What is the Internal Bra Technique for Breast Surgery?

April 4, 2025

You might have heard the term “internal bra” and wondered what this innovative and increasingly popular internal bra technique might be! This surgical technique has been making waves in the world of breast surgery, offering patients a new way to achieve natural-looking, long-lasting results.

In this blog, we’ll get into the details of the internal bra technique, discussing how it works, its applications, and the potential benefits it offers over traditional breast surgery methods. Whether you’re considering breast augmentation, mastopexy, or breast reconstruction, this cutting-edge technique might just be the solution you’ve been searching for.

Minnesota Plastic Surgeon Dr. Joe Gryskiewicz is a talented and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon helping patients interested in breast surgery achieving their aesthetic goals.

What is an Internal Bra?

The internal bra technique is a surgical procedure used in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery to provide long-lasting support and shape to the breasts. It is often utilized in breast augmentation, mastopexy (breast lift), and breast reduction procedures. The technique aims to create an “internal bra” structure that mimics the support offered by a traditional bra, resulting in a more natural-looking, youthful appearance.

During the internal bra procedure, the surgeon uses a combination of sutures, meshes, or other biocompatible materials to create an internal support system for the breast tissue. This support system helps to lift and reshape the breasts while providing long-term stability. The internal bra is designed to maintain the desired breast shape and position, addressing issues like breast ptosis (sagging) and asymmetry.

The internal bra technique can be performed without using foreign materials like meshes or synthetic scaffolds. In such cases, the surgeon relies on the patient’s own tissue and strategically placed sutures to create the internal support structure.

One approach is called the “auto-augmentation” or “autologous” technique, where the patient’s existing breast tissue is reshaped and repositioned to provide natural support and lift. This is done by suturing the breast tissue to the chest wall or the surrounding tissue in a way that lifts and secures the breast in the desired position. This technique avoids the use of foreign materials, thus reducing the risk of potential complications associated with them, such as infection or rejection.

One of the advantages of the internal bra technique is its potential to offer longer-lasting results compared to traditional breast surgery methods. By creating a strong support structure within the breast, the technique can reduce the risk of breast implant complications, such as displacement or malposition. Furthermore, the internal bra can help preserve the natural contours of the breast and minimize the impact of gravity and aging on the breast tissue, leading to improved patient satisfaction and outcomes.

How is the Internal Bra Technique Performed?

The internal bra technique can be performed using various approaches, depending on the specific needs of the patient and the surgeon’s preferences. While the exact steps may vary, here’s a general overview of how the internal bra technique is typically performed:

1. Anesthesia: The patient is administered either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation to ensure comfort and safety during the procedure.
2. Incisions: The surgeon makes incisions in the breast, depending on the type of procedure (augmentation, lift, or reduction) and the patient’s anatomy. Common incision patterns include periareolar (around the areola), inframammary (along the breast crease), or vertical (from the areola to the breast crease).
3. Creating the support structure: The surgeon forms the internal bra using one or a combination of methods:

• Sutures: The surgeon strategically places sutures within the breast tissue, anchoring it to the chest wall, surrounding tissue, or fascia. This helps to lift, reshape, and secure the breast in the desired position.
• Autologous tissue: The surgeon uses the patient’s own tissue to create support. This involves repositioning and suturing the patient’s breast tissue or fascia to form a sling or hammock-like structure that offers natural support.
• Mesh or scaffold: The surgeon may use a biocompatible mesh or scaffold material (such as absorbable or non-absorbable synthetic materials or biological materials derived from human or animal sources) to create the internal support. The mesh or scaffold is anchored to the chest wall or surrounding tissue and serves as a framework for the breast tissue to rest on, providing additional lift and support.

4. Additional Procedures: If the patient is undergoing breast augmentation, the surgeon will insert breast implants either above or below the pectoral muscle. In the case of breast reduction or mastopexy, excess skin and tissue will be removed, and the remaining skin will be tightened and sutured in place.
5. Closing the Incisions: The surgeon closes the incisions using sutures, surgical tape, or adhesive, taking care to minimize scarring.
6. Recovery: The patient will be given post-operative care instructions, including guidelines for pain management, wound care, and activity restrictions. The recovery time will vary depending on the specific procedure and the patient’s overall health.

It’s essential to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your individual needs and expectations. They will help you understand the internal bra technique, determine if it’s suitable for you, and customize the procedure to achieve the best possible results.

When Is the Internal Bra Technique Recommended?

