The Laser Bra – Breast Reductions & Breast Lifts

March 15, 2010

An internal bra created with the patient's own tissue is giving long lasting results to mastopexy (breast lift), breast reduction/lift and breast augmentation/lift surgery patients. A CO2 laser is used to de-epithelialize the patient's own skin and create an internal bra that is then attached to the chest wall, holding up the breast tissue. According to W. Grant Stevens, M.D., This process does not add to surgical time, carries no further risks, and can help create a more aesthetically pleasing shape to the breast.

Laser Breast Lift

Women who request a breast lift usually have complaints about their breasts being saggy and the nipple being too low. Previously, the way this has been treated is simply to reduce the skin of the breast. Dr. Stevens explained: "Traditionally, the skin that was reduced was discarded, and the remaining skin then fashioned around the breast tissue." Dr. Stevens says that after doing hundreds of these traditional breast lifts with surgery alone, he decided to implement the laser when he saw the incredible way lasers were shrinking the sagging skin on women's faces. He believed lasers could do the same for breasts - thus, he developed an internal laser bra.

The long-term results for a traditional breast lift may sometimes be disappointing, as the breasts tend to "Fall out" when the bulk of the breast drops below the nipple. Hence Dr. Stevens developed The Laser Bra technique called The Stevens Lift. "I was familiar with a mesh that can be used as an internal bra. But this is a foreign body with its associated problems, such as infection, extrusion and palpation," said Dr. Stevens. "I wanted to develop something that used the patient's own tissue and avoid the problems associated with foreign matters."

"With the new technique, the skin otherwise discarded is treated in such a way with the laser, that a bra is fashioned and secured to the chest wall. This "Bra" holds the breast tissue up and in place," explained Dr. Stevens. It is entirely internal and is done with the patient's own tissue. Therefore, there are no added problems with infection or rejection, often seen with foreign bodies."

The surgery is performed under a general anesthetic. Incisions are made horizontally and vertically, as with a traditional breast lift. Excess skin is treated with the laser, fabricating the internal brassiere. This internal bra is then tacked to the chest wall and the entire breast and nipple are lifted. The procedure takes about 2 hours; swelling and discomfort are minimal, with recovery time taking 5-7 days.

Breast Reduction & Lift

Often a breast reduction and breast lift are performed simultaneously to create not only smaller but perkier breasts as well. Utilizing the laser during breast reduction surgery, to reduce the breast tissue as well as create an internal, can be beneficial. The incisions are similar to the breast lift - both horizontal and vertical. However, during surgery the excess fat, tissue and skin are removed from both sides of the breast and the breast is repositioned. "Here is something different from a traditional breast reduction," said Dr. Stevens. "By using the laser, we are also preserving the blood supply that would otherwise potentially be interrupted. The blood supply to the nipple is improved and nipple sensation is preserved." The Laser Bra is utilized to support the reduced breast tissue.

Breast Augmentation & Lift

For a woman who has developed sagginess and a reduction in her ideal breast size, a simultaneous breast lift and implant can restore lost shape and size. "It is the same process as a laser breast lift. But the effect is much more dramatic, because now the laser bra is not just holding up the breast tissue but is also holding up a breast implant as well," explained Dr. Stevens. With traditional mastopexy augmentation without the laser bra, the implant tends to descend, and fallout can be very noticeable. "There are not extra risks involved in this surgery. In fact, I would argue it possibly minimizes risks because the risk of extrusion, migration and exposure of the implant are diminished since the laser bra creates a new layer of tissue over the implant," said Dr. Stevens.