March 2010 Newsletter
March 1st, 2010
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Mastopexy or Breast Lifting Procedures |
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| Ptotic or droopy breasts are a real concern for many women. Many women choose to undergo a breast lift in order to regain the womanly figure they once had.
A woman’s breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:
Also known as mastopexy, a breast lift raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well. A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is youthful and uplifted. What it won’t do Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast. If you want your breasts to look fuller or smaller, you might want to consider either breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery. Is it right for me? Breast lift surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desire or to try to fit any sort of ideal image. A breast lift is a good option for you if:
We asked Dr. Van Raalte some of the most common questions that patients have for him regarding the Mastopexy procedure. 1. Has there been any new progress for the mastopexy surgical procedure? Yes. The short scar, or vertical mastopexy, is a newer technique that avoids the larger horizontal scar. It has been available in Europe but has become more popular in the United States in the last five years. 2. Will there be scarring? Unfortunately, there is no way to tighten significant loose skin without surgical removal. All incisions will heal with a scar. The quality of the scar depends on the type of skin, location of the scar, age of the patient and the patients own unique healing tendencies. Some people may form thicker scars and others may fade to a thin line. No scars completely disappear, but some may fade to where they are difficult to see. 3. Why do I need a lift instead of just an implant? An implant will correct a small amount of droop. However, severe droop cannot be corrected by an implant and would require a lift. 4. What kind of technique(s) do you do? We offer several different techniques depending on the amount of ptosis or droop. In very mild cases of breast droop, and if the patient desires a larger size, an implant may restore volume and correct the droop. This is usually when the nipple position is at the level of the breast fold (or usually measures less than 22 cm from the notch between the clavicles or collar bones at the top of the sternum to the nipple). When there is more droop and a larger size is requested a teardrop shaped implant and a mini lift may correct the droop. The mini lift is a scar just around the nipple/areola. This is best when the nipple position is slightly below the breast fold (or 22 to 24 cm from the nipple to the sternal notch). Droop that is more severe when the nipple points south or is more than 25 cm from the sternal notch will usually require a full lift. There are two other types of lifts. The standard lift has the scar around the nipple/areola and an inverted T-shaped scar. It is better for those with very severe droop, a wider frame, or heavier patients. The short scar or vertical mastopexy has a scar only around the nipple/areola and a vertical scar. This was first done in Europe. All types of lifts require smoking cessation as the nicotine is very hazardous to the skin flaps and nipple. All have scars, decreased sensation, and may decrease the ability to breast feed. We also offer an extended lift. For patients that have loose skin or tissue on the sides by the bra line, this tissue can be moved and used to provide superior breast fullness. An implant may be needed to give firmer breasts or a large amount of superior fullness. Implants and lifts together have more complications because one operation is tightening the breast and the other is expanding it. In many cases it may be better to do one or the other first for a better result and less risk. Another alternative is to put in an expandable implant and do the lift and after healing, expand the implant. If a larger size is not needed, just doing the lift without an implant is less expensive and less complicated. If you would like more information regarding this procedure please call our office at 322-8877. |
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Product Spotlight |
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| TNS ESSENTIAL SERUM ™
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Dr. Van Raalte and the Annual Boy Scout Merit Badge Day |
| This is Dr. Van Raalte’s 8th year as the First Aid Merit Badge Clinic Medical Coordinator. Dr. Van Raalte coordinates Genesis-Illini employees and Genesis Health System physicians to lead the clinic and provide hands on training and education to area Boy Scouts.
The clinic at Genesis Heart Institute and Genesis Medical Center will help over 100 Quad City area Boy Scouts earn their First Aid or Medicine Merit Badges on Saturday, March 6th. The all-day clinic will train and test the Scouts on how to recognize and treat medical conditions for First Aid and the medicine badge introduces Scouts to the medical field, including a basic education in various medical careers. |
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Posted in Newsletters |
March 2010 Monthly Special
March 1st, 2010
BEWARE THE EYES
OF MARCH SPECIAL!
Makeover for Eyes which includes:
- Latisse® one kit eyelash treatment
- Latisse® consultation
- 20 units of Botox® to treat crow’s feet & elevate the brow
- TNS Illuminating Eye Cream
- TNS Night Eye Repair
Regular Price $644
Special $495
*Offer good March 1st – 31st.
*Products nonrefundable.
