July 28th, 2010
Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty)
What is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Also known as reduction mammaplsty, breast reduction surgery removes excess breast tissue, fat and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body and to alleviate the discomfort associated with overly large breasts.
Common complaints from large breasts include upper back pain, neck pain, shoulder strap grooves, and skin irritations. The weight of excess breast tissue can impair your ability to lead an active life. The emotional discomfort and self-consciousness often associated with having large pendulous breats is as important an issue to many women as the physical discomfort and pain. Breast reduction surgery has had a 95% success rate in relieving neck and upper back pain.
Because a breast reduction surgery is usually performed to lessen health risks, it is one of the few plastic surgery procedures that may be covered under medical insurance.
Is It Right For Me and Am I A Good Candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery?
The best candidates for breast reduction are non-smokers who are in generally good health and maintain a stable weight that is at or near the patient’s ideal weight.
It is also important for the patient to have a positive outlook and realistic expectations about the outcome. There are tradeoffs for the surgery. Unlike a breast augmentation, a breast reduction is not the reverse or shrinking of the breast. There are significant scars, worse in some patients than others. There is potential loss of the ability to breast feed, loss of sensation, and potential healing problems. Insurance caompanied do require enough tissue or breast weight to be removed to relive sympotms. This may make some patients smaller than desired. Removing skin alone or small amounts of breast tissue is a breast lift or mastopexy, and although similar, would not be covered by insurance.
Breast reduction surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, ot to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.
Breast reduction is a good option for you if:
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You have realistic expectations
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You don’t smoke
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You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too large
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Your breasts limit your physical activity
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You experience bac, neck and shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
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You have regular indentations from bra straps that support heavy, pendulous breasts
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You have skin irritation beneath the breast crease
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Your breasts hang low and have stretched skin
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Your nipples rest below the breast crease when your breasts are unsupported
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You have enlarged areolas caused by stretched skin
Recovery and Downtime after Breast Reduction Surgery
Most patients can return to non-strenuous work after about two weeks. Strenuous work or exercise should not be resumed until at least three to four weeks have passed.
You will be wrapped with an elastic bandage after surgery. You may feel pain and discomfort the first couple of days. To alleviate some of the pain, the doctor will prescribe pain medication. The bandages are removed within a couple days after surgery. After about a day or two, you may be able to move around like normal, but you cannot resume strenuous activity until three to four weeks after surgery. For final results, it can take six months to a year before your breasts settle into their new shape.
Iowa Plastic Surgery offers two types of breast reductions. The traditional inverted “T” or anchor scar and a short scar option. The short scar is a “lollipop” shaped scar that avoids the longer horizontal scars. It is a good option for younger and thinner patients.
If there is not much droop and the patient only wants to decrease one cup size, liposuction might be an option, although it is not covered by insurance. Other smaller reductions can be done to try to achieve the cup size the patient wants, but also might have to be done outside of insurance, as a cosmetic procedure.
Product Spotlight
TNS Night Eye Repair™
It is the ultimate eye treatment cream formulated with NouriCel-MD®, peptides, high concentrations of vitamins A, C, and E and hyaluronic acid to dramatically improves the appearance of the delicate skin around the eyes.
- Increases firmness and elasticity
- Improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Strengthens the delicate skin around the eyes
- Hydrates the fragile skin around the eyes
- Reduces the appearance of dark circles
TNS Line Refine™
Generates rapid filling and smoothing action to visually reduce teh appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth, eyes, and crow’s feet while providing long term anti-aging benefits.
- Smoothes, tightens and fills in fine lines
- Provides long term anti-aging benefits with NouriCel-MD® & peptides
- Light reflectors rapidly soften the appearance of fine lines and conceal skin imperfections
- Relaxes facial expressions with a unique peptide
Posted in Newsletters |
July 1st, 2010
Wrinkle Independence Special
Perlane® and 15 units of Botox® just $499!
Save $200!
Perlane® is the longer lasting Restylane® optimal for deep wrinkles and volume.
To hold this special requires non refundable deposit of $100.
Supply is limited – Call Now!
