Bruce W. Van Natta, MD

Dr Bruce Van Natta is an exceptional surgeon and and a wonderful person. 13 years ago he performed breast augmentation with implants for me. I returned to him when I decided to have the implants removed. He is so caring, considerate, and a brilliant surgeon. I am so happy with the results, I really loved going back to my natural breasts, and my incisions are healing quite nicely. His nursing and anesthesia staff were excellent. I am a working in surgical quality as a Registered Nurse so I am very observant and picky when it comes to surgical issues. The center and the staff were hands down, absolutely perfect. Thank you so much!

I thought that my 32Bs were perfect until I turned 43 years old and saw a picture of myself in a bikini. I am fit and love working out, but my chest, the one thing I could not really change with exercise, looked very unbalanced relative to the rest of my body. I never thought I would have a breast augmentation, but that picture changed my position. I did a lot of research before making the final decision to proceed with the surgery and before selecting Dr. Van Natta as the surgeon. Even though I expected a positive outcome based on extremely positive recommendations for Dr. Van Natta, my expectations were still exceeded… I was home from surgery at 6:15 pm on a Friday and was at the gym by 7:00 am the next morning. The only pain medication I took was the prescribed ibuprofen. I felt minor soreness, like you might feel from a chest and ab workout, but no pain. The surgery really did not alter my normal routine at all- I was working and exercising the next morning, and have not experienced any complication or setbacks. Dr. Van Natta and his entire staff make this a really great experience. Everyone is extremely caring, helpful and considerate. It was an excellent experience. It has now been two weeks since the surgery and I really could not be more pleased with the results. The breasts appear natural and fit my body. I am not sure you could have a better experience. Dr. Van Natta and his team are the best and I sincerely appreciate the care they provided me. I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Van Natta to any of my friends or family members that might be interested in a breast augmentation.

