Soft Tissue Support for Breast Implants

Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Antonio, TX

Soft tissue support for breast implants is necessary when a patient has a lack of tissue or experiences tissue weakness in the chest. During breast augmentation, silicone breast implants can be placed and reinforced with soft tissue support. Surgeons use surgical mesh or a patient’s own remaining tissue to create supportive environments when necessary.

DuraSorb, GalaFLEX, OviTex, and FlexHD are among the most commonly-used meshes used in breast soft tissue support.* For patients who qualify, an autologous vascularized inferior dermal sling (autoderm) can be created with existing breast tissue. To improve a patient’s supportive tissue in the breast, these devices and techniques offer long-lasting results.

Dr. Suresh Koneru is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has been serving patients in San Antonio since 1996. At Advanced Concepts in Plastic Surgery (ACPS), he performs all common cosmetic procedures, including breast augmentation, facelifts, and tummy tucks.

Whether you are seeking a secondary surgery to reinforce existing implants or you are looking for a talented surgeon to perform a breast reconstruction, Dr. Koneru offers private consultations. To schedule yours, please call us at (726) 227-6847 or fill out our online form today.

How Does Soft Tissue Support Work?

In both cosmetic and general surgery, surgical meshes have been used for years to help support the body’s natural soft tissue. Most of the meshes used in the breast are bioabsorbable, meaning they absorb into living tissue. This creates a viable environment for tissue to regenerate and heal, reinforcing existing tissue while new cells grow.

For breast augmentation with implants, meshes are helpful for patients who do not have enough healthy tissue to support an implant pocket. Soft tissue support can be long-lasting, derived from your own body’s existing tissue, and/or created from biocompatible polymers. They are typically meshed or latticed, allowing the “grafts” to move with your body as you heal.

Types of Soft Tissue Support for Breast Implants

At ACPS, we offer many different options to support our patients receiving breast implants. Each material or graft essentially has the same purpose. Their differences lie in the material they are made of, their shapes and sizes, and the length of time they typically last in the body. 

  • DuraSorb: DuraSorb is a knitted material made of polydioxanone, a widely-used and predictable surgical material that has been used in surgery for over 35 years. Classified as a surgical mesh, this material reabsorbs safely into the body to reinforce soft tissue. The mesh is placed during augmentation and then slowly integrates into tissues, taking about 1 year to fully reabsorb. This reinforcement makes the targeted soft tissue stronger and more supportive.
  • GalaFLEX: GalaFLEX is a surgical scaffold created with elements from living organisms. It is made through a fermentation process widely used in pharmaceuticals. Often called the “internal bra,” this tissue support replaces your natural scar tissue. As the scaffold degrades, healthy cells grow into the lattice pattern and imbed there to encourage collagen production and lasting support. GalaFLEX reinforces damaged soft tissue while it regenerates. (2)
  • OviTex: This is an interwoven polymer matrix specifically designed for plastic surgery use. OviTex promotes tissue healing by providing long-term internal support. It has a controlled stretch for easy application and is highly permeable to allow natural degradation. With multiple reinforcement timelines, it can provide short-term or permanent support for damaged connective tissue.
  • FlexHD: FlexHD is a surgical graft made from large sections of deep dermis. The deep dermis is made up of healthy collagen, making this graft extremely pliable and beneficial to the healing process. This makes them biologically compatible and sterile to improve safety. They come in various shapes and sizes to make fitting a patient easier. (3)
  • Autoderm: Autoderm (analogous dermal sling) is a type of skin and tissue graft constructed with the patient’s own tissue. If there is viable tissue available around the breast and a breast reduction or lift is being performed along with augmentation, this provides soft tissue support. It is often preferred to other biologically created meshes and grafts because there is very little risk of negative outcomes. (4)

How Can Soft Tissue Support Benefit Me?

Breast shape can be affected if there is not enough viable soft tissue to support the implant. These bioabsorbable materials add that needed structure and reinforce the chest for a more desirable shape.

When inserted during breast augmentation surgery, they immediately start to form to your contour and slowly degrade to allow your own cells to flourish and reproduce. The reinforcement they provide allows your own tissue to heal, improving your surgical results.

