Brava Bras: Nonsurgical Breast Enlargement - Too Good to Be True?

PROMISES

Though enticing, what are the facts?
 

PITFALLS

• Cost: The cost of this device is $2,500-3,000 and is marketed through medical and dental offices. This is at least half the cost of a surgical augmentation.
• Effectiveness: Proven enlargement is 100 cc or less, which is half-cup of volume, not bra cup size! For comparison it is unusual to use an implant less than 250 cc for breast augmentation of very modest proportions
• Breast lift? The Brava system is touted to “shape” and “lift” the breast. This is an unsubstantiated claim, as there is no proof or logic that increasing the volume of the breasts has any effect on shape or preexisting sag.
• Patient participation required: The device is a pair of rigid plastic cups that subject the breasts of the wearer to a constant vacuum pressure, which if sustained for 10-12 hours/day for a period of 10 weeks, causes a modest enlargement of the breasts. The treatment cannot be interrupted for more than one day without increasing the total time required to effect maximal result.
• Safety: No early problems have been demonstrated, but follow-up of these patients has been relatively brief.