Patient Stories Bloomfield Hills, MI

“My reason for having surgery was majorly cosmetic with the added bonus of the positive health.

Surgery did exactly what I wanted it too: I am no longer restrained in any aspect of my life simply because my chest size was larger than average. I get to wear and move in any way I want without concern for my chest. And that, ultimately, was huge for me. It has boosted my confidence in incredible ways and opened doors for me that has helped me drop weight and keep it off.

The entire experience was overall incredibly positive for me. I was immediately pleased with the results after waking up and have never been happier.

I chose Dr. Ellen’s team for a few reasons, one of them was the experience they had with this specific surgery and the positive results and reviews from previous clients I had seen.

While I do not mind having men on the team, the team being all women did give a bit higher comfort level during the entire process. I love her team, incredibly knowledgeable and helpful group, I never once felt uneasy or worried during the process. I am more than pleased not only with my decision to have the surgery, but with the team I had chosen to help me with the process.”

“I had a lap band placed and was able to keep off over 50#. But I still looked like a fat woman in the mirror. I’ve struggled with low self esteem all my life. I was proud of myself for the weight loss but when I saw myself in the mirror, that didn’t fit how I felt inside I scheduled a consultation and asked Dr. Ellen what she would fix if I gave her carte blanche to do whatever she thought I needed to look proportioned. She began explaining about my extra skin and fat that was on my abdomen, hips and thighs. I was shocked! I thought that was fat! After discussing the pros and cons with my husband and the doctor, I decided to do this for ME. I raised three successful children while my husband traveled for years with his job. Now it was finally my turn to do this for me. I was scared. I knew it would hurt. But I was determined to keep my eyes on the prize. The surgery went well and the pain was as I’d feared, but was skillfully managed by Dr. Ellen and her staff. When all the swelling was finally gone, the person I saw in the mirror I loved for the first time in my life! My journey to a healthy self esteem was finally over in my 50’s. I liked myself inside and now I loved myself on the outside as well! It is seriously the best thing I have ever done for myself. It has literally changed my life.”

“I chose Dr. Ellen after thorough research for the best recommended female breast surgeon in the area.  I was familiar with the Unasource Surgical center and liked the service there.  Dr. Ellen’s choice of this site was a plus. 

I had considered breast reduction surgery for many decades. Because breast reduction was originally an elective procedure that was not covered by medical insurance, I decided that it would be cost prohibitive for me. The thought of surgery became only a thought.

My internist convinced me to check into coverage before Medicare became my primary insurer.  So in my 60’s, I discovered that I was a candidate for the surgery that would be covered by my Blue Cross policy.

Dr. Ellen’s staff made the world of difference.  They were respectful, friendly, conscious of appointment times, always identified themselves – no matter how many times I’d been there before – kept the office immaculate with great attention to detail, were privacy conscious, and discreet.

Dr. Ellen is beautiful, as one would expect a physician in this specialty to be.  She is kind and has a sense of humor that made me feel comfortably secure.  The staff including the doctor, were well synchronized. The process is developed so that the patient is involved all of the time. I never doubted that they knew what each of them had to do.

The surgery was easy.  Recovery was a bit more painful than I had expected- but the staff had made me aware that it would be. The result…I still can’t believe that these appropriately sized breasts are mine!  I was also very surprised to see that I had a belly to lose!!! But I can button blouses, zip jackets, appropriately place a napkin on my lap and have no fear of turning on a kitchen appliance with my breast in a walk by.  My reduced sized breasts are the envy of my saggy breasted peers! In all, I would recommend Dr Ellen and her crew in a heartbeat!”

“One reason I decided to go with Dr. Ellen is her attention to detail. As you know I had a reduction done 10 years prior. I wasn’t offered scar treatment, and very little was taken into consideration, in my opinion, as to the results I could expect.

With Dr. Ellen, I loved seeing what I could realistically expect. On the day of my surgery she took so much time to ensure that she was happy with what would be done – very different from my first surgery / surgeon.

The after care was also excellent. Including the scar treatment to lessen my scars.

I’ve recommended Dr. Ellen to everyone that I know who are considering similar surgeries.

Everyone from administrative to you and Dr. Ellen herself, are amazing.”

“Dr. Ellen was recommended by a relative of mine who also had a breast reduction. I personally struggled with large breasts practically my whole life. Due to the shape of my body, my breast size was not proportioned and often times left me with back pain, low self-esteem, and lack of confidence. From the moment I initiated contact with the receptionist through my last visit, I received the utmost care and respect. Dr. Ellen, along with the entire staff provided a service that left me at ease and answered all of my questions and concerns. My procedure went extremely well as well as my recovery. I was out of work for about 2 weeks and after several months I was able to continue my “old life” with a new attitude! I would personally like to thank EVERYONE for the positive impact made on life! I am forever grateful!”

