2017 at 54 years old I finally had lipo to thighs & hips, along with a tummy tuck. I was very pleased with the end result, but I was NOT prepared for the recovery. In my mind I thought I'd be back to work in a week. Mistake! I tried to go back, but it was too much. My legs needed to be up, dangling down from a desk chair was not working at all. So if you do this, PLAN for at LEAST 2 weeks of being home and resting before going back to work. Dr. VanRaalte was pleasant and professional and took time to discuss my goals and his plan to make it happen, although it seemed like he was either stressed or rushed for time quite frequently. His staff members are AMAZING. Hands down, wonderful staff. I ended up with a dog ear on one hip and some uneven lipo on one knee, Dr. VanRaalte offered to fix it "in office" for $750. Which was cheap compared to the surgery, $12,500. Now, 5 years later, I am planning a thigh lift and lipo to flanks and bra line very soon. And I'm probably going to fix my age-kissed jaw line and neck. I'm 58 now, and honestly, getting some cosmetic surgery was the best thing I ever did for myself. My husband didn't care, he loved me with all my sags and bags, this was something I did for myself. If it makes you feel better, DO IT! Seriously!
My experience with the doctor and the staff was outstanding. They really made me feel comfortable and were incredibly knowledgeable. I was given multiple options and was able to be confident in my decision! Updated on 15 Nov 2022: The healing process after the first month was a breeze. Clothes fit me better than ever and I feel incredible in all types looks. Overall, I love love love my new boobs! They look and feel amazing! My only regret is I didn’t do it sooner. I would choose the same doctor and staff as well. The amount of comfort they gave was above and beyond what I had expected. Updated on 3 Dec 2022: I had a request for a couple new pictures so I took one and then decided it would be much easier to just make a quick video. I am very much so still in love with my boobs. They look and feel just how I hoped and imagined them.
Finally after 20 years of waiting I got my breast augmentation! I chose to get a mini lift with 620cc teardrop gummy implants. The whole staff I worked with were great! From Liz, my nurse Mara and of course Dr. Van Raalte. He answered all of my questions and listened to what my goal was. He went over possible complications multiple times so I could make my decision.I am 7 days post op. I have been off the pain meds since my 2nd day of post op and excited to see the final outcome! I would recommend anyone who is thinking of getting any work done to go see him!
Had a consult with Dr. Van Raalte. His entire staff is amazing. Nevee felt uncomfortable or unsure with them and they explained everything in detail, including the risks. I couldn't have found a better doctor and nurses to help! Updated on 18 Apr 2021: Feeling better besides having pressure on the inner/inside part of my breasts. Not sure if I’m just getting more feeling back or if everything is stretching but I plan on calling Monday if it hasn’t gone away by then. Other than the pressure they’re feeling more normal and less swollen. Updated on 18 Apr 2021: After 3 kids and years of disliking my small breasts I finally went in for a consult on April 5th to see Dr. Van Raalte. He's very straightforward and honest. His nurses are amazing! They happened to have a cancellation for that Friday on the 9th so I scheduled and went back that week for the surgery. I had fears of being out under, the recovery, and the outcome but everything has been amazing! Even with getting unders my pain has been at most a 3/10. I can't wait to get further into my recovery for them to settle and soften. No regrets at all. Updated on 6 May 2021: I haven’t been much for sending photos to my husband, but I did today and was so happy! They just look amazing and increase my confidence more than I could have imagined. Never felt better about myself. They are still firm and don’t move much, but I’m still early into the process. Healing has been great with no issues.
Dr. Van Raalte had reccomended that I try a few units of botox to the muscle on either side of my jaw to treat a persistent jaw clenching issue. The procedure itself was quick and nearly painless and I had no bruising or swelling afterwards. The Dr. and his staff were masked and appropriate Covid measures were in place which make me feel very comfortable through my appointment. Following treatment my persistent jaw and tooth pain have subsided completely. After months of trying mouth guards and pain meds it is such a huge relief. I couldnt have expected a better result.
Dr Van Raalte was extremely attentive in really listening to my goal/expectations and discussing pros/cons of all options. Felt great about my decision. Procedure was quick and easy. Results were even a bit better than what we expected. Staff was terrific as well, very welcoming, helpful and attentive as well.
