Introduction
Breast sagging is a common concern for many women, influenced by factors such as aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight fluctuations. In New York City, one of the world's most prominent cities, there are several excellent institutions offering solutions to address breast sagging. This article will introduce five preferred institutions in New York City that specialize in improving breast sagging, exploring their services, expertise, and patient experiences.
What is Breast Sagging and How to Treat It?
Understanding Breast Sagging
Breast sagging, or ptosis, occurs when the breasts lose their firmness and shape, and the nipple - areola complex may point downward. The causes of breast sagging are multifaceted:
- Aging: As we age, the skin loses its elasticity, and the amount of collagen and elastin decreases. This leads to a loss of support in the breast tissue, causing it to sag.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: During pregnancy, the breasts increase in size as they prepare for breastfeeding. The stretching of the skin and the expansion of the breast tissue can lead to sagging after the pregnancy and once breastfeeding is complete.
- Weight Fluctuations: Significant weight gain can cause the skin to stretch, and when weight is lost, the skin may not bounce back, resulting in saggy breasts.
- Gravity: Over time, the constant pull of gravity on the breasts contributes to their gradual descent.
Treatment Options for Breast Sagging
There are both surgical and non - surgical options available for treating breast sagging:
Non - Surgical Options
Method | Description |
---|---|
Padded Bras | Padded or push - up bras can give a temporary lift to the breasts, improving their appearance without any surgical intervention. However, this is a non - permanent solution. |
Vampire Breast Lift | In this procedure, platelet - rich plasma (PRP) injections are used. A numbing cream is applied to the breasts, and then PRP along with hyaluronic acid is injected. It helps in tightening the breasts and restoring the bust, taking about 20 minutes. |
Laser Treatment | High - power lasers stimulate the growth of collagen in the outer layers of the skin, rejuvenating the skin and improving the appearance of the breasts to some extent. |
Caci Bust Treatment | A device that releases electrical impulses is moved over the breasts. It hydrates the skin and strengthens the tissue, enhancing the breast contour. |
Botox | Botox injections are given into the chest muscles. This relaxes the chest muscles, causing the back muscles to contract and lift the breasts. The effects can last for 3 to 4 months. |
Thermage | Radio waves are used to tighten the skin of the bust by stimulating collagen production, which helps lift the droopy breasts. |
Chest Exercises | Strength - training exercises for the chest muscles can tighten the skin and raise the breasts. These are more effective when done under the supervision of an instructor. |
Surgical Option: Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise sagging breasts. The surgeon removes excess skin and tightens the remaining tissue to create a more contoured and shapely appearance. Some patients may also choose to have breast implants added to increase breast volume. The procedure typically takes 2 - 3 hours, and patients need to take 2 - 3 weeks off work for recovery. There are different incision techniques used in breast lift surgery, which are chosen based on the patient's breast condition and aesthetic goals:
- Crescent Mastopexy: The least invasive technique, used for patients who need only a small amount of lifting. A small crescent - shaped piece of breast skin and tissue is removed from the top of the areola. It results in minimal scarring around half of the areola circumference, but the areolar size cannot be reduced.
- Benelli Mastopexy (Donut Lift): Suitable for women who need a small degree of lift. A donut - shaped incision is made around the areola. Excess tissue and skin are removed, and the areola can be reshaped and made smaller. The scar is easily concealed as it is around the areola.
- Vertical Mastopexy (Lollipop Lift): Recommended for women with moderate breast sagging. The lollipop - shaped incision encircles the areola and then runs vertically down the breast into the breast crease. It allows for more skin and tissue removal compared to the previous two methods and reshapes the breast tissue to improve projection.
- Anchor Mastopexy: Used for significant breast sagging. The incision is similar to the vertical mastopexy but has an additional incision along the breast crease, forming an anchor shape. It is the most extensive method and allows for both vertical and horizontal tightening of the breast.
Five Preferred Institutions in New York City
1. Sherman Plastic Surgery
Dr. John E. Sherman is a skilled and board - certified plastic surgeon in New York City. His practice specializes in breast lift procedures.
