Introduction
Breast reduction surgery has become an increasingly sought - after procedure for many individuals in Albany. Whether it's to alleviate physical discomfort or enhance self - confidence, choosing the right hospital is of utmost importance. In this article, we will explore the hospitals and doctors that netizens in Albany have selected for breast reduction surgery, providing you with in - depth information to make an informed decision.
Best Doctors for Breast Reduction in Albany
There are numerous doctors in Albany who perform breast reduction surgery. According to Healthgrades, they found 155 doctors who offer this service, with an average rating of 4.4 stars. Let's take a closer look at some of the highly - rated doctors:
Doctor's Name | Rating | Address |
---|---|---|
Dr. Patricia Fox, MD | 3.90 out of 5 stars | 1214 Troy Schenectady Rd Ste 7, Latham, NY 12110 |
Dr. Susan Gannon, MD | 4.50 out of 5 stars | 455 Patroon Creek Blvd Ste 101, Albany, NY 12206 |
Dr. Gabriel Kaufman, MD | 4.70 out of 5 stars | 317 S Manning Blvd Ste C364, Albany, NY 12208 |
Dr. Marthe Gabey, MD | 4.50 out of 5 stars | 333 Hoosick St, Troy, NY 12180 |
Dr. Malcolm Roth, MD | 4.50 out of 5 stars | 43 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 |
Dr. Jerome Chao, MD | 4.40 out of 5 stars | 13 Century Hill Dr, Latham, NY 12110 |
Dr. Kristen Rezak, MD | 5.00 out of 5 stars | 50 New Scotland Ave # 11, Albany, NY 12208 |
Dr. Douglas Hargrave, MD | 4.40 out of 5 stars | 455 Patroon Creek Blvd Ste 101, Albany, NY 12206 |
Dr. Casian Monaco, MD | 5.00 out of 5 stars | 50 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 |
Dr. Debbie Kennedy, MD | 4.20 out of 5 stars | 4 Executive Park Dr, Albany, NY 12203 |
These doctors have at least 2 or more past patient ratings, giving patients more confidence in their experience and skills.
Reasons for Considering Breast Reduction Surgery
Many individuals choose breast reduction surgery for a variety of reasons. Let's look at some common factors that drive people to opt for this procedure:
- Physical Discomfort: Large breasts can cause a host of physical problems. According to The Plastic Surgery Group, oversized breasts often lead to neck, shoulder, or back pain due to the added weight. Chafing or rashes under the breasts can also be a frequent issue.
- Self - Consciousness: Some people feel self - conscious about the size of their breasts, which can affect their confidence and quality of life. For instance, they may have difficulty finding clothes that fit properly or feel embarrassed in certain social situations.
- Activity Limitation: The weight and size of large breasts can limit physical activity. Individuals may find it challenging to engage in sports or other strenuous exercises, which can impact their overall health and well - being.
Procedure Details of Breast Reduction Surgery
Understanding the procedure is crucial for anyone considering breast reduction surgery. Here's a breakdown of what typically happens during the surgery:
Incision Patterns
- Anchor - Shaped Incision: Commonly used by plastic surgeons in Albany, as described by The Plastic Surgery Group. This incision traces the areola, drops down, and follows the curve along the breast crease, resembling the shape of a boat anchor. Through this incision, extra tissue, fat, and skin are removed, and the nipple and areola are repositioned.
- Two - Ring Incision around the Areola: One ring is larger than the other and is used in some cases for breast reduction surgery, according to Malcolm Z. Roth, MD, FACS.
- Keyhole - Shaped Incision: This incision is around the areola and down to the breast crease and is an option for reducing breast size.
- Liposuction Alone: In some situations where the breast has more fatty tissue, liposuction can be used to reduce breast size. It has the advantage of leaving little - to - no scarring. However, it is mainly effective for removing fatty tissue, so patients need to have a higher proportion of fat in their breasts. Liposuction is also commonly used for male breast reduction.
