Here come the top five hospitals for breast reconstruction

Introduction

Breast reconstruction surgery is a life - changing procedure for many women who have undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy due to breast cancer or other reasons. In New York City, a global hub of medical excellence, there are several top - notch hospitals offering state - of - the - art breast reconstruction services. This article will delve into the top five hospitals in New York City for breast reconstruction surgery, exploring their facilities, expertise, and patient - centric approaches.

Here come the top five hospitals for breast reconstruction surgery in New York City!

What is Breast Reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction is a reconstructive procedure aimed at reforming or reshaping the breast(s) after a mastectomy or lumpectomy. A mastectomy involves the surgical removal of the entire breast, often including the nipple and areola, to treat or prevent breast cancer. On the other hand, a lumpectomy is the removal of a piece of the breast where there is a smaller tumor. This procedure can help women regain their self - confidence and feel better during their cancer recovery.

There are two main types of breast reconstruction:

Flap reconstruction (Autologous/skin flap surgery): In this technique, a tissue flap is taken from a donor site of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, or back. The flap is then grafted at the place of the breasts. Its blood supply can either be maintained from the donor site or re - established. After the flap is in place, stitches are applied, drainage tubes are inserted to remove excess fluid or blood, and bandages are put on.
Tissue expander (Implants/prosthetics): This is the most common technique globally. A synthetic implant is inserted under the pectoralis major muscle, with silicone implants being the most commonly used. Animal dermal grafts are used to cover the site for a more aesthetic appearance. Over a few months, saline solution is injected to expand the tissue until it reaches the appropriate size.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hospital for Breast Reconstruction

Selecting the right hospital for breast reconstruction is a crucial decision. Here are some factors to consider:

Surgeon expertise: The experience and skill of the plastic and reconstructive surgeons are of utmost importance. Surgeons with extensive experience in breast reconstruction are more likely to achieve better results.
Range of options: A good hospital should offer a wide range of breast reconstruction options, including both implant - based and autologous reconstruction, to cater to the individual needs of patients.
Multidisciplinary approach: Hospitals that have a team of experts, including oncologists, geneticists, and nurses, working together can provide comprehensive care for patients.
Patient - centered care: The hospital should prioritize the comfort and well - being of patients, from the pre - operative phase to the post - operative recovery period.
Success rate: High success rates indicate the hospital's ability to perform successful breast reconstruction surgeries with minimal complications.

The Top Five Hospitals for Breast Reconstruction Surgery in New York City

1. Weill Cornell Medicine

Weill Cornell Medicine is a leader in breast reconstruction surgery. Their plastic and reconstructive surgeons offer the most advanced breast reconstruction surgery options and techniques. The hospital has a long - standing experience of 20 years in performing nipple - sparing mastectomies with concurrent reconstruction, positioning them as leaders in this technique.

Why choose Weill Cornell Medicine?

Exemplary surgeons: The surgeons at Weill Cornell Medicine are leaders in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Their care team is also well - equipped to ensure patient comfort throughout the process.
Individualized approach: Recognizing that each patient's body is unique, the plastic and reconstructive surgeons customize the breast reconstruction to meet the specific wishes of each patient.
Multidisciplinary care: Patients have access to a network of doctors and specialists. The plastic and reproductive surgeons are part of the Weill Cornell Medicine Breast Center, which includes oncologists, geneticists, and nurses specializing in breast cancer care.
Patient comfort: The team at Weill Cornell Medicine focuses on patient comfort at every step. Before surgery, patients have the opportunity to ask questions and fully understand the procedure. The surgeons use the latest anesthetics and medications, and the post - operative care team manages pain and teaches patients how to care for themselves during recovery.

Breast reconstruction options at Weill Cornell Medicine

Autologous reconstruction: This uses the patient's own tissue from different areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks, to reconstruct the breast. Nerves can also be reconstructed to improve sensory recovery in the breasts.
Breast innervation: The hospital offers innovative techniques for breast reinnervation during both autologous and implant reconstruction, which can improve sensation and patient quality of life.
DIEP flap reconstruction: An innovative technique that uses a flap of complete tissue from the abdomen to reconstruct the breast, creating a slimmer abdomen and natural - looking breasts.
Implant - based reconstruction: The surgeons use both saline and silicone breast implants from various manufacturers, following the current practice guidelines and pioneering techniques like direct - to - implant reconstruction and tissue expander reconstruction without drains.

