Overview of Breast Reduction in New York City
For many women in New York City, having overly large breasts can be a significant burden. Physically, it can lead to chronic pain in the neck, back, and shoulders, skin irritation, and restricted movement. Emotionally, it can cause self - consciousness and a negative impact on self - esteem. Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a procedure that aims to alleviate these issues by removing excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin from the breasts, resulting in a more proportionate bust size. In this article, we will introduce four well - regarded public hospitals or surgical centers in New York City that offer breast reduction services.
1. Mount Sinai
Why Choose Mount Sinai for Breast Reduction?
Mount Sinai has a team of highly trained and qualified plastic surgeons who are experts in enhancing women's breasts. They take a warm, caring, and supportive approach to patient care, creating an environment where patients feel comfortable discussing very private and sensitive concerns about their bodies.
Eligibility for Breast Reduction Surgery at Mount Sinai
- Maintain a healthy, stable weight: Fluctuations in weight can affect the results of the surgery. A stable weight helps ensure long - term success and a more predictable outcome.
- No future pregnancy plans: Pregnancy can cause significant changes to the breasts, potentially reversing the improvements made during the surgery. It is recommended that patients wait until they are done having children before undergoing breast reduction.
- Physical and emotional maturity: Patients should have fully - developed breasts and be emotionally mature about their decision to have the surgery. This helps in understanding the implications and making an informed choice.
Benefits of Breast Reduction at Mount Sinai
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Less pain | Reduces neck, back, and shoulder pain caused by the weight of heavy breasts, improving the patient's overall physical comfort. |
| Improved self - confidence | Helps patients feel better about their breast size, boosting self - esteem and body image. |
| Proportional breast size | Decreases breast size to be in proportion with the body frame, creating a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing appearance. |
| Relief from skin issues | Alleviates chafing and skin irritation caused by sagging breast skin, enhancing skin health. |
| Balanced breast size | Ensures that the breasts are more symmetrical in size, improving the overall look of the bust. |
2. Rapaport Plastic Surgery
Breast Reduction Candidates at Rapaport Plastic Surgery
Women who want to address the appearance, discomfort, or inconvenience of large breasts may benefit from breast reduction at Rapaport Plastic Surgery. The surgery can correct several physical problems associated with enlarged breasts, such as restricted movement, back and neck pain, shoulder strain, poor posture, skin irritation and infection, shortness of breath, and difficulty fitting into clothing.
Ideal candidates should be overall healthy and non - smokers or willing to quit. Smoking significantly reduces the quality of blood flow within the skin, which dramatically increases the risk of major complications in procedures like breast reduction. Dr. David Rapaport, a board - certified plastic surgeon, requires abstinence from all smoking for six weeks before the procedure and a minimum of two weeks after.
Breast Reduction Technique at Rapaport Plastic Surgery
Breast reduction is a complex cosmetic surgery procedure. Dr. Rapaport takes a minimally invasive, personalized approach that prioritizes patient safety and achieves consistent results. All breast reduction surgeries involve scars. Depending on the extent of the surgery, scars may occur around the areola, vertically down from the areola, and sometimes horizontally within the breast fold. The likely type of scarring a patient can expect relates primarily to skin color, age, and the exact type of procedure to be performed.
Breast Reduction Procedure at Rapaport Plastic Surgery
Dr. Rapaport and his plastic surgeons generally perform breast reduction procedures on - site in their fully accredited Manhattan, New York, surgical suite. In selected cases, they may perform the procedure at Lenox Hill Hospital or the Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat Hospital. The surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia, which is administered and monitored by a board - certified anesthesiologist. Dr. Rapaport will make incisions on the breasts, using a lollipop incision or anchor incision to remove and reshape excess breast tissue. Breast reduction typically involves a breast lift to correct sagging and reposition the areola if necessary.
Breast Reduction Recovery at Rapaport Plastic Surgery
All breast reduction patients must wear a surgical bra for two weeks post - operatively to provide support to the breasts. Since Dr. Rapaport's closure technique involves layers of internal, dissolvable sutures, there usually aren't any visible external sutures, and no sutures need to be removed. Patients can expect their breasts to be swollen and bruised. Most breast reduction surgery patients resume their daily routines within one week, but they are advised to take it very easy for the first two weeks after surgery. They must wait three weeks or more before resuming exercise or other strenuous activities. It's essential to be very gentle with the breasts for six weeks following surgery.
3. Rowe Plastic Surgery
What is Breast Reduction Surgery at Rowe Plastic Surgery?
Breast reduction surgery at Rowe Plastic Surgery, also known as mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure for removing excess fat, skin, and tissue from overly large breasts. The procedure aims to reduce breast size in relation to the body frame, typically reducing the breast size by one or two cup sizes. During the procedure, the surgeon takes special care to maintain the breasts' functionality and sensitivity.
Benefits of Breast Reduction at Rowe Plastic Surgery
- Ability to enjoy an active lifestyle: Large breasts can restrict physical activity. After the surgery, patients can engage in activities they previously avoided due to breast size, such as running and sports.
