Introduction to the Top 5 Hospitals for Breast Reconstruction Surgery in New York City

Breast reconstruction surgery is a significant procedure that can restore both the physical appearance and emotional well - being of patients who have undergone mastectomies. In New York City, several hospitals stand out for their expertise, advanced techniques, and patient - centered care. This article will introduce you to the top 5 hospitals for breast reconstruction surgery in the city.

1. Weill Cornell Medicine

Overview

Weill Cornell Medicine is a renowned institution that offers comprehensive breast reconstruction services. Their plastic and reconstructive surgeons are leaders in the field, with extensive experience in the evolution of breast reconstruction techniques. The hospital's mission is to make patients feel whole and complete again after mastectomy.

Expert Surgeons and Multidisciplinary Care

The surgeons at Weill Cornell Medicine are highly skilled and exemplary in plastic and reconstructive surgery. The care team is dedicated to promoting patient comfort throughout the entire process. In addition, the hospital provides multidisciplinary care through its breast center, which includes oncologists, geneticists, and nurses specializing in breast cancer care. This integrated approach ensures that patients receive optimal health and well - being support.

Breast Reconstruction Options

• Autologous Reconstruction: This type of reconstruction uses the patient's own tissue from different parts of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. Nerves can be reconstructed to improve sensory recovery in the breasts, which may be numb after mastectomy. A novel reinnervation procedure, which only takes about 20 minutes, can be performed during autologous reconstruction by reconnecting a nerve in the abdominal flap to a nerve in the chest.
• Implant - Based Reconstruction: Weill Cornell Medicine performs breast reconstruction using tissue expanders and implants. They utilize both saline and silicone breast implants from all implant manufacturers to meet the clinical needs of patients. Pioneered techniques such as direct - to - implant reconstruction and tissue expander reconstruction without drains are also available.
• DIEP Flap Reconstruction: DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator artery) flap reconstruction is an innovative technique that uses a flap of complete tissue from the abdomen to reconstruct the breast. This procedure creates a slimmer abdomen and results in breasts that look and feel natural.

Patient Comfort and Aftercare

The hospital places a strong emphasis on patient comfort. Before surgery, patients have the opportunity to ask questions and fully understand the procedure. State - of - the - art surgical suites are equipped with the latest anesthetics and medications to facilitate a quicker recovery. After surgery, the care team manages pain and provides instructions on self - care during the healing and recovery process.

2. New York Center for Breast Reconstruction (associated with Dr. Joshua L. Levine)

Patient - Centered Care for Traveling Patients

Dr. Joshua L. Levine is a world - renowned surgeon, and many patients travel to New York and New Jersey to seek his surgical expertise. The hospital provides first - class concierge care to traveling patients, making the travel and surgery process convenient and supported. They offer recommendations on accommodation and travel arrangements, whether patients are traveling locally, domestically, or internationally.

Hospital Affiliations

• New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mt. Sinai: Ranked among “America’s best hospitals” for nine years straight since 2006. It has also achieved Magnet® status for excellence in nursing services.
• Hackensack University Medical Center: Earned the distinction of being New Jersey’s #1 hospital and is among the top 30 hospitals in the nation with 11 national specialty rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s 2014 - 15 best hospitals rankings.

Breast Reconstruction Expertise

The centers affiliated with Dr. Levine specialize in advanced natural tissue breast reconstruction. They offer a range of microsurgical procedures and provide a unique patient - centered approach to care. For example, patients who choose flap procedures may require a stay of 5 to 6 days in the hospital, and they can expect some swelling, soreness, and bruising for 2 to 3 weeks after returning home.

3. Mount Sinai - New York (West and Dubin Breast Center)

Comprehensive Breast Reconstruction Program

The breast reconstruction program at Mount Sinai, led by internationally renowned leader Hani Sbitany, MD, offers a full complement of breast reconstruction options. Their team includes plastic and reconstructive surgeons, breast oncology surgeons, and other specialists who work closely together to provide comprehensive breast care.

Reconstruction Approaches

• Implant - Based Reconstruction: Usually starts with the placement of a tissue expander at the time of mastectomy. The expander is then inflated over several weeks, and a permanent implant (either silicone or saline) is placed in a second ambulatory surgery about three months later. Some eligible patients may be recommended for the direct - to - implant approach, which avoids the use of a tissue expander.
• Autologous Reconstruction: Mount Sinai performs several types of autologous reconstruction, such as DIEP flap (using skin and fat from the lower abdomen) and latissimus dorsi flap (using skin and muscle from the back). The initial surgery for autologous reconstruction is generally longer, but more can be accomplished in the first procedure.

Decision - Making Support

The expert surgeons at Mount Sinai help patients make decisions about whether to have reconstruction, when to have it, and what type of reconstruction to choose. They consider factors such as the patient's medical condition, personal preferences, overall health, tumor size and location, breast size, and body shape.

4. NewYork - Presbyterian

Advanced Reconstruction Techniques

NewYork - Presbyterian's plastic and reconstructive surgeons are leaders in breast reconstruction. They have been performing nipple - sparing mastectomies with concurrent reconstruction for the past 20 years, positioning the hospital as a leader in this technique. The hospital offers a variety of breast reconstruction options to meet the diverse needs of patients.

Types of Reconstruction

• Autologous Reconstruction: Uses the patient's own body tissue from the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks to reconstruct the breast and nerves. A 20 - minute reinnervation procedure can be performed during autologous reconstruction by reconnecting a nerve in the abdominal flap to a nerve in the chest.
• Implant - Based Reconstruction: Surgeons at NewYork - Presbyterian utilize both saline and silicone breast implants from all implant manufacturers. They follow current practice guidelines, which discourage the use of textured implants.
• DIEP Flap Reconstruction: Similar to other hospitals, NewYork - Presbyterian offers DIEP flap reconstruction, which uses tissue from the abdomen to create natural - looking breasts and can also result in a slimmer abdomen.

Patient - Centered Care

Whether patients visit the hospital virtually or in person, they can expect the highest standards of care with compassion. The hospital has taken steps to ensure the safety of its facilities for patients to continue their treatment.

5. Doctors Plastic Surgery (led by Dr. Ross Ratner)

Expert Surgeons and High - Quality Care

Dr. Ross Ratner, a double - board certified plastic surgeon with over 15 years of experience and thousands of successful procedures, is a recognized leader in breast reconstruction surgery in NYC. The surgical center is state - of - the - art, equipped with cutting - edge technology to enhance patient comfort and ensure the highest level of care.

Breast Reconstruction Techniques

• Flap Procedures: Surgeons offer advanced flap procedures such as DIEP and TRAM flaps. These techniques use the patient's own natural tissue from areas like the abdomen to create a natural breast shape after mastectomy. The DIEP flap has the added benefit of sparing abdominal muscles for faster recovery.
• Breast Reconstruction with Implants: For patients who prefer implants, the center offers comprehensive implant - based breast reconstruction. Surgeons work with patients to choose the right size and type of implant (silicone or saline) to ensure symmetrical and natural - looking results.

Accessibility and Affordability

The center accepts most insurance plans, making high - quality breast reconstruction surgery accessible to more patients. They also provide flexible financing options through partners like CareCredit, Alphaeon, and Cherry to help patients manage out - of - pocket expenses. With partnerships with leading hospitals and surgical centers in Manhattan, Long Island, and New Jersey, patients have convenient access to top - tier care.

Comparison of the Top 5 Hospitals

Conclusion

In New York City, these top 5 hospitals offer exceptional breast reconstruction surgery services. Each hospital has its own unique strengths, whether it's the expertise of the surgeons, the variety of reconstruction options, or the focus on patient - centered care. Patients who are considering breast reconstruction should carefully research and consult with the hospitals to find the one that best meets their individual needs.

If you or someone you know is interested in breast reconstruction surgery, take the next step by scheduling a consultation with one of these top hospitals. Learn more about the procedures, meet the surgeons, and start the journey towards restoring confidence and well - being.