The Laser Bra

Posted Friday, September 7, 2007 to PROCEDURES > Breast

Posted by The Original Anti-Aging & Cosmetic Surgery Magazine

Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr Grant Stevens explained a new surgical technique he developed for breast enhancement to Jodi Thiessen.

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. A C02 laser is used to de-epithelialize the patient's own skin and create an internal bra which is then attached to the chest wall, holding up the breast tissue. 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 Grant 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 "Fallout" when the bulk of the breast drops below the nipple. Hence Dr Grant 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 procedures 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 bra, 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. We have not seen any loss of nipple sensation. The blood supply to the nipple is improved and nipple sensation is preserved." The Laser Bra 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 no 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.

Lifting Body & Spirit!

I wasn't looking like I used to. I was 48, I'd had two kids and, let's face it, I was saggy. My breasts used to be very perky, but after I had the kids they got really soft and sagged.

A girlfriend reads a lot about cosmetic surgery and she mentioned the internal laser bra. I found Dr Stevens and made my appointment. I wasn't nervous before the procedure because I really wanted it done and had a lot of confidence in Dr. Stevens because he developed the internal bra procedure.

I was under a general anesthetic so I don't remember. All I know is I went to sleep, and when I woke up, it was done!

The whole procedure didn't hurt much at all. I have a scar from the nipple down and one that is under the fold of my breast. The scars are small and flat. In time, I'm sure they will fade.

The stitches were taped over and, for a couple of weeks, I had to wear a bra right around the clock. Also I couldn't exercise for a while. I had liposuction at the same time and, to be honest, I thought the liposuction was more traumatic that the breast surgery.

Now my breasts are very firm and perky again. I'm back to the same size I was before I had children. I can't feel the laser bra - right after surgery it felt a little tight, but now I can't even tell it's there.

Today the shape of my breasts is great. I'm 5'2" and weigh 150 pounds and it makes me look like I have a much more youthful figure. My husband notices more than anybody! He loves it. There is still nipple sensation, perhaps even more than before the procedure. I honestly couldn't be happier and I'd recommend it to anybody.

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