Introduction to popular hospitals for breast implant removal surgery in New York City in 2025!

1. Introduction

Breast implant removal surgery has become a popular option for many women in New York City. There are various reasons for this, including lifestyle changes, medical complications, or simply a change in aesthetic preferences. In this article, we will explore some of the popular hospitals and surgeons in New York City that are well - known for performing breast implant removal surgeries.

2. Top Surgeons and Their Practices for Breast Implant Removal

2.1 Dr. Darrick E. Antell

Dr. Darrick E. Antell is a premier breast surgeon in NYC. He is widely regarded as one of the most experienced breast surgeons both in the New York area and worldwide.

• Qualifications and Reputation: Dr. Antell has been listed in Harper’s Bazaar and other magazines as being among the best breast plastic surgeons in the country. He has over twenty years of experience and has performed more than ten thousand procedures. He is an official spokesperson for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has also won numerous awards, including the Fellow of the Jacques W. Maliniac Circle of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and several “Who's Who” recognitions.
• Services Offered: He performs custom breast implant removal (explant) surgery. When indicated, he also conducts an en bloc capsulectomy to remove the tissue that has grown around the breast implant. He also removes the recalled Allergan textured breast implants due to their association with a heightened risk of breast implant - associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA - ALCL).
• Patient Experience: Many of his breast implant removal patients are referred by former patients, which speaks volumes about the satisfaction of his patients. He has performed surgeries on many celebrities and well - known persons in New York and beyond, with an impeccable reputation for exceptional surgical results and total discretion.
• Consultation and Surgery Process: During the initial consultation, Dr. Antell will thoroughly evaluate the patient's general health and medical history, as well as assess the current condition of the breasts. He will work with the patient to create a proper surgical plan. The surgery is usually performed in his private operating room across the street from Lenox Hill Hospital, which is a state - of - the - art outpatient surgery center.
• Recovery and Aftercare: After the surgery, patients will recover in his state - of - the - art recovery suite. A specialized, long - lasting local anesthesia is used to reduce discomfort. The patient will be provided with thorough discharge instructions. Most patients can return to most daily activities within days, but should refrain from vigorous exercise for around two weeks. Dr. Antell will provide an individualized recovery plan.

2.2 Dr. Barry Weintraub

Dr. Barry Weintraub is also a well - known plastic surgeon in New York City who offers breast implant removal and replacement services.

• Unique Approach: He has a strong aesthetic sense and combines medical science with an artistic touch. He always places implants under the pectoralis - major muscle to create the most natural - looking result. He studied medicine at Cornell, where core values were emphasized, and bases his practice on those values.
• Services Offered: His services include breast implant removal (explant) and sometimes subsequent breast implant replacement. He also helps patients who want to reposition their implants, use autologous fat to replace lost volume, or perform a breast lift after implant removal.
• Consultation Process: When consulting with a patient, he emphasizes the importance of the patient being fully informed. He encourages patients to ask questions and listens carefully to their needs and desires. He checks for board - certification, hospital affiliations, and reputation when evaluating his own qualifications, and he expects patients to do the same.
• Surgery and Recovery: He prefers his patients to be in a comfortable state of twilight sleep during the surgery. He insists on the most sterile conditions in the operating room. After the surgery, there may be a short period of minimal swelling and sometimes bruising. Patients must follow his instructions carefully for the best results, and he will advise on when they can return to normal lifestyle and exercise routines.

2.3 Dr. Darren Smith

Dr. Darren Smith performs breast implant removal surgery in his state - of - the - art medical facility in NYC.

• Procedure Details: Breast implant removal surgery is performed under general anesthesia. A thin incision is generally made either along the inframammary fold or beneath the areola, often using the original incision from the breast augmentation procedure to minimize scarring. He will remove the breast implants from the breast capsule and also remove scar tissue or silicone from implant leaks if necessary.
• Patient Selection: Ideal candidates include those whose breast implants have lasted about 10 years and are due for replacement or removal, patients whose breast shape has changed due to age, pregnancy, weight fluctuation, or breastfeeding, and those with medical issues such as capsular contracture, calcium buildup, implant leaking or breakage, or BIA - ALCL.
• Recovery and Aftercare: After surgery, patients will spend some time in the recovery room. They will be given appropriate support garments. Mild discomfort and swelling are expected, and patients should avoid strenuous movements for two weeks. Most patients can resume normal activities of daily living shortly after the procedure.

