as Strattice or Seri silk but the expense of those products is quite high.





Though the stitch going in to the rib cartilage is a bit painful, it is temporary for a few days and should not increase any rate of complications, rather decrease a potential one.





I hope this has been helpful.





Robert D. Wilcox, MD

This is sometimes performed in patients with severe laxity. It should not increase your risk of complications.

...a good idea.  You can also consider a textured implant to help keep things in good position.  It does impact recovery a little as you will have some more pain in that area for a while.  It will go away as the sutures are absorbed.  Another adjunct is using acellular dermal matrix or ADM but it costs a lot of money. Hope this helps.-JGH

This is commonly referred to as an "internal bra". It is useful when operating after massive weight loss for exactly the reason your surgeon described. The main difference you would notice is more sensitivity/discomfort directly at the points of suture fixation for a few more days than normal.