2. NewYork - Presbyterian

NewYork - Presbyterian plastic and reconstructive surgeons are also at the forefront of breast reconstruction surgery. They have been leaders in the evolution of breast reconstruction, with 20 years of experience in nipple - sparing mastectomies with concurrent reconstruction.

Benefits of choosing NewYork - Presbyterian

Advanced techniques: The hospital offers the most advanced breast reconstruction surgery options, ensuring patients receive high - quality care.
Supportive team: From the preparation phase to the healing process, the hospital's team provides support to patients throughout every step.

Types of breast reconstruction at NewYork - Presbyterian

Autologous reconstruction: Using the patient's own body tissue from the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks to reconstruct nerves and breast structure. A novel reinnervation procedure can be performed during this type of reconstruction, which only takes about 20 minutes and involves reconnecting a nerve in the abdominal flap to a nerve in the chest.
Breast innervation during implant reconstruction: During mastectomy, the nerves that supply the skin and nipple are preserved and reconnected to the breast skin and nipple.
DIEP flap reconstruction: Similar to Weill Cornell Medicine, this technique uses a flap of tissue from the abdomen to create natural - looking breasts and a slimmer abdomen.
Implant - based reconstruction: The surgeons utilize both saline and silicone breast implants from all implant manufacturers, following current practice guidelines to best meet the clinical needs of patients.

3. Mount Sinai West

The Breast Reconstruction Program at Mount Sinai West, led by the internationally renowned Hani Sbitany, MD, offers a full complement of breast reconstruction options and specialized expertise in advanced muscle - sparing and microsurgical techniques. These techniques are not available at many other medical centers.

Reasons to choose Mount Sinai West

Comprehensive options: The hospital offers both implant - based and autologous reconstruction options. They can usually perform the reconstruction procedure at the same time as the mastectomy or at a later date if necessary.
Expert team: The Mount Sinai West Breast Reconstruction Program works closely with breast oncology surgeons to provide comprehensive breast care. The team includes Hani Sbitany, MD in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and other breast surgery specialists like Stephanie Bernik, MD and Jennifer Casher Lehman, MD.

Breast reconstruction approaches at Mount Sinai West

Implant - based reconstruction: This starts with the placement of a tissue expander at the time of mastectomy. The expander is a temporary inflatable implant that is inflated in the plastic surgeon's office after surgery. A permanent implant (either silicone or saline) is placed in a second ambulatory surgery about three months later.
Autologous reconstruction: The hospital performs several types of autologous reconstruction, such as the DIEP flap (using skin and fat from the lower abdomen like a “tummy - tuck”) and the latissimus dorsi flap (using skin and muscle from the back). Nipple reconstruction is performed at a later date for both types of reconstruction.

4. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (associated with Dr. Joshua L. Levine's practice)

This hospital, associated with the world - renowned surgeon Dr. Joshua L. Levine, is a top choice for breast reconstruction. It has been ranked among “America’s best hospitals” for nine years straight since 2006 and has achieved Magnet® status for excellence in nursing services.

Advantages of this hospital for breast reconstruction

Advanced microsurgical procedures: Many patients come from across the U.S. and around the world seeking the highly sophisticated, advanced microsurgical procedures available at this hospital.
Patient - centered care: The hospital provides first - class concierge care to traveling patients. They help with logistics and planning, making the travel process stress - free for patients.
Multiple centers: In addition to the flagship office in New York City, there are 12 other dedicated natural tissue breast reconstruction centers in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut area.

Patient experience and logistics

Travel arrangements: For local patients in the tri - state area, they meet with Dr. Levine before scheduling surgery. Out - of - town patients meet with him on the day of or the day before surgery. The staff can make recommendations on accommodation and the best times to fly in for consultation or surgery.
Hospital stay: Flap procedures may require a stay of 5 to 6 days. After returning home, patients can expect swelling, soreness, and bruising for 2 to 3 weeks, and may be asked to apply medications or change bandages at home. Dr. Levine and his staff are available for support over the phone.

