Tissue retention systems and methods

A tissue retention apparatus for maintaining tissue in a position that permits access to a body portion of a patient for a medical procedure, comprising:

• an elongate flexible body having a primary anchor zone at a distal region, a secondary anchor zone at a proximal region, and a tension zone between said primary anchor zone and said secondary anchor zone, said primary anchor zone having a first width and comprising at a lower surface thereof a first attachment surface having a first attachment feature, said secondary anchor zone having a second width and comprising at a lower surface thereof a second attachment surface having a second attachment feature, and said tension zone comprising a third width and an adhesion free zone extending between said first anchor zone and said secondary anchor zone configured so as to not adhere to skin of said patient or attach to an inanimate object, at least one of said first width or said second width being relatively wider than said third width, said tension zone being configured to extend in a direction of loading to be applied to tissue of said patient and to be grasped by a user to lift or displace tissue in a desired direction.