Introduction
In New York City, where the pursuit of beauty and well - being is a prominent aspect of the lifestyle, breast reduction plastic surgery has become an increasingly sought - after procedure. For individuals with overly large breasts, this surgery can provide both physical relief from pain and discomfort and a significant boost in self - confidence. The city is home to several top - grade A hospitals that offer world - class breast reduction services. In this article, we will introduce the top five such hospitals.
Columbia University's Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Division
Overview
Columbia University's plastic surgery division is one of New York's best and the world's top medical centers. It has extensive experience and offers a wide range of plastic and reconstructive surgery services, including breast reduction. The mission of the division is to use its many resources to deliver the highest quality care for patients in need of cosmetic or reconstructive procedures.
Services
- Cosmetic Care: This program provides surgical and non - surgical options to improve cosmetic health. In addition to breast reduction, it includes ear and eyelid lifts, breast augmentation, and tummy tucks.
- Reconstructive Care: Plastic surgeons at Columbia are world leaders in reconstructive care for issues like breast reconstruction after breast cancer, skin lesion excision, and reconstructive surgery for the nose and ears.
- Cleft Palate/Cleft Lip Care: Through the craniofacial surgery program, the division provides specialized care for newborns with cleft lip and cleft palate.
- Orthoplastic Surgery Care: It brings together leading experts in orthopedic and reconstructive plastic surgery for personalized treatment options, offering lower wound complication rates and higher patient satisfaction in recovery.
- Breast Reconstructive Care: The breast cancer reconstructive surgery program is dedicated to helping individuals who have undergone breast cancer surgery reclaim their physical and emotional well - being.
Research
The plastic surgery research laboratory at Columbia is actively involved in numerous research studies. It focuses on stem cells, tissue engineering, the study of bone substitutes, and the application of gene therapy to wound healing. For example, using gene therapy, growth factor genes such as PDGF and VEGF are introduced to wounds, which has shown improved healing in ischemic and diabetic wounds.
Medical Team
The division has a team of highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeons. For instance, Dr. Christine Rohde is a chief in the division, trained in the diagnosis and treatment of the full range of plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, specializing in microsurgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, and breast reconstruction. Dr. Jeffrey A. Ascherman has published over 75 scientific articles and chapters and has been included in lists of America's top doctors.
Contact Information
To get in touch with one of the plastic surgeons, patients can call (212) 305 - 3103 or request an appointment online. The hospital has multiple offices in different locations across New York City, including Washington Heights, Midtown, the East Side, Westchester, and New Jersey.
Mount Sinai Hospital
Breast Reduction Service
Mount Sinai's team of highly trained and qualified plastic surgeons is well - known for breast reduction surgery. Having overly large breasts can be physically painful and an emotional barrier for many women. The hospital's surgeons understand these concerns and provide a warm, caring, and supportive environment for patients to discuss their private and sensitive concerns.
Eligibility Criteria
- Patients should maintain a healthy, stable weight.
- They should not plan on future pregnancies as this can affect the results of the surgery.
- Patients need to be physically mature with fully - developed breasts and emotionally mature about their choice of surgery.
Benefits of Breast Reduction
- Physical Relief: It can reduce neck, back, and shoulder pain caused by the weight of heavy breasts. Patients may also experience relief from chafing and skin irritation caused by sagging breast skin.
- Improved Self - Confidence: Patients gain more confidence about their breast size, which allows them to participate in activities they may have previously avoided.
- Better Proportion: The breast size becomes more in proportion with the body frame, and the nipples may point in a more upward position. The size of the breasts can also be more balanced.
Procedure Considerations
Surgeons at Mount Sinai will help patients determine if breast reduction is the right choice for them during a confidential consultation. If patients intend to become pregnant or lose weight, the surgeon may encourage them to postpone the surgery as the improvements from the surgery may be reversed due to pregnancy and weight change.
Breast Reduction Center of NYC
Location and Reputation
Located on the upper east side in Manhattan, the Breast Reduction Center of NYC is the premier destination for breast reduction plastic surgery. It is staffed by top - rated board - certified or board - eligible plastic surgeons, offering top - quality surgical care in a state - of - the - art facility.
Unique Features
- Pain Management: The center has developed an innovative and unique approach to pain management. Surgeons use a special technique called a nerve block during surgery, which eliminates the need for prescription pain medicine. Patients can recover using only over - the - counter Tylenol and ibuprofen, even for very large breast reduction volumes.
- Patient - Friendly Environment: Patients enjoy a beautiful private and relaxed environment that fosters personalized patient care. The center also performs hundreds of breast reduction surgeries each year, and surgeons do not use drains in the breast reductions, and all the stitches dissolve on their own, making post - op care much less complicated.
