What does an internal bra do?

Question

I am curious as to what an internal bra is? I've read about doctors doing it with a breast augmentation. I am just curious as to when or why it is used. Thank you for your time.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

An internal bra is done by placing a material such as Galaflex mesh for support of the breast with a breast lift or to support an implant that has dropped or slid out of position. With a breast lift, the idea is to maintain the shape of the breast rather than relying on the skin and tissues that have already sagged and stretched. For implant support, it is used when the tissues forming the pocket have thinned. For that situation, either Galaflex or an ADM such as Strattice are options. An internal bra isn't used much in primary breast augmentation.

Robert Morin, MD, FACS · Answer

An internal bra describes the process of reinforcing and supporting the lower portion of the breast in the vicinity of the inframammary fold by using some type of material. I commonly use either BellaDerm (acellular human dermis) or Galatea (synthetic surgical mesh) in complex revision cases where I need to reconstruct the "floor" upon which a breast implant sits.

Roger Tsai, MD · Answer

Great question! An internal bra/internal lift can be done in a couple different ways. Often times some type of mesh is used to help support the bottom part of the breasts to prevent droop and sagging overtime. On top of that sutures can be used to close the breast pocket in a revision case if the breast pocket is too big for the implants. This pocket manipulation allows repositioning of the breast implants to an improved postion. Seek a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to go over the details of this procedure.
Best of luck and hope this information helps!

- Dr. Roger Tsai  @DrRogerTsai

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Kevin G. Rose, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The "internal bra" is a surgical scaffolding that is placed around the breast implant and is often used in complicated breast revision surgeries. I typically only recommend the use of the internal mesh (such as Galashape or Strattice) in patients that are at a higher risk for implant displacement or have very thin breast tissue. Hope this helps and best of luck to you.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. The internal bra procedure involves placement of an internal sling of material to act as a hammock under the implant where it is exposed in the inferior aspect of the pectoralis muscle. There are a number of different materials that can be used ranging from human dermis, absorbable or non-absorbable mesh. I re

Charles A. Messa III, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. An "internal bra" is a term utilized for the addition of an internal support mesh (Galaflex) or matrix (Strattice or Alloderm) placed around the breast implant. It is rare to need or use this technique for primary breast augmentation unless a patient's breast tissue is very thin. In secondary breast augmentation, augmentation mastopexy, or revision breast implant surgery an internal mesh support can reduce the incidence implant displacement (movement down or laterally on the chest wall). I personally prefer Galashape mesh with capsulorraphy (using sutures to tighten or reinforce the capsule around the implant) especially in secondary cases with thin breast tissue and implant displacement.
Best wishes.
Charles A. Messa, III, MD, FACS

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

In most patients simple breast augmentation, on top or underneath the muscle, does not require any additional tightening and support. In same cases when breasts are droopy, breast lift may be needed to provide better, more durable result. It is not recommended to use any additional graft material (mash) in the same surgery to avoid unpredictable scarring and asymmetry that may result. Mesh support of any kind is usually used for secondary surgeries and severe breast asymmetries to help maintain reconstruction result.

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

This is term that is commonly used when revision surgery is performed.  When there is displacement of the implants inferiorly or laterally, an internal bra is commonly used.  In addition to tightening the capsule termed capsulorrhaphy, a "mesh" is placed to help reinforce the repair as well as help support the implant.  This mesh can be biologic or synthetic.  Some of the more common are Strattice and Galaform.I would not recommend use of these products in a primary breast augmentation as it is unnecessary if proper sizing and evaluation is performed.Hope that helps.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  An internal bra uses a mesh, attached to your chest muscles, to help support your breast tissue and implants like a hammock or sling that runs from your breast bone, across the lower border of your breasts, and up towards your chest muscle.  In this way it mimics the cup of a bra, but the support is placed inside of the breast tissue and not on the outside.  The mesh used can vary from human tissue(alloderm) to pig skin (strattice) , to silk protein (seri).  This mesh eventually becomes incorporated by your body adding thickness and support to your tissues.  These are most commonly placed during a breast lift revision that supplies sufficient exposure to permit adequate fixation of the mesh.  Hope this helps.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  The benefit of the internal bra is that it provides additional support to hold the breast (with or without an implant) in a more lifted position.  The extra support helps to prolong the lifted position of the breast and resist the effects of gravity.  Over time, the breast loses its ability to maintain its perkiness.  Whether it is due to pregnancy/breast feeding, changes in weight, or the aging process one can find that the breast tissue has lost some of its elasticity.  When this happens, a breast lift can restore the shape of the breast to a more perky position.  However, even though the breast appears perky, the underlying tissue still has lost it's elasticity and the duration of the breast lift may be compromised.  The internal bra can help prolong the results of the newly lifted/augmented breast.I would recommend that you visit with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area to help discuss whether the internal bra would be suitable to add to your breast procedure.

What does an internal bra do?

Answers (13)

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