Introduction to Breast Augmentation in New York City
Breast augmentation is a highly sought - after cosmetic procedure that has gained significant popularity over the years. In New York City, a bustling metropolis known for its beauty and fashion, the demand for high - quality breast augmentation surgeries is constantly on the rise. Data from the global intelligence platform Statista shows that in the United States, the number of cosmetic surgical procedures increased from 900,000 in 1997 to over 1.87 million in 2022. This growth is attributed to safer and less invasive surgical options, as well as a cultural shift towards self - care and confidence.
For women in New York City considering breast augmentation, choosing the right doctor is of utmost importance. The doctor's skill, experience, and reputation can significantly impact the outcome of the surgery and the patient's overall satisfaction. In this article, we will explore the ranking of doctors for prosthetic breast augmentations in New York City and provide valuable insights into the procedure.
The Importance of Doctor Ranking in Breast Augmentation
The ranking of doctors in breast augmentation serves as a valuable guide for patients. It helps them make informed decisions when selecting a surgeon. A well - ranked doctor is likely to have a high level of expertise, a good track record of successful surgeries, and positive patient feedback. This can give patients peace of mind knowing that they are in the hands of a professional who can deliver the desired results safely and effectively.
Newsweek has partnered with Statista for several years to conduct rankings of America's best plastic surgeons. In their rankings, they consider various factors such as the number of recommendations from medical experts, quality of care, and relevant certifications. For breast augmentation, these rankings have identified top - notch doctors across the United States, including those in New York City.
Top Doctors for Breast Augmentation in New York City
Newsweek's 2024 Ranking
In the 2024 Newsweek rankings for America's best plastic surgeons in breast augmentation, several doctors from New York City were recognized:
- David Hidalgo, MD, FACS: Ranked 4th in the nation. He has an address at 655 Park Ave in New York. His inclusion in this high - profile ranking is a testament to his surgical skills and the quality of care he provides.
- Adam R. Kolker, MD, FACS: Ranked 5th. Dr. Kolker is a double - board - certified, Harvard - trained plastic surgeon with a clinical focus on aesthetic breast surgery. He believes that achieving a gorgeous, natural, and proportional outcome is the ultimate goal. His office is located on 710 Park Avenue. Patients who have undergone breast augmentation with Dr. Kolker have reported life - changing experiences, such as a boost in self - esteem and a newfound confidence.
- Alan Matarasso, MD, FACS: Ranked 10th. His office is at 1009 Park Ave. He is recognized for his proficiency in breast augmentation procedures and has earned the trust of many patients.
The 2024 ranking was compiled through an extensive process. Thousands of medical experts with knowledge of plastic surgery were invited to an online survey in March and April. Over 8,400 votes for plastic surgeons representing all surgery categories were collected. Only surgeons from the 20 states with the most plastic surgeons were included in the ranking, and those who offer only reconstructive or non - elective corrections were excluded.
The scoring model for the ranking is based on three main components:
- In - state and out - of - state recommendations: Participants were asked to name the leading plastic surgeons for each cosmetic procedure, both within and outside their respective states. The order of recommendations was relevant, with the first recommendation having the highest weight. Self - recommendations were not allowed. In - state and out - of - state recommendations constitute 45 percent of the overall score, and in - state recommendations from the previous year (March - April 2023) were also considered.
- Quality score: For in - state recommendations, participants were asked to assess the quality of care, including consultation with the doctor, complications, follow - up, and outcome. They rated each recommended plastic surgeon on a scale from 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent). This score accounts for 15 percent of the total score.
- Certification score: Plastic surgeons who have an American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) accreditation receive 5% towards their total score. The ABPS accreditation requires surgeons to have completed appropriate training and passed oral and comprehensive written exams covering all plastic surgery procedures.
Healthgrades' Top Breast Augmentation Doctors in New York
Healthgrades also provides a list of top breast augmentation doctors in New York. The doctors on this list have at least 3 or more past patient ratings, which gives patients an idea of their experience and the quality of care they provide.
