Has GalaFlex been used long enough to assess if there is higher chance of complications? (Photos)

The product dimension has been published on and used by many reputable surgeons for a number of years that this point. In a patient like you who has had stretching Loss of support of the skin and soft tissue, it has been highly recommended by many to help reduce the risk of what we call bottoming out. I am not aware that it has been directly identified as a cause of autoimmune diseases, However its use does carry risks such as infection, exposure, etc (however much it may add to the already present risk of surgery). It is important for you to discuss the risks and benefits with her surgeon and decide whether you are willing to tolerate these risks in order to achieve the potential benefits, or whether you are willing to forego the potential benefits so that the risks are not as high.

Hello @Spiceworld90s, thank you for your question. These meshes, such as galaflex, are used to contain tissues that are difficult to hold in place. When performing a breast reconstruction and breast lift it is not necessary to place other elements, depending on the surgical technique of the doctor. You can avoid the use of these elements. The best course of action is to consult one or several board certified plastic surgeon for more information and options tailored specifically to your needs. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD FACS

The technique I recommend is a lift using The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Your surgeon is recommending mesh because your native tissues will restretch and you will have recurrent sagging and loss of upper pole fullness (I would also recommend an implant to optimize shape). You are incorrect about mesh products leading to increased complications or systemic diseases like autoimmune/connective tissue disorders. Although non-resorbable mesh products - nylon/plastic - have had a rocky road when used for general surgical procedures (pain, infections, recurrent hernias), resorbable mesh has not had any of those problems. Galaflex mesh is made of a polymer known as P4HB, a long chain of molecules that breakdown after two years into metabolizable compounds that are not harmful or stimulate immune response. Breast surgeons have been using this product reliably for almost a decade and have shown a decrease in reoperation rates.

Thank you for your question and posting appropriate pictures. I agree with your surgeon with you being a good candidate for a breast lift with internal support using Galaflex mesh. Expertly performed you should have a minimal complication risk, with the risk of not using mesh being bottoming out of your breasts as your tissues have lost elasticity after massive weight loss. There are no causal relationships between any mesh and autoimmune disorders. Best of luck.

You appear to be an excellent candidate for a lift. I have not used galaflex and it appears to be helpful in maintaining support of the tissue. But it’s use is relatively new so we don’t know the long term results or any future problems that it could cause. I think you can get a perfectly nice result without galaflex.

Congratulations on your weight loss! Personally, I would just do the reduction and avoid the mesh, but some surgeons like mesh.

There are always going to be more risks with a mesh with the complications of palpability for awhile and infection than if you do not use a mesh. If you do not use a mesh the results of the surgery will not last nearly as long. I use either galaflex or durasorb and have not had a significant problem with either of them.

Your photos suggest a very difficult problem.

So far there is no procedure that will keep your breast up high. Galaflex and other products aim to do that and I feel they to help, yet at extremes they are inadequate.

A two staged approach is more reliable and involved reducing your breast size. The second surgery would be augmentation.

Good luck.

Based on the nicely posted photos I recommend only in person detail examination. I think you will need 2-3 separate surgeries. Using an ACDM might be helpful but not in first surgery. I recommend doing long pedi or lift/reduction or maybe free N/A graft technique. See healing abd determine next step . Seek in person consults