The difference between Restylane® and Perlane® is the size of the particle (with Perlane® containing more hyaluronic acid). This means that Perlane® does a better job of filling deep lines while Restylane® is used in fine lines or in thin skinned people.
Perlane® is an excellent treatment for wrinkle correction, lip enhancement, smile lines and deep folds.
Thermage® Cellulite Treatment
Thermage® Cellulite Treatment just $899, regularly $1299.
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Thermage® is FDA approved for the treatment of cellulite and involves no surgery, needles, or recovery time.
Spa Product Special
50% DISCOUNT ON…
These items only and only what is IN STOCK!
NO SPECIAL ORDERS.
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While supplies last.
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Offer good July 1st – 30th.
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No other discounts or offers apply.
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Must be considered appropriate candidate.
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Treatments used by same patient, same day.
Posted in MONTHLY SPECIALS |
June 30th, 2010
Lifestyle Lift vs. other Facelifts
Every week someone asks me about the “Lifestyle Lift”. This is a trademarked name and as far as anyone knows it is not a new procedure. The reason I mention as far as anyone knows, is because those that do it, are sworn to secrecy, which is a red flag. Most ethical discussions of operations include none that are secret, and all are open to peer review and discussion. Please note many of those that perform the Lifestyle Lift are not surgeons.
I believe it to be a variation of the S Lift which has been around for many years. It is a mini face lift that excises skin in front of the ear, and a few additional deep sutures; in addition, the neck is liposuctioned. Generally mini lift means mini results. Shorter recovery means shorter lasting when it comes to facelifts. There are a few people who do well with this procedure and their pictures are the ones shown.
Last year, New York’s Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo came to a settlement with the cosmetic surgery firm Lifestyle Lift, after the firm allegedly published fake consumer reviews across the Web. This case brings questions of ethical business to light at a time when the Federal Trade Commission is already investigating the use of word-of-mouth marketing online.
How to decide which face lift is for you. If you are over 50, and have extra skin and fat under the neck, plus jowls, a lower facelift will be the better treatment. You will look more natural, and get better correction. Without the correction of the jowls you might get the “lollipop” effect where the neck looks good but the lower face does not.
I have had patients with lower facelifts that returned to work in as little as a few days, but it depends on the individual. Some take weeks and some, with makeup, look good in a week or so.
A person under 35 with just a double chin may only need liposuction. Loose skin and fat, and jowls in a 55 year old usually are best corrected with a lower facelift. An S Lift may be needed for someone in between, either by the amount of skin laxity, and age. A consultation will help determine which procedure is best for you.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Newest Product from Jane Iredale!
The So Bronze #3 is a must for sun goddesses and sun shunners! It has been a big hit with staff when used with the Jane Iredale Dream Tint (either in Medium or Warm Bronze).
The Dream Tint is a light as a feather primer, is offered in five complexion shades, has a SPF of 15, minimizes the appearance of fine lines and pores, prevents water loss, is oil free, and provides anti-oxidant protection.
The two combined provide a sun kissed shimmer to the face without the sun exposure.
Posted in Newsletters |
June 7th, 2010
Breast Augmentation and Incision Placement
Today, women are choosing breast augmentation to enhance their profile and improve the appearance of breasts that show signs of aging or changes after child bearing. Today’s innovative breast augmentation procedures are designed to deliver natural-looking results with minimal pain and downtime.
Many concerns of patients when they come in for a consultation for a breast augmentation is where the scar/incision will be. Breast augmentation is surgery and it is impossible to avoid scarring with any surgery. Scars occur with any operation and take time to fade. In most patients the scars are thin and fade but rarely patients will form hypertrophic or raised, red scars.
The incisions can be made in a variety of locations. The most suitable location will be up to the discretion of the physician performing the breast augmentation procedure and the patient. Incisions can be one of the following:
- Trans Axillary – Under Arm Incision. Our most popular incision for women with no breast droop. Fades very well in the armpit and no incision on the breast. Dr. Van Raalte has been using this incision for over 20 years.
- Inframammary – Breast Fold Incision. Our most common incision when there is mild breast droop or ptosis as it allows us to correct the mild droop better.