Doctor's Name | Rating (out of 5) | Address |
---|---|---|
Dr. Mark Sultan, MD | 4.20 | 1100 Park Ave #1b, New York, NY 10128 |
Dr. Evan Matros, MD | 4.80 | 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10065 |
Dr. Jeffrey Ascherman, MD | 4.90 | 51 West 51st street suite 380, New York, NY 10019 |
Dr. Jess Ting, MD | 4.30 | 10 Union sq e #3 - g, New York, NY 10003 |
Dr. Paul Weiss, MD | 3.30 | 1049 5th ave ste 2d, New York, NY 10028 |
Dr. Jonathan Keith, MD | 4.00 | 79 Hudson st ste 203, Hoboken, NJ 07030 |
Dr. Rachel Blue Bond - Langner, MD | 4.40 | 222 e 41st st, New York, NY 10017 |
Dr. John Pang, MD | 4.60 | 10 Union sq e ste 2m, New York, NY 10003 |
Dr. Babak Mehrara, MD | 4.40 | 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10065 |
Dr. Renata Khelemsky, MD | 5.00 | 58 Prospect st, Brooklyn, NY 11201 |
Dr. Darrick Antell: A Renowned Breast Augmentation Surgeon
Dr. Darrick Antell is a well - known breast augmentation surgeon in New York City. He is board - certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery and has focused his professional career on aesthetic procedures. Trained at Stanford and Cornell, he has exhibited extraordinary skill and talent throughout his education.
Dr. Antell has been listed in multiple magazines, including Harper’s Bazaar and Town and Country, as one of the best breast plastic surgeons in the country. He has performed more than ten thousand plastic surgery procedures, including thousands of breast augmentation surgeries.
Some of the benefits of choosing Dr. Antell for breast augmentation include:
- Enhanced confidence: Many women experience a renewed sense of self - confidence and empowerment after achieving their desired breast size and shape under his care.
- Improved proportions: He can enhance overall body proportions, creating a balanced silhouette that aligns with the patient's aesthetic goals.
- Customized volume and shape: With options for both saline and silicone implants in various shapes and sizes, he tailors each breast augmentation to achieve the look the patient desires.
Understanding Breast Augmentation Procedures
Types of Breast Implants
There are two primary types of breast implants used in breast augmentation:
- Silicone gel implants: These implants are pre - filled with a cohesive silicone gel. They more closely mimic the texture and feel of natural breast tissue. The current generation of silicone breast implants is considered safe and is a popular choice among patients. Dr. Kolker and Dr. Antell both offer silicone gel implants as an option for their patients, taking into account the patient's body type and desired outcome.
- Saline implants: Saline implants are filled with a salt - water solution at the time of surgery. They have the advantage of potentially being placed through a slightly shorter incision. While they are a firmer, rounder implant, 85% of patients still opt for the more expensive silicone implants, according to Dr. Antell's experience.
Mount Sinai plastic surgeons also offer a non - implant option called NaturalFill®, a fat transfer technique. In this procedure, the surgeon first removes fat from the patient's buttocks or abdomen using liposuction and then inserts that fat into the breasts to enlarge them.
Implant Placement
There are two main ways to place breast implants:
- Subglandular augmentation: The implant is placed directly behind the breast tissue. This placement is often suitable for women with more natural breast tissue. However, it may have a slightly higher risk of capsular contracture compared to submuscular placement.
- Submuscular augmentation: The implant is placed below the chest muscle. This placement provides increased coverage of the breast implants, softens the upper pole of the breast leading to a more seamless, natural transition from the collar bone to the nipple, maintains long - term stability of the breast pocket, markedly decreases rates of capsular contracture, and lessens the influence on mammography. Dr. Kolker uniformly utilizes a submuscular pocket plane, and Dr. Antell also recommends this placement for many of his patients, especially those with very little natural breast tissue.
Incisions for Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation can be performed using different incisions:
- Inframammary crease incision: This incision is made in the lower crease beneath the breast. It allows the surgeon good access to create the breast pocket and place the implant. The scar is usually well - hidden in the breast fold.
