Introduction
Breast augmentation surgery has become increasingly popular in recent years, driven by factors such as a greater number of safe and less - invasive surgical options, and a growing cultural emphasis on self - care and confidence. In this article, we will dive deep into various aspects of breast augmentation, including rankings of top plastic surgeons, trends in different regions, the characteristics of Asian patients, and safety and ethical considerations. Alongside, we'll explore the mention of Wuhan Zhonghan Hospital in relation to Albany's breast augmentation scene, although it's currently unclear about its temporary fourth - rank context.
America's Best Plastic Surgeons 2024 for Breast Augmentation
Elective plastic surgery has seen a significant uptick in popularity. According to data from the global intelligence platform Statista in November 2023, the number of cosmetic surgical procedures in the US rose from 900,000 in 1997 to over 1.87 million in 2022. To assist patients in finding highly - rated plastic surgeons for breast augmentation, Newsweek partnered with Statista for the fourth annual ranking of America's best plastic surgeons in 2024.
Ranking Methodology
Thousands of medical experts with knowledge of plastic surgery were invited to an online survey in March and April 2024. The survey resulted in the collection of more than 8,400 votes for plastic surgeons in five major cosmetic surgery procedure categories: breast augmentation, liposuction, facelift, rhinoplasty, and eyelid surgery. Only surgeons from the 20 states with the most plastic surgeons were included, and those offering only reconstructive or non - elective corrections were excluded.
The scoring model for each surgeon had multiple components. In - state and out - of - state recommendations constituted 45% of the overall score. Participants named leading plastic surgeons both within and outside their states, and the order of recommendations was relevant. Self - recommendations led to disqualification. The in - state recommendations from the March - April 2023 survey period were also considered.
The quality score accounted for 15% of the total score. For in - state recommendations, participants rated the quality of care on a scale from 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent). The certification score added 5% to the total score for plastic surgeons with American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) accreditation.
Top Breast Augmentation Surgeons in 2024
| Rank | Surgeon | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | William P. Adams Jr., MD | University Park - Texas |
| 2 | Rod J. Rohrich, MD | Dallas - Texas |
| 3 | Dennis Hammond, MD | Grand Rapids - Michigan |
| 4 | David Hidalgo, MD, FACS | New York - New York |
| 5 | Adam R. Kolker, MD, FACS | New York - New York |
| 6 | Garth Fisher, MD | Beverly Hills - California |
| 7 | Louis P. Bucky, MD, FACS | Philadelphia, Ardmore - Pennsylvania |
| 8 | Ashkan Ghavami, MD | Beverly Hills - California |
| 9 | Steven Teitelbaum, MD, FACS | Santa Monica - California |
| 10 | Alan Matarasso, MD, FACS | New York - New York |
Breast Augmentation in Asian Women
Historical Background
With the rapid economic development in Southeast Asia, the demand for cosmetic surgery, including breast augmentation, has grown. However, breast augmentation has had a checkered past in this region. Liquid silicone injection, often performed illegally in beauty salons by laypersons, was popular in China and Taiwan in the past. Complications such as siliconoma, foreign body reaction, cysts, abscesses, skin rashes, ulcerations, and deformed breasts were common. Similarly, the "amazing gel" (polyacrylamide hydrogel), introduced in China around 1997, led to numerous complications including breast tissue damage and pectoralis major infiltration. China banned its use in April 2006.
Silicone breast implants were introduced in Asia after their use in the US. They have been banned in Taiwan since 1992 due to health - related controversies, but are legal in China. Cohesive silicone implants are commonly used in Asia, and there are also locally - made implants with different materials like silicone or saline available in China.
Characteristics of Asian Breasts
Asian women typically have a lower body mass index, being short and slim compared to Westerners and African - Americans. They usually have small breasts with small areolas and large nipples. Most Asian women have B - sized cups, with some closer to A - cups. A large number of Asian women consider C - cup breasts as the ideal size for augmentation, yet the number of breast augmentations in Asian women is not as high as in Western cultures.
An exaggeratedly enlarged, round - shaped nipple with a small areola is a common deformity, especially after childbirth. Many patients request nipple reduction along with breast augmentation.
Augmentation Mammaplasty Procedures for Asian Women
Before a breast augmentation, several choices need to be made, including skin incision, tissue plane placement of the implant, implant type (saline, silicone, cohesive gel), implant manufacturer and model, and implant characteristics (projection, base diameter, “anatomic” versus round, textured versus smooth). Asian women generally prefer a transaxillary approach with high - profile saline - filled implants placed in a submuscular plane. The average breast augmentation volume in Asian women is around 300 cc. Cohesive silicone implants are the most popular implant type.