- Periareolar – Areola – Nipple Incision or the Trans-Umbilical Endoscopic – Belly Button Incision. We rarely recommend because we feel the complication rate is much higher.
Saline implant incisions may be as little as 2 cm or less than an inch. Gel implants do require a larger incision, about 2 inches.
See our photo gallery and patient information sheet on our website.
If you would like to make an appointment for a consultation please call Christina at 322-8877.
Plastic Surgery Hot Topics… Fraxel®.
A couple words from Dr. Van Raalte about Fraxel®.
In plastic surgery there is something new advertised every week. In fact, concerns are that the marketing and hype precede the research.
Lately, I became concerned when I saw a number of patients that had Fraxel® treatments. I had not adopted this treatment because my investigations had shown it took four Fraxel® treatments to get the result of one TCA peel. In addition, each Fraxel® treatment took at least four days to recover and the cost was twice as much. True a TCA peel took about two weeks to heal but one two week period was better than four 4 day periods.
Since then the patients I have seen that had Fraxel® elsewhere tell me it took at least a week to recover from each treatment. And there were still complications like discoloration and scarring, and the results seemed limited, and cost more.
I am sure there are some cases where Fraxel® is better. But for most a TCA peel is better, cheaper, and one recovery. There is no expensive laser to pay for.
However, the companies that make the lasers have to sell and market these devices and therefore the hype.
Dr. Van Raalte and the Midwestern Association
Dr. Van Raalte was elected Vice President of the Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons on May 16th in Chicago. The association hosts a yearly meeting for scientific papers and presentation on basic science, reconstructive, and plastic surgery research. CONGRATULATIONS!
Product Spotlight
New! From Jane Iredale -
BITTY BROW KIT™!
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Finally, professional eyebrow results you can achieve all by your bitty self without complications. Composed of a brow wax, a blonde or brunette powder and three grooming tools, the Bitty Brow Kit™ has everything you need for easy, instant brow enhancement. Eyebrows are one of the most important features of the face. They frame the eyes, define the bone structure and can even appear to take off pounds, so don’t forget this final fun step in your daily beauty routine.
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PROFESSIONAL FAUX LASHES!
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Add intensity and intrigue to your gaze with hypoallergenic, natural hair, professional quality faux lashes in two different lengths which allow you to customize the appearance of your lashes as needed. Latex free formula.
Posted in Uncategorized |
April 29th, 2010
Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer
We often associate a glowing complexion with good health, but skin color obtained from being in the sun – or in a tanning booth – actually accelerates the effects of aging and increases your risk for developing skin cancer.
Exposure to sun causes most of the wrinkles and age spots on our faces. Consider this: A woman at age 40 who has protected her skin from the sun actually has the skin of a 30-year-old.
Sun exposure causes most of the skin changes that we think of as a normal part of aging. Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. When these fibers breakdown, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to go back into place after stretching. The skin also bruises and tears more easily – taking longer to heal. So while sun damage to the skin may not be apparent when you’re young, it will definitely show later in life.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and involves abnormal growths of skin cells that can form anywhere on the body, but most frequently appear on skin that is exposed to the sun. According to the American Cancer Society most of the more than 1 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosed yearly in the United States are considered to be sun-related.
Tanning Beds: WHO Issues Official Warning
In July, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a working group of the World Health Organization, added ultraviolet (UV) radiation – emitting tanning devices – tanning beds and lamps – to the list of the most dangerous forms of cancer causing radiation.
The IARC report cited research showing that tanning is especially hazardous to young people; those who use sun beds before age 30 increase their lifetime risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 75%. The authors also pointed to studies showing a link between UV radiation from indoor tanning devices and melanomas of the skin and eyes.
MELANOMA SKIN CANCER SIGNS:
- A new, possibly large, irregularly shaped, dark brownish spot with darker or black areas.
- A simple mole that changes in color (particularly turning darker), size (growing), or texture (becoming firmer), and/or flakes or bleeds.
- A suspicious change in an existing mole or spot.
- A lesion with an irregular border and red, white, blue, gray, or bluish-black areas or spots.
- Dark lesions under the fingernails or toenails, on the palms, soles, tips of fingers and toes, or on mucous membranes (skin that lines the mouth, nose, vagina, and anus).
BASAL OR SQUAMOUS CELL SIGNS:
- Shiny, firm, dome-shaped bumps anywhere on the body.
- An open sore that bleeds, oozes, or crusts and remains open for a few weeks only to heal up and then bleed again.
- A reddish patch or irritated area, frequently occurring on the face, chest, shoulders, arms or legs.
- A shiny bump or nodule that is pearly or translucent and is often pink, red or white.
- A pink growth with a slightly elevated rolled border and a crusted indentation in the center.
- A scar-like area which is white, yellow or waxy, and often has poorly defined borders.
Fortunately, the cure rate for skin cancer is almost 100% if found and treated early. If you notice a new growth on your skin or any changes in an existing skin growth, don’t assume it’s nothing to worry about. You can get your skin evaluated by Dr. Van Raalte at Iowa Plastic Surgery. He can accurately diagnose malignant (cancerous) tumors and remove them right in the office.
At Iowa Plastic Surgery, Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics® is our premier make-up line. We are delighted to inform you that these products are now recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation.
Jane Iredale® is pleased to announce five products that have recently been awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of recommendation as effective UV sunscreen. The five products are:
- Jane Iredale® Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powders (Special orders taken)
- Jane Iredale® Dream Tint
- Jane Iredale® Lip Drink SPF 15
- Jane Iredale® Powder-Me SPF
- Jane Iredale® PurePressed Face
Sunscreen
Make sure sunscreen is part of your daily makeup regimen. At Iowa Plastic Surgery we carry Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizing Cream SPF15 and Anthelios SPF40 Sunscreen Cream from the La Roche-Posay line and TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer + SPF20 from the SkinMedica® line.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
NEW AT IOWA PLASTIC SURGERY…
CLARISONIC® PRO SKIN CARE SYSTEM…
YOU’VE ASKED FOR IT AND WE NOW HAVE IN STOCK.
Clarisonic® PRO gently removes embedded dirt and oil, resulting in healthier, more beautiful skin. It cleanses so well that products absorb better, pores appear smaller, fine lines and wrinkles appear reduced, and your skin’s tone and texture improves. As a user of this product for the last 4 years… I just can’t imagine not having this as part of my cleansing regimen. What is so special about this brush on the Clarisonic® is that it cleanses your face gently and does not scrub! We have been using the Clarisonic® in our Medi Spa for over 5 years and keep getting asked by our clients if they can buy the Clarisonic® from us.
What a great gift for Mom or the graduate/college bound student!
Posted in Newsletters |
April 1st, 2010
What is a Medical Spa? What You Need to Know.
A medical spa is a hybrid between a medical clinic and a day spa that operates under the supervision of a medical doctor. Medical spas can treat facial conditions like brown spots, redness, and broken capillaries that cannot be treated at all or as effectively by a traditional esthetician, or offer noninvasive medical treatments like neurotoxins (Botox®) and fillers (Juvederm®, Radiesse®, Restylane®), and may offer laser, light, or radiofrequency treatments, and laser hair removal.
Medical Spas in the U.S. and elsewhere have increased in numbers and have become popular as medical tourism destinations. The problems of medical spas include offering medical procedures neither the spa nor the staff are qualified to do. Unfortunately, this reflects badly on the many who are professional. They have tended to fall between the gaps in legislation. Nationally, the number of medical spas around the country has grown from 500 in 2004 to over 2,500 today.
THE FACILITY
There are many excellent and convenient supervised treatments. However, for those providing treatments outside of the physician’s office, there are no national standards for medi-spas, no recognized definition of what constitutes a medi-spa, and no oversight organizations that provide the information you need to make an informed, safe choice for your medi-spa experience. As advocates for patient safety and healthy outcomes, The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) have created the following questions you should ask before committing to any procedure or medical treatment in a spa or non-traditional facility. It is important that you do your homework as you should on anything that can affect not only your appearance but your health and safety as well. We suggest obtaining the following information:
Is the Medi-Spa located within a physician’s office?
While problems are infrequent, physician’s offices generally have medical personnel available if a problem develops. See if the physician is located on site.
