Bellesoma breast reduction: How long has this procedure been formed and are the cost higher than a regular reduction?

So called “Bellesoma” and many other various breast reduction techniques (Wise pattern, superior pedicle, central mound, liposuction, de-augmentation, free-nipple graft, vertical, etc.) have been popularized for decades, and passed  in and out of fashion.  Each approach has advantages and disadvantages for your specific situation, and some techniques aren’t appropriate at all for many women.  Beware of a named technique performed by only a few surgeons.  Usually, this indicates narrow indications and/or an attempt to promote the notion that the surgeon offering the procedure or the procedure itself is somehow an advance over conventional approaches.  This is rarely the case.  Every “new” or alternative method carries with it risks and potential complications you must be aware of.  Bellesoma in particular may sacrifice breast projection and flatten the breast in exchange for eliminating the vertical scar.  Our circumvertical scar with post-surgical scar control program eliminates that scar for all practical purposes in many patients.  A vertical scar hidden by a small triangle bikini top is preferred by most women over a horizontal scar that may be more difficult to conceal, especially when robust breast shape and nipple projection are preserved. 

The
Bellesoma Method was developed in 2000 and has undergone continuous evolution since.  This procedure is different than all the
other procedures because it creates active lift.  The weight of the breast tissue is
transferred to the underlying pectoralis major muscle resulting in long term
stability and pain relief.  This
technique maintains nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed in the
majority of the patients while avoiding the vertical scar.  I presented this technique at The Aesthetic
Meeting on April 1, 2016 and an article published in PRS Global Open on
December 28, 2017.  This technique has
been peer reviewed and recognized as a different class of procedure and is now
being licensed to physicians throughout the United States and the world.  Currently Dr. Daniel Brown located in La
Jolla, CA is performing this procedure.  Since
the procedure is more complex, takes more approximately twice as long and it
costs more.  In response to comments made
by other authors, The Bellesoma Method does not sacrifice breast projection and
in fact increases it more than any other technique.  This technique is universal applicable and software
is used to generate an optimal solution for each patient.  I recommend you compare before and after
photographs of The Bellesoma Method with any other technique.  Not only are the aesthetics better but the
pain relief is achieved by breast weight transfer.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.    

Hi and thanks for your questions.  The Bellesoma or Horndeski technique has been practiced for over 15 years.  Other surgeons here that have not had the specialized training required to perform this procedure will likely not be able to explain this technique adequately.  Only 7 people in the world have been trained in Dr. Horndeski's technique and one is here in La Jolla.  Other than Dr Horndeski, I have performed the most Bellesoma breast reductions and lifts.  The highlights of why the Bellesoma technique is a superior breast reduction are outlined below.  Hopefully you potentially would be a good candidate to have a breast reduction and lift using the Bellesoma technique.  Photos and a more complete description would be helpful in order to give you the best advice.

Bellesoma is a new breast reduction and lift technique that seems like it may be a great fit for you.  This procedure utilizes 3-D volumetric scanning and a multi-point measuring system to design a precise surgical blueprint exactly tailored to your body and the reduced breast size that you desire. The Bellesoma procedure reduces the sagging and weight of your breast, lifts your breast and reduces areola diameter, preserves the nipple sensation and ability to breast feed, and looks as full and perky as if an implant had been placed without using any implant, so no need to compromise.  One of the huge positives of this technique is that there is no vertical incision traveling down the front of your breasts.
Some of the differences between Bellesoma and the traditional breast reduction/lift techniques:
-Bellesoma creates upper pole fullness and projection that traditionally needed an implant to achieve.
-There is NO vertical scar, only well-hidden scars in the fold under the breast, and around the areola.
-The breast is dynamically supported by attaching it to the muscle, so there is no recurrence of sagging which are expected with traditional lifts or reductions.
-The entire central portion of the breast is undisturbed, so nipple sensation remains intact and is very unlikely to be compromised giving the best possible chance for future breast feeding.
-For absolute best results, patients should have a stable weight and have a BMI under 30.
The procedure is accomplished by using the skin of the lower pole of the breast (the part below the nipple that sits in the bra cup) to shape the whole breast into a perky dome, then straps are made of the extra skin, anchoring it to the underlying chest muscle so that there is virtually no chance of repeat sagging.  The skin that above your nipple and below your collar bone is utilized to cover the perky, lifted dome that has been created and then a new (usually smaller) circular opening for the areola is placed at the high point of the cone, creating your new lifted, full and shapely breast.
From your description, you may be a very good candidate for this new technique and should really get the look that you are desiring without implants or unnecessary visible scars. I am an ABPS board certified plastic surgeon who is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and offer the Bellesoma technique.  I would love to discuss your breast reduction and possible results.
Best wishes!
Daniel Brown, MD, FACS Diplomate, American Board of Plastic Surgeons MemberAmerican Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons MemberAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons Real Self Top 500

This technique, which I believe is trademarked in name by another surgeon, is basically a breast reduction where the vertical scar is avoided. Not every breast shape is likely to be a good candidate for this method, as it requires a certain degree of overhang to allow the breast tissues to be pushed up under the skin without accessing the tissues through the vertical incision. As to cost, I think the practitioners of that method do typically charge more than for breast reduction with traditional Wise-pattern (anchor) or vertical incision approaches. At the end of the day, you need to look at before and after photos of breast reduction patients to see if the vertical scar is really that objectionable to you; I find it fades a lot in most patients and the shape is the most important issue.