Minimizing Risks of Dropped Breast after Breast Augmentation and Improving Breast Implant Support
After breast augmentation most patients expect to have perkier and fuller breasts. However in a small population of patients a known phenomenon called “drop breast” can occur. Drop breast is when one or both breast implants have dropped to a position that is less than ideal. Additionally, the drop breast can occur as part of the natural aging process with or without breast implants.
Causes of Drop Breast
- Aging causes skin sagging, wrinkling and creasing
- Childbirth and weight fluctuations
- Large breast implants inserted onto a smaller frame
- Decreased skin elasticity and strength
The GalaFLEX Surgical Scaffold allows for the underlying tissues to better support breast implants and provide the extra strength needed to keep implants more upright throughout time and aging.
GalaFLEX is a soft-tissue reinforcement that immediately helps tighten and lift the breast tissue. Also commonly referred to as an “internal bra,” the GalaFLEX scaffolding works by using a biologically derived polymer knitted into a scaffold with large pores. This polymer is made out of Poly-4-Hydroxybutyrate (P4HB), an advanced biologically derived polymer made from a biological fermentation process. This material is a very unique, offering high amount of strength and support without sacrificing elasticity compared to other ridged polymers that cannot offer both qualities.
To make the scaffolding, the P4HB is purified, and knitted into a scaffold with large pores. The large pores of the monofilament scaffolding are engineered with an open pore construction to create a grid for a patient’stissue regeneration. Basically new tissue will grow into the pores to create a supportive tissue structure. Many other soft tissue-scaffolding technologies use multifilament scaffolding, which does not possess the large pore feature, and are more prone to infection risk.
“ The GalaFlex works by encouraging the growth of the patient’s own natural connective tissue into the scaffolding, making the tissue three to four times stronger than the patient’s native tissue.”—Dr. Erica Anderson, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.
Once installed, GalaFLEX provides support to soft tissue immediately by supporting rapid tissue ingrowth. Around the 18 to 24 month mark, the Galatea scaffolds bio-resorbs into the body by hydrolysis and dissolves from the patient’s body completely. The result leaves behind a very strong healthy tissue that is elevated and tightened and acts like a “internal bra.”
The GalaFLEX device is not without risks and those risks include infection, pain, migration, hemorrhages, adhesions, hematoma, inflammation, and recurrence of the soft tissue defect.
Good candidates for GalaFLEX Surgical Scaffold
- Have experienced drop breast in one or both breasts after breast surgery
- Desire large breast implants and have a smaller upper body frame.
- Are at least 6 months out from initial breast surgery where drop breast resulted. This ensures adequate time to heal, the implants to settle into position, and the swelling to resolve.
Breast Augmentation Specialist, Dr. Erica Anderson
The Naderi Center’s Dr. Erica Anderson is highly experienced in breast surgery. Using the latest techniques for reshaping the breasts and reducing scar tissue, Dr. Anderson helps her patients to improve the size, shape, and symmetry of their chest. Dr. Anderson is experienced with the Galaflex scaffolding technology and can accurately assess whether you will be a good candidate for such a procedure.