*No other discounts or rebates apply.
*Must be considered an appropriate candidate
Posted in MONTHLY SPECIALS |
February 2010 Newsletter from Iowa Plastic Surgery
February 2nd, 2010
| Latisse® |
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Many of you have been asking… for the eyelash enhancer Latisse®. We are pleased to introduce Latisse® to Iowa Plastic Surgery. You may have seen the TV commercials and magazine ads with Brooke Shields. Latisse®, developed by Allergan and the makers of Botox® Cosmetic, is the first and only science-based treatment approved by the FDA to enhance eyelash prominence as measured by increases in length, thickness and darkness of eyelashes.
What is Latisse®?
Latisse® is an FDA-approved prescription treatment for hypotrichosis used to grow eyelashes, making them longer, thicker and darker. Hypotrichosis is another name for having inadequate or not enough eyelashes. It also has been studied in clinical trials to demonstrate its safety and effectiveness.
How Does Latisse® Work?
Latisse® is believed to affect the growth (anagen) phase of the eyelash hair cycle in two ways: First, it increases the length of this phase; and second, it increases the number of hairs in this growth phase.
How Soon will I see Results?
Latisse® users may see results starting at 6-8 weeks with full results at 12 to 16 weeks. The growth is gradual over time.
Do I Need a Consultation for Latisse®?
Because Latisse® is a prescription product, you’ll need to schedule a brief consultation with Dr. Van Raalte to go over the usage and safety information.
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| Article in Women’s Edition |
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An interview with Dr. Van Raalte by Sara Rovine for Women’s Edition, Inc. (As it appears in the February 2010 Issue)
Iowa Plastic Surgery
By Sara Rovine
The Friendly Staff
© Copyright 2010, Women’s Edition, Inc. All right reserved. Reprinted with the express written permission of Women’s Edition, Inc.
Here we are, a month into the New Year. Some of our resolutions have probably already fallen to the wayside. We look forward to the days getting longer and eventually the arrival of summer. You can start a new diet or exercise program, but even they can have their downfalls. You can lose all the body fat that you can, but your face may look hollow. Maybe the lines and wrinkles of age are getting deeper and more visible. Your eyelids are sagging and are dark underneath.
Maybe 2010 is the year when you want to look at yourself and really like what you see. You have heard of plastic surgery, Botox, fillers, and Glycolics, but what does it all mean? Dr. Benjamin Van Raalte at Iowa Plastic Surgery can help. Iowa Plastic Surgery, which is located at 4334 East 53rd Street in Davenport, is a fascinating place in my opinion. I think you will immediately feel at ease when you see how peaceful and well-decorated the office is. The staff is very enthusiastic and experienced, and they seem happy to help you.
Dr. Van Raalte has over 20 years of experience in plastic surgery, with 15 of those years being spent in this area. He went to medical school at the University of Wisconsin, and then headed to the University of Illinois for his surgical residency. He finished his plastic surgery residency at the University of Indiana. he is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the Amercan Board of Surgery. Dr. Van Raalte is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and he is a former president of the Iowa Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Van Raalte may recommend a fairly new procedure to make your face look younger called fat tranfer/fat grafting rejuvenation. Dr. Van Raalte says he is especially excited about this procedure, which has been around for about eight years. It involves fat being “liposuctioned” from one part of your body and then being injected into another part of you body. In essence, it is “recycled.” “This procedure adds fullness to the face, adds volume, and fills in lines and wrinkles,” Dr. Van Raalte tells me. “If you don’t get the results that you want from a facelift, you will get volume from the fat tranfer.”
The procedure is said to enhance and add volume to the lips, cheeks, and even the buttocks. It restores your natural appearance, and Dr. Van Raalte says it is an economical way to add a natural, longer lasting filler. He adds that the results are both dramatic and beautiful.
Dr. Van Raalte has some “before” and “after” pictures of real patients that I found interesting. They are also on the Web site. The women in the pictures look younger. Their faces are fuller but not fatter. They have more roundness by their cheekbones. They have a much more youthful appearance, in my opinion. “We use micro droplets of centrifuged fat,” Dr. Van Raalte explains. “We spin it down two or three times before it is inserted under the skin, not into the skin.”