Insurance and Consultation
The center is in - network with Cigna, United Healthcare, and Oxford (with some exceptions). It may accept the Empire Plan (NYSHIP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Aetna plans only if patients have out - of - network benefits. Unfortunately, it does not accept Medicare, Medicaid, and some other plans. The center offers virtual consultations for new patients, and patients can schedule a complimentary 15 - minute phone consultation to ask questions about surgery, costs, financing, and health insurance coverage.
Candidate Evaluation
Typically, breast reduction surgery may be considered reconstructive and medically necessary when one or more of the following criteria are met:
- The breasts are creating medical problems such as shoulder, back, or neck pain.
- The bra straps are causing significant grooving in the shoulders.
- The breasts are causing bad posture characterized by hunched shoulders and a curved back.
- There are limitations on physical activity impacting the ability to perform household chores, work duties, or exercise due to breast size.
- Patients experience headaches or nerve compression syndromes due to the weight of the breasts.
- There are rashes and/or infections on the trapped skin under the breasts.
Weill Cornell Medicine
Patient - Centered Approach
At Weill Cornell Medicine, the focus is on helping patients feel their best. Starting from the initial consultation, plastic and reconstructive surgeons work closely with patients to understand their goals and discuss the best options for them and their needs.
Breast Surgery Options
The institution provides the full range of cosmetic breast surgery options, including breast reduction surgery, breast lift surgery (mastopexy), breast augmentation with implants, and DIEP flap surgery. Their surgeons are leaders in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and the care team is equipped to promote comfort throughout the process.
Advantages of Choosing Weill Cornell
- Partnership with Top Hospital System: Weill Cornell Medicine partners with New York - Presbyterian, one of the top hospital systems in New York City and the U.S.
- Individualized Care: The plastic and reconstructive surgeons are highly skilled and can help patients achieve a natural look that is tailored to their unique body. The team serves patients of all races, ethnicities, genders, and gender identities.
- Focus on Comfort: The team prioritizes patient comfort at every step. Before surgery, patients have time to ask questions and feel comfortable with the procedure. In state - of - the - art surgical suites, the latest anesthetics and medications are used to help patients recover more quickly and heal faster. After surgery, the care team manages pain and teaches patients how to care for themselves during the recovery period.
Appointment Process
Patients can request an appointment by filling out a form. The staff will help them find the physician who best fits their individual medical needs. The institution has expanded digital health services and is committed to cleanliness to ensure the highest standards of care and patient safety.
NY Surgical Arts
Breast Reduction Procedure
NY Surgical Arts offers breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, to reduce the size and volume of the breasts, providing physical and emotional relief for patients. Surgeons can use a combination of direct excision and liposuction, and adjustments to the size and placement of the nipple - areola complex are made to achieve a natural and balanced look.
Surgical Methods
- Vertical or “Lollipop” Incision: This technique makes an incision encircling each areola and then continues down the center of the breast toward the inframammary crease. It is suitable for candidates with moderate cases of enlarged breasts.
- Inverted T or Anchor Incisions: This is frequently performed on patients with considerably enlarged breasts. It combines the lollipop incisions with an additional incision along the inframammary crease, allowing the surgeon to remove more tissue and create more support and lift for the new, smaller breasts.
Benefits
- It eliminates back pain, shoulder discomfort from bra straps, and skin conditions under overly large breasts.
- Enhanced mobility, firmer breast skin, and improved posture.
- Patients can enjoy a wider selection of well - fitting clothing and lingerie.
Candidates
Patients who are burdened by the physical and psychological demands of larger breasts can be candidates. They should be ready to gain peace of mind with a more petite breast size, not smoke or be willing to stop until fully recovered, be willing to accept visible scarring on the breast, not have breast - related illnesses, and understand that it may impact their ability to breastfeed in the future.
Consultation and Process
Patients can have a personal consultation with Dr. Gordon Andan. After the consultation, pre - surgery preparations include quitting smoking, stopping certain medications, picking up recovery prescriptions, designating a caregiver, and preparing a recovery area at home. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia in an AAAHC - accredited operating facility, and the recovery process is closely monitored by the medical team.
Conclusion
These top five hospitals in New York City offer exceptional breast reduction plastic surgery services. Columbia University's division provides comprehensive plastic surgery options with a strong research background. Mount Sinai focuses on patient comfort and carefully assesses patient eligibility. The Breast Reduction Center of NYC stands out with its unique pain management and patient - friendly environment. Weill Cornell Medicine offers a patient - centered approach and a wide range of breast surgery options. NY Surgical Arts provides tailored breast reduction procedures with clear benefits and a well - defined patient process.
If you are considering breast reduction surgery, we encourage you to reach out to these hospitals for more information. You can contact them directly via phone or through their online appointment systems to schedule a consultation. By doing so, you can take the first step towards achieving the physical relief and enhanced self - confidence that comes with breast reduction surgery.