- Periareolar incision: The incision is made along the lowest border of the pigmented areola. This option can result in a less visible scar, but it may have a slightly higher risk of nipple sensation changes.
- Transaxillary incision: The incision is made within the underarm. This approach leaves no scar on the breast itself, but it can be more technically challenging for the surgeon.
Surgeons like Dr. Kolker will consider factors such as areolar size, breast shape, breast glandular density, inframammary fold definition, size goals, implant selection, and personal preferences when advising patients on the best incision option.
Preparing for Breast Augmentation
Consultation Process
The consultation is a crucial step in the breast augmentation process. During the initial consultation with a surgeon like Dr. Kolker or Dr. Antell, the doctor will perform a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's general health and medical history. They will also assess the current condition of the breasts, including factors such as breast tissue density, skin elasticity, and chest wall shape.
The patient and the surgeon will have an open and honest conversation about the patient's expectations. The surgeon will guide the patient through selecting the proper implant type, incision type, implant placement, and size. For example, Dr. Antell uses breast implant sizers during the consultation to help patients get a better sense of the size and shape they desire. The surgeon will also discuss the risks associated with the procedure and answer any questions the patient may have.
Pre - operative Preparation
Patients will be provided with detailed instructions to prepare for surgery. This may include:
- Medication adjustments: Avoiding medications that can increase the risk of bleeding, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, for two weeks before surgery. Patients may also be asked to adjust other medications they are taking, depending on their medical history.
- Smoking cessation: Smoking can interfere with the healing process, so patients are usually advised to quit smoking well before the surgery.
- Pre - operative testing: Basic blood work for preoperative testing is ordered, and any breast imaging studies that are required based on the patient's age and past medical history are obtained.
- Support system: Arranging for someone to drive the patient home after the surgery and to assist them for the first few days is essential, as the patient will not be able to drive immediately after anesthesia.
Recovery after Breast Augmentation
Immediate Post - operative Period
After the breast augmentation surgery, patients will recover in a private recovery room. A licensed registered nurse will monitor them until they are fully awake and comfortable. For example, with Dr. Kolker's patients, they will be discharged home with a friend or relative approximately 1 to 2 hours after the completion of surgery. Dr. Antell's patients recover in his state - of - the - art recovery suite, and a specialized, long - lasting local anesthesia is used to dramatically decrease any discomfort.
Most patients will feel tired or sore following surgery, but many are able to return to most daily activities within days. However, strenuous activity should be avoided for at least two weeks. Dr. Antell and Dr. Kolker will provide an individualized recovery plan based on the intricacies of the patient's customized procedure and their rate of healing.
Long - term Recovery and Follow - up
The swelling in the breasts will take several months to fully dissipate, with the final result typically being visible around 6 months. The scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks, and then they may gradually fade over time. However, they will never disappear completely.
Regular follow - up appointments are essential. Standard follow - up visits are usually at one week, six weeks, and 12 months. During these visits, the surgeon will evaluate the patient's healing progress, check for any complications, and provide information regarding breast health, breast self - examination, and exercises. They will also recommend any necessary breast imaging, such as mammograms.
Potential Complications of Breast Augmentation
While breast augmentation is generally a safe procedure when performed by a board - certified plastic surgeon, there are some potential complications:
- Capsular contracture: This is the most common complication. It occurs when the scar tissue around the implant tightens, causing hardening, pain, and a misshapen appearance. Surgeons like Dr. Antell employ advanced techniques and, when necessary, can use an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) to help prevent capsular contracture. If contracture occurs, the implants and scar tissue can be removed or replaced.
- Bleeding and infection: Bleeding can occur during or after the surgery, and infection typically presents within a week after surgery. In most cases, infection can be treated by antibiotics, and in some severe cases, the implant may need to be removed.
- Numbness: Some patients may experience temporary or permanent numbness in the breasts or nipples. This is a potential side effect of the surgery, and the likelihood depends on the surgical technique and the