I have always had a small chest. I remember it somewhat bothering me in high school and college, but it was more of a passing thought when I’d put on certain clothes, swimsuits, or were around other females that actually had breasts. I always liked the shaped of my boobs and feeling more confident naked rather than in clothes, because the clothes just covered up the little curves that I had. When I got pregnant, my boobs grew some, but only to a full B. After having my two boys, my old tiny perky boobs looked more like deflated balloons. That’s when the size started affecting my confidence. Everyday when I got dressed it would bother me. I didn’t like when my husband touched my chest because it made me self conscious- like he had to search for something to grab. My last straw was (on 2 separate occasions) 2 male friends of ours compared my body to a 14 year old boy. They meant it as a compliment, trying to say I was in shape, so I was not upset with them one bit. But I told my husband that if any other fit women walked out in a bikini, those men wouldn’t have compared her to an adolescent boy, they would have said she was hot, had a good body, or compared her to a model/actress. I tried so hard to accept what’s a god has given me. I prayed, I read blogs about the good, bad, and ugly of boob jobs but just couldn’t get it off my mind. My husband said when we would get ready for date nights I’d be blaring music and dancing and getting ready, as soon as I put my clothes on, my mood would flip. He didn’t care one way or the other if I got the boob job or not, he just wanted me to be happy. I told him I would book a consult so we could go together and learn more and decide if this was actually something I wanted to do. To be honest, I was hoping the consult would talk me out of it. We booked a consult at Iowa Plastic Surgery. It was like a fun date night for us! The surgeon, Dr Van Raalte, his assistant, Maureen, and the nurse, Gina were all so wonderful. I left the consult knowing that I wanted to move forward with scheduling the surgery. I took a bunch of before photos from different angles and in different swim tops, bras, my fav tops, and some clothes that I want to wear but don’t feel confident in due to my chest size. At this time, I was barely filling out an A cup. Updated on 1 Jul 2019: Pre-Op I showed the surgeon my wish pics and said I’d like 375 CC. He explained what I am showing him and what size I am picking do not match up. He measured me and explained to get the look I’ve been showing him I would need 495CC. He explained very in-depth textured vs smooth implants, round vs anatomical, and salience vs silicone. He was so knowledgeable, matter-of-fact and confident in his explanation that I said “you’re the professional and have been doing this for 33 years, I’ll take your opinion over my 6 months of Google” We paid for the procedure right then and there. I left excited, but I am not going to lie. On the ride home I had a little bit of panic “did I just choose a ginormous implant?!” I ended up emailing to dcotor’s Assistant my concerns and she responded promptly and reassured me the doctor’s recommendation will be ideal so my shape. She even had me send my “wish photos” so the doctor can look them over. Updated on 2 Jul 2019: I am writing this 5 day’s post-op. I was pretty out of it after my surgery and slept most the rest of the day. My husband has been great at keeping my 3 and 1 year old entertained and out of the bedroom. The 2nd day I was getting antsy so I was about our home, we even had company over for a pool party and I just laid out in my sexy surgical bra and band. The soreness the first 3 days is pretty intense, it’s hard to move past a certain range of motion. I feel like I probably was pushing the limits on this as I don’t like feeling useless. Sleeping is the hardest because you have to sleep in your back and at an angle. I don’t get much sleep at night. It seems I sleep the best between 4 am and 7 am. My boobs hurt the worst right when I get up in the morning. I tired laying on my side - BIG NO! So I comfortable. Listen to your doctor! On day 3 I was down to only taking an Oxycodone 1x in the morning. The soreness/pain has subsided for the most part, my boobs are now just firm and feel engorged. There is some pain from my bruising on the sides below my armpit, underneath, and swollen and bruised on my sternum (the sternum is the most painful), but nothing that require pain medication. I have to take my surgical band off a few times throughout the day and night to give my sternum some relief. I have ridden with my husband in the vehicle and basically just hold onto my boobs he entire time because any bump hurts. I do sometimes get a weird pain in my armpit and the other night I had a weird Charlie horse type feeling in my right calf. This kind of scared me because I had a previous blood clot after giving birth to our first son, however my surgeon already had me taking blood thinners starting the day after my surgery so that gave me some peace of mind. I am so bloated from the surgery. Have put on 10 pounds. I know it’s probably from the implants themselves, all the fluid from surgery, and not being able to have a BM yet (I started stool softeners and Miralax on Day 3, wish I would have started sooner) Updated on 15 Jul 2019: I have been selling great! The first week and a half I had lightening bolts of pain with certain movements or randomly throughout the day, but the pain that I’ve experienced throughout this process is what I have expected. I feel like I may feel TOO good that I’ve been doing more than what I’ve been cleared to do for example lifting my boys (my husband had unexpected travel for work, so last week and this week I’ve been single parenting our two boys [ages 1 & 3]) I feel like all the lifting and the amount of stretching and reaching in my normal daily activities may be preventing my incisions from healing incorrectly...? My surgeon was concerned last week nd asked me if I smoked (I do not) he asked if anyone in my home smoked (they do not) he then told me to start putting ointment and gauze on my incision everyday. While my husband was home this weekend, I took advantage of having him home and tried to do as little of lifting as possible. NOW, let’s get to my boobs. I am so beyond happy wit them! The size is perfect and I am happy I listened to my surgeon. I have had MANY MANY MANY compliments on them. Everyone who has seen them said the size is perfect for my frame and the boobs look like they re just a part of me and have always been there :) My husband is happy with them as well. The photos I shared were for my husband and are in a sports bra and swim top that I owned which are now both too small. Updated on 15 Jul 2019: Love love love!!! They look so natural and go with my slim-ish figure. Updated on 20 Jul 2019: i feel fantastic and I think that’s the issue. I am doing way more activity (I have 2 littles) than I my body is actually prepared to handle. Last week my dr said my incision on my right breast was healing slower than expected. He was quite shocked and had told me that I am healing the way he would expect his 70 year old smoking patients to heal (I’m 28 and do not smoke). He said sometimes the dissolvable sutures just don’t work on certain people so he stitched me back up with nylon(?) stitches this week. He told me to “just relax and take it easy!” So I’ve been trying to lift my kids less and do less reaching movements, etc. I was so happy he had a solution. I was worried my scars were going to be wide, by looking at the stitches, think they’ll heal beautifully! Last week he had me start antibiotic cream with gauze on the incision 2x/day and an antibiotic pill. He also told me to start taking vitamin C and the nurse suggested I increase my protein intake. I have also just started with vitamin-E oil on the incision as well (this was recommended by a friend) Updated on 18 Aug 2019: 6 weeks post op- I love them. My hubby loves them. I get lots of compliments on them! Photos were ones that my hubby requested while he was traveling \_O_/
I am only about 3 hours post-op from a combined breast augmentation and mastopexy (lift). Obviously I am not sure yet how the final review will look, but I already *excessively* pleased with his surgical staff. Everyone was extremely comforting, pleasant, and welcoming. I was very nervous this morning and the staff completely blew me away with their bedside manner.
