Introduction
Silicone breast augmentation surgery is a popular cosmetic procedure that can enhance a woman's figure and boost her self - confidence. In Albany, there are several powerful hospitals and clinics that offer top - notch silicone breast augmentation services. In this article, we will provide a detailed introduction to the top five of them, including their services, doctors, and patient experiences.
1. Capek Plastic Surgery
Doctor Profile
Dr. Lucie Capek is a board - certified plastic surgeon. Patients throughout the capital district areas of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and Saratoga trust her to perform their breast augmentation surgery. Many patients also travel from New York City, Vermont, Massachusetts, and beyond to receive her skilled and compassionate care.
Services Offered
- Breast Implant Options: Dr. Capek offers a variety of breast implant sizes, shapes, and materials. All FDA - approved breast implants have a solid silicone rubber shell, which can be filled with either saline solution (sterile salt water) or elastic silicone gel. She will help patients choose the most suitable implants based on their unique breast shape, tissue characteristics, body type, and desired results.
- Combined Procedures: Patients can choose to combine their cosmetic breast augmentation with a breast lift, which is a great option for those with sagging breasts.
Procedure Process
- Consultation: Before the surgery, a consultation with Dr. Capek is necessary. She uses the Mentor® volume sizing system to help patients visualize their desired breast size and how it will look on their body type. She also emphasizes the importance of patients being informed participants in the planning of their procedure.
- Surgery: The breast augmentation procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. Dr. Capek makes a small incision either under the breast or around the areola to place the implant. The inframammary fold incision (under the breast) is the most commonly recommended approach due to its lower risk of associated complications like capsular contracture. She creates the pocket for the implants using a harmonic scalpel to minimize bleeding and muscle twitching. Implants can be placed in either a sub - muscular or sub - glandular position. The entire surgery generally takes 1 - 2 hours to complete.
- Aftercare: Patients can shower within 48 hours and should wear a sports bra around the clock for the first 2 - 3 weeks. They should 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. Long - term follow - up includes regular mammograms and breast exams, and for patients with silicone implants, periodic MRIs are recommended to screen for silent implant rupture.
Patient Reviews
Many patients have positive feedback about their experiences with Dr. Capek. One patient said, “The surgery itself was as good a process as something like that can be. Excellent care, very little pain and bruising with a fast recovery. Definitely worth it.”
2. GJK Plastic Surgery (Dr. Gabriel J. Kaufman)
Doctor Profile
Dr. Gabriel J. Kaufman is a double - board - certified reconstructive and plastic surgeon. He brings a wealth of experience and artistic vision to every breast augmentation procedure, continually incorporating the latest techniques and technologies while adhering to the highest patient care and safety standards.
Services Offered
- Breast Implant Augmentation:
- Implant Materials: Dr. Kaufman exclusively uses implants made in the United States. He currently utilizes 5th - generation silicone implants, which are filled with a cohesive silicone gel to maintain the shape that mimics the feel of natural breast tissue.
- Implant Shapes: He uses rounded implants to provide more lift and projection of the breast, improving upper pole fullness and creating a more symmetrical breast result.
- Implant Textures: Only smooth breast implants are used in his practice, as textured breast implants have been associated with a number of rare adverse outcomes.
- Implant Profiles: Patients can select from five different profile types, ranging from low to extra high projections, according to their body type and desired outcome.
- Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation: Also known as lipofilling, this technique uses the patient's own fat harvested from areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks through liposuction. The fat is then processed and refined and carefully injected into the breasts to improve volume and shape. This method reduces the risk of implant - related complications and provides a more organic feel.
Procedure Process
- Consultation: Dr. Kaufman will discuss the patient's goals, followed by a complete medical and surgical history. A physical examination with medical photography and measurements will be conducted. He will then review the various findings regarding the patient's current breast shape and volume and give a personalized recommendation.
- Customized Planning: Together with the patient, he will decide on the breast implant volume and projection or the amount of fat to be transferred. He will review options, the surgical plan, and postoperative expectations. A second consultation is always welcome before the surgical date.
- Surgery: The surgical procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia and takes 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the case's complexity. If choosing implants, they are inserted through incisions along the lower breast (inframammary fold). Dr. Kaufman has placed implants above the chest muscle (pectoralis) with excellent results. For fat transfer, liposuction is first performed to harvest fat, which is then processed and injected into the breast.