The fat is usually “liposuctioned” from your stomach or another area of your choosing, and then it is cetrifuged twice (to separate the fat from other fluids). Micro droplets of fat are inserted into your face. Dr. Van Raalte says you will feel well afterward, and there will only be some bruising for about a week. Some wrinkles have been present for a very long time and have gotten so deep that they cannot be “plumped” up to the point that you can’t see them anymore. In this case, the fat tranfer may not rid you of these wrinkles, but they will look better, Dr. Van Raalte says.
This procedure might not be the perfect one for you, which is why you will meet with Dr. Van Raalte first to discuss what look you would like to achieve and what the best and safest thing is for you. The initial appointment is free, and everything is thoroughly explained. It is all customized, Dr. Van Raalte says, and every procedure is done with the patient’s safety in mind first.
Fat transfer is not the only facial surgery that Dr. Van Raalte performs. He also corrects birth defects and abnormalities from accidents, and he does reconstructive surgeries. He performs face-lifts, mid face-lifts, brow lifts, eyelid lifts, neck lifts, and rhinoplasty (nose surgery). He can enhance your breasts, making them larger or smaller, While havng a fat transfer procedure, he can do a “tummy tuck” to make your stomach smaller. He says he especially enjoys doing body contours, including tummy tucks and liposuction. “It’s fun, like sculpture,” Dr. Van Raalte comments. There are also many non-surgical procedures available such as laser hair removal, Thermage, chemical peels, and makeup applications.
Dr. Van Raalte and his staff say they are happy to help people look more attractive and achieve their goals. The staff has worked with Dr. Van Raalte for many years. They are so sure of the high quality of work performed by Dr. Van Raalte that they have had some procedures done themselves. When they tell you what to expect, they know what they are talking about.
Bobbi Lucas, RN*, can tell you firsthand how the fat tranfer procedure works since she has had one done by Dr. Van Raalte. ”There is no discomfort,” she says. Some people will have the fat transfer done on a Thursday and be back to work on Monday. “We have people come in to meet with us twice,” Bobbi explains. “During the second meeting we will be more specific as to what we can do for them.” She is a big fan of the fat transfer, telling me that as we age, our skin loses volume and elasticity. That volume can be restored, however. “It is more economical than fillers since you have more fat available,” Bobbi says. All of the Iowa Plastic Surgery staff members are big fans of plastic surgery, working every day because they enjoy helping people look more beautiful, they say. Sue Rolsch has been a Certified Medical Assistant for over 20 years. She knows all of the options that are available, and says she can explain them in terms you will easily understand. She works with staff member Christina Drumm to explain exactly what can be done and what will happen.
Call Iowa Plastic Surgery at 563-322-8877. You may also want to take a look at the Web site, which I found to be extremely informative, at www.iowaplasticsurgery.com.
*Bobbi Lucas is a licensed Paramedical Aesthetician in the state of Iowa & Illinois and is not a registered nurse.
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| Product Spotlight |
TNS NIGHT EYE REPAIR™… WHY WE LIKE IT.
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TNS LINE REFINE™… WHY WE LIKE IT
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Posted in Newsletters |
January 2010 Newsletter from Iowa Plastic Surgery
January 14th, 2010
January 2010 Newsletter
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!
A time for resolutions, a time for reflections and a time for something new.
What’s NEW at Iowa Plastic Surgery? Our NEWLY updated website is up and running as of this past month, with more content and information for most of our procedures.
We also added a new service called the ‘Get Acquainted Session’, which is for those who are looking for more information, but are just not ready to take the next step of scheduling a consultation with Dr. Van Raalte. This no-charge meeting to find out more about a particular procedure, the practice, or the physician, can be held individually or in a group. To schedule a ‘Get Acquainted Session’, contact our patient coordinator, Christina Drumm at (563) 322-8877 or by email.
WINTER RAVISHED SKIN
Winter is here and so is the season of dry, flaky skin. Bobbi (our medical aesthetician) says you may need to make some adjustments to your skin care regimen. A more hydrating moisturizer may be needed during the day and/or night to provide that extra care. The best skin regimen would be a combination of medical microdermabrasions and/or peels with moisturizing products. Microdermabrasions and peels will help remove dry, flaky, dead skin cells.
The two products by SkinMedica® in this month’s Spotlight will rehydrate, condition and firm the skin while encouraging the skins ability to repair and hydrate itself.
Hydrating is very important for all skin types. Oily or acne-prone skin also gets dry during the winter. Keep in mind that if the skin gets dry, the body will try to compensate by producing more oils in the oil glands and that can set up a vicious cycle of dry-oily-acne skin.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT!
