Breast Augmentation
iowa plastic surgery
Breast Augmentation / BREAST DROOP OR PTOSIS
Breast Augmentation and Other breast shape problems that have to be addressed include breast droop or ptosis, tubular breast deformity (the breast is more tube¬shaped and based on a very narrow base), or an underformed breast where the inferior portion of the breast is very tiny compared to the superior part of the breast. Some of these methods are correctable with the implantation procedure alone, some require additional procedures, and some are not correctable. You cannot select your breast out of a catalog and we are not adding material to the outside to sculpt a perfect breast, but placing an implant underneath your skin envelope. The final result depends on your skin, not the implant.
Correction for breast droop depends on the degree of droop. For mild degrees of droop, simple enlargement of the breasts may be all that is needed. For greater degrees of droop, a shaped implant that is anatomically shaped like a teardrop may partially or totally correct the droop. Still, in these instances, afterwards you might still have droop that could require an additional lift operation. The greatest degree of droop is not correctable by either of these methods, and would require a breast lift to correct the droop. If you are happy with your breast size, the lift alone may be all that is needed. However, if you wished to enlarge the breasts significantly, an implant may be done at the same time as the lift. It might be better to do the lift and the implants as two separate operations for several reasons. The lift is trying to tighten the breast and the implants are expanding the breast and they compete. Sometimes the implants alone might correct the droop and the lift won’t be needed. The increased complications of the two procedures together must be balanced against the cost of two separate procedures. A mature looking breast can be achieved with a mini¬lift that uses a shaped implant and the scar is limited to just around the nipple. Full lifts require an incision around the nipple and vertical or T¬shaped incision. The incision around the nipple alone draws up the skin in a draw string purse fashion and will take time to flatten and improve, and sometimes needs revision. You must quit smoking to have a breast lift due to the significantly higher risk of complications. Complications include scarring, revisions of the scars are common, changes in nipple sensation, and healing problems. Uncorrected droop would make you look good in a bra, but the appearance would not be as good nude.
We have to advise patients that this operation may not be the only one you do and the implants do not necessarily last forever. Other medical devices do not last forever. Hopefully, the breast implants you have will not require any additional surgery in the future, but they may.
Other Concerns
Another concern is whether breast implants cause health problems or immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Women with breast implants can get immune diseases and women without breast implants also have immune diseases. Studies have been published that do not show an increased risk of immune disease in women with implants. Silicone is used in many other medical devices.
In June 1999, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science released its final report after 2 years of investigation of more than 2000 peer¬reviewed studies and 1200 data sets and reports. According to Stuart Bondurant MD, committee chair, there is "no definitive evidence linking breast implants to cancer, immunological diseases, neurological problems, or other systemic diseases. Women with breast implants are no more likely than other women to develop these illnesses." - From Selected Readings in Plastic Surgery Volume 9, Number 28
The Benefits of Implantation
Patients wish to improve the way they look in clothes or a swimsuit. Others wish to regain the figure that they had before childbirth. In many patients, due to their current breast appearance, it is almost a reconstructive operation as they are trying to obtain a more normal breast shape or size. Most patients feel that their implants have been beneficial for them, and have improved how they feel about themselves. We do find that our happiest patients are those who do it for themselves.
Dr. Van Raalte has extensive experience with a large number of breast augmentations, including different incisions, different style of implants, and correction of breast droop with biplanar placement of shaped implants. We help you pick the optimal shape, style, or size implant rather than just volume alone. We offer all of the implant shapes and options and tailor that to your body frame. We hope our experience can help you to obtain the best possible result!