Duration of the Surgery
The surgery usually takes between 2 to 5 hours, depending on the technique used and the individual case. Most of the surgeries in Albany, as reported in various sources, fall within this time frame.
Anesthesia
Breast reduction surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia. This ensures that the patient is comfortable and pain - free during the entire procedure.
Recovery Process
The recovery process after breast reduction surgery is an important aspect to consider. Here's what you can generally expect:
First Week
- Drainage Tubes: For the first day or two after surgery, a drainage tube may be inserted to eliminate blood and fluids more effectively from the incision areas, as mentioned by The Plastic Surgery Group.
- Discomfort and Pain: Most patients experience some discomfort and pain for about 3 to 7 days, which can be controlled with prescription medication.
- Elastic Bandage and Surgical Bra: Initially, patients will need to wear an elastic bandage held in place with a surgical bra to support the breasts and aid in the healing process.
3 Weeks
In most cases, stitches are removed within 3 weeks after surgery. During this time, patients should still follow their doctor's instructions regarding physical activity and wound care.
Several Weeks
- Surgical Bra Usage: Patients will need to continue wearing the surgical bra for several weeks until the swelling and bruising subside.
- Physical Activity Restrictions: As you heal, you will gradually feel less discomfort. However, you should avoid heavy lifting or strenuous pushing for a few weeks. It's important to note that you may have less energy during this recovery period, so reducing physical activity is crucial to allow your body to recover properly. Following your plastic surgeon's directions regarding returning to work, exercise, and sexual activity is essential.
Potential Risks and Complications
Like any surgical procedure, breast reduction surgery comes with potential risks and complications. Here are some of the possible issues:
- Temporary Infection or Bleeding: Some patients might experience a temporary infection or some bleeding after surgery. However, these conditions are rare, and plastic surgeons will provide detailed instructions to help avoid them.
- Reaction to Anesthesia: There is a risk of having a reaction to the type of anesthesia used during the operation.
- Nipple - Area Sores: Some patients may notice small sores in the nipple area, which can be treated with a prescription cream.
- Breastfeeding Difficulties: Since breast reduction surgery eliminates a good number of the ducts that produce breast milk, patients may not be able to breastfeed after the surgery.
- Loss of Sensitivity: Patients may lose sensitivity in the breasts and nipples. In most cases, this is temporary and will correct itself during the healing process, but permanent sensitivity loss can occur.
- Scarring: Scarring is inevitable with breast reduction surgery. While plastic surgeons will make every effort to conceal and minimize the incisions, the scars will fade over time but will not disappear completely. Following the surgeon's pre - and post - operative instructions is crucial for optimum scar healing.
- Asymmetry: There is a risk of having asymmetrical breasts after surgery, which may require additional procedures to correct.
- Excessive Firmness: The breasts may feel excessively firm after the surgery, which may take time to normalize.
- Loss of Skin/Tissue at Incision Sites: In some cases, there may be a loss of skin or tissue where the incisions meet.
- Partial or Total Loss of Areola and Nipple: Although rare, this is a potential risk associated with breast reduction surgery.
Insurance Coverage
Whether insurance will cover breast reduction surgery is a common concern for many patients. In some cases, insurance will pay for the surgery if the patient is experiencing physical pain or other medical conditions. For example, if there are issues such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, pain from bra indentations in the shoulders, and rashes, it may meet the medical need criteria. Additionally, the tissue to be removed must meet certain weight requirements, which are calculated based on the patient's height and weight. Deluca Plastic Surgery mentions that during the consultation, the doctor will discuss the patient's medical problems with large breasts and outline this information in a letter to the insurance provider, along with a photo of the breasts (without showing the face) and an estimate of the weight that can be removed during surgery. If the requirements are met, the insurer will likely cover the surgery.
Cost of Breast Reduction Surgery
The cost of breast reduction surgery can vary. Different sources report different price ranges:
- The Plastic Surgery Group states that the cost ranges from $7,500 to $8,000.
- According to K Plastic Surgery, the cost is between $13,000 - $14,500.