195cc/215cc Silicone gel
Dr. VanNatta, Indiana
So I spent A LOT of time lurking on this site so it only seems right that I write a review of my experience. I so greatly appreciated the detailed reviews that were similar to what I was hoping for. To start I have wanted boobs since I was old enough to know what boobs were. My breasts stopped growing sometime in middle school and I ended up with a full A cup on my left side and a full B cup on my right. I also had areolas that I considered to be disproportionately large for my small breasts. In my early 20's I went to 3 different consultations, one of which would be the doctor I chose 7 years later. I waited so long mostly for financial reasons, but also because I had never had any kind of surgery and I was scared. Fast forward to 2016, I am 30 and in a position to pay for this surgery. I decided on a whim to go back to the doctor I liked best to refresh my memory of what could be done for me. I also had a close friend have her breasts done by this surgeon and they turned out AMAZING. By the time I went in for my consultation I had come to a point in my life where I no longer actively hated my breast and had come to peace with the size difference, so I was a tad unsure. The appointment went very quickly and the doctor made me feel confidant and comfortable that he knew exactly what I wanted. I was not interested in the augmented look, in fact I was hoping that once I had this done no one but very close friends would even notice. I basically just wanted him to "fill up" the breasts I had. He only does natural looking augmentation and uses the Rapid Recovery program so I knew I was in the right hands and I scheduled my surgery for one month later. In that time I went back and forth with rather or not I had made the right decision and spent all of my free time looking around the internet for information to back up my hopes. I would like to say at this point that this might not have been the best idea. There are SO MANY bad augmentations out there, it really scared me even though I knew I had picked one of the best doctors available.
Day of Surgery: I went in at 6am. The nurses, anesthesiologist, and all the staff were so friendly and helped me to feel as calm as possible. I was very scared about being put under but it all happened so fast I didn't even have time to freak out. I laid on the table, tasted an odd metallic flavor in my mouth (the medicine) and then I woke up after the surgery! It was like 10 seconds had passed but it had been an hour. I felt pretty good waking up. I had a decent amount of nausea from the anesthesia but they gave me some meds for that. My husband drove me home and I laid on the couch as directed for two hours. My chest felt tight but no actual pain. To help with the symmetry the doctor took a long strip of skin under the fold of my left breast out. He gave me a 215cc in my right smaller breast and 195cc in my left larger breast. I got up after that and took a shower. The Rapid Recovery program calls for no tight binding, and no narcotic pain meds as well as doing arm raises every half hour/hour for the next couple weeks. The idea is that the more you move the muscles, the less tightness you are going to feel. It did hurt a little to do them at first, but the more I moved the better it felt. I was able to shower myself completely. I washed my hair and stood there letting the warm water run over my boobs to help loosen the muscles. I could tell even as swollen and firm as they were that they would be exactly like I had hoped. I was just very exhausted that first day. I took the sleeping pill they gave me that night and fell asleep (on my back) early.
Day two: Now with all the surgery pain meds out of my system and the numbing shots worn off I was VERY sore in the morning. I was unable to use my arms to push myself up from my sleeping position and had to kind of do a worm like half roll half scoot to the edge of the bed. I would compare the worst of the pain I felt those first few days to a badly sprained ankle. Yes it hurts, yes it impairs some forms of movement, but you can live with it. It won't stop you from living your daily life. My breasts were pretty high (but not so much that you could see the roundness in any of my normal t-shirts) and swollen and very firm. I certainly had the square boob look. From this point on for about a week and a half every morning I woke up I felt 100% better than I did the day before. I continued with my arm raises, took arnica montana and the 800mg Tylenol as prescribed (no narcotics!!) and was fine.
2 to 4 weeks post op: After two weeks most all of my pain was gone during all movements aside from the few times I forgot I was still healing and would over do it. I had my steri-strips on until the two week mark. It was still a bit painful to reach up to pull down the trunk door of my SUV and I once grabbed the dog's collar as he was trying to run away and that one hurt pretty good. More than anything I was so much NOT in pain that it would be annoying when I would exert myself and be reminded that I needed to take it easy. Still a decent amount of tightness in my skin and around my scars but the stretching, scar massage and laying on my breast for 10-15 minuets at a time would alleviate that tightness.
Today is one month and one week: I am able to do push ups now (though I can feel the weakness in the pec muscle and that I do need to be aware of that). I am able to lift and pull everything I have come into contact with. I don't exercise regularly with lifting weights so I can't speak on that but all my every day mom and two dog and work life movements are back to normal. I think my breasts have "dropped and fluffed" as much as they will and I couldn't be happier. They are so much more symmetrical, my areolas now look more proportionate to the size of my breast (that is a deep seated insecurity and I still don't love them. There is no such thing as perfect even with surgery and you must manage your expectations with reality) , and I can fit into all of my clothes but not my bras and only a couple swim suit tops. Just what I wanted! I went from an A/B to a solid C. Basically my shape is slightly larger than how I looked before with a push up bra on, but I no longer need to wear a bra! I can fully lay on my breasts even on a hard surface like the floor with no pain. It does kind of feel like I am laying on a rolled up towel though. It was SO SO worth it and Rapid Recovery is the ONLY way to do it. There is NO REASON you should not be able to shower yourself, drive with in 48 hours and make your own food, put on your makeup and do almost everything you need in your life. Do not accept more pain than is necessary!
Tips and Advice
-Once you are ready to go out and about with out a bra I recommend Nippies Skin nipple covers. They are reusable silicon pasties that work great, are very comfy and make you feel confidant braless.
-Be sure to sleep on the edge of your bed even if thats not "your side". It will be much easier to get out of bed that first week when you are too sore to push yourself up.
-Your abs will also be sore from the amount of , well crunches you will be doing to get yourself up and down.
-I couldn't bring myself to lay on my breasts for the first few days and when I did it would hurt pretty good but it really does help and feel better after.
-The over sensitivity you will feel a couple weeks after your augmentation is real. It felt like the whole bottom hemisphere of my breasts had been dragged over asphalt. Or like a new shoe blister.
-Neosporin those scars!
-Get yourself a stretchy but loose bralette/sports bra. Even 4 weeks out my scars are tender when they are rubbed on all day by a bra.
-No one has asked me if I got my breasts done, but people keep insisting I lost weight which I did not. I think its the more proportionate figure I have now.
OK.....that was a lot thanks for hanging in. Feel free to message me with any and all questions. Also I will update with photos later.