Is the Medi-Spa located outside of a doctor’s office, for example, in a mall or salon?
If so, ask for the name of the physician responsible for oversight and when they are available for consultation or questions before having any injectable, deep peel or laser treatment. Also ask about the training of any other medical personnel. This is vital to your health and safety. Be more wary of those not in a doctor’s office, or in a salon. Usually the only association of the doctor may be to lend his/her name.
MEDICAL SUPERVISION AND PERSONNEL TRAINING
Does your medi-spa have a physician who can help in determining your goals, provide a treatment plan and direct your care? And what are the credentials of the physician supervising your treatment in the medi-spa?
Injectables (such as Botox® and tissue fillers), skin treatments (such as laser, intense pulse light, and radiofrequency) and deep peels should be under the supervision of board-certified plastic surgeons or dermatologists according to many experts. Ask to see these credentials. Doctors in other specialties, designating themselves as “cosmetic medicine physicians” may lack the comprehensive training that is needed for administering drugs and treatments to the deeper levels of the skin and lack the experience necessary to achieve optimal aesthetic results or to manage potential complications. Just as you wouldn’t see an allergist if you were having a baby, it’s in your best interest to see a physician who specializes in plastic surgery or dermatologic care when seeking cosmetic medical procedures.
Who is performing the injection?
Depending on the state you’re in, injections and deep peels may be performed by a nurse, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner. However, never allow a non-medical, unlicensed person to perform a medical procedure. Any doctor can perform these treatments regardless of training, whether it was years, or a one hour course. Of course, plastic surgeons and dermatologists have had more training in the treatment of skin problems.
Regulating medical spas is complicated because they combine many different professionals under one roof, including cosmetologists, aestheticians, nurses and physicians. In most U.S. states each of these professions is licensed by its own board, and each has its own standards. There are no overall regulations governing who can do certain cosmetic procedures and what type of training is required, and there is no requirement that medical spas be licensed. Most non physician boards lobby for the right to do more procedures regardless of training and safety.
Iowa law allows aestheticians to do laser hair removal, without being affiliated. Iowa regulations for aestheticians require a GED degree and 600 hours of education at trade school (one semester). In other words, you do not have to have a high school biology course to use a laser in Iowa. Many states require laser hair removal to be done only under the direct supervision of a physician. Other states have required lasers to be only supervised by those doctors trained in skin treatments such as plastic surgeons and dermatologists.
Iowa law allows any physician to own any laser, do any procedure, or supervise any person to do such a procedure and the physician does not have to be on site. In Iowa, a family practice physician can lend their name to a hair salon, who can have any employee use a laser. An aesthetician, on their own, could be hired by a corporation to do laser hair removal in Iowa without any physician being involved. Iowa also allows nurses to practice independently without a physician on site.
Buyer, beware.
Iowa Plastic surgery has physician supervision. You must be evaluated by the physician to undergo any laser hair treatment. All other laser and radiofrequency treatments are directly supervised or performed by the physician. The physician (Dr. Van Raalte) is the only one that does all injectable treatments of Botox® and fillers.
The Skin Cancer Foundation Stamps Jane Iredale-THE SKIN CARE MAKEUP SKIN CARE MAKEUP with its Seal of Recommendation.
In February, Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics received the prestigious Seal of Recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation on five of its most popular products. These products include: Amazing Base, PurePressed Base, Dream Tint, LipDrink and Powder-Me SPF in tanned and translucent.
The Seal of Recommendation has become the respected standard for ensuring the safety and efficacy of ultraviolet (UV) protection products. These products are now recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation as effective aids in the prevention of sun-induced damage to the skin, including sunburn and possibly premature aging.
At Iowa Plastic Surgery, Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics is our premier make-up line. We are delighted to inform you that these products are now recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundations.
**Please note Powder-Me SPF are special orders.
Product Spotlight… New at Iowa Plastic Surgery!
VIVITE® Vibrance Therapy
EXFOLIATES… HYDRATES… PROTECTS
The Natural Way to Help Brighten Skin and Even Skin Tone
- Clinically shown to deliver results in 8 weeks
- A unique natural formulation helps combat uneven skin tone while it helps protect, calm, hydrate, and rejuvenate skin.
