Have you ever wished your breasts came with a built-in bra? You may be pleased to know that advancements in medical aesthetics have made this wish a reality. The internal bra is an innovative technique that is being used increasingly in breast enhancement and breast revision surgeries, improving patient outcomes. This blog will demystify the internal bra technique, outline its benefits, and discuss its applications in breast augmentation, breast lift, and breast revision surgeries.
4 Min. Read:
Table of Contents
- What Is an Internal Bra?
- Benefits of the Internal Bra Technique
- Breast Augmentation With Internal Bra
- Breast Lift With Internal Bra
- Breast Revision With Internal Bra
What Is an Internal Bra?
Sometimes referred to as a “built-in bra” or a soft-tissue matrix, an internal bra is a mesh scaffold used in breast surgeries to reinforce soft tissue and enhance results. It’s typically placed beneath the breast tissue to provide structural support, enhance shape, and prevent sagging or “bottoming out.” It’s an excellent add-on for ptosis-prone patients with thin skin, significant weight loss, or large implants, and those who want their results to last longer.
Types of Internal Bras
There are several types of internal bras, including:
- Synthetic resorbable mesh (such as GalaFLEX™, DuraSorb®)
- Animal-derived acellular dermal matrix (ADM)
- Barbed or absorbable sutures
Breast specialist Dr. Leonard Hochstein favors bioresorbable polydioxanone (PDO) mesh due to its unique balance of long-term strength, biocompatibility, and complete resorption. PDO mesh is designed to disintegrate safely over time, leaving behind strengthened natural tissue.
Am I a Candidate for an Internal Bra?
The best candidates for incorporating internal mesh in a breast surgery are those with poor skin quality, sagging, or those requiring a revision surgery for implant stabilization. During your consultation, Dr. Hochstein will determine if the use of internal mesh is compatible with your needs, goals, and surgical plan.
Benefits of the Internal Bra Technique
For the right patient, an internal bra offers improved, long-term stability of results and a perkier, more natural look by providing support during the healing process.
Benefits of this technique include:
- Long-lasting lift and support of the breast’s internal structure
- Strengthened tissue with natural collagen stimulation
- A more youthful contour and improved symmetry
- Better distribution of tension, often resulting in improved scar formation
- Reduced breast augmentation complications, such as implant malposition and capsular contracture
- Maintenance of implant stability for breast augmentations
- Reinforced weakened tissue—ideal for revision surgeries
Breast Augmentation With Internal Bra
In the context of a breast augmentation, an internal bra provides additional support to breast implants, acting as a permanent hammock to hold implants in place. An internal bra secures the implant pocket, which can help mitigate the development of many common breast augmentation complications, such as capsular contracture, “bottoming out,” visible implant rippling, and implant migration or displacement.
Including an internal bra with a breast augmentation is an excellent way to achieve a more durable, lifted result than with implants alone. It’s ideal for patients who have experienced significant weight loss or post-pregnancy breast ptosis, providing a boost of lift and support. It can also enhance upper pole fullness and keep your breast implants in place for full, round, and perky breasts for years to come.
Breast Lift With Internal Bra
One of the most common surgical applications of the internal bra technique is in a breast lift surgery. With a breast lift, the mesh scaffold acts as a “push-up bra,” providing long-lasting structural support and, consequently, extending the longevity of your results. This secondary reinforcement to the skin-tightening benefits of a traditional lift enhances breast appearance and prevents breast sagging over time.
Breast Revision With Internal Bra
Breast revision patients benefit greatly when a soft tissue matrix is incorporated into their surgical plan. In cases where the previous results of a breast surgery are unsatisfactory or there have been complications, an internal bra can improve the overall outcome and provide crucial support. Once again, the internal mesh acts as a scaffold, which in a revision surgery can make all the difference for patients with thin skin, severe sagging, or prior implant issues.
An internal bra can re-sculpt the breast to enhance the lower pole, repair stretched tissues, and correct asymmetry. It can also reposition implants that have shifted and strengthen tissue after capsular contracture. For breast revision patients, an internal bra can enhance results for up to 10 years, or even longer, in some cases.
Explore Breast Procedures in Miami, FL
If you’re thinking about breast enhancement surgery and you want the best possible results, the first step is to consult the expertise of a highly qualified plastic surgeon. Dr. Leonard Hochstein is a board-certified plastic surgeon and breast specialist who has helped thousands of patients achieve their desired breast aesthetic and increased confidence.
To learn more about breast procedures and whether the internal bra technique can help you achieve enhanced shape and lasting lift, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hochstein today. Call our office at (305) 931-3338 or fill out our contact form to get started.