Updated on 16 May 2016:
My body type is 5'4'' and 130lbs by the way.

After nursing 3 babies, my formerly awesome natural breasts (34 C/D), completely lost their shape and one breast was a full cup size larger than the other. This made me self-conscious and no matter what I do in the gym, it would never help. I went in for my consultation with Dr. VanNatta (I had consulted others) and I was instantly sold. First, his coordinator Michelle, is AWESOME. Dr. VanNatta makes you feel like you are the only patient in the world and he is very candid, friendly, and I was instantly convinced of his expertise and ability. The procedure was easy. Recovery was easy. I got gel implants. My larger breast received 213cc and a lift and nipple adjustment. My smaller breast received a 425cc implant. The only thing is that the breast with the smaller implant is not quite as full looking at the top, which I knew ahead of time...and can correct with fat grafting. Two years later and I am TOTALLY happy with my results. They look natural and symmetrical. I was so happy with my experience with Dr. VanNatta that I went in this week for a liposuction consult. For best results, I should get a tummy tuck with muscle repair, but I cannot take that much time off right now, so I am going to do Lipo in my abdomen, flanks, thighs...plus he is going to revise my c-section scar (I have had 3 c-sections). Also, he is going to kindly include the fat grafting to my breast to finish the results. I will post another review of that procedure after.

Updated on 10 Sep 2015:
I am going to take some before photo's before my lipo and scar revision tomorrow. I think I will start a new review for that procedure, but I will update this one, too. I am about 20lbs heavier than my "perfect" weight, but that may be an advantage in getting the lipo. I am so excited, but neevous because I think the soreness will be a lot worse than my breast aug. i am imagining tons of bruising and swelling and soreness.
I have been taking arnica, CoQ10, & pineapple Bromelain for about a week and will take for 2 weeks after to aid in healing and keeping swelling down.

Updated on 25 Nov 2015:
I went on 9/10/15 for lipsuction, and while he was at it, Dr Van Natta injected a bit of my fat into the top inside portion of my left breast. There was bruising, but I did not find it painful. The result was very subtle, but effective...adding just a tiny bit of fullness to make it more closely resemble the other breast. Here are pics from before my augmentation and 2+ months after everything.

The procedure was very easy to tolorate feeling virtually no pain sensation after the numbing injections. They were simple as well as Lisa was a pro with her needle. It took about an hour and a half to do both arms and I am already sweat free. I iced that evening and had a good amount of swelling, but not too uncomfortable. The next day still swollen and armpits were numb but comfortable.

Updated on 17 Aug 2015:
So its been 4 days and still a little swollen, and skin is numb but improving each day. I have nerve sensations every once in a while so everything must be coming back now. Still not sweating :)

Posting the picture I took from the first eveing

Updated on 19 Feb 2016:
Now that I am post 6 months I can say that I am still nearly sweat free. The hair grows back spuraticaly, so I trim it with clippers. There is no swelling, tenderness or numbness for quite some time.