2.4 Dr. Andrew Salzberg and Dr. Jordan Jacobs (New York Group for Plastic Surgery)

The New York Group for Plastic Surgery, with surgeons Dr. Andrew Salzberg and Dr. Jordan Jacobs, offers breast implant removal services.

• Pre - surgery Preparation: Patients need to avoid taking certain medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and anti - inflammatory medications for one week prior to the procedure, and blood - thinning medications for up to six weeks. They also need to arrange for a driver after the procedure and undergo an examination to ensure breast health.
• Surgery Process: The surgeon may administer either local or general anesthesia. After anesthesia, the surgical area is prepared, incisions are made (usually in the crease under the breast, around the areola, or vertically in the armpit), the implants are removed, scar tissue is removed, and the incisions are sealed. The surgery usually takes one to three hours.
• Recovery: Patients will be awakened from anesthesia and taken to the recovery room. They will experience some discomfort and will be provided with pain relief medication. Recovery is similar to that of the initial breast augmentation, with about three days of downtime and swelling, bruising, soreness, and sensitivity for a few weeks.

2.5 Dr. Olivia Hutchinson

Dr. Olivia Hutchinson is recognized as a top breast implant removal surgeon in NYC, especially on the Upper East Side.

• Experience and Specialization: She has over 20 years of experience evaluating patients with breast implant - related concerns. Her main area of focus is cosmetic breast surgery, and she is a board - certified, Harvard and Columbia - educated female aesthetic plastic surgeon.
• Reasons for Removal: She addresses various reasons for breast implant removal, including aesthetic issues such as palpable or visible implants, rupture, leakage, deflation, capsular contracture, breast asymmetry, and implant malposition, as well as medical issues like severe capsular contracture, chronic pain, BIA - ALCL, breast implant illness (BII), infection, and bleeding.
• Patient Consultation and Care: She advises patients on various surgical options and the best course of action to achieve their goals. In some cases, a secondary procedure like a breast lift may be necessary for the best aesthetic results. Patients report an exceptional experience with her and her staff, with a calming atmosphere and professional care.

2.6 Dr. Steven Wallach

Dr. Steven Wallach performs breast implant removal surgery to meet the needs of patients who want their implants taken out.

• Candidate Selection: Good candidates are healthy individuals who desire implant removal. Those with medical issues may need medical clearance from their primary care physician. Non - smokers or those who stop smoking prior to the procedure, and those who stop taking blood - thinning medications, are also ideal candidates.
• Benefits and Services: The procedure can be medically necessary in cases of implant rupture or capsular contracture. Non - medical reasons include changes in personal preferences. He may also perform implant replacement at the same time if desired.
• Consultation and Preparation: During the consultation, he examines the patient, confirms the diagnosis if there are complications, and discusses options for implant replacement or other breast enhancement procedures. Patients are encouraged to be familiar with terms related to breast implants for better communication.
• Surgery, Recovery, and Risks: The surgery is performed under intravenous (IV) sedation or general anesthesia. After the procedure, patients will have swelling and bruising and may be in mild pain. They need a caregiver for about a day. Most patients can return to light activity within three to five days, but should avoid aerobic activity for three to four weeks and heavy lifting for about six to eight weeks. The main risks include unfavorable scarring, asymmetry, infection, bleeding, nipple loss, skin loss, fat necrosis, fluid collections, dysesthesias, and need for revision surgery.

2.7 Dr. Brian Bassiri - Tehrani (Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery)

Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery, under the care of Dr. Brian Bassiri - Tehrani, offers breast implant removal procedures in NYC.

• Treatable Conditions: They provide capsulectomy and capsulotomy procedures to treat conditions such as capsular contracture, scar tissue, mal - placed implants, and hard or sore implants.
• Consultation and Treatment Plan: Patients have a confidential consultation where Dr. Bassiri - Tehrani listens to their concerns and goals. An individualized treatment plan is created, which may include partial or full removal of scar tissue and possible implant replacement.
• Surgery and Recovery: The surgery takes place in their in - office operating room in Manhattan and lasts between 2 to 3 hours, depending on the severity of the breast condition. The downtime is 1 week, and patients cannot workout for 1 to 2 months as they heal. A follow - up appointment is scheduled to assess recovery and results.