- Brings the benefit of brightening to the VIVITE® Skin Care System
VIVITE® System plus VIVITE® Vibrance Therapy is ideal as:
- The daily anti-aging regimen that helps brighten skin and even skin tone- Patients will see improvement in as little as 3 weeks with minimal side effects.
- The maintenance therapy for use after or between other pigment correcting treatments.
Posted in Newsletters |
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:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Weight fluctuations
- Aging
- Gravity
- Heredity
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:
- You are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight
- You do not smoke
- You have realistic expectations
- You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag, have lost shape and volume
- You breasts have a flatter, elongated shape or are pendulous
- When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease
- Your nipples and areolas point downward
- You have stretched skin and enlarged areolas
- One breast is lower than the other
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 ™
This unparalleled anti-aging serum is the first to combine the renowned growth factor serum, TNS Recovery Complex® in one chamber and APS Corrective Complex™, a potent mixture of antioxindants, peptides and other innovative anti-aging ingredients, in the other chamber. Together these products work synergistically to transform and regenerate your skin for a more youthful appearance. And is great for all skin types.
WHY WE LIKE IT…
- NouriCel-MD® helps improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and the overall tone and texture of skin
- Rapidly smoothes and fills in fine lines
- Strengthens the skin’s natural ability to regenerate itself
- Fights against environmental damage
- Brightens and lightens age spots
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Dr. Van Raalte and the Annual Boy Scout Merit Badge Day
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| 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. |
Posted in Newsletters |
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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Posted in Newsletters |
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%
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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 |
January 14th, 2010
Treatment Information on Acne
Acne is one of the most common of all skin problems. Acne problems are commonly faced by teens but many women are suprised to see acne breakouts in their late 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and even 50’s. There are several treatments for both active acne and acne scars.
A combination of treatments can greatly reduce the amount and severity of acne in many cases.
The first visit to Iowa Plastic Surgery Ponds Medi Spa, the patient receives a consultation with our licensed Aesthetician Bobbi and a computerized skin analysis. The treatments for acne and acne scarring consist of microdermabrasions, glycolic peels, Cool Touch®, Gentle Waves, and a daily skin care regimen. Based on age, severity of the acne and acne scarring, we will work together with the patient to determine the best option in controlling the acne condition and the steps to prevent future breakouts with out dryness and irritation. We offer various acne products that have been proven to improve the skin, absorb sebum, and suppress inflammation. In conjunction with skincare products, there are additional treatments for more severe conditions of acne, such as in-office procedures offered by Dr. Van Raalte. He will examine your scars, skin and face to discuss with you which procedure best suits your individual needs. Treatments for active adult acne include antibiotics, retin-A cream, birth control pills (they can be prescribed to you by your gynecologist), skin care products and treatments, and laser treatments. Each helps in its own way.
We offer Cool Touch® laser treatments. The laser causes heating underneath the skin, which kills the acne causing bacteria that live in the skin. Patients undergoing a series of treatments report a decrease in acne breakouts. The Cool Touch® is usually combined with microdermabrasion treatments and also offers no downtime.
Acne scars can be treated by a variety of modalities, each one improve the acne scars mildly to moderately. There is no one magic wand type treatment. The Cool Touch® laser mentioned above may also help acne scarring. The heating process affects the collagen by causing the collagen to be reformed and may lead to reduction in scarring. The deepest pit type scar may benefit by excision and closure.
Fillers such as Hydrelle™, Restylane®, or Juvederm® are used to elevate depressed areas of acne scarring also.
Deeper peels such as a TCA peel also will smooth the skin. TCA peels do have a one to two week recovery. Other treatments such as laser dermabrasion may help scars, but have a longer recovery, and a prolonged discoloration, so they are reserved for special cases. Dermabrasion may also help selected cases of moderate scarring, but does have significant down time.
A facelift may benefit those with acne scarring and skin laxity, and the resulting tightening diminishes the appearance of the scars.
If you would like more information or help to find you a regimen that will work for you
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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 |
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