GalaFLEX: What You Need to Know

GalaFLEX is a trio of surgical scaffolds placed in the body for support during a procedure. They provide internal reinforcement to tissues that need strengthening or repair, encouraging regeneration and growth of your own natural tissue. Along with breast implant surgeries and revision procedures, GalaFLEX products were typically used in various surgeries related to weak or compromised tissue, as well as in non-implant surgeries such as breast lifts, breast reduction, and mastectomies.

Described as “knitted monofilament surgical scaffolds,” they’re made from P4HB, a porous polymer (naturally found in your body) that has been cleared for sale in the United States and Europe since 2007. P4BH is created via a biological fermentation process, a common method of pharmaceutical production that’s considered safe. So far, more than three million patients worldwide have had P4HB devices implanted during a surgical procedure. 

Surgical scaffolds provide immediate soft-tissue support, so you’ll see instant fullness or lift where tissues or fibers were once lax or sagging. The scaffold temporarily bears the load while new tissue grows into its porous material, replacing the polymer that’s slowly “bioresorbed” into your body over the next 18 to 24 months.

According to the manufacturer's studies, the surgical area becomes three to four times stronger after the scaffold is absorbed.

GalaFLEX offers three types of surgical scaffolds. 

• GalaFLEX: This flat mesh scaffolding device supports soft-tissue regrowth and strengthening.
• GalaSHAPE 3D: This three-dimensional surgical scaffold for plastic and reconstructive surgery supports, elevates, repairs, and reinforces soft tissue. 
• GalaFORM 3D: This scaffolding is similar to the GalaSHAPE 3D, with the addition of a reinforcing rim to ease scaffold placement, reducing procedure time and conforming to the patient’s natural shape.