Stabilizer Band: Does It Make a Difference? (photo)

The band can be very useful in some patients. I use it frequently early on after surgery. I believe it helps keep the implants in potion when there is spams and implants are being pushed up by the muscle. But its use has more to do with technique used in surgery. I do not like to release the lower border of the muscle very much. this gives more muscle coverage to the implant and a better result in my opinion. But it also can cause more spasm of the muscle, this is where the band is helpful. But if used improperly it can cause the implants to bottom out. You should ask your PS to see if they are appropriate for you.

Thank you for your question. If your surgeon recommends a bra strap, they may be wanting to influence the decent of the implants within the breasts over the first six months after surgery as it usually takes several months for the breasts to settle out. If they don't, it might because they are more aggressive with pocket dissection and opening up the lower aspect of the breast, and may want to avoid the bra strap as it may put too much downward pressure.  I would recommend following your surgeon's instructions and follow-up.

Thank you for an excellent question. The use of bra bands or straps after breast augmentation varies among plastic surgeons. There has never been a definitive study that determined whether or not they are effective or necessary. I would say that the biggest determinent of your result will be the technique of your surgeon, and that breast augmentations usually work out quite well. In my practice, I do use a band for the first week after surgery. I believe that it helps stabilize the implant in the early recovery phase and reduces the upwards migration of the implant. This can quicken the post operative phase in that we don't have to wait for the implants to drop and settle as much. As for the long term effect, who knows.

Either way, the best advise that I would give to you would be to follow the instructions from your plastic surgeon.

Best of luck.

Jeff Rockmore