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All seven Medical Spheres ›A lift that does not hold the breast by the skin alone: with the Biological Inner Bra, the glandular tissue is moved upwards and supported from within by the body’s own tissue, without an implant or mesh. The technique brings together familiar elements in a new way.
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Typical figures from the clinics. Your personal plan is discussed at the preliminary consultation.
The technique
In a classic breast lift, the breast is raised, the glandular tissue is reshaped and excess skin is removed. The new shape is then held mainly by the skin and the sutures – and skin gives way over time.
Under the label “internal bra”, procedures have therefore been developed that additionally support the breast from within: with strips from the deeper layer of the skin, the dermis, at the lower pole of the breast, or with dissolvable synthetic meshes. The idea of internal support made from the body’s own tissue has been described since the late 1990s.
The Biological Inner Bra is a concept developed by Dr. med. Martin Reifenrath, a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery. It combines two techniques used in breast lifts and reductions and requires no foreign material.
What is new is the combination, not each individual element. Whether the shape lasts longer as a result than after a classic breast lift can only be reliably assessed over many years. As with any breast lift, the result also depends on skin, tissue and weight.
How it works
The glandular tissue is detached from the skin, reduced if necessary, moved upwards and attached to the sheath of the pectoral muscle – like an implant made of your own tissue.
Strips of dermis provide additional support for the lower pole of the breast and define the crease beneath the breast. The skin is only shortened at the end, to match the remaining tension.
The nipple remains centred on the glandular tissue. This is intended to preserve sensation and the ability to breastfeed as far as possible; neither can be guaranteed with any breast lift.
Innovative Therapies.
Medical Sphere · Innovative TherapiesThe path
Whether the technique is suitable depends on the tissue: the internal support requires enough glandular and skin tissue that can be reshaped.
The breasts, skin and tissue are examined. The surgeon explains the technique point by point and clarifies whether it suits your findings or whether a different lift would make more sense.
The incision pattern, the new position of the nipple and, for large breasts, how much tissue will be removed are determined.
Under general anaesthetic, usually two to three hours: detaching the gland, shaping it and securing it higher up, supporting the lower pole and finally adjusting the skin.
One to two nights for monitoring. A feeling of tightness and swelling are normal in the first few days and can be relieved well.
Four to six weeks with a support bra, no sport and no heavy lifting, so that the new internal structure can heal in. Many women manage their everyday routine again after one to two weeks.
Follow-up appointments, scar care and sun protection. The final shape becomes apparent once the swelling has subsided and the tissue has settled.
Self-pay patients
Self-pay patients
A breast lift with Biological Inner Bra is performed for the sake of shape. German statutory health insurance does not usually cover it; patients bear the costs themselves.
The costs depend on the findings and the complexity, for example on whether the breast is reduced at the same time. You receive a binding quote after the preliminary consultation.
Financing
Both clinics offer financing. The patient advisers explain the terms together with the quote.
Specialists
The operations are performed by specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery; the concept was developed by Dr. med. Martin Reifenrath. Under each name you can see the location where the surgeon operates.
Locations
Each clinic shows on its own website how the treatment works there.
Germany
Westfalenklinik offers the technique alongside the classic breast lift, at the group’s headquarters.
Book an appointmentThe Netherlands
Treatment in the Netherlands, near Eindhoven.
Book an appointmentFrequently asked questions
A classic breast lift holds the new shape mainly by means of the skin and sutures. With the Biological Inner Bra, the glandular tissue is additionally attached to the pectoral muscle at the top and supported from below by the body’s own tissue. The aim is for the skin to carry less weight as a result.
No. The support is created exclusively from the body’s own tissue. If you would also like more volume, the lift can be combined with an implant or with fat transfer – that is a separate decision made in the preliminary consultation.
For many women with sagging breasts, including large breasts that are to be reduced at the same time. The prerequisite is enough tissue that can be reshaped. For very small breasts with little excess skin, a different technique may make more sense.
Yes. The incisions are the same as for a breast lift: around the areola, often vertically down to the crease beneath the breast and, if there is a lot of skin, also in the crease. The internal support does not replace any incision; it is, however, intended to put less tension on the scars. Scars mature for up to a year.
The nipple remains connected to the glandular tissue so that sensation and the ability to breastfeed are preserved as far as possible. This cannot be guaranteed with any breast operation. If you are still planning to have children, it is best to discuss the timing in advance.
The aim of the internal support is a shape that remains stable for a long time. However, skin and tissue continue to age, and fluctuations in weight or pregnancies can change the breasts. How the technique will hold up over decades compared with classic procedures cannot yet be said today.
Those of a breast lift: secondary bleeding, infections, wound-healing problems, rarely tissue necrosis, as well as numbness in the nipple, conspicuous scars and differences between the two sides. Rejection reactions as with foreign material are generally not an issue with your own tissue.
Further reading
In-depth articles from the group's clinics.
