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A Comprehensive, Personalized Approach

What is a breast lift?

A breast lift surgically lifts and reshapes the chest – creating breasts that are firm, rounded, and youthful. During your private consultation with Dr. Ringler at our Grand Rapids, Michigan office, he will help you determine if a breast lift alone is sufficient, or if you require the added option of a breast implant to achieve the naturally youthful and lifted curves you desire.


Am I a candidate for a breast lift?

Women who are experiencing sagging, drooping breasts and downward-pointing nipples are generally candidates for a breast lift. Ideal candidates for a breast lift should meet the following criteria:

  • Are in good physical health.
  • Have no serious medical concerns such as a bleeding disorder.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Are not currently taking blood-thinning medications or supplements, or can stop taking them.
  • Are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you are in good health, have a positive attitude and realistic expectations, you are most likely a good candidate for a breast lift in Grand Rapids.

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Steven L. Ringler, MD, FACS

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What Are the Benefits of a Breast Lift?

A breast lift with Dr. Ringler is one of the best options for treating sagging, depleted breasts. The popular procedure offers several benefits, such as:

  • Restored confidence
  • Increased self-esteem
  • A positive self-image
  • Firmer breast appearance
  • Enhanced nipple projection
  • Shapelier breasts for a curvier figure
  • A more lifted, youthful breast appearance
  • Reduced irritation under the breasts
  • A breast lift can be combined with other procedures, such as a breast augmentation or as part of a Mommy Makeover

The procedure What to expect

A Comprehensive, Personalized Approach

Dr. Ringler performs his breast lifts in Michigan on an outpatient basis and under general anesthesia. Once you are sedated, he will create one of the following incision options:

  • Around the areola
  • Around the areola and down the front of the breast
  • Around the areola, down the front of the breast, and along the breast crease

Through that opening, he will gently elevate and reshape your breasts to improve their contour and firmness. He will also reposition and resize the nipple and areola and trim away any excess skin. Once he has successfully reshaped your breasts, he will close the incisions with absorbable sutures. Dr. Ringler often uses a material called Galaflex, which provides additional support to the breast during the healing, improving the shape and limits scarring.

Breast Lift Recovery

After your breast lift surgery, you’ll need someone you trust to drive you home and, ideally, stay with you for the first night or two. It will be important to follow all of Dr. Ringler’s recovery instructions, and for the first week, getting plenty of rest will be imperative. However, you should start taking light walks as soon as you feel up to it. You may also need to wear a surgical support bra for several weeks following your procedure.

In most cases, patients can return to their normal routines between one and two weeks after breast lift surgery, but it’s best to wait at least four weeks before resuming strenuous physical activity.

What results can I expect from my breast lift?

After a breast lift, women can expect a rejuvenated, more beautiful, and well-proportioned breast appearance. A breast lift helps women renew their self-confidence by restoring a firm, attractive shape and returning the perky bounce of their youthful breasts. While lifting the breasts on the chest wall and forming the breasts attractively, a breast lift achieves a shapely, rounded curve. If needed, a breast lift reduces enlarged areolae and raises the nipples to achieve an attractive uptilt.

Why choose Dr. Ringler?

Dr. Ringler is a board-certified plastic surgeon located in Grand Rapids, Michigan who is internationally-recognized for his accomplishments in plastic surgery. With over 35 years of experience performing aesthetic breast surgery, you can rest assured that he will achieve your aesthetic goals and sculpt a naturally beautiful chest that looks at home on your body.

FAQ's

How much does a breast lift cost?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average surgeon’s fee for a breast lift in 2017 was $4,672. During your consultation, our office will provide you with a comprehensive quote that’s unique to your needs and anatomy.

What will my scars look like?

Typically, the only visible scarring after a breast lift will be along the natural creases of your breasts. At first, they will appear as slightly raised, red lines, but as you heal, they will gradually fade and flatten. In the long run, your visible scarring should be minimal.

How long will my results last?

Breast lift results are very long-lasting. However, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, the normal aging process, and gravity may affect your results over time.

Is a breast lift painful?

Breast lift pain is generally described as moderate. Pain is generally the most severe in the first 2-3 days following the procedure. Dr. Ringler will prescribe pain medication to relieve discomfort during this time.

What age should you get a breast lift?

Breast lift patients are typically in their 30s or older, however, some younger patients opt for a breast lift to achieve a perkier contour. Wait until the breasts are fully developed, which usually happens in the teens or twenties.

Do you need drains after a breast lift?

Depending on the extent of the surgery required for your breast lift in Michigan, you may need a drain for 2-5 days. If your surgery caused a lot of swelling and bleeding, drains will help improve and shorten the recovery time.

How can I fix my sagging breasts naturally?

There are some natural remedies that can help with sagging breasts, such as exercises that build the chest muscles, oils that improve skin elasticity, and remedies that improve skin quality like shea butter, aloe vera, and cucumber. For a more dramatic lift, surgery is required.

Does not wearing a bra cause sagging?

Opinions vary, with some asserting that going braless will cause the skin to stretch and the breasts to sag more quickly, while others say going braless doesn’t increase the change of breasts sagging at all. What is certain is that age and genetics are the biggest factors in sagging breasts.

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A Comprehensive, Personalized Approach

For more information about breast procedures, please contact the office of Grand Rapids, MI plastic surgeon Dr. Steven L. Ringler today.

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Steven L. Ringler, MD, FACS

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