DERMAL REPAIR CREAM
SkinMedica® offers the solution to maintaining skin’s healthy, hydrated glow this winter with its innovative Dermal Repair Cream and Hydrating Complex. Recommended for normal/combination or dry skin.
Save 50%
on Hydrating Complex
when you purchase
the Dermal Repair at Iowa Plastic Surgery.
Dermal Repair is a vitamin enriched facial cream intensely hydrates and replenishes dry skin with antioxidants and hyaluronic acid. Dermal Repair skin cream helps to reduce the appearance of age spots as it provides skin protection against harsh environmental conditions.
Hydrating Complex is a hyaluronic acid rich serum which replenishes skins moisture reservoir and provides instant and long term hydration.
SPIDER VEIN TREATMENT
IMPROVE THOSE UNSIGHTLY AND PAINFUL SPIDER VEINS
Telangiectasias, or “spider veins” affect about half of all women in the United States. Spider vein treatment (sclerotherapy) has been used for more than 40 years. The treatment has become increasingly useful for removing unwanted veins, wich are commonly located on the thighs, ankles, and calves.
Spider veins are not the same as varicose veins. Varicose veins are larger and darker in color. Varicose veins are often painful and can be related to a more serious medical condition. Spider veins are largely caused by heredity and hormones, and rarely, by trauma. Spider veins may appear in three different forms near the skins surface including very thin spider veins, very thin tree type veins, and very thin long single veins.
Sometimes the smallest veins are too little for even the tiniest needle. Those may be treated with a laser. Since the laser is less successful, has more risks, and is more costly, sclerotherapy injections are still the gold standard.
Spider vein treatment does not require anesthesia and the discomfort is minimal. Sclerotherapy is done in our office and takes about a half hour. Prior to the procedure, the doctor will ask you to follow specific instructions such as wearing shorts on the day of treatment and no use of moisturizers, sunscreen, or oil. Dr. Van Raalte recommends a special leg compression stocking to wear for 2 to 3 weeks after the treatment is performed.
The doctor will also discuss the type of solution (a sclerosing agent) that will be injected to collapse the vein. He uses sodium tetradecyl , which seems to have less risk than hypertonic saline. Dr Van Raalte will describe the choice of solutions and recommend the appropriate solution for your condition.
Sclerotherapy is a simple technique in which the doctor injects a sclerosing agent into the vein with a very thin needle, which clots the vein. The needle is very tiny and the injection locations are in close proximity.
The veins will appear worse before they improve. There will be bruising that reduces within a month. Patients will probably not want to wear clothing that shows their legs during this time. The doctor will also instruct patients to cease weightlifting, squatting, jogging, and possibly other forms of more strenuous exercise for 2 to 3 weeks.
Complications are rare, but the risk for short-term or long-term complications does exist. The most common complication is brownish-red discoloration on the treated area that usually resolves itself within a year. Telangeictatic matting can also occur, which displays itself as red-colored blood vessels that require additional treatment to resolve. Other more rare complications include deep vein thrombosis inflammation, allergic reaction to the injected solution, or scarring. There is a small incidence of recurrence or the apperance of new veins. Carefully following your doctor’s aftercare instructions will reduce the risks of complications.
The cost of Sclerotherapy Treatment starts from about $400 for a session of six syringes. The treatment may need to be repeated to produce optimal results.
COSMETIC TAX
Thank you to all who contacted our members of Congress and/or signed the petition to oppose the cosmetic tax. Plastic surgeons and Botox® manufacturer, Allergan Inc., successfully fought a proposed 5% tax on elective cosmetic procedures in the Senate Democrats’ healthcare legislation.
Posted in Newsletters |
December Newsletter – Iowa Plastic Surgery
January 14th, 2010
Treatment Information on Acne
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT!
A new product from La Roche Posay
![]() Bid acne adieu with La Roche Posay Effaclar AI. The lightweight treatment was designed to fight acne bacteria and break outs, all while diminishing scarring and allowing the skin to heal. The blend of Thermal Spring Water, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Salicylic Acid promotes a clear and bright complexion. It’s ideal for those with oily and acne prone skin who want to fight breakouts and reduce the skin’s oily levels.
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Posted in Newsletters |






TNS NIGHT EYE REPAIR
