Introduction to Breast Augmentation in New York City
Breast augmentation is a popular cosmetic procedure that can enhance the size and shape of a woman's breasts. In New York City, there are several hospitals and plastic surgeons that are highly recommended by those who have had breast augmentation. This article will introduce you to some of these top - rated medical institutions and provide in - depth information about breast augmentation procedures.
Benefits of Breast Augmentation
Before delving into the hospitals, it's important to understand the benefits of breast augmentation. This procedure can boost a woman's self - confidence and improve her body image. According to research, many women experience a renewed sense of self - confidence and empowerment after achieving their desired breast size and shape. It can also correct volume loss after pregnancy and breastfeeding, resolve breast asymmetry, and enhance overall body proportions. Here is a breakdown of the key benefits:
- Enhanced Confidence: Fuller and more symmetrical breasts can make women feel better about their appearance, leading to increased self - esteem.
- Improved Proportions: It helps create a balanced silhouette that aligns with aesthetic goals, making the body look more proportionate.
- Customized Volume and Shape: With options for saline and silicone implants in various shapes and sizes, patients can achieve the look they desire.
- Rejuvenated Appearance: For women who have experienced volume loss due to aging, pregnancy, or weight changes, breast augmentation restores fullness and creates a youthful contour.
- Corrected Asymmetry: It addresses natural asymmetry, creating a more symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing breast shape.
- Broader Wardrobe Options: Achieving the ideal breast size opens up more choices in clothing, providing a comfortable and flattering fit in a wider variety of styles.
Top Hospitals and Plastic Surgeons in New York City for Breast Augmentation
Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai's plastic surgeons have extensive experience in performing breast augmentation. They use the latest technologies to help patients visualize how their larger breasts will look. For example, their advanced 3D imaging technology can demonstrate what different sizes of breasts will look like on the patient's unique body.
Treatments Offered
- Breast Implants: There are two main types of breast implants - silicone and saline. Silicone breast implants look and feel more natural in the breasts, while saline breast implants are firmer and rounder. The surgeons at Mount Sinai will advise patients based on their body type and desired outcome.
- Naturalfill: This is a fat - transfer technique pioneered and perfected by Mount Sinai surgeons. It involves removing fat from the buttocks or abdomen via liposuction and then inserting it into the breasts to enlarge them.
Patient Consultation and Evaluation
During the consultation, the plastic surgeon will listen carefully to the patient's desire for enhancing breast size. They will also help the patient decide on the size and shape that will look best for their body. A physical exam is conducted, which includes a series of health - related questions to confirm the patient is a candidate for breast augmentation.
Rapaport Plastic Surgery
Dr. David P. Rapaport, a board - certified plastic surgeon at Rapaport Plastic Surgery, is a world - recognized expert in breast augmentation and breast implant revision. Breast augmentation is one of the most popular procedures at this facility.
Patient Selection
Most women who are unhappy with the size or shape of their breasts are good candidates for breast augmentation, as long as they are overall healthy and have realistic expectations. However, breast augmentation may not adequately address breast sagging and droopiness, which typically requires a breast lift, sometimes performed alongside augmentation.
Procedure Details
- Incision Placement: The incision for breast augmentation can be placed in the underarm, under the breast itself, or within the areola. Dr. Rapaport uses an endoscope to perform a scarless breast augmentation procedure through the underarm incision, allowing for precise implant positioning.
- Breast Implants: He offers both saline and silicone implants. Saline implants can be filled after placement, making them suitable for the scarless technique, while silicone implants typically have a more natural look and feel.
- Anesthesia and Recovery: The procedure can be performed with general anesthesia or IV sedation. After the anesthesia wears off, patients are monitored briefly and can go home the same day. Full recovery takes approximately two to three weeks, with restrictions on strenuous exercise and aerobic activity for the first ten days.
NewYork - Presbyterian
NewYork - Presbyterian plastic surgeons are passionate about helping patients feel their best. They offer a full range of cosmetic breast surgery options, including breast augmentation with implants.
Patient - Centered Approach
Starting with the initial consultation, the plastic and reconstructive surgeons work closely with patients to understand their goals and discuss the best options for their needs. Whether patients visit in person or through a video visit, they can expect the highest standards of care with compassion.
Dr. Darrick Antell
Dr. Darrick Antell is a renowned breast augmentation surgeon in New York City. He has performed more than ten thousand plastic surgery procedures, including thousands of breast augmentation surgeries.
Comprehensive Care
Dr. Antell addresses common complications such as capsular contracture. He also provides detailed information to patients about every aspect of breast augmentation, including implant types, placement, sizing, and the procedure's recovery time. During the consultation, he performs a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's general health and medical history and assesses the current condition of the breasts to create a personalized surgical plan.
Surgical Process
- Incision and Implant Placement: The chosen incision method and placement of the implant are customized to the patient's anatomy. Incisions can be made below the breast crease, around the areola, or in the armpit. The implants can be placed behind the breast tissue or behind the pectoral muscle.
- Anesthesia: Breast augmentation is typically performed with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation or “twilight” sedation. A board - certified anesthesiologist monitors the patient throughout the procedure.
- Recovery: Patients recover in Dr. Antell's state - of - the - art recovery suite and can return home the same day. He provides an individualized recovery plan, and most patients can return to most daily activities within days, but strenuous exercise is restricted for around two weeks.
Dr. John E. Sherman
Dr. John E. Sherman is an experienced and acclaimed plastic surgeon. He works closely with patients to develop an individualized approach for breast augmentation.