Expertise
Dr. Sherman has extensive expertise in breast lift surgeries. He takes into account each patient's unique condition and aesthetic goals to customize the surgical approach. The practice offers both full mastopexy (using an anchor - shaped incision for significant lifting and reshaping) and periareolar mastopexy (a less invasive option for mild to moderate sagging with minimal scarring).
Patient Experience
Patients at Sherman Plastic Surgery can expect a comprehensive consultation process. Dr. Sherman thoroughly reviews the patient's medical history and discusses all aspects of the procedure, including potential risks and expected results. The surgical facility is fully accredited, and patients have the option to have the surgery either at the office or at a reputable hospital in New York, such as New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical Center, or Lenox Hill Hospital. After the surgery, patients receive detailed post - operative care instructions, and the staff is available to answer any questions during the recovery period.
Contact Information
To find out more about the procedure, Dr. Sherman’s approach, and to schedule a consultation, patients can call (212) 535 - 2300 or complete a digital form on the practice's website.
2. Cangello Plastic Surgery
Dr. David Cangello is one of the top board - certified plastic surgeons in New York City, specializing in breast lift procedures.
Expertise
Dr. Cangello uses different surgical techniques based on the patient's breast condition, including crescent mastopexy, benelli mastopexy, vertical mastopexy, and anchor mastopexy. He is known for his artistic approach to plastic surgery, aiming to create natural - looking and balanced results. He also helps patients explore additional surgical options, such as breast augmentation or fat transfer, to complement the breast lift procedure and achieve the patient's aesthetic goals.
Patient Experience
During the initial consultation, Dr. Cangello and his staff treat patients' questions and concerns with utmost care and privacy. He provides a detailed physical examination to assess the degree of sagging and loss of volume and creates a custom treatment plan. The surgery is performed in his on - site operating room, which is fully accredited and meets the strict standards of the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. After the surgery, patients can expect a relatively comfortable recovery period, with appropriate pain medication prescribed. Dr. Cangello also offers detailed post - operative care instructions and monitors the patient's progress during follow - up visits.
Contact Information
To schedule a mastopexy consultation, patients can contact Dr. Cangello at (212) 644 - 4416.
3. Kolker Plastic Surgery
Dr. Adam Kolker is a double - board - certified plastic surgeon in New York City, with a focus on breast lift procedures.
Expertise
Dr. Kolker tailors each breast lift procedure to the patient's specific anatomy and desires. He considers factors such as the degree of deflation, breast and nipple position, skin elasticity, and whether volume needs to be restored with breast implants. His surgical options include circumareolar mastopexy, circumvertical mastopexy, wise - pattern mastopexy, and augmentation mastopexy. He has extensive experience in handling different forms of breast droop and can achieve beautiful and natural - looking results.
Patient Experience
Patients at Kolker Plastic Surgery have a comprehensive preoperative visit in the Manhattan office. Dr. Kolker reviews all the details of the procedure, including what to do and what to avoid before and after surgery. The breast lift surgery is performed in his fully accredited surgical facility on Park Avenue. After the surgery, patients are cared for in the recovery room by a licensed registered nurse and are discharged home with appropriate instructions. Dr. Kolker provides regular follow - up visits to monitor the patient's recovery and ensure the best possible outcome.
Contact Information
For more information or to schedule a consultation, patients can visit the practice's website or contact the office directly.
4. William Lao, MD
Dr. William Lao is a double - board - certified plastic surgeon with over 500 successful breast plastic surgeries in the last 10 years. His practice in New York City offers breast lift procedures.
Expertise
Dr. Lao offers several types of breast lift techniques, including augmentation mastopexy, circumareolar mastopexy, circumvertical mastopexy, and wise - pattern mastopexy. He combines advanced surgical techniques and concepts from both the East and the West to customize procedures for his patients. His experience allows him to choose the most suitable technique for each patient based on their breast condition and aesthetic goals.
