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A Comprehensive, Personalized Approach

What is a breast reduction?

Our Michigan breast reduction is designed to remove excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin. If necessary, it also involves resizing and repositioning the nipple and areola. This results in breasts that are smaller, lighter, and firmer.


What can a breast reduction do for you?

Breast reduction can correct health symptoms associated with overly large breasts, including neck pain, back pain, shoulder grooving, and limitations in functional activity. It can also restore balance in the proportions of your body, enhance your self-confidence, and improve posture. Following a breast reduction, many Michigan women feel the freedom to wear different fashion styles without hiding behind baggy clothing or high necklines.

Large, pendulous breasts can be reduced to create a more proportionate appearance. As a result, your chest will be shapely, firm, and uniquely designed to fit your frame and lifestyle. During your private consultation with Dr. Ringler at our Grand Rapids, MI office, we will create a customized plan to determine the reduction volume necessary to meet your goals, and whether limited incision options are right for you.

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Steven L. Ringler, MD, FACS

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Why choose Dr. Ringler?

Dr. Steven L. Ringler is a board-certified plastic surgeon located in Grand Rapids, MI. He is internationally-recognized for his accomplishments in plastic surgery and has over 35 years of experience performing aesthetic breast surgery. You can rest assured that he will achieve your cosmetic goals and sculpt a naturally beautiful chest that fits your body.

The procedure What to expect

A Comprehensive, Personalized Approach

Dr. Ringler performs breast reductions on an outpatient basis and under general anesthesia. Once you are sedated, he will make one of the following incisions:

  • 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 the opening, Dr. Ringler will reduce and reshape the breast tissue until a lighter and more manageable chest has been achieved. He will then reposition the nipple and areola to a higher location on your chest before closing the incisions with 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.

Recovery

Immediately after surgery, a capable adult will need to accompany you home and stay with you for 24 hours to ensure your safety. Breast reduction recovery varies by individual. However, the vast majority of our Michigan patients are able to return to their daily activities and non-lifting jobs within one week. Results are long-lasting, but future weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and the normal aging process can affect your outcome long-term.

Am I a candidate?

Grand Rapids, MI women of various ages and circumstances choose to undergo breast reduction surgery. Following are some common reasons why you may want to consider breast reduction:

  • You have backaches, neck aches, or skin irritation under your breasts.
  • You have difficulty breathing and notice grooves in your shoulders from your bra straps.
  • You have poor posture or numbness in parts of your breasts and upper chest from excessive breast weight.
  • You find it nearly impossible to buy dresses and blouses and difficult to find tops and bras that fit.
  • You are very unhappy with your appearance because of your breast size.
  • You are in good health with no active diseases or pre-existing medical conditions.
  • Your skin has adequate elasticity, so it can resume its former tightness following surgery.
  • You have realistic expectations of the outcome of your surgery. You must be able to discuss what you want with your plastic surgeon so that you can reach an understanding of what can realistically be achieved.
  • You are mentally and emotionally stable. Breast reduction requires patience and stability to deal with the healing period.
  • You are old enough so that your breast development has stopped.
  • You have finished having children and breastfeeding, because this can have significant and unpredictable effects on the size and shape of your breasts. Nevertheless, many women decide to undergo breast reduction before having children and feel that they can address any subsequent changes later. If you plan to breastfeed in the future, you should discuss this with your plastic surgeon.

A history of irregular mammograms, undiagnosed lumps or other types of masses, severe obesity, diabetes, wound healing disorders, current breastfeeding, smoking, clotting disorders or a family history of them, and heart or circulatory disorders are all contraindications for breast reduction. If you are in good general health and have a positive attitude and realistic expectations, you are most likely a good candidate for this procedure.

FAQ's

How much does a breast reduction cost?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in 2017, the average surgeon’s fee for a breast reduction is around $5,000. After your initial consultation, our office will provide you with a quote based on your needs and anatomy.

What will my scars look like?

The incision pattern for your surgery will be discussed with you during your consultation. Scars are normal outcomes of surgery and are generally concealed by modest lingerie and bras.

Contact us today

A Comprehensive, Personalized Approach

For more information about breast reduction surgery, 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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