Breast Augmentation in Albany: Top Hospitals and What You Need to Know
Introduction
Breast augmentation has become one of the most sought - after cosmetic surgical procedures in the United States. In 2022, nearly 300,000 breast augmentations were performed in the USA, and this trend continues to grow due to factors such as a greater number of safe and less - invasive surgical options and an increasing cultural emphasis on self - care and confidence. In Albany, both public and private hospitals are making their mark in the field of breast augmentation, ranking among the top three in the region. This article will delve into the top hospitals, doctors, and everything you need to know about breast augmentation in Albany.
Top Hospitals for Breast Augmentation in Albany
St. Peter’s Hospital - Albany
St. Peter’s Hospital, part of St. Peter’s Health Partners, has retained its #1 ranking in Albany and was named a best regional hospital by U.S. News & World Report in the 2024 - 2025 list. It is ranked 17th in New York state. This is the 11th consecutive year the hospital has received the best regional hospital designation. The hospital is ranked as a high - performing hospital for two adult specialties and 12 conditions / procedures, including aortic valve surgery, colon cancer surgery, and many others. Although it is not explicitly known for just breast augmentation, its high - performance in multiple medical areas indicates that it has a strong medical infrastructure, skilled medical staff, and high - quality patient care, which are all factors that could contribute to successful breast augmentation procedures.
Albany Medical Center
Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY is rated high performing in 13 adult procedures and conditions. It is a general medical and surgical facility and a teaching hospital. The evaluation of this center also includes data from Albany Medical Center South - Clinical Campus. In terms of breast augmentation, having a teaching hospital can be beneficial as it is likely to be at the forefront of medical research and the latest surgical techniques. The hospital's patient experience scores, although not the highest in all categories, still show that they strive for good patient care. It has various services such as medical surgical ICU, cardiac ICU, and bariatric / weight control services.
Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center
While specific details about breast augmentation performance are not as prominently available as the above two, it is one of the key medical institutions in the area. As a VA medical center, it has access to a wealth of resources and experienced medical professionals. For veterans or individuals who can access VA services, it may offer unique advantages in terms of comprehensive care, including pre - and post - operative support.
Top Doctors for Breast Augmentation in Albany
Healthgrades has identified several top doctors for breast augmentation in Albany. These doctors have significant experience and high patient ratings. Here is a table of some of the top doctors:
| Doctor's Name | Rating (out of 5) | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Susan Gannon, MD | 4.60 | 455 Patroon Creek Blvd Ste 101, Albany, NY 12206 |
| Dr. Gabriel Kaufman, MD | 4.70 | 317 S Manning Blvd Ste C364, Albany, NY 12208 |
| Dr. Todd Beyer, MD | 4.80 | 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 |
| Dr. Meera Menon, MD | 4.40 | 50 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 |
| Dr. Jonathan Canete, MD | 4.90 | 50 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 |
| Dr. Francis Cullen, MD | 4.80 | 5 Palisades Dr Ste 110, Albany, NY 12205 |
| Dr. Jerome Chao, MD | 4.30 | 13 Century Hill Dr, Latham, NY 12110 |
| Dr. Edward Lee, MD | 4.50 | 50 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 |
| Dr. Matthew McDonald, DO | 4.90 | 7 Southwoods Blvd Ste 2, Albany, NY 12211 |
| Dr. Eugene Hoffert, MD | 4.90 | 250 Delaware Ave Ste 207, Delmar, NY 12054 |
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a breast enhancement procedure in which a board - certified plastic surgeon increases the size of your breasts and improves their shape. In most cases, the procedure uses silicone or saline breast implants, but your own fat also can be used to add a modest volume to breasts. It is a popular choice for many women for reasons such as adding volume to naturally small breasts or breasts that have lost mass after pregnancy, balancing asymmetrical breasts, feeling more confident in their favorite clothes or during intimacy, and harmonizing the size of the breasts with the rest of the body to correct the shape of tubular breasts.
Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
If you suffer from any of the following concerns, breast implant surgery with implants may be right for you:
- Underdeveloped natural breast tissue
- Disproportionately small breasts compared to your lower body
- Asymmetrical or oddly - shaped breasts
- Deflation and lost volume due to weight loss or after pregnancy and breast - feeding
- Loss of firmness, loose skin, and sagging breasts (often paired with a breast lift)
Types of Breast Implants
All FDA - approved breast implants have a solid silicone rubber shell that is either filled with saline solution (sterile salt water) or elastic silicone gel (more closely mimics the feel of tissue). Both saline implants and silicone breast implants have been regularly researched and tested for safety precautions and carry warranties from the manufacturer.