Breast Implant Options
- Material: Patients can choose between saline and silicone implants. Saline implants are filled during the procedure, while silicone implants are pre - filled.
- Shape: Options include round implants for adding volume higher on the chest and anatomical (teardrop - shaped) implants to replicate the form of the natural breast.
- Size: Implant sizes are measured in cubic centimeters, and the appropriate size depends on the patient's existing breast tissue and desired results. Sizes range from 120cc to 800cc.
- Texture: A textured surface allows tissues to heal more closely around the implant, preventing rotation or displacement.
Procedure and Recovery
The breast augmentation procedure is an outpatient one, typically taking 1 - 1.5 hours. After surgery, patients may experience moderate fatigue, discomfort, swelling, and bruising in the initial days. They are given pain medication and a surgical compression bra. Most patients can resume light activities and work in 2 - 3 weeks and more strenuous activities at 6 - 8 weeks.
Dr. Adam Kolker
Dr. Adam Kolker, a double - board - certified, Harvard - trained plastic surgeon, focuses on aesthetic breast surgery. He believes in achieving a beautiful, natural, and proportional outcome rather than just increasing breast size.
Customized Treatment Plans
When planning breast augmentation, Dr. Kolker considers four primary components: the type of implant (silicone or saline), the access incisions (inframammary crease, periareolar, or transaxillary), the position of the implant (submuscular or subglandular), and the style, profile, and sizing of the implant. He tailors the treatment plan to each patient's innate anatomy, desired outcome, and personal preferences.
Recovery and Follow - up
Patients recover in a private recovery room and are discharged home when fully awake. Dr. Kolker recommends returning to work in 4 - 7 days, depending on the occupation. Light exercise can be resumed at 5 - 7 days, and more vigorous activity at 3 weeks. Standard follow - up visits are at one week, six weeks, and 12 months.
Dr. Barry Weintraub
Dr. Barry Weintraub is a board - certified plastic surgeon, ivy league educated at the Weill - Cornell Medical Center. He is a national spokesperson for the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Preferred Surgical Approach
Dr. Weintraub prefers the transaxillary subpectoral approach, where the implant is inserted through the armpit and placed behind the pectoralis major muscle. This approach has several advantages, including no jeopardy to nipple sensation, no hindrance to future breastfeeding, no visible scars near the breast, less pain, less post - operative downtime, and less swelling and bruising.
Patient - Centered Practice
He takes a patient - centered approach, ensuring the highest safety standards during surgery. He also provides comprehensive pre - and post - operative care, and his aesthetic sense and attention to detail result in excellent outcomes.
Cost Considerations
The cost of breast augmentation in New York City varies from patient to patient. Factors that influence the cost include the type of breast implants (saline or silicone), operating room and anesthesia fees, consultation fees, and the surgeon's fee. Saline implants are generally less costly than silicone implants, but 85% of patients opt for the more expensive silicone implants according to some reports. It is best to schedule a consultation with the surgeon to get an accurate quote.
Potential Risks and Complications
While breast augmentation is generally a safe procedure when performed by a board - certified plastic surgeon, there are potential risks and complications. These include:
- Capsular Contracture: This occurs when the scar tissue around the implant tightens, causing hardening, discomfort, and a misshapen appearance. It can be treated by removing the implant and scar tissue and, if desired, placing new implants. Techniques such as using an acellular dermal matrix can help prevent it.
- Infection: Typically presents within a week after surgery and can usually be treated by antibiotics. In some cases, the implant may need to be removed.
- Bleeding and Hematoma: These can occur during or after the surgery and may require additional treatment.
- Numbness: There may be a temporary or permanent loss of sensation in the nipple area.
- Implant Rupture: Can occur due to injury or normal compression and movement. If a saline implant ruptures, the salt - water is harmlessly absorbed by the body, and the breast appears deflated. Both saline and silicone implant ruptures usually require revision surgery.
- Asymmetry: There may be a difference in the size or shape of the two breasts after surgery.
Pre - operative and Post - operative Care
Pre - operative Care
Before breast augmentation, patients are usually advised to:
- Quit smoking or using any nicotine product, as nicotine can significantly impact the ability to heal.
- Taper off medications or supplements that may increase bleeding, such as blood thinners, ibuprofen, vitamin E, and St. John's wort.
- Arrange for someone to drive them home after surgery and assist them for the first few days.
- Undergo a breast exam and possibly mammograms or breast x - rays.
- Fill prescriptions for pain medicine in advance.
Post - operative Care
After the surgery, patients need to follow the surgeon's instructions carefully. This may include:
- Wearing a surgical bra or compression garment for a few weeks.
- Taking pain medication as prescribed.
- Avoiding strenuous exercise and aerobic activity for a specified period.
- Returning for follow - up appointments to monitor healing and the condition of the implants.
- Massaging the breasts as recommended by the surgeon to reduce the risk of capsular contracture.
Conclusion
Breast augmentation is a life - changing procedure for many women in New York City. With the availability of top - notch hospitals and highly skilled plastic surgeons, patients can achieve their desired breast size and shape safely and effectively. Each of the hospitals and surgeons mentioned in this article offers unique approaches, personalized care, and a commitment to excellent results. However, it is crucial for patients to do their research, have realistic expectations, and have in - depth consultations with their chosen surgeons.
If you are considering breast augmentation in New York City, take the first step by scheduling a consultation with one of these recommended surgeons. Ask all your questions, discuss your goals, and make an informed decision. Remember, this is a personal journey, and finding the right surgeon and hospital is essential for a successful outcome. Share this article with others who may be interested in learning more about breast augmentation in New York City.