The internal bra technique is recommended in various situations depending on the patient’s needs, goals, and anatomy. It can be employed in breast augmentation, mastopexy (breast lift), breast reduction, or breast reconstruction procedures. Some of the situations where the internal bra technique may be recommended include:

• Breast ptosis (sagging): Patients with breast ptosis, either due to aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or genetics, may benefit from the internal bra technique. The procedure can provide additional support and lift, resulting in a more youthful and rejuvenated breast appearance.
• Breast asymmetry: In cases where there is significant asymmetry between the breasts, the internal bra technique can help achieve a more balanced and harmonious appearance by providing customized support and reshaping.
• Implant complications: Patients experiencing complications related to breast implants, such as displacement, malposition, or bottoming out, may benefit from the internal bra technique. The procedure can help correct these issues by reinforcing the breast’s support structure and improving the implant’s position.
• Implant longevity: For patients undergoing breast augmentation, the internal bra technique can provide additional support to the implant, potentially increasing its longevity and reducing the risk of complications.
• Revision surgery: In cases where previous breast surgery results are unsatisfactory or complications have occurred, the internal bra technique can be employed during revision surgery to improve the overall outcome and provide better support.
• Breast reconstruction: The internal bra technique can be used in breast reconstruction procedures to help provide support, shape, and symmetry to the reconstructed breast, enhancing the overall result.

It’s important to note that the suitability of the internal bra technique depends on the patient’s specific characteristics. A board-certified plastic surgeon should be consulted to determine if the internal bra technique is the best option for a particular case. Your surgeon will evaluate the situation, discuss your expectations, and provide a customized treatment plan to achieve the desired results.

How Do You Know if You Need an Internal Bra?

Determining whether you need an internal bra depends on your specific concerns, goals, and anatomy. Here are some indications that you might be a candidate for an internal bra procedure:

• Breast ptosis (sagging): If your breasts have begun to sag due to aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or genetics, the internal bra technique can provide additional support and lift to restore a more youthful appearance.
• Breast asymmetry: If you have significant asymmetry between your breasts in terms of size, shape, or position, the internal bra technique can help achieve a more balanced appearance by providing customized support and reshaping.
• Implant complications: If you have experienced complications related to breast implants, such as displacement, malposition, or bottoming out, the internal bra technique can help correct these issues by reinforcing the breast’s support structure and improving the implant’s position.
• Previous breast surgery: If you have undergone a previous breast surgery and are not satisfied with the results, or if you have experienced complications, the internal bra technique might be a suitable option during revision surgery to improve the overall outcome and provide better support.
• Desire for long-lasting support: If you are considering breast augmentation, mastopexy (breast lift), or breast reduction and seek a solution that provides long-lasting support and shape, the internal bra technique could be an option to discuss with your surgeon.

FAQs About Breast Surgery

Is an internal bra painful?

• During the internal bra procedure, patients are administered either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, ensuring their comfort and safety. Postoperative pain is common and can vary depending on the individual and the extent of the procedure. Your surgeon will provide appropriate pain management guidelines, including prescription medication or over-the-counter pain relievers, to help manage discomfort during the recovery period.

Is an internal bra permanent?

• The internal bra technique aims to provide long-lasting support and shape to the breasts. While the results can be durable, no surgical procedure can guarantee permanent results, as factors such as aging, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and genetics can impact the longevity of the outcome. However, the internal bra technique is designed to maintain the desired breast shape and position for a longer period compared to traditional breast surgery methods.

Is an internal bra procedure safe?

• There are certain risks and potential complications associated with the internal bra technique. Some of these risks include infection, bleeding, scarring, changes in nipple or breast sensation, and complications related to anesthesia. When performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in the technique, the internal bra procedure is generally considered safe. It’s crucial to follow your surgeon’s postoperative care instructions to minimize the risk of complications and optimize healing.

Can the internal bra replace a breast lift?

• The internal bra technique can be used as part of a breast lift (mastopexy) procedure, providing additional support and shaping for sagging breasts. However, it does not completely replace a traditional breast lift, which involves removing excess skin and reshaping the breast tissue. The internal bra technique can enhance the results of a breast lift by providing a more stable and long-lasting support structure for the breast tissue.

Can you tighten and lift your breasts without surgery?

• Surgery remains the most effective method for significant breast lifting and reshaping. Non-surgical procedures such as injectables and radiofrequency or ultrasound-based treatments can be used to improve the appearance of the breasts, but they don’t deliver impressive results compared to a breast lift surgery.

Further Reading About Breast Surgery with Dr. Joe

• Read Dr. Joe’s Breast Augmentation with Lift Surgery Page
• Read Dr. Joe’s Breast Lift Surgery Page
• Read Dr. Joe’s Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Page
• Read Dr. Joe’s blog about Glamourous Breasts with Large Breast Implants
• Read Dr. Joe’s blog about Breast Augmentation – Implant Sizes and Cup Sizes

Medical References About Internal Bra Technique

• Breast Lift with and without Implant: A Synopsis and Primer for the Plastic Surgeon
• A new technique of internal suture mastopexy for mild to moderate breast ptosis
• The autologous internal breast splint: A novel technique for the treatment of post augmentation ptosis
• Internal bra: a unifying solution for reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery issues