- Improved quality of life: Reduces back and neck pain, improves posture, and relieves discomfort caused by large breasts, leading to a better overall quality of life.
- Ease in finding clothing: Patients no longer have trouble finding properly proportioned clothing that fits well.
Breast Reduction Surgeons at Rowe Plastic Surgery
The team at Rowe Plastic Surgery consists of three expert plastic surgeons - Dr. Lisa F. Schneider, Dr. Norman M. Rowe, and Dr. Charles Pierce - along with a large staff of nurses, physician assistants, and other team members. The collaborative approach between reconstructive and breast surgeons is essential. Communication between them helps in defining areas of excision and designing reduction techniques prior to surgery.
Types of Breast Reduction at Rowe Plastic Surgery
| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Pedicle method | The surgeon leaves a pedicle, also called attached tissue graft, with nerves and blood vessels intact, to supply the breast after it's been reduced in size. |
| Inferior pedicle method | A pedicle breast surgery procedure in which the doctor attaches a tissue graft into the inframammary fold, where the bottom of the breast meets the chest. |
| Superior pedicle method | The surgeon attaches a pedicle in the upper quadrant of the breast, above the areola. |
| Free nipple graft | The surgeon removes the nipple completely and replaces it in a new, higher position as a skin graft. |
| Anchor incision pattern | The incision circles the areola's parameter and then follows a straight line down the middle of the breast to the crease where the breast meets the chest. |
| Le Jour incision pattern | This type of incision gives access to the breast parenchyma for removal. It is popular because it leaves minimal scarring. |
4. Columbia Surgery
Why Seek Breast Reduction Surgery at Columbia Surgery?
Large breasts can cause a woman to feel self - conscious about her body and create a number of health issues, such as chronic back pain, deep creases in the shoulder from bra straps, and skin irritation. Women with large, pendulous breasts may have difficulty with physical activities. Breast reduction surgery at Columbia Surgery can help limit these conditions and enable women to lead an active, more physically fit life.
Breast Reduction Techniques at Columbia Surgery
Plastic surgeons at Columbia Surgery use the newest techniques of breast reduction, such as the vertical breast reduction method, which result in significantly less scarring than traditional techniques and leave a better breast shape. The surgeon will discuss with the patient the recommended technique to achieve the best result.
Anesthesia and Recovery at Columbia Surgery
Breast reduction at Columbia Surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Before the surgery, patients are advised to avoid taking aspirin, Advil, Motrin, or other aspirin - containing products for two weeks and stop smoking to aid in healing. After the surgery, discomfort may require pain medication for the first few days. Patients can return to normal activities in about two weeks, taking care to avoid strenuous activities. Aching, swelling, and bruising will subside after several weeks. The final size and shape of the breasts will be apparent between 2 and 12 months after surgery. While scars are permanent, they are covered by bras, bathing suits, and clothing and may fade over time.
General Considerations for Breast Reduction
Insurance Coverage
Breast reduction may be covered by insurance if it is deemed medically necessary. Insurance companies typically look for symptoms such as back, neck, or shoulder pain, bra strap indentations, poor posture, limitations on physical activity, headaches, or nerve compression syndromes due to large breasts. Each hospital or surgical center may have different policies regarding insurance. For example, Rapaport Plastic Surgery's Dr. Rapaport does not participate in any insurance networks, so coverage may only be available for patients who have out - of - network benefits. The Breast Reduction Center of NYC is in - network with Cigna, United Healthcare, and Oxford, but has specific exclusions and conditions for other plans.
Choosing a Surgeon
When choosing a surgeon for breast reduction, it is important to consider several factors:
- Certification: Look for a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This certification indicates that the surgeon has met the high standards of training and experience in plastic surgery.
- Experience: Choose a surgeon with years of experience in breast surgeries, especially in the type of breast reduction technique you desire. An experienced surgeon is more likely to achieve the desired results and handle any complications that may arise.
- Manner: A good surgeon should be approachable, listen to your concerns, and address your fears. They should be able to explain the procedure, risks, and benefits clearly and make you feel comfortable throughout the process.
- Reviews: Read reviews from other patients to get an idea of the surgeon's success rate, patient satisfaction, and bedside manner.
- Facility: Ensure that the surgical facility has the right equipment and trained personnel to ensure your safety and comfort during the surgery and recovery.
Conclusion
Breast reduction surgery can be a life - changing procedure for women in New York City who are suffering from the physical and emotional burdens of overly large breasts. Mount Sinai, Rapaport Plastic Surgery, Rowe Plastic Surgery, and Columbia Surgery are four excellent options in the city, each offering unique advantages in terms of surgical expertise, patient care, and available techniques. Before making a decision, it is crucial to do thorough research, consult with multiple surgeons, and understand the risks, benefits, and recovery process. If you are considering breast reduction, take the first step by scheduling a consultation with a qualified surgeon. Explore further by reading more about patient experiences and additional surgical details to make an informed choice that will enhance your quality of life.