I am so very impressed with the attention to detail that Dr. Benjamin Van Raalte and his staff provide to each patient. They make you feel like family and take care of your every need. I am so very pleased with my results!! JL
Loving my new girls! I’m 5 days post op and healing beautifully. Dr Van Raalte and his amazing staff were very kind and supportive. I was well educated about the procedure and risks from the get go and knew exactly what to expect. I have a while to go to see complete results but already feel great. I know that if I continue to follow his instructions the result will be better than expected. I would recommend him to anyone! A+++++++
Yours is a very difficult case. In fact, I would have told you as a surgeon, it would take at least two procedures to get you an optimal outcome. Capsular contracture is not the fault of the surgeon, it unfortunately occurs. Some of the gel implants do have a partial warranty for contracture but not the saline. It is also not unusual for patients to interpret what they hear differently whether they think the surgeon said, admitted or agreed. You should refer to your written documents. Usually returning to your original surgeon is the lowest cost option for revisions. The documents usually spell out what is covered. The amount quoted does seem high but I don't know what it entails like expenses such as mesh or ADM. Looking at your pictures perhaps a peri areolar lift to reposition the areola and one attempt at just releasing the capsules might get an acceptable result at a lower cost. Higher cost options include a full mastopexy, new gel textured implants, mesh or ADM. Get a second opinion but not from a direct competitor.
You are an excellent candidate for liposuction. You are a good BMI and good skin tone. Liposuction was originally developed for saddlebags, and many authorities feel the fat is different than other locations and thus resistant to weight loss. Contrary to belief, liposuction is not for weight loss but for bulges. Since you mentioned you are 45, ask your doctor about fat grafting. The fat could be used instead of filler for facial improvement, if desired.
First of all your statement has some opposing requests. Full and round is not a natural look. Full and round is... full and round. Natural is not full and round, but more teardrop. If you have not had children, and your skin is tight you are limited in the size of the implant at this time. You would either need fat grafting first, or a tissue expander first. For a one stage operation I would recommend a shaped textured teardrop implant, which, in my opinion, is the only implant that shapes the breast. It would not be as full or round, but would possibly allow a one stage procedure but still a limited size depending on the skin. The textured implants do have an increased risk of ALCL although thought to be low. If you want large, full and round with your tight fold and tuberous breasts you would probably need a tissue expander as the first operation.
Well, depends how long you want the result to last, and how large you are. The smaller you go, obviously it would be easier to go braless. Otherwise, droop will occur, because you are still fighting gravity. Many people feel bra wearing, even at night prevents ptosis. Other factors are stomach sleeping, weight gain and loss, and genetic factors. Overall, if you remain a large size and go braless the droop will probably occur. I have had the best success at long term "perkiness" with smaller sizes and use of Galatea mesh to form an internal bra of scar tissue.
There are two different answers and two different implants. The Mentor Cohesive Gel Memory Shape implant is an excellent implant to lift the breast as it adds projection and thus, lifting to the lower pole. I have been able to correct droop that otherwise required lifts in the past. This is a textured implant, and thus, has a low but known risk of ALCL. A large high projection Memory Shape is almost as round in the upper pole as a round implant, especially with the Tall Height High Projection and can both give fullness and lift. A cohesive gel round implant may give slightly fuller upper pole but could result in a waterfall deformity for you, depending on the size of the implant, and not look as natural. Of course, adding a push up bra, always increases the upper pole fullness. Lastly fat grafting can always be added to the upper pole.