“What I loved most about having surgery was feeling like myself and being comfortable in my own skin, as well as the constant pain and troubles being taken away. After I recovered from surgery I felt so happy, confident, and amazed with the results and how painless the recovery process was! I decided to have surgery with your team after being recommended by my aunt who had also had a breast reduction with you. It was the best decision I could have made because your team was so helpful, welcoming, and attentive to any needs or concerns I had. Your team made the whole process so easy and comfortable. I would recommend you guys to everyone I know who might be thinking about breast reduction!”

“I was shattered and broken when I went in to meet Dr. Ellen and her staff for my first consult.  I was going through a very stressful and heartbreaking divorce. The weight that I had continually lost and regained over the years had finally just disappeared as my self esteem and ability to eat and swallow disappeared with it.  I was left with very unflattering extra skin and tissue that never recovered after childbirth and yo-yo dieting. I was unhappy and had no confidence.  Although I was on a very slim divorce budget, I was willing to acquire any amount of unnecessary debt to “fix” myself. 

My initial consultation was the first step in my recovery.  Dr. Ellen and her staff worked with me on a “wellness plan” that gave me immediate results prior to my surgery.  First Dr. Ellen refused to consider any surgery on my face.  I was 48 years old with a beautiful face with “great symmetry” and limited weathering.  At that time, if a cosmetic surgeon had wanted to give me a radical facelift I would have begged for it. Dr. Ellen earned my trust and took the time to educate me on what would be most beneficial and give me the best results on my limited budget.  The rest of her staff was just as trustworthy and encouraging.  They were a team that invested in my overall health and wellness.

For the first time in my life I have been able to win the battle with unwanted weight.  It has been five years since my journey began and I am still motivated to diet and exercise so that I can continue to enjoy the new and improved results post surgery.  I am happy, confident, and most importantly healed “both inside and out”.

Thank you Dr. Ellen and Staff”

“I have always had very large breasts. I was tired of the shoulder dark dents strain and pain along with back pain. I couldn’t fit in certain clothes well like a simple button down shirt without using safety pins. It took me 10 years to decide to get over my fears of having breast reduction because I knew people that had a bad recovery with their skin keloid, loss of nipple and even sensation.   It devastated me, until I prayed about it and thought just because someone else had a bad experience doesn’t mean that I will. I started to research and learn there are 2-3 ways the reduction can be done and I knew that some of the ways the procedure was done I didn’t want. I even watched a few surgery’s on YouTube. I researched different surgeons and it is very important to find a board certified doctor and I came across a video with Dr. Ellen and not only was I impressed with her credentialing and education, but she could really relate with her own experience. I am very proud that Dr. Ellen did my surgery and this was one of the best decisions that I ever made. I look and feel great.  My recovery time was great. I slept a lot the first few days, but I was back on my feet in no time, but still took it easy for 2 weeks.”

“I chose to have the surgery for several reasons. The excess skin made it difficult to run for any extended period of time due to pain.  I was also very self conscious of my appearance even though I lost over 125 pounds weight.  I still refused to take my shirt off in public after the weight loss.  I am able to go to the beach and take my shirt off without having to worry about my appearance.   The added confidence has helped me keep the momentum of self improvement. The surgery was one more step in my journey to living a healthier life.  I am very happy with the decision to have the surgery with Dr. Ellen  and the results.  The entire staff is amazing, from the first consultation to my last follow up. I had no issues with work, short term disability, FMLA nor the insurance company.  The recovery was challenging but I knew what to expect because everything was explained to me thoroughly.  I am confident in referring people to Dr. Ellen’s practice.”

“The thing I love most about having the surgery was the confidence I felt after the surgery. It’s amazing how one thing can change how you look at yourself and how your mind talks to your body! Recovery flew by, I just listened to everything the Doctor said when it came to recovery and felt great after a couple days of just sitting on the couch. I took the pain medication once and after that it just felt like I did a chest day and was sore. Dr. Ellen and her team made me so comfortable in making my decision. From the first consultation I never felt like I was being forced into having the surgery. Every time I went in they made sure I knew it was my decision and when I was ready they would move to the next step. Dr. Ellen and her team always answered my questions or squeezed me into the office to get my questions answered. I just felt comfortable and safe with them. That’s why I chose them for such a big moment in my life and why my mom went to them also!”

“I found your office when I found myself in a difficult position.  I had the DIEP surgery in another state and had to move before I could finish the revisions.  I went on several consultation appointments after getting settled in Michigan but those surgeons were not willing to take me as a patient or wanted to re-invent the wheel instead of doing the final steps to finish the reconstruction. A co-worker recommended you. After the consultation and your office went over the surgery options, timelines and expectations I went to my car and cried with relief and joy. Your office was always so kind and professional.  That was a very tough time for me and I feel that you helped put me back together not only physically but helped heal my wounded soul. 

Any procedures were scheduled efficiently, timelines were clear and the expectations were explained.  If I needed surgery again I would want to come back to Dr. Ellen since I had to move away from Michigan.”