Soft tissue supports are:

  • Biocompatible
  • Safe and Effective
  • Customizable
  • Long-lasting
  • Useful for a variety of surgeries

They provide:

  • Shorter Operation Times
  • Larger Implant Pockets
  • Tissue Regeneration
  • Pleasing Results
  • Body Confidence

Ideal Candidates

Patients seeking augmentation with poor breast tissue may be the ideal candidates for soft tissue support. They are in good health with no underlying medical conditions that impair healing. They must be non-smokers, or willing to quit at least 2 weeks before breast augmentation surgery. They are eligible if they have optimistic and reasonable expectations. For those in need of a breast lift and augmentation for added volume, GalaFLEX or Autoderm may be the right choice. When evaluating soft tissue support options, it is important to be candid about cosmetic desires and to inform Dr. Koneru of any allergies or sensitivities.

Personal Consultation with Dr. Koneru

Dr. Koneru will meet with you for a private consultation at ACPS to discuss your medical situation. He will examine the treatment area to determine possible procedure routes. He will explain the details of breast augmentation with soft tissue support and its benefits. This will prepare you for your future surgery and allow you the time to ask any questions. Dr. Koneru will be thorough and attentive to your cosmetic desires to make sure your breast augmentation surgery meets your needs. After this meeting, a staff member will help you schedule your procedure and follow-up appointments.

While you wait for your surgery date, please read our blog to learn more about our services and what they can do for you.

Breast Augmentation Preparation

As you prepare for surgery, avoid the following:

  • NSAIDs (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen)
  • Certain herbal supplements (e.g. vitamin E)
  • Tobacco and nicotine products
  • Alcohol

We encourage you to prepare your home for recovery by setting up a comfortable area and picking up easy-to-prepare foods. Be sure to pick up prescriptions beforehand and enlist a friend or family member to drive you to and from your appointment. They may need to stay with you for a few days following your breast augmentation to monitor your recovery. Your initial recovery may take 10 to 14 days, so make sure to take the necessary days off of work. On the day of your surgery, leave jewelry and valuables at home and wear a comfortable outfit that will be easy to put on and take off.

Soft Tissue Support for Breast Implants Procedure

Dr. Koneru’s surgical team first administers general anesthesia to keep you at ease during surgery. After you are comfortable, Dr. Koneru performs PECS blocks that provide pain relief for up to 72 hours during recovery. Then, he performs a breast augmentation according to your unique procedure plan. This approach varies from patient to patient.

If mesh is needed to support the implant by creating a pocket, Dr. Koneru first determines the best location for the implant. Whether it is above or below the pectoral muscle, he carefully sews in the support before placing the implant. Next, he places the implant and checks the breast contour. He sutures the breast in layers to reinforce support and structure.

The surgery is very customizable, and every patient experiences personalized treatment. Dr. Koneru makes sure you are fully informed about the specifics of your surgery during your consultation.

Long-Lasting Results

Using a surgical mesh or graft adds strong support for your breast implants. You may have had implants before and noticed the heavy silicone was not well reinforced by your natural breast tissue. The knitted material of the mesh and its ability to degrade allow for the breast implants to be supported without sacrificing their shape. As the mesh promotes natural tissue healing, your new breasts will settle naturally into a lifted and structured contour. You can enjoy a beautiful breast shape for years to come.

Cost of Soft Tissue Support for Breast Implants in San Antonio

The supports mentioned above have varying price points. Your total cost for breast augmentation with soft tissue support is determined by support choice, surgery length, and patient circumstance. For more information, please schedule your private consultation with Dr. Koneru today by calling (726) 227-6847 or filling out this contact form. We look forward to seeing you.

References

  1. Adams WP, Baxter R, Glicksman C, Mast BA, Tantillo M, Van Natta BW. The Use of Poly-4-Hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) Scaffold in the Ptotic Breast: A Multicenter Clinical Study. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2018;38(5):502-518. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjy022
  2. Dieterich M, Faridi A. Biological Matrices and Synthetic Meshes Used in Implant-based Breast Reconstruction – a Review of Products Available in Germany. Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde. 2013;73(11):1100-1106. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1350930
  3. Roy PG. Modified Lower Pole Autologous Dermal Sling for Implant Reconstruction in Women Undergoing Immediate Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy. International Journal of Breast Cancer. 2016;2016:1-7. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9301061

*Please note: Meshes are not specifically FDA-cleared for breast – tissue support but are cleared for soft tissue support in general. This page is for educational purposes only and not meant as medical guidance or advice.