5. Dubin Breast Center at Mount Sinai

The Dubin Breast Center at Mount Sinai offers expert breast reconstruction. Their plastic surgeons work closely with breast surgeons and oncologists to ensure seamless and advanced procedures, paying close attention to both medical and aesthetic outcomes.

Why choose the Dubin Breast Center?

Stage - based approach: Breast reconstruction is often done in stages. Usually, it can be performed simultaneously with mastectomy, but it can also be a separate procedure. Complete reconstruction can take up to a year.
Reconstruction types: The center offers both implant and autologous tissue reconstruction options, with nipple reconstruction performed at a later date for both types.

Reconstruction details

Implant reconstruction: A tissue expander is placed at the time of mastectomy. After a few days in the hospital, the patient can expect to return to work in two to three weeks. A permanent implant is placed in a second surgery about three months later.
Autologous reconstruction: The initial surgery for autologous reconstruction (using DIEP or latissimus dorsi flap) is generally longer, but more is accomplished in the first procedure. Hospital stay is typically five days, and patients may be able to return to work four to six weeks later.

Cost, Recovery, and Aftercare

Cost

The cost of breast reconstruction in New York City can vary depending on various factors, such as the type of procedure, the complexity of the case, and the hospital and surgeon chosen. While specific pricing information for New York City may not always be readily available, on a broader scale, breast reconstruction in the United States can cost around $4,056, compared to $677 in India and $2,687 in Thailand. However, it's important to note that the cost in New York City may be higher due to the high - quality medical services and advanced technology available.

Recovery

The recovery time for breast reconstruction depends on the type of reconstructive surgery. On average:

Tissue expander surgery: Most women need 3 - 4 weeks to recover. There is swelling and soreness around the site in the first week, which gradually reduces. After 8 weeks, signs of full recovery should start to appear. Patients usually need to take 2 - 3 weeks off work.
Flap reconstructive surgery: This requires 4 - 6 weeks of recovery. Similar to tissue expander surgery, swelling and soreness are present initially, and it takes about 8 weeks for overall improvement. After 2 months, regular activities can be restarted. It may take almost 1 - 2 years for the breasts to get the proper shape and for the scars to fade away.

Aftercare

Proper aftercare is essential for a successful breast reconstruction. Here are some important points to consider:

Follow the doctor's instructions and take medications as prescribed.
Consult a nutritionist for a healthy diet plan to aid in recovery.
Do not wear a padded or underwire bra until allowed by the doctor. Use surgical bras in the early days after surgery.
Avoid excessive movement of the breasts and do not lift heavy objects or children to prevent stretching of the stitches.
Change the bandage when it gets dirty to prevent infection, and do not take a bath while the bandages are intact.
Abstain from sexual activity for at least 6 weeks.
Get plenty of rest to allow the body to recover.

Success Rate and Risks

Success Rate

Breast reconstruction surgery generally has a high success rate. According to a study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, flap reconstruction surgery has a success rate of 98%, while tissue expander surgery has a success rate within the region of 94 - 96%. The high success rate has led to an increasing number of women opting for breast reconstruction surgery.

Risks

Like any surgical procedure, breast reconstruction comes with risks and side effects, which may include:

Infection at the surgery site
Itching, pain, and discomfort
Tingling, numbness
Fluid collection under the wound

If patients notice any fluid leaking from incision sites, experience increased pain or swelling, notice a change in color in the scar area or the breast, or have a fever above 100°Fahrenheit (37.7°Celcius), they should contact their doctor immediately.

Alternatives to Breast Reconstruction

Before opting for breast reconstruction surgery, patients may consider the following alternatives:

Breast prosthetics: These can be worn inside bras or attached to the body, giving the appearance of natural breasts.
Padded bras: They are less uncomfortable than prosthetic breasts and can provide a good body posture without the need for surgery.
Going flat: Some women choose to embrace their natural state and do not use padded bras or prosthetic breasts, and do not undergo surgery.

Conclusion

In conclusion, New York City is home to some of the best hospitals for breast reconstruction surgery. Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork - Presbyterian, Mount Sinai West, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, and the Dubin Breast Center at Mount Sinai all offer advanced techniques, experienced surgeons, and patient - centered care. When considering breast reconstruction, it's important to carefully evaluate the different factors, such as surgeon expertise, range of options, and cost, and to have a detailed discussion with the medical team