Introduction to Breast Reduction in New York City
Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a life - changing procedure for many women in New York City. Having overly large breasts can lead to a variety of physical problems such as neck, back, and shoulder pain, as well as emotional issues like self - consciousness and low self - esteem. In this article, we will explore some of the top hospital institutions in New York City that are renowned for their breast reduction services.
Reasons for Breast Reduction
- Physical Discomfort: Excess breast weight can cause chronic pain in the neck, back, and shoulders. For example, women with large breasts often have to deal with poor posture, which is a result of the extra strain on their upper body. The bra straps can also dig into the shoulders, leaving painful indentations.
- Emotional Well - being: Many women feel self - conscious about their large breasts, which can affect their social and professional lives. They may avoid certain activities or clothing styles due to their breast size. A breast reduction can boost self - confidence and improve the overall quality of life.
- Enhanced Mobility: Large breasts can be a hindrance during physical activities. Women may find it difficult to exercise, participate in sports, or even perform simple household chores. Reducing breast size can allow for greater mobility and an active lifestyle.
Top Hospital Institutions for Breast Reduction in New York City
Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai is a well - known name in the field of healthcare in New York City. Their team of highly trained and qualified plastic surgeons is dedicated to enhancing women's breasts through breast reduction surgery.
Expertise and Patient Care
The plastic surgeons at Mount Sinai are experts in handling breast reduction cases. They understand the physical and emotional challenges that women with large breasts face. Through a warm, caring, and supportive approach to patient care, they create an environment where patients feel comfortable discussing their private and sensitive concerns about their bodies. At the confidential consultation, patients are provided with all the necessary information to make an educated decision about the procedure.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for breast reduction surgery at Mount Sinai, patients should meet the following criteria:
- Maintain a healthy, stable weight. Fluctuations in weight can affect the outcome of the surgery and may lead to complications.
- Not plan on future pregnancies. Pregnancy can cause significant changes to the breasts, reversing the improvements made through surgery.
- Be physically mature with fully - developed breasts and emotionally mature about their choice. It is important that patients understand the implications of the surgery and have realistic expectations.
Benefits of Breast Reduction at Mount Sinai
Patients who undergo breast reduction at Mount Sinai can expect several benefits:
- Less neck, back, and shoulder pain caused by the weight of heavy breasts. This can significantly improve the patient's quality of life and reduce the need for pain medications.
- Improved self - confidence about breast size. Women often report feeling more comfortable in their own skin and more confident in social and professional settings.
- Decreased breast size to be in proportion with their body frame. This can enhance the overall aesthetic appearance and make it easier to find well - fitting clothing.
- Nipples pointing in a more upward position. This can improve the symmetry and appearance of the breasts.
- Relief from chafing and skin irritation caused by sagging breast skin. Skin conditions under the breasts can be a major source of discomfort, and breast reduction can help alleviate these issues.
- Balanced size of breasts. In cases where there is breast asymmetry, the surgery can correct the imbalance.
Weill Cornell Medicine
Weill Cornell Medicine is another leading institution in New York City for breast reduction surgery. Their plastic and reconstructive surgeons are committed to helping patients achieve their desired appearance and enhance their self - image and confidence.
Why Choose Weill Cornell Medicine
There are several reasons why patients choose Weill Cornell Medicine for their breast surgery and reconstruction:
- Exemplary Surgeons: The surgeons at Weill Cornell Medicine are leaders in plastic and reconstructive surgery. They are highly skilled and experienced in performing breast reduction surgeries, and their care team is dedicated to promoting comfort throughout the process.
- Partnership with New York - Presbyterian: Weill Cornell Medicine partners with New York - Presbyterian, one of the top hospital systems in New York City and the U.S. This partnership ensures that patients have access to the latest medical technologies and resources.
- Individualized Breast Surgery: The plastic and reconstructive surgeons at Weill Cornell Medicine understand that every patient's body is unique. They work closely with patients to develop an individualized treatment plan that takes into account the patient's specific needs and goals. They are able to help patients achieve a natural look that is in harmony with their body.
- Focus on Comfort: The team at Weill Cornell Medicine prioritizes the patient's comfort at every step of the process. Before surgery, patients have the opportunity to ask questions and get to know their doctor, so they feel at ease with the procedure. In state - of - the - art surgical suites, the surgeons use the latest anesthetics and medications that help patients recover more quickly and heal faster. After the surgery, the care team manages the patient's pain with medication and provides instructions on how to care for themselves during the recovery period.
Cosmetic Breast Surgery Options
Weill Cornell Medicine offers a full range of cosmetic breast surgery options, including breast reduction surgery. The surgeons use the most advanced techniques to ensure the best possible results for their patients. Other options available include breast lift surgery (mastopexy), breast augmentation with implants, and diep flap surgery.
Breast Reduction Center of NYC
The Breast Reduction Center of NYC, located on the upper east side in Manhattan, is a premier destination for breast reduction plastic surgery. They are known for their best - in - class experts and top - quality surgical care.
Unique Approach to Surgery
The breast reduction specialist surgeons at the center are top - rated board - certified/board - eligible plastic surgeons. They offer surgical care in a state - of - the - art facility without the impersonal experience and paperwork of large - scale hospitals. The center provides a beautiful private and relaxed environment that fosters personalized patient care and ensures the best possible surgical experience.
Techniques and Pain Management
The surgeons at the Breast Reduction Center of NYC do not use drains in their breast reductions, and all the stitches dissolve on their own, making post - op care much less complicated. They also use a special technique during surgery called a nerve block, which eliminates the need for prescription pain medicine. Only over - the - counter Tylenol and ibuprofen are necessary for recovery. This innovative approach to pain management sets their practice apart from other plastic surgery practices across the country.
Insurance and Eligibility
The center is in - network with Cigna, United Healthcare, and Oxford (but does not accept United Healthcare Community Plan and Oxford Metro plans). They may accept the Empire Plan (NYSHIP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Aetna plans only if the patient has out - of - network benefits. Unfortunately, they do not accept Medicare, Medicaid, Medi - Cal, Tri - Care, Amida Care, Fidelis, and Metroplus plans. If a patient has a plan that the center does not accept, they need to proceed as self - pay.
To be eligible for insurance coverage for breast reduction surgery, the patient's breasts should be causing medical problems such as shoulder, back, or neck pain, bad posture, limