How Do I Find a Doctor Who Can Implant a Titanium Bra?

First do not have this done.  There is not an American board Plastic Surgeon that will do this for you.  Have to admit that I was unfamiliar with this titanium mesh for breast surgery. I went to Dr. Saylan web site.  The pictures did not overwhelm me.  

Dr. ES

I have heard of this procedure on an experimental basis in other countries but it is not FDA cleared so not available here. It will require large and long-term clinical trials before it could be considered safe and effective. A more reasonable choice is biologic grafts (such as Strattice) which is already in use as an internal bra.

What? Do you have a legitimate reference source for that. Right now I can imagine a scenario of firm breasts, open wounds with protruding titanium. To the best of my knowledge, titanium has been used only for reconstruction of sternal non-unions following open heart surgery.

What is the Titanium Bra?

The titanium Bra is a Polypropylene (Nylon) coated with Titanium powder. It is not a metal bra as some people think.

I am familiar with this material having seen its use, and have used it while operating overseas.

When used properly, it is highly effective in both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. I believe this type of material will become more popular as more surgeons become aware of its efficacy. Another similar product is the Breform bra, which is not coated with titanium.

Unfortunatly, these excelent materials are not FDA approved in the USA, but widely available outside of the USA.

I currently use mesh materials that are available in the USA as an internal bra.

A titanium bra uses a mesh around the parenchyma. This is not approved to be perfromed in the US.  Besides most of my patients prefer diamonds!

The titanium "bra" developed by Dr. Ziya Saylan, M.D., Dusseldorf, Germany is based on a "titanized" polypropylene mesh, a mixed mesh, which has been used in abdominal wall reconstruction for hernias.  The use of Vicryl mesh in breast lifts and breast reconstruction was popularized by Dr. Sarampaio-Goes (Brazil) and confirmed by Dr. James Grotting in the late 90's, however this technique was never widely taken up in the U.S. Unlike an abdominal wall hernia, which isn't subject to annual screening by mammography, a breast is an organ in which breast cancer can develop, so any surgical techniques, which are paired with the breast should ideally be planned not to interfere with the detection of breast cancer.  Whereas the Vicryl mesh breasts were well visualized mammographically, there isn't any longitudinal data for the "titanium bra", which is very problematic.  In trying to be progressive, you shouldn't sacrifice safety. 

Another thought,  all "bras" eventually wear out and the longevity of this technique as well as potential complications should be established before you leave the country to try it out.  good luck. 

This is a procedure from Germany that uses Titanium mesh to help to support the breast. There is no studies published and no long term follow up. As a general role do not be the first for a procedure that you local board certified plastic surgeon does not offer.I checked the picture and not impressed by the best results that published.

Hi.  The titanium bra is not approved for use in the United States.  Even if it was approved, I usually advise my patients to wait 2-3 years before trying a newly approved product.  I have seen problems with newly approved devices and I don't want my patients to have any problems.  I also do not recommend having surgery outside of the United States.  You will not know how closely regulated the medical profession is.  In addition, if you have a complication, it will become very difficult and expensive to manage the complications.  I have seen this happen several times and it is always very burdensome for the patient.  As mentioned, there are other methods to improve the longevity of a breast lift by creating an "internal bra",  which are FDA approved, such as Strattice.  However, we do not have long term data on the efficacy of Strattice.  Hope this helps.

Tracy M. Pfeifer, MD, MS

Implantation of titanium for breast lifting or augmentation, or for any other type of internal "bra", is not FDA approved. Be wary of foreign "specialists" who may do more harm than good by inserting this permanent foreign material into your breasts.

And after you find your foreign doctor who does this and you have a breast mass and it can't be evaluated and you find you had breast cancer and die early, who do you sue? Live with a standard lift.