Is it common to anchor the fold of breasts to ribs to lift so they can be prepared for implants?

Restoration of the Inframammary Fold (IMF) in breast reconstruction is crucial for achieving optimal results. If violated during previous surgical procedures, it is often recreated by placing sutures to the chest wall (fascia or rib itself). This simply will restore the IMF crease and allow this normal anatomic structure to remain intact in an attempt to recreate the most aesthetically-appearing breast as possible.

Sorry that this is your situation. DIEP flaps should be high a high success rate. Because there is no picture it is unclear to me what is being done. The fold can be created in a number of ways and the method you described is one of them. If you have had a nipple sparing procedure and the flap failed on the inside and had be removed then I presume you are deflated. Fat grafting and the use of BRAVA may be another way to go about this process that you can control more on the patient side. I also would re-evaluate your flap options including your inner thigh tissues. At this point I would have to see you in consultation to give you the best information. If you are interested contact the Breast and Body Center of Austin for a consult.

Reinforcing the fold and resuspending it is often done with breast reconstruction to restore the crease.