I've been a Real Self reader for a few months. I couldn't bring myself to share until after my procedure. This site has been very helpful in my preparation for surgery and now post. I am 5'2, 145lbs and very active and healthy. I've had three babies (4, 6 & 8) and couldn't manage to reduce the projection of my abs. I had a huge diastasis and an umbilical hernia. I went for my first consult in January 2014. I was really torn on whether or not this surgery was right for me. I didn't feel comfortable in a swim suit and felt like I had to constantly engage my abs in order to not appear pregnant. In October I decided that I was ready to make a change. My surgery was on 12/30 and I am now 2 days post-op. Prior to surgery I worked out, ate well and tried to relax and remain calm. To say I was nervous would be a complete understatement. I was terrified that my "vain" choice could possibly kill me and what on earth would my husband tell our children. I prayed a lot and did a ton of research. My surgery started at 12:15 p.m. and concluded around 5:45. It was a long day for my husband and the doctors, but lucky for me, I was out and then back up again in a blink. I had my surgery in my plastic surgeon's surgery center. The staff was fantastic and made me feel very comfortable. I stayed the night in their facility because of the amount of lipo that was done. They removed 5 liters of fat (that is a TON) and my surgeon was even surprised that I had so much. He concentrated on my thighs, around my knee, behind my hamstrings and then also my flanks & hip rolls. Going into surgery I was told that I would have drains, but just recently my surgeon has begun doing tts without them. So, I sit comfortably in bed, propped up a bit, no drains in place. My incision is incredible. He placed it below my c-section scar and it is much shorter than I expected. Many of the reviews showed hip bone-to-hip bone. My incision begins from the inside of one thigh to the inside of my other. Overall I feel pretty good. Very tight and my legs are super swollen. The support hose that I was sent home with were filled with foam padding and were huge. I showered 24 hours post (I was terribly draining) and went to put my 2nd garment on that they sent home, only to find out they sent an above the knee compression garment, not ankle length. Without all the foam, the first one was enormous, so I've been wearing the knee one, with compression stockings and wrapping my knees with ace bandages for extra support. My husband will pick up the correct on from the surgery center in the am. I have quite a bit of bruising, from what I can see. I haven't really had a good luck at my belly yet and I'm patient as I know each day will be better. I was never "fat" but I did have that baby bulge that was unattractive. I took a few "pre-op" photos, so that I could compare. In 2011 I had breast augmentation & saline implants with the same surgeon. He did an incredible just and they are very natural. After nursing 3 kids for 3 years, my tissue was gone. Wednesday my surgeon also did fat grafting to my breasts to even out a bit of symmetry from them settling over the past couple of years. I don't feel any pain at all, just a bit of bruising on the breast. I'm hoping that day 3 is increasingly better from days 1 & 2. I can do stairs, walk almost upright and move around, but I've tried to spend most of my time in bed, feet in compression cuffs and elevated. I've promised to not over-do it, as I typically do. I'm definitely exhausted from small tasks. I've showered twice (with a chair in the shower and help of my husband) and it completely took all the energy that I had. I'm eating pretty well (hardboiled egg, applesauce, pears, turkey, broth, yogurt). No BM yet, but producing gas. I've been taking stool softeners since 2 days prior to surgery. I also started a multi-vitamin, vitamin c and CoQ10 (for the fat grafting). I'm on Torodol every 8 hours and pecocet for pain. I'm trying to keep something in my system at all times so that I don't have that sudden rush of pain. Good luck to all you ladies that are recovering or have surgery in your future. I'm happy to share more if there is any questions.

Updated on 2 Jan 2015:
Feeling pretty good, still weak and worn out. The Lipo is most painful. I slept all night and really rested. I'm taking in tons of fluids (water with lemon, coconut water and organic broth). No BM yet. My oozing has stopped and I've changed my pads to bandaids (that were coving incision sites). Breasts down I'm swollen like a tree trunk. My husband picked up a new binder at the doctors office for me today that was a medium. Definitely much better and far more compression. Basically my routine is to rest, eat a little bit (I don't really have an appetite but I need to make sure I can tolerate my meds), take a walk around my house, go to the restroom and get back in bed. Of course I can't tell a difference at this point however my husband said it is night and day. My head hurts pretty bad and I'm not sure if it's from all the trauma or the meds. My bruising is pretty limited which is amazing for the amount of like a section they did on my legs. I've taken two showers so far and just did a sponge bath today because I didn't feel the energy to get in. How were you ladies day 3? Any tips/suggestions? I think I've watched every episode of Kourtney & Kim take the Hamptons:) Need to start a book! Here is a before photo and one after both the day of surgery. I'm shooting down in the after so it looks a bit odd.

