Breast Enlargement

Iowa Plastic Surgery

Breast enlargement / Breast augmentation

Dr. Benjamin Van Raalte has 20 years of experience with breast enlargement including axillary incisions and gel implants. Dr. Van Raalte is the first Quad City member of the American Society for Aesthetic Surgery and is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He had had experience with hundreds of breast implant surgeries, including saline and gel implants, teardrop and round styles, and armpit and infra­mammary incisions.

A patient presenting to our office for a breast enlargement consultation has already made the decision that she is very interested in the procedure. It is our desire and responsibility to discuss the various options and risks of breast augmentation fully. We offer the patient the opportunity to meet with us at least twice to discuss these options and fully answer their questions and make the best decision for them.

The implants currently in use today are saline implants with a silicone shell, and silicone gel implants. The implants may be placed over the muscle (sub¬glandular), under the chest muscle (subpectoral), or biplanar (the top of the implant covered by muscle). Different incisions may be made in the nipple (peri¬areolar), underneath the breast (infra¬mammary), through the armpit (axillary), or the umbilicus (navel). The different shapes of implants include saline and gel, round, high¬profile, teardrop¬shaped, and post ¬operatively adjustable implants. If the breast has ptosis, or droop, or other shape problems, this may require a lift, special implants, or other considerations. We will explain these options.

Types of Implants

There are saline and silicone gel implants. Iowa Plastic Surgery uses the best implant to fit your desires, your body type and your chest width. It quite often is the width and style of the implant that is more important than the size or volume of the implant for your best result. Differences in volume usually change the width more than the projection. A different style of implant may give more or less of a cup size than the volume.

The saline implants used today have a silicone shell. They are called saline implants because they are inflated in the patient with saline solution. Should they deflate, saline is physiologic with blood and would be absorbed by the body and the implant would go flat. The different types of saline implants include round, low or high profile, anatomic, and expandable implants. The implants can be smooth or textured, and all of the shaped implants have a textured or rougher surface to avoid turning.

The round implants may be smooth or textured. Round implants are the most common and are used if you have little or no droop and planning a moderate size increase. The smooth surfaced implants will drop into position faster. The textured implants have a rough surface, and thus hold onto their position, which sometimes is needed. The high profiles are round implants that are narrower and provide more projection with less volume in a narrow chested female. A low profile implant, is as its name implies, has a lower projection, and is a good choice for someone who is concerned about being too large.

The anatomic or teardrop shaped implants seem to correct mild to moderate droop better, are somewhat more natural looking. They do have less superior cleavage. The expandable implants allow more fluid to be injected in a later date if the patient desires to become larger. They are also useful when the patient wants to become extremely large or larger than the tight skin envelope will allow. The fluid can be injected at several visits to stretch the skin out to a more acceptable size. There is a fill port located under the skin, which will have to be removed later, and these implants do cost considerably more.

Gel implants are now available again in the United States. They have been available in Europe continuously. Some people feel the gel implants have a softer or more natural feel. They cannot deflate but can rupture instead. They do have less rippling than saline implants that can be a problem for thinner women. The current gel implants are a round type. Eventually there will be a cohesive gel, or "gummy bear" gel implant available that may be shaped and have a thicker gel. These can literally be cut like a pie and not change in shape.