Saline Implants
Saline implants are made of silicone shells filled with sterile salt water. They typically require smaller incisions than silicone implants. If a saline implant breaks, the implants release a saltwater solution that is naturally absorbed and expelled from the body.
Silicone Implants
Silicone implants have durable silicone shells that are filled with a gel of various degrees of cohesiveness. The most cohesive implants are often referred to as “gummy bear” breast implants. Cohesive silicone gel sticks together and does not leave the breast pocket if a rupture occurs. The FDA recommends that women with silicone implants should have periodic ultrasounds to check their integrity because a silicone implant rupture may be silent (have no associated symptoms). Silicone implants are approved for women older than 22, while saline implants are approved for women older than 18.
The Breast Augmentation Procedure
Before Your Procedure
Before your surgery, a consultation with a plastic surgeon is necessary to explain and choose your various procedure options. Surgeons often use breast implant sizers to help you visualize your desired breast size and how it will look on your body type. It is also important to be in optimum health when considering elective surgery. This includes following a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise, not smoking since this decreases your body’s ability to heal normally, and following your primary care physician’s advice when treating chronic conditions like high blood pressure.
During Your Procedure
The breast augmentation procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure in an accredited office - based operating suite or a hospital operating room. The surgeon makes a small incision either under the breast or around the areola to place the implant. Recent studies suggest that the inframammary fold incision (under the breast) has a lower risk of associated complications like capsular contracture and is therefore the most commonly recommended approach. The surgeon creates the pocket for your implants using an instrument like the harmonic scalpel, which helps to minimize bleeding and muscle twitching during the surgery. The implants are then inserted and positioned in either a sub - muscular (below the pectoralis muscle) or sub - glandular position, depending on your particular shape, natural anatomy, and lifestyle. Some surgeons do not typically use drains in first - time breast augmentation patients and close the incisions with dissolvable sutures and glue. The entire surgery generally takes 1 - 2 hours to complete.
After Your Procedure
After the surgery, you can look forward to a better - proportioned figure and improved self - confidence. You can shower within 48 hours and should wear a sports bra around the clock for the first 2 - 3 weeks. Plan to rest quietly for 24 to 48 hours. Patients with sedentary jobs may return to work within a week, while strenuous or high - impact activities like running may be restricted for 6 - 8 weeks. It is important to follow the surgeon’s aftercare instructions to avoid any complications. Breast augmentation recovery times vary from patient to patient depending on your health and the extent of your procedure. Follow - up appointments will be scheduled to oversee your recovery process. Over the long term, you should continue with your regular mammograms and breast exams with your PCP. If you have silicone implants, periodic ultrasounds are recommended to screen for silent implant rupture.
Risks Associated with Breast Augmentation
Even with the care of professionally trained surgeons, every surgical procedure carries some risk. Although uncommon, early risks of breast augmentation procedures include bleeding or hematoma, anesthesia side effects like nausea, and changes in the sensation of the nipple or breast. With proper pre - and post - operative care, these risks and complications are infrequent and treatable.
Over the long term, breast implants may have associated issues that require monitoring and treatment. The most common long - term issues include:
- Capsular contracture: This is the formation of abnormal scar tissue around the implant, which can cause increasing firmness and possible shape change of the breast. It is the number one reason for a second surgery within the first 10 years after implantation.
- Implant malposition: The shifting of the implant into an undesirable position, like dropping too low.
- Implant rupture: As mentioned earlier, saline implants will release a saltwater solution if they break, while silicone implants may have a silent rupture that requires ultrasound screening.
Making the Decision
Deciding to undergo breast augmentation is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. You should research the hospitals and doctors in Albany, read patient reviews, and schedule consultations to discuss your goals and concerns. Ask your surgeon about their experience, the types of implants they recommend, and the potential risks and benefits. It is also important to have realistic expectations about the results of the surgery.
Conclusion
In Albany, both public and private hospitals rank among the top three for breast augmentation surgery, offering a wide range of options for patients. Top hospitals like St. Peter’s Hospital and Albany Medical Center have proven track records in providing high - quality medical care. The numerous experienced doctors in the area ensure that patients can find a suitable surgeon for their breast augmentation needs. Understanding the procedure, the types of implants, the risks, and the recovery process is crucial for anyone considering breast augmentation. By making an informed decision, patients can achieve their desired results and enhance their self - confidence.
If you are interested in learning more about breast augmentation in Albany, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with a board - certified plastic surgeon. Share this article with friends or family who may also be interested in breast augmentation information.
