Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS Reviews, Before and After Photos, Answers

Procedures I'm known for

A mommy makeover is a unique combination plastic surgical treatment, tailored for women based on the specific body areas to be enhanced. The most common procedures are breast surgery (implants, lift, or reduction) combined with tummy tuck, and perhaps liposuction. These surgeries are done using general anesthesia, and can take between 3 – 7 hours based on the complexity and number of areas operated.

Breast enlargement has been the most common procedure at Minneapolis Plastic Surgery for over the last decade, and Dr. Tholen performs hundreds of breast procedures each year. These include not only breast augmentation and breast lifts, but also implant revisions, breast reductions, and transgender mastectomies (top surgery) as well as transgender augmentations.

Gender Confirmation Surgery

Dr. Tholen has been performing M-F transgender breast augmentation and F-M top surgery (chest masculinization) transgender total mastectomies for over three decades. This is specialized surgery not taught in most plastic surgery training programs. Top surgery should not use breast lift or reduction scar patterns (feminine), and should leave as little scarring as possible. Knowing when keyhole mastectomies are possible, and when they are not (leaving wrinkled skin deformities) requires experience and astute judgement.

Total years in practice: 37

As an aesthetic plastic surgeon for the majority of my 3+ decades career, I am continually striving to find innovative ways to solve patients' aesthetic concerns, to improve sub-optimal results from other surgeons (as well as a few of my own), and how to best avoid them in the first-time patient. I want my patients to be happy their results are natural, but more importantly, better than they imagined.

Consultation Fee: Because of the high demand for free consultations with Dr. Tholen, our staff will ask for a credit card number in order to schedule a consultation; there is no charge whatsoever for appointments that are kept–you will be charged $100 only if you fail to keep a scheduled appointment.

Education

Undergraduate: BS, Mathematics and Physics, Fort Hays, Kansas, State University, 1977

Medical: MD, University of Kansas School of Medicine, 1980

Postgraduate Education

Internship: General Surgery, Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 1981

Residency: General Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Chief Resident, 1985

Fellowship: Plastic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Chief Resident, 1987

Board Certifications

Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

Memberships

American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)

American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS)

American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons

American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

Hospital Privileges

Abbott Northwestern Hospital; North Memorial Medical Center

Awards

RealSelf Elite (Top 1% of RealSelf 100 Doctors)

RealSelf 100 Top Doctors, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

Regional Top Doctors (Plastic Surgery), 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

Professional Recognition:

Past - President, Minnesota Society of Plastic Surgeons

Past - President, Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons

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