Patient Experience
Before the procedure, patients have a consultation with Dr. Lao, during which he reviews the patient's medical history, examines the breasts, and determines the right treatment plan. He provides detailed information about the procedure, including the expected cost, recovery time, and potential risks. After the surgery, patients are given a surgical support bra and instructions on how to care for themselves during the recovery period. Dr. Lao and his staff are available to answer any questions and provide support throughout the process.
Contact Information
To schedule a consultation, patients can contact the practice. The average cost of breast lift surgery in New York City at this practice typically starts at $8,000 and can range up to $20,000 or more, depending on various factors.
5. Maman Plastic Surgery
Dr. Daniel Maman is a Harvard fellowship - trained and board - certified plastic surgeon specialized in breast lift surgeries in New York City.
Expertise
Dr. Maman uses different incision techniques for breast lift surgery, such as circumareolar incisions for mild ptosis, lollipop incisions for moderate ptosis, and anchor incisions for significant ptosis. He can also combine breast lift with breast augmentation or reduction procedures based on the patient's needs. His approach is personalized, taking into account the patient's personal and clinical needs to create the best treatment plan.
Patient Experience
Patients at Maman Plastic Surgery have a 90 - minute consultation with Dr. Maman, which includes a thorough review of their medical history, an in - depth physical assessment, and a comprehensive operative plan. The practice provides multiple pre - op visits to answer all the patient's questions and specialized surgery coordinators to help with scheduling, financial, and insurance processes. After the surgery, patients have the option to recover at home or in a luxury recovery room in a NYC hotel. The practice also offers complimentary post - operative support garments and scar treatment regimens and provides attentive aftercare visits.
Contact Information
To request a consultation, patients can contact Maman Plastic Surgery.
Comparing the Institutions
Institution | Surgeon's Expertise | Range of Techniques | Patient Experience Focus | Cost Range |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sherman Plastic Surgery | Extensive experience in breast lift surgeries, offers multiple surgical approaches | Full mastopexy, periareolar mastopexy | Comprehensive consultation, multiple surgical facility options, detailed post - operative care | Price varies based on technique and extent of work, estimate available after consultation |
Cangello Plastic Surgery | Artistic approach, explores complementary procedures | Crescent mastopexy, benelli mastopexy, vertical mastopexy, anchor mastopexy | Privacy - focused consultation, accredited on - site operating room, comfortable recovery guidance | Price on request |
Kolker Plastic Surgery | Double - board - certified, tailors procedures to individual needs | Circumareolar mastopexy, circumvertical mastopexy, wise - pattern mastopexy, augmentation mastopexy | Comprehensive preoperative visit, accredited surgical facility, regular follow - up | Price varies, estimate after consultation |
William Lao, MD | Double - board - certified, combines East - West concepts | Augmentation mastopexy, circumareolar mastopexy, circumvertical mastopexy, wise - pattern mastopexy | Detailed consultation, clear information on cost and recovery, post - operative support | Starts at $8,000, up to $20,000 or more |
Maman Plastic Surgery | Harvard - trained, personalized approach, combines procedures | Circumareolar incisions, lollipop incisions, anchor incisions | 90 - minute consultation, multiple pre - op visits, luxury recovery options, post - operative support | Price on request |
Preparing for a Breast Lift Procedure
Consultation
The first step in preparing for a breast lift is to schedule a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. During the consultation, the surgeon will:
- Review your medical history, including any previous surgeries, medical conditions, and current medications.
- Perform a physical examination of your breasts, including their size, shape, position, and the condition of the skin.
- Discuss your aesthetic goals and expectations for the procedure.
- Explain the different surgical techniques available and recommend the most suitable one for you.
- Discuss the potential risks and complications associated with the surgery.
- Provide information on the cost of the procedure, including the surgeon's fee, anesthesia fee, and operating room fee.
Pre - operative Instructions
Your surgeon will provide you with a set of pre - operative instructions to follow before the surgery. These may include:
- Medications: Stop taking certain medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other blood - thinning medications, for a specified period before the surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding.
- Sm