Breast
Iowa Plastic Surgery
Surgery of the Breast is performed to enhance the size or shape of a women's breast for cosmetic, medical or reconstructive reasons.
Dr. Van Raalte specializes in the following cosmetic breast surgery procedures:
- Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammaplasty)
- Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
- Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty)
- Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)
- Breast Reconstruction
Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammaplasty)
Breast augmentation is a very popular procedure for women and among the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures. A saline-filled implant is inserted under the crease in the breast, around the nipple or through the armpit. The implant can be placed under the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle. After surgery, breasts will appear "fuller" and more shapely in contour. Incision scars will fade or disappear.
Iowa Plastic Surgery has expertise in placing implants through armpit incisions sometimes as small as 5/8 inch long; our experience goes back to 1988.
Dr. Van Raalte is one of the few plastic surgeons with experience in placing the teardrop or shaped implants through the armpit or axillary incision, in addition to the inframammary incision underneath the breast.
We also have experience with breast droop or ptosis, correcting this with either the shaped implants, or the newer biplanar approach. This involves placing the implant through an incision underneath the breast, but partly above and below the muscle to improve greater degrees of droop without a lift.
We help you select round, shaped, or even expandable implants, armpit or incisions underneath the breast, and placement above or below the muscle -- whichever will give you your best possible result.
Unsure of the size you want to be? Go to this handy website
for a computer simulation. Please note that simulation does not guarantee results or size - it is only a computer aid.
Contact us for more information on Breast Augmentation
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. The procedure can also reduce the size of the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple). Breast implants inserted in conjunction with a mastopexy procedure can increase both firmness and size.
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Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty)
Large, pendulous breasts may cause a woman to potentially experience various medical problems caused by the excessive weight of the breast tissue. Problems with posture, skeletal deformities, back and neck pain, skin irritations and breathing problems are common with this condition. Bra straps often leave indentations in the shoulder area. Many women, especially teenage girls, are very self-conscious if they have unusually large breasts.
Breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) removes fat, glandular tissue and excessive skin, resulting in smaller, lighter and firmer breasts that are better-shaped in proportion to the rest of the body.
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Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)
Gynecomastia, or male breast reduction, is one of the more common male cosmetic surgery procedures that we perform. Men are embarrassed by abnormal breast development, that makes them uncomfortable to remove a shirt. It can vary from mild to severe cases. Mild cases may be treated by liposuction alone. Moderate cases involve an incision around the areola to also remove glandular tissue that remains after the liposuction. The scars usually fade well. Recovery is usually in a week, although weight lifting and vigorous exercise is restricted for 3 weeks.
Risks include nipple loss of sensation, irregularities, asymmetry, dimples, and scarring. It is done as an outpatient. Many men will combine this procedure with liposuction of the abdomen and/or flanks (“love handles”). The age range is from 18 to 65.
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Breast Reconstruction
Reconstruction of the breast after a mastectomy due to cancer or other disease is quite possible with today's surgical procedures. The procedure is often covered by many HMO's after breast cancer surgery, and legislation is currently before Congress to enact mandatory coverage. Using the newest medical techniques, a plastic surgeon is often able to create a breast that is similar in form and appearance to that of the natural breast. A consultation will provide you with information on the many available options for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.
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