Online booking
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Reviews
CGCE GroupVerified
5,888 reviews on ProvenExpert
This was the best decision I have ever taken for myself. The whole experience has changed my life for the better. From the first consultation I felt welcomed and treated very well. I did not feel alone during the journey because the team were just a WhatsApp away and they made regular check-ups on me. Thank you for everyone at the hospital from the staff to the doctors, you are all amazing.
Weight Doctors South AfricaWow, was für ein erster Eindruck! Dr. Frank Gruner, dessen Professionalität von jahrelanger Erfahrung zeugt, war äußerst verständlich und menschlich (was mir sehr wichtig war). Er verstand meine Bedürfnisse, und seine Erklärungen und Anweisungen entsprachen genau meinen Vorstellungen. Die Patientenberaterin Jennifer war mit ihrem Charme ebenfalls eine große Hilfe und erklärte mir alles Notwendige und den weiteren Ablauf. Auch die Mitarbeiter am Empfang waren sehr höflich und freundlich. Ich melde mich nach der Operation mit meinen Eindrücken zurück. Vielen Dank an alle!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanIch habe eine Unterlidstraffung machen lassen und bin mit dem Ergebnis sehr zufrieden. Mein Dank geht vor allem an Frau Dr. Simidjiiska für ihre Fürsorge, Kompetenz und Empathie. Aber auch das gesamte Team der Klinik macht einen hervorragenden Job!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanIch bin rundum begeistert von meiner Erfahrung in dieser Haartransplantationsklinik. Von der ersten Kontaktaufnahme bis zur Nachsorge war alles hervorragend organisiert und professionell. Das gesamte Team war unglaublich freundlich, hilfsbereit und zuvorkommend. Man hat sich jederzeit gut aufgehoben und ernst genommen gefühlt. Besonders positiv fand ich, dass sich alle Mitarbeiter ausreichend Zeit genommen haben, um meine Fragen zu beantworten und jeden Schritt verständlich zu erklären. Auch der Service war erstklassig. Die Organisation, die Betreuung vor und nach dem Eingriff sowie die Kommunikation waren wirklich hervorragend. Das gesamte Team hat einen sehr kompetenten und gleichzeitig menschlichen Eindruck gemacht. Die Klinik selbst ist modern, sauber und sehr gut ausgestattet. Während der Behandlung wurde äußerst sorgfältig und professionell gearbeitet, und ich hatte zu jedem Zeitpunkt das Gefühl, in guten Händen zu sein. Ein großes Dankeschön an das gesamte Team für die tolle Betreuung und den freundlichen Umgang! Ich kann die Klinik absolut weiterempfehlen und bin mit meiner bisherigen Erfahrung sehr zufrieden. Wer Wert auf Professionalität, Qualität und einen hervorragenden Service legt, ist hier meiner Meinung nach bestens aufgehoben.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanBisher war es nur ein Beratungsgespräch aber es war sehr gut.
Weight Doctors Group · Original in GermanIch fand, dass der Arzt gut und verständlich erklärt hat. Ich habe diese Woche noch einen Termin in einer anderen Klinik, da ich mich gründlich informieren möchte; auch der Preis wird dabei eine Rolle spielen – darüber bin ich ganz offen.
QUOLE Medisch Centrum · Original in GermanHervorragende Behandlung. Von der ersten Beratung bis zur Nachsorge hat mir Dr. Koch stets ein sehr gutes Gefühl vermittelt. Ich litt jahrelang unter einer echten Gynäkomastie, nach der OP kann sich das Ergebnis sehen lassen, mein Selbstbewusstsein ist endlich zurückgekehrt. Ich kann die Alster Klinik jedem empfehlen, der schon lange mit dem Gedanken spielt sich operieren zu lassen.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanDr. Schubert gab mir das Gefühl, in genau der richtigen Praxis zu sein für mein Anliegen. Ich habe mich beim Beratungsgespräch sehr wohl gefühlt und verstanden gefühlt.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanÜber die ehrliche Einschätzung
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanIch habe mich sehr wohl geführt, das Gespräch war sehr gut, die Ärztin hat mir sehr ausführlich alles erklärt und bin mit einem sehr guten Gefühl nach Hause gegangen.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanIch bin eine sehr ängstliche Person. Bei Herrn Dr. Neis habe ich mich sofort wohlgefühlt. Behandlungsgespräche, Umgang, Freundlichkeit – es passt alles. Ich kann ihn ohne Bedenken und Einschränkung nur weiter empfehlen. Dankeschön Herr Dr. Neis für die tolle Arbeit.
CGCE Group · Original in GermanDr. Klarner ist sehr nett, hat mich sehr gut beraten und aufgeklärt. Ich hab mich gut aufgehoben gefühlt, vielen Dank!
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanChoose a location
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Dr. med. Frank Gruner
Dr. med. Martin Reifenrath