Article courtesy of Marina Plastic Surgery Associates
Firm Support with a Laser: The Laser Bra
Contributed by Dr Grant Stevens, Marina Plastic Surgery Associates, Palos Verdes, CA & Marina del Ray, CA.
Dr. Grant Stevens created the Laser Bra, a procedure for lifting the breast. He discusses how he combines his approach with conventional surgery.
(This article was reprinted from Body Language International)
As breast surgery is so popular, it is not surprising that accompanying procedures have been developed to improve results or make them last longer. The whole point of the Laser Bra is to create a longer lasting and more permanent lift of the breast when performing a reduction, augmentation mastopexy, or standard breast lift.
In traditional breast-lift surgery, the skin envelope is reduced in size and tightened. This allows the nipple and areola complex to be lifted. Generally speaking, the skin reduction performed results in skin that is excised and discarded. Using the Laser Bra technique, a C02 laser softens the skin and fashions an internal bra. Treating the excised skin makes it soft and pliable, and internal scarring ensures the permanency of the brassier.
The Laser Bra is, basically, an internal bra that elevates the upper chest. The laser creates the bra which is attached to the chest wall with permanent sutures, along with small tabs.
If a patient is undergoing a breast reduction, the Laser Bra will elevate the newly reduced breast. With an augmentation mastopexy, the bra supports the implant and the existing breast, thus avoiding the "ball and sock deformity". One of the greatest attributes of the Laser Bra is greater longevity and lift for cosmetic breast surgeries. What's more, the Laser Bra is created from a patient's own tissue. The Laser Bra cannot be felt by the patient. As it is attached at all times (not a free graft). there is no risk of infection or rejection.
The Laser Bra also makes breast surgery an option for a wider group of women who previously were not candidates. As a result of the increased blood supply provided, smokers, diabetics, hyper-tensives, or people with cardiovascular disease can still have laser breast reduction.
In addition, the blood supply to the nipple and areola (with breast reduction) is so improved that I no longer have to consider performing nipple grafts. This enables a patient to continue to experience nipple sensation and retain the ability to breastfeed. In the past 4 years, I have performed more than 150 Laser Bra procedures. My patients remain incredibly impressed with the longevity of the post-op results and the "perkiness" of the breast.
The procedure generally takes 2 hours; swelling and discomfort are minimal. As lasers are used, blood loss and bruising are reduced. Recovery-time is generally 7-10 days, with the resumption of full activity about three weeks afterward. For those women who have been concerned about achieving a natural appearance of the breast, or the longevity of their post-operative results, the Laser Bra affords a natural, safe, and long-lasting approach to breast surgery.