- Recovery: After breast implant surgery, patients can expect some swelling and mild or moderate discomfort for the first few days. They should wear a supportive surgical bra as directed. Sutures and surgical drains are removed in the office on follow - up. Light exercise can resume in 1 to 2 weeks, and strenuous exercise can resume in 3 weeks. For breast augmentation with fat transfer patients, recovery may also include care for liposuction sites.
Patient Considerations
Dr. Kaufman's patients benefit from his comprehensive approach, which takes into account their aesthetic goals, body type, and personal preferences. He helps patients weigh the pros and cons of breast implants and fat transfer to ensure the best outcome for their unique situation.
3. Deluca Plastic Surgery
Doctor Team
The clinic has a team of experienced surgeons including Dr. William Deluca, Dr. David Tauber, and Dr. Alan Yan. They carefully place the incisions to minimize visible scarring during breast augmentation surgery.
Services Offered
- Breast Implant Options: There are two main types of implants: saline and silicone. Saline implants are filled with saline in the operating room, while silicone implants are filled with silicone at the factory and come in several types based on the “thickness” of the gel within the implant, such as “classic,” “xtra,” and “boost” styles.
- Advanced Planning Tools: The clinic uses the scientifically - designed Mentor breast implant sizing system, allowing patients to “try on” different implants. It also utilizes 3 - D computer simulations based on breast photos and advance AI algorithms to simulate the breasts in their new size and shape.
Procedure Process
- Consultation: Breast implant surgery planning begins with a discussion of the patient's goals and an analysis of their current breast shape and position. Based on measurements and post - operative goals, the surgeon will recommend a range of implant sizes and profiles.
- Surgery: Breast enlargement is an outpatient procedure that lasts between one and two hours on average. After the patient is asleep, the surgeon makes a small incision on each breast, typically in the breast fold or at the border of the nipple. A pocket is developed for the implant, usually partially behind the muscle. The implant is inserted using a minimal - touch technique, and the skin is closed with absorbable sutures. The breasts are supported in a post - operative bra.
- Aftercare: It is crucial for patients to follow the surgeon's instructions for post - op care and activity restrictions. The surgeon will provide a post - operative bra and possibly a superior strap. Follow - up visits are scheduled to ensure proper healing and to detect any complications. Patients should avoid physical activity for a few weeks.
Cost and Financing
The cost of breast enlargement varies depending on the patient's situation and desired outcome. The clinic offers free consultations to provide a quote unique to each patient's needs. Financing plans are also available for those who need help funding the procedure.
4. Rockmore Plastic Surgery (Dr. Jeffrey Rockmore)
Doctor Profile
Dr. Jeffrey Rockmore has extensive experience, having performed more than 4,000 breast procedures. He uses a 3 - dimensional approach for consistently beautiful and natural - looking breasts, customizing each breast augmentation to meet the patient's unique needs.
Services Offered
- Breast Implant Selection:
- Size and Shape: Dr. Rockmore helps patients choose the right implant size and shape by matching the width of the implant to the width of the chest and breasts, preventing excess space between the breasts for full and natural - looking results.
- Material: Both saline - and silicone - filled implants are used. Saline implants are made of silicone shells filled with sterile salt water and typically require smaller incisions. Silicone implants have durable silicone shells filled with a gel of various degrees of cohesiveness, with the most cohesive implants often referred to as “gummy bear” breast implants.
- Profile: The choice of implant profile (low, moderate, high) is determined by the patient's existing anatomy and desired results. Higher profile implants have more upper fullness, while moderate profile implants can look more natural.
- Combined Procedures: Dr. Rockmore may recommend incorporating a breast lift into the breast augmentation surgery if the patient has sagging breasts. He also offers the option of including breast augmentation with a tummy tuck and liposuction in a comprehensive mommy makeover.
- Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer: Fat grafts can be used to restore volume to the breast, either in conjunction with a breast lift or implants or alone. However, there is a limitation to how much volume can be added with fat transfer, and implants are typically a better solution for those who want a larger increase in breast size.
Procedure Process
- Consultation: Dr. Rockmore will discuss the patient's motivations for surgery, perform a physical examination, and review the patient's health history to ensure that breast augmentation is the safest and most effective choice.
- Surgery: The surgery begins with an incision, and common incision locations include the inframammary fold, periareolar, and transaxillary areas. Dr. Rockmore will create a pocket for the implant, which can be subglandular, submuscular, or biplanar.
- Recovery: Immediately after surgery, patients can expect some discomfort and grogginess. They can shower the day after surgery if careful. Swelling, tightness, and soreness peak around days 3 - 5. Most patients can return to work within a week and resume most strenuous activities within 2 - 4 weeks. Dr. Rockmore provides a comfortable surgical bra to wear continuously after surgery for the first couple of weeks.
Patient FAQs
Dr. Rockmore addresses common patient concerns such as scarring, breastfeeding, the need for a lift, implant “dropping,” safety, implant replacement, pain, and the natural - looking results of the surgery.
5. K Plastic Surgery (Dr. Kayastha)
Doctor Profile
Dr. Kayastha is a professional in the field of breast augmentation and lift. He can help patients achieve a more confident look by performing breast augmentation combined with a breast lift, which is a highly customizable procedure.
Services Offered
- Breast Augmentation and Lift: This procedure combines implants with a breast lift to enhance the size, shape, contour, and position of the breasts. It is the most effective way to completely rejuvenate the breasts if there is sagging.
- Customization Options:
- Implant Type: Saline and silicone implants are available. Saline implants can be placed through a smaller incision and filled with saline after they are in place. Silicone implants come in silicone gel and form - stable silicone (gummy bear implants) varieties.
- Implant Size, Shape, and Texture: Patients can choose from a variety of sizes, shapes (round or anatomical), and textures (smooth or textured) based on their goals.
- Incision Pattern: Options include circumvertical incision and wise pattern, which allow the doctor to place the implants while also lifting the breasts and removing sagging skin.
- Implant Placement: The implant can be placed on top of the chest muscle or underneath the chest muscle, depending on the patient's desired outcome.
Procedure Process
- Consultation: The patient will thoroughly discuss their concerns with Dr. Kayastha to determine whether breast augmentation with lift is right for them. They will also select the implants, incision patterns, and implant placement options that suit their goals.
- Surgery: The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Kayastha and the surgical team will coordinate throughout the surgery to ensure the patient's safety and health.
- Aftercare: Patients can expect swelling, tenderness, redness, and bruising after the procedure. They will be fitted with a specialized surgical bra and drains. It is important to follow all instructions given by the team and schedule follow - up appointments.
Patient Considerations
Patients considering this procedure should understand the recovery time (1 - 2 weeks of downtime), the potential impact on breastfeeding, and the importance of following the aftercare instructions to achieve the best results.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hospital for Silicone Breast Augmentation
Surgeon's Expertise
The experience and skills of the surgeon are crucial. Board - certified plastic surgeons with a good track record in breast augmentation are more likely to provide satisfactory results. Surgeons who are updated with the latest techniques and research can also offer better treatment options.
Hospital Reputation
A hospital with a good reputation usually has a high standard of patient care, safety, and ethical conduct. Reading patient reviews and checking the hospital's accreditation can help assess its reputation.
Range of Services
Hospitals that offer a wide range of breast augmentation options, such as different types of implants, fat transfer, and combined procedures, can better meet the diverse needs of patients. This allows patients to choose the most suitable method based on their body type and aesthetic goals.
Aftercare Services
Proper aftercare is essential for a successful recovery and long - term results. Hospitals that provide comprehensive aftercare services, including follow - up appointments, guidance on post - operative care, and monitoring for potential complications, are more desirable.
Cost
The cost of the procedure is an important consideration. However, it should not be the only factor. Comparing the cost among different hospitals while considering the quality of services, surgeon's expertise, and aftercare is necessary to make a balanced decision.
Conclusion
In Albany, these five hospitals - Capek Plastic Surgery, GJK Plastic Surgery, Deluca Plastic Surgery, Rockmore Plastic Surgery, and K Plastic Surgery - stand out for their silicone breast augmentation services. Each has its own strengths, whether it's the expertise of the surgeons, the advanced technologies used, or the comprehensive range of services offered. When considering silicone breast augmentation, patients should carefully research these hospitals, consult with the surgeons, and take into account the various factors