Introduction to the top 5 hospitals for nipple protective resection and reconstruction in New York City!
1. Weill Cornell Medicine
General Information
Weill Cornell Medicine has two main locations in the Upper East Side. One is at 525 East 68th Street, Starr 8, New York, NY 10065, and the other is at 425 East 61st Street, 10th floor, New York, NY 10065. The contact number is (646) 962 - 4210. It is well - known for breast reconstruction surgeries and has been at the forefront of this field for a long time.
Why Choose Weill Cornell Medicine?
- Exemplary Surgeons: The surgeons are leaders in plastic and reconstructive surgery. They have extensive experience and are dedicated to promoting the comfort of patients throughout the surgical process. For instance, they are skilled in handling nipple - sparing mastectomies with concurrent reconstruction, a technique they have been performing for the past 20 years.
- Individualized Breast Reconstruction: Understanding that each patient's body is unique, the plastic and reconstructive surgeons at Weill Cornell Medicine are able to customize the breast reconstruction according to the patient's wishes. They take into account various factors such as body type, skin elasticity, and the patient's aesthetic goals.
- Multidisciplinary Care: The hospital offers a network of doctors and specialists. The plastic and reproductive surgeons are part of the Weill Cornell Medicine Breast Center, which includes oncologists, geneticists, and nurses who specialize in breast cancer care. This collaborative approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive care and achieve optimal health and well - being.
- Focus on Comfort: The team prioritizes the patient's comfort at every step. Before surgery, patients have the opportunity to ask questions and fully understand the procedure. The surgeons use the latest anesthetics and medications in state - of - the - art surgical suites to help patients recover more quickly and heal faster. After surgery, the care team manages pain with medication and provides guidance on self - care during the recovery period.
Breast Reconstruction Options
| Reconstruction Type | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Autologous reconstruction (your own tissue) | Uses tissue from different areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks, to make the breast. Nerves can be reconstructed to increase sensory recovery in the breasts, which may be numb after mastectomy. | Creates a more natural - looking and feeling breast. Nerve reconstruction can improve the quality of life by restoring some sensation. |
| Breast innervation during autologous reconstruction | A novel reinnervation procedure that takes about 20 minutes. A nerve in the abdominal flap is reconnected to a nerve in the chest during breast reconstruction. | Preserves the nipple and mastectomy skin sensation, which is associated with improved patient quality of life. |
| Breast innervation during implant reconstruction | Surgeons developed a new technique where the nerves that supply the skin and nipple are preserved and reconnected to the breast skin and nipple during expander and implant - based reconstruction. | Improves sensation and patient quality of life. |
| DIEP flap reconstruction | Uses a flap of complete tissue from the abdomen (deep inferior epigastric perforator artery) to reconstruct the breast. | Creates a slimmer abdomen and natural - looking and feeling breasts. |
| Implant - based reconstruction | Uses tissue expanders and implants. The hospital utilizes both saline and silicone breast implants from all implant manufacturers according to the patient's clinical needs. Pioneered techniques such as direct - to - implant reconstruction and tissue expander reconstruction without use of drains. | Allows for a customizable breast size and shape. The new techniques can reduce the complexity and recovery time of the procedure. |
2. Mount Sinai West
General Information
The breast reconstruction program at Mount Sinai West is led by Hani Sbitany, MD, an internationally renowned leader in breast reconstruction. The address is 425 West 59th Street 7th floor, New York, NY 10019, and the contact number is 212 - 523 - 8700. Office hours are on Tuesdays from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Services Offered
It offers the full complement of breast reconstruction options and specialized expertise in advanced muscle - sparing and microsurgical techniques. There are two main categories of breast reconstruction approaches: those involving breast implants and those using the body's own tissue (autologous). The reconstruction procedure can usually be performed at the same time as the mastectomy or at a later date if necessary.
Team Collaboration
The Mount Sinai West breast reconstruction program works closely with breast oncology surgeons to provide comprehensive breast care. The team includes Hani Sbitany, MD (plastic and reconstructive surgery), Stephanie Bernik, MD (breast surgery), and Jennifer Casher Lehman, MD (breast surgery).
3. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai
General Information
Dr. Joshua Levine established the first dedicated perforator flap breast reconstruction program in New York City, the New York Center for the Advancement of Breast Reconstruction, at this hospital in 2006. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary has been ranked among “America’s best hospitals” for nine years straight since 2006 and has achieved Magnet® status by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® for excellence in nursing services.
Reconstruction Programs
Dr. Levine has developed dedicated natural tissue breast reconstruction centers throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. At this hospital, the surgical teams are well - trained in state - of - the - art procedures for breast reconstruction, especially perforator flap breast reconstruction. When performing perforator flap breast reconstruction, Dr. Levine always uses a second expert microsurgeon in a team approach to ensure safety, efficiency, and a quick recovery for patients.
4. Dubin Breast Center at Mount Sinai
General Information
The Dubin Breast Center offers expert breast reconstruction. Plastic surgeons work closely with breast surgeons and oncologists to ensure seamless and advanced procedures, paying close attention to both medical and aesthetic outcomes.
Reconstruction Types
- Implant Reconstruction: At the time of mastectomy, a tissue expander (a temporary inflatable implant) is placed. It is inflated in the plastic surgeon's office soon after surgery. Patients usually stay in the hospital for a day or two. Return to work may be possible in two to three weeks. About three months after the initial surgery, the tissue expander is removed, and a permanent implant (filled with silicone or saline) is placed.
- Autologous Reconstruction (your own tissue): Several types of reconstruction use the patient's own body tissue. For example, the DIEP flap uses skin and fat from the lower abdomen (similar to a “tummy - tuck”), and the latissimus dorsi flap uses skin and muscle from the back. The initial surgery is generally longer than with an implant, but more can be accomplished in the first procedure. The hospital stay is typically five days, and patients may be able to return to work four to six weeks later.
5. Long Island Plastic Surgical Group (NYPS Group)
General Information
The breast reconstruction surgery center of NYPS Group, a “center of excellence,” is well - known for nipple reconstruction. The plastic and reconstructive surgeons at NYPS Group have performed more than 10,000 procedures, including all major breast reconstruction techniques, and many of the doctors have been educated at some of the most respected medical institutions and cancer reconstruction centers in the world, such as Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Nipple Reconstruction Options
- Graft Nipple Reconstruction: The plastic surgeon takes skin from a donor site and attaches it to the newly constructed breast. The donor site for the nipple can be the nipple of the other breast (in single - breast mastectomy) or the earlobe or labia (in double mastectomy). The donor site for the areola can be the scar from a flap reconstruction procedure, the crease of the buttock, or the inner thigh.
- Flap Nipple Reconstruction: Involves creating the nipple from a skin flap taken from the area directly beside the region where the new nipple will be placed. This technique keeps the original blood supply flowing into the new nipple, provides a greater chance for successful graft acceptance, and typically results in less scarring around the reconstructed nipple and areola.
- Nipple Tattooing: Offered on an outpatient basis as the final step in the nipple reconstruction process. The team mixes a variety of pigments to match the color of the remaining nipple or the patient's preoperative photos. Multiple treatment sessions may be required to achieve the correct color.
Conclusion
New York City offers several top - notch hospitals for nipple protective resection and reconstruction. Weill Cornell Medicine stands out for its experienced surgeons, individualized care, and multidisciplinary approach. Mount Sinai West is renowned for its advanced techniques led by an internationally recognized expert. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai has a strong breast reconstruction program with well - trained surgical teams. The Dubin Breast Center at Mount Sinai provides comprehensive breast reconstruction with different options. The Long Island Plastic Surgical Group is a leader in nipple reconstruction, offering multiple techniques and the final step of nipple tattooing.
If you or someone you know is considering nipple protective resection and reconstruction, it is highly recommended to do further research, schedule consultations with these hospitals, and discuss your specific needs and concerns with the medical teams. By making an informed decision, you can take an important step towards restoring your physical and emotional well - being. Share this article with others who may find it useful and explore related topics on breast health and reconstruction to gain more knowledge.