3. Common Reasons for Breast Implant Removal

3.1 Medical Reasons

• Capsular Contracture: This is the hardening of scar tissue that forms around an implant. It can cause pain, discomfort, and distortion of the breast shape. The rate of capsular contracture is about 3 - 4% and increases gradually over the years. Symptoms include pain, hardness, tightness, and a change in the shape of the breast.
• Implant Rupture or Leakage: Saline implants may deflate rapidly if they rupture, while silicone implants may look different than normal, and an MRI may be required to determine if they have ruptured. The implant rupture rate is about 5%.
• Breast Implant - Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA - ALCL): This is a rare cancer that occurs in the scar tissue surrounding the implant. It is primarily associated with certain textured breast implants, such as those made by Allergan. Symptoms include pain or swelling around the breasts and a difference in the size or shape of the breasts. Treatment typically involves surgically removing the implants and surrounding scar tissue, and in more serious cases, chemotherapy or radiation may also be necessary.
• Breast Implant Illness (BII): Patients may experience a wide variety of symptoms, including fatigue, fever, gastrointestinal complaints, migraines, breathing difficulties, depression or anxiety, rashes, pain and discomfort, brain fog, and other non - specific complaints. The exact cause is uncertain, but it is believed to be associated with pre - existing autoimmune problems.
• Infection and Bleeding: Implants can get infected years later, and there may also be bleeding during or after the implant procedure, which can be a reason for implant removal.

3.2 Aesthetic Reasons

• Change in Preferences: Over time, a patient's aesthetic preferences may change. They may no longer be satisfied with the size, shape, or appearance of their breast implants and wish to return to their natural breast size or change to a different implant.
• Visible or Palpable Implants: Implants may become palpable or visible, showing signs of folding, rippling, or wrinkling, which can be aesthetically unpleasing to the patient.
• Asymmetry: Unequal appearance of the breasts can occur, which may be due to implant malposition or other factors, leading the patient to seek implant removal or adjustment.
• Unsightly Scars: The scars from the initial breast augmentation may become widened, raised, or otherwise unsightly, prompting the patient to consider implant removal and possible scar revision.

4. What to Expect During the Breast Implant Removal Process

4.1 Consultation

During the consultation, the surgeon will evaluate the patient's general health, medical history, and the current condition of the breasts. They will discuss the patient's reasons for wanting the implant removal, their desired outcome, and any concerns or questions the patient may have. The surgeon may also perform a physical examination and may recommend additional tests, such as an ultrasound, mammogram, or MRI, depending on the patient's situation. It is important for the patient to be open and honest with the surgeon about their expectations and any symptoms they may be experiencing.

4.2 Pre - surgery Preparation

Pre - surgery preparation may include the following steps:

• Medication Adjustment: Patients may need to stop taking certain medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, anti - inflammatory medications, and blood - thinning medications, for a certain period before the surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding.
• Medical Clearance: Those with medical issues may need to obtain medical clearance from their primary care physician or other specialists.
• Arrangements: Patients should arrange for someone to drive them home after the surgery and to assist them during the first few days of recovery. They may also need to fill prescriptions for medications that will be needed after the surgery.

4.3 Surgery

The surgical procedure may vary depending on the surgeon and the patient's situation, but generally:

• Anesthesia: Breast implant removal can be performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation, “twilight” anesthesia, or general anesthesia. A board - certified anesthesiologist will monitor the patient during the procedure.
• Incision: The surgeon will make an incision, often using the original incision from the breast augmentation if possible, to access the breast implants. The incision may be along the inframammary fold, around the areola, or in the armpit.
• Implant and Tissue Removal: The surgeon will remove the breast implants and, if necessary, the surrounding scar tissue. In some cases, an en - bloc resection may be performed, where the implant and the entire capsule are removed together.
• Closure: The incisions will be closed with sutures, which may be dissolvable or require removal later. A layer of gauze or a bandage may be placed over the incisions to aid in healing.

4.4 Recovery

Recovery from breast implant removal typically involves the following:

• Immediate Post - surgery: After the surgery, patients will spend some time in the recovery room, where they will be monitored by the medical staff. They will be given pain relief medication and appropriate support garments. Since they will be coming out of anesthesia, they will need an escort to take them home and should not drive for 24 hours.
• Short - term Recovery: Patients may experience mild discomfort, swelling, and bruising. They should refrain from strenuous activities and exercise for a few weeks, usually around two weeks. Most patients can return to most daily activities within a few days, but it may take several months for the final results to be visible.
• Long - term Recovery: Some numbness in the breast area and around the incisions is normal and usually fades over time. The scars will likely be firm and pink for at least six weeks before beginning to fade. Most patients do not require a breast lift after