It's important to note that the actual cost will depend on individual circumstances, such as the complexity of the procedure, the amount of tissue to be removed, and the doctor's fees. Many clinics also offer financing options to make the procedure more accessible.
Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)
Gynecomastia, the overdevelopment of male breasts, affects an estimated 40 to 60 percent of men. It can be caused by hormonal imbalance, obesity, certain drugs, or heredity and can affect one or both breasts.
Candidates
Candidates for male breast reduction are men who have large or sagging breasts that make them feel physically and/or emotionally uncomfortable. They should have completed breast development, be in good physical and emotional health, not smoke, and not be overweight. Ideally, they have firm, elastic skin that will reshape itself to fit the contours of their breasts after surgery.
Procedure
Male breast reduction is usually performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis and typically takes 1 to 3 hours. It can be performed using liposuction, surgery, or a combination of the two. If the enlarged breasts are caused primarily by excessive fatty tissue, liposuction is used, where a cannula is inserted through small incisions to suction out the fat. If the cause is excess glandular tissue, surgery is required, involving incisions to remove the tissue, reposition the areolas/nipples, and excise excess skin.
Recovery
After male breast reduction surgery, there is bruising, swelling, and discomfort. Discomfort usually dissipates after a few days and can be managed with prescribed pain medication. A compression garment is worn for about 2 weeks and at night for several additional weeks to reduce swelling. Stitches are removed after 1 or 2 weeks. Patients typically return to work within a week, and light aerobic exercise can be performed after a week, but strenuous activities should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks.
Risks
The risks associated with male breast reduction include skin injury, loss of nipple sensation, discoloration, scarring, and asymmetrical breasts or nipples.
Top Hospitals and Clinics in Albany for Breast Reduction
There are several hospitals and clinics in Albany that are popular among netizens for breast reduction surgery:
The Plastic Surgery Group
Conveniently located to serve Albany, Schenectady, Latham, and Troy, The Plastic Surgery Group offers breast reduction surgery. Their plastic surgeons are experienced in performing the procedure using different techniques and can provide patients with detailed information about the surgery, recovery, and potential risks. They also offer consultations to help patients determine if breast reduction is the right option for them.
Malcolm Z. Roth, MD, FACS
This practice specializes in breast reduction surgery. Dr. Roth and his team are well - regarded for their expertise in the field. They have a proven track record of providing quality care and achieving good results for their patients. Patient testimonials on their website speak highly of the doctor's kindness and the excellent care provided at Albany Med Hospital during the surgery.
K Plastic Surgery
Dr. Sanjiv Kayastha at K Plastic Surgery is a board - certified plastic surgeon. The clinic focuses on delivering the best possible patient experience combined with excellent results. They offer different customization options for breast reduction, taking into account individual factors. Their team provides comprehensive aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery process for patients.
DeLuca Plastic Surgery
DeLuca Plastic Surgery offers breast reduction surgery and is known for its personalized approach. Dr. Tauber or Dr. Yan will discuss incision options and other key points during the consultation. They also assist patients in determining if their insurance will cover the surgery and provide a breast reduction calculator to help patients calculate the amount of tissue to be removed for insurance qualification. Additionally, they offer free post - operative appointments and have an online gallery of before - and - after photos for patients to view.
Conclusion
Breast reduction surgery in Albany offers a solution for those suffering from physical discomfort or self - consciousness due to large breasts. There are many experienced doctors and well - equipped hospitals and clinics in the area. It's important to thoroughly research your options, considering factors such as doctor ratings, procedure details, recovery process, risks, insurance coverage, and cost. Before making a decision, schedule consultations with multiple doctors to discuss your goals, concerns, and expectations. This will help you find the best fit for your breast reduction surgery.
If you're considering breast reduction surgery in Albany, take the first step and reach out to the hospitals and doctors mentioned in this article. Schedule a consultation, ask questions, and gather all the information you need to make an informed choice. Share this article with others who may be interested in breast reduction surgery in Albany, and explore more related topics to further educate yourself on this important decision.