Hammock for breast implant: what is the purpose of it?

Question

I would like to know about the hammock for breast implant. I will get a breast implant replacement and the surgeon recommended hammock.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

If your tissues have thinned over the lower part of the breast, they may not be strong enough to support an implant and conceal rippling. The internal bra is designed to provide support and coverage, and it can be thought of as a hammock for implants. Galaflex mesh and Strattice are commonly used for this.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

hello lily2014 There are many mesh products surgically used to support breasts; 
Seri®, Belladerm , Flexiderm™, GalaFLEX, Alloderm®, TIGR™,TiLOOP™, 
Strattice™, and ADM (acellular dermal matrix) to mention a few.
These all have different properties and are manufactured by different
 companies. For example: Alloderm® is derived from cadaver skin which is
 processed to provide a matrix that will be replaced by your own 
collagen. Seri® is a silk derivative. GalaFLEX is a dissolving mesh 
created from glucose, or sugar and dissolves much like absorbable 
sutures.
All meshes have their own unique properties but can be used to help support a sagging breast during a lift.

Afshin Parhiscar, MD · Answer

Dear lilly
When it comes to breast surgery, to create support for the implant weight on the lower pole of the breast, the surgeon can use additional support with "a hammock". The hammock acts as a secured sling to prevent long term stretch and drop of the implant. It can be made of a variety of material. The goal is long term stability specially in patients with thin tissue or heavy implants.

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

This is to keep the breast tissue and implant high so that it doesn't drop again. I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

support the implant and would be suggested if you have a problem with your implants being too low where the pocket must be raised up.  If you don't have this problem, then the hammock may not be needed.  So clarify your concerns with your chosen surgeon and make sure this is something that will be beneficial to you and not just another procedure that can be billed for at the same time.

David A. Sieber, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for the great question! Often times when patients are having revision breast surgery, there is a need to support the soft tissue around the breast implants. The most common reasons for using mesh as a hammock are for implants that are malpositioned, to support heavier implants, and to keep an implant in place if it is being moved from a sub glandular into a submuscular pocket. Best of luck!~Dr. Sieber

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the good question. Semantics can be confusing; best to clarify with your plastic surgeon to avoid confusion.  I think that he may be referring to the use of acellular matrix or biosynthetic mesh to provide additional support for the overlying breast implants.  This can be especially helpful when patients are experiencing breast implant displacement problems (such as bottoming out or lateral displacement), possibly with overlying breast tissue/skin that have lost tensile strength.   
 
  Best wishes.

Vincent D. Lepore, MD (retired) · Answer

In certain individuals, if the lower breast tissue is excessively thin or lax, the weight of the implant can cause a deformity or "fall out" in which the implant stretches out the lower breast skin.  This results in a deformity in which the implant appears to sit too low on the breast and the nipple/areola can appear to sit abnormally high on the breast mound.  To help support the implant, a secondary surgery can be performed in which one's own tissue, or a cadaver skin graft (Acellular dermal matrix or ADM) or other material (Seri Surgical Scaffold) can be used to create a hammock beneath the breast implant.  The added support can help prevent recurrent fall out.  Best wishes, Dr. Lepore.

Hammock for breast implant: what is the purpose of it?

Answers (8)

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