Internal bras? Good or bad? What type? 550 high profile under the muscle silicone implants a year ago. (photos)

The internal bra procedure is useful for implant support, and coverage when the tissue envelope is thin. The Allergan product recommended is probably Strattice, which is a tissue matrix that transforms into living tissue. It has a long and very good clinical record for use in implant support. The other product currently used a lot is Galaflex. It does not transform into scar tissue, but as it dissolves it serves as a template for your own collagen to replace it.

Hi ckartch; What is the reason a for needing an internal support? Are you experiencing a lot of rippling of your implants? Is there a pocket distortion? You don't appear to have a capsular contracture. What is the size and type of implants you presently have? You appear fit and the overall size looks full on you body. Perhaps the implants hence, the breasts, are low?  I recommend a second, in house consultation to be able to accurately answer your questions. Re: your question; Simply put, as plastic and reconstructive surgeons, we utilize grafts and other materials to reinforce and support tissues in surgery. We can use autografts which come from the patient, allografts that are taken from the human donors, xenografts that come from other animals, and alloplasts that are manufactured from absorbable and non-absorbable polymers. These materials have made a huge contribution for secondary and salvage surgery of breast implant deformity. The material you are referring to i assume are from the company, Allergan and the product is Strattice which is pig derived collagen matrix. Several other companies make similar products. They really don't make scar tissue but they provide additional tissue that allows for our cells and blood vessels to grow into them as real living tissue. There are alloplasts which stimulate collagen formation and are desirable for support. One of the most popular is Galaflex made of a natural polymer that gradually dissolves over around two years and establishes new collagen which strengthens the pocket. Deciding which of these to use depends on the situation. Deciding on implant size requires an in house consultation. I have extensive experience with these products having been one of the first surgeons using them over ten years ago to repair severe breast implant deformities. Thank you for bringing up an important topic that has helped many women.  

If you want perky and a fuller upper pole, you're looking at having to add a breast lift as well.  If you are good with your size, perhaps some skin tightening of your envelope would be good enough.  But your photo overall is not that bad so why even do anything at this point?  I try to avoid anything 'artificial' when doing revisionary surgery as it adds considerable cost and I can't say in my experience that it will add anything to the procedure... but that's just my opinion.

Thank you for the good question. Semantics can be confusing; for example, the "internal bra" terminology has been used differently by different surgeons.  In our practice, the "internal bra" refers to maneuvers utilized ( generally during revisionary breast augmentation surgery) to better support the breast implants in appropriate position.  These maneuvers may include adjustment of the breast capsules (capsulorraphy)  and/or the use of acellular matrix or  biosynthetic mesh.  The "internal bra" can be especially helpful when patients are experiencing breast implant displacement problems (such as bottoming out or lateral displacement).   My best advice: select your plastic surgeon carefully. This will be a much more informed decision compared to exactly what type of "material" is used (if any) during the revision breast operation. Make sure that he/she has significant experience achieving the types of outcomes you will be pleased with. Then, communicate your concerns and goals carefully, as well. Working together you will come up with a good plan to achieve your goals.  
 
 I hope this helps. Best wishes.