Updated on 3 Jan 2015:
Tell me there is a light at the end of the tunnel. So today is day 5 post and bruising is improving but tightness and tenderness is definitely prominent. I've been sleeping in my bed each night and actually sleep pretty well (thanks to ambien). When I stand up there is a huge rush of hotness and pressure in my legs. They feel on fire inside/out and feel like 1,000 lbs each. My husband says even with swelling they look amazing. I showered this am (3rd shower) by sitting in a chair in our walk-in shower. My husband helped me wash my hair, which was a huge help. My belly is flat until I stand up and then the blood and fluid rushes to my incision site and I have a pooch. I'm wondering if this would not be present if I had drains. My back is pretty sore from laying flat so often. Overall, I'm moving great once I get a achlimated to standing and can stand straight, do stairs, etc. my legs are numb from the knees up and my trunk is tender and numb in spots (lips). I definitely tire easily, but feel like I'm moving better than most. I can't imagine leaving the house...hopefully all will improve by Monday. My post-op appt is Tuesday afternoon. I'm living in my compression garment, which is super tight. Since I had Lipo to my thighs, it's compressing from my calf to under my breast. I feel like a sausage. I'm ready for regular clothes. I know it's important to tolerate the compression for as long as possible....but geesh. Here are a few more before photos. I hope all you ladies are healing well. If you have any tips to share, I'm open!

I am 23 years old and figured now is the best time to have a breast augmentation. I was a 34 AA pre op and now I am a 34 D (Victoria secret) I couldn't be happier with my results! They fit my body perfectly! I couldn't believe how easy the recovery was. I was out running errands a few hours after surgery.
Such a self esteem boost!

Updated on 3 Dec 2014:
Here are some 3 & 4 weeks PO photos. I'm much smaller than pre-op but still very swollen. I have a large area near incision that is bulged out (which I hate) but I'm trying to be patient. I also have some fluid above my BB that I'm hoping will go away soon.

Updated on 30 Jan 2015:


Updated on 23 Dec 2015:
I'm 1 yr post op and still happy I had the TT. I've gained a little weight which now goes to my arms and back where it used to go to my tummy first. I'm overall happy but my stomach is not flat and has some weird contouring that I want to have fixed. Dr. VanNatta will be charging for revision so I'm putting it off for now. It's nice not having a bulging belly but I still have some loose skin below my belly button which makes me crazy :(. I think he wasn't quite aggressive enough with the pull down---but I also had a lot of fat lipoed so maybe he couldn't. My advice is to be at your best weigh before having TT

After having two children, breast feeding for close to two years in total and gaining over 70lbs with my first child, my body was a mess. I lost all the pregnancy weight and was back down to a size 8-10 pre surgery. However, my breasts were far less than perky and I had a tummy bulge that would not go away!

My "mommy makeover" included a breast reduction and lift, tummy tuck and liposuction on my abdomen and hips. I cannot express how wonderful the results are and how genuinely thrilled I am. I am equally thrilled at over a year and a half post op and am a beautiful and curvy size 6 at close to 40 years of age with a tummy better than in my 20's.

The drains and compression garments used post op really controlled swelling and my bruising was surprisingly little. The liposuction was really the only post op pain that took some getting used to. After all this, I was back to my office in around 2 weeks!

Do yourself a favor, if you have a lot of body work done like I did... Stay the night at the surgeons facility- the investment is well worth it. The first 12-18 hours are tough and messy (drainage, etc). The expert care got me through the rough part and prepared me for when I was back home.

I had silicone implants put in by Dr. Van Natta and he's amazing! It only took him about 30 minutes to do the procedure and it wasn't that painful. I was out that night with friends, taking only ibuprofen, and was back to work the next day. It was so worth the money. Love this doctor and will certainly use him again in the future.