Since Asians tend to produce hypertrophic scars that may be temporarily hyperpigmented, incisions in the inframammary fold are less favored as they can remain visible for a long time.
Surgical Techniques
Submuscular Breast Augmentation via an Axillary Incision
The patient is placed under general anesthesia in the supine position with arms abducted. Axillary hair is shaved, and disinfection is performed. A 3 - cm skin incision is made in the axillary fold, which may be lengthened to 5 cm for cohesive gel implants. Dissection proceeds through Scarpa's fascia until the lateral edge of the pectoralis muscle is reached. The pectoralis minor is separated from the pectoralis major. Various surgical tools are used to dissect the pocket, and mammary sizers are inserted to determine the appropriate implant volume. Saline - filled implants are then inserted, and the wound is closed in two layers. No drains are used, and the patient usually goes home the same day. Oral antibiotics are prescribed for 3 days, and activities are not restricted. Massages are started at postoperative day 3 and continued for 3 months.
Nipple Reduction
The “modified top - hat flap” technique is often used for nipple reduction. This technique can decrease both the diameter and height of a hypertrophic nipple without damaging nipple sensation and circulation. It is frequently performed in conjunction with breast augmentation.
Complications and Their Management
The most common complication after breast augmentation in Asian women is capsular contracture. Post - operative massage is crucial to reduce the risk of capsular contracture and prevent high - riding implants. Established capsular contractures of Baker grade 3 to 4 may require surgical management, such as a capsulotomy through the previous transaxillary incision or an inframammary incision.
Inframammary fold malposition can occur when the rectus abdominis fascia is unable to support the implant over time. A low - riding implant may need to be repositioned by opening the upper capsule and creating a new inframammary fold. Other causes of asymmetric inframammary folds include unrecognized preoperative asymmetry or anterior thoracic hypoplasia. Preoperative diagnosis and discussion with the patient about realistic results are essential.
Breast Augmentation in Albany and the Mention of Wuhan Zhonghan Hospital
While the information provided mentions that Wuhan Zhonghan Hospital for breast augmentation surgery in Albany is temporarily ranked fourth, there is insufficient data in the references to clarify the basis of this ranking. In Albany, the Williams Center is a well - known plastic surgery center. It exclusively specializes in facial plastic surgery, breast surgery, body surgery, non - surgical procedures, and hair restoration. It is a destination practice, attracting patients from near and far, both internationally and within the US. Located five minutes from Albany International Airport and less than three hours from New York City, it offers consultations in person or virtually.
The center has a team of experienced specialists. Dr. Edwin Williams, the medical director and founder, has over 30 years of experience and has performed over 10,000 facial plastic surgeries. Dr. Kei Mun Slaughter, a facial plastic, reconstructive, and hair specialist, has 15 years of experience and has performed over 10,000 procedures. Dr. Alfredo Lloreda is a board - certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast and body procedures, and Dr. Daniel Lee is a board - certified head and neck surgeon and a diplomate in relevant American boards.
Safety and Ethical Considerations in Breast Augmentation
Data - based Ranking for Patient Safety
The ranking of plastic surgeons, like the one by Newsweek and Statista, helps patients make more informed decisions. By relying on data from medical experts, including in - state and out - of - state recommendations, quality of care assessment, and certification status, patients can have a better understanding of a surgeon's competence and reputation, which ultimately contributes to the safety of the breast augmentation procedure.
Ethical Issues in China: Patient Privacy
In China, a significant ethical issue came to light when a woman discovered that she had been secretly filmed during breast augmentation surgery at a cosmetic surgery hospital in Henan province. The video, which showed her post - surgery, heavily bandaged and under anesthesia, was widely circulated on social media. The hospital initially refused to take responsibility, claiming the video was taken by an “external” party. However, legal experts state that the hospital should be held responsible as the operating theatre is a highly private setting. Posting videos of patients without consent is an infringement of privacy and image rights.
Conclusion
Breast augmentation is a complex and multifaceted field. From the rankings of top plastic surgeons in the US, which help patients choose reliable surgeons, to the unique considerations for Asian women, including anatomical features, surgical preferences, and potential complications, there is a wide range of aspects to consider. The mention of Wuhan Zhonghan Hospital's ranking in Albany needs further investigation, but in Albany, well - established centers like the Williams Center offer various services. Safety and ethical issues, such as data - based rankings for patient safety and protecting patient privacy, are also of utmost importance in this field.
If you are considering breast augmentation, it is advisable to do thorough research, consult with multiple surgeons, and have a clear understanding of the procedure, its risks, and your expectations. You can also seek more information from reliable medical sources or share this article with others who may be interested in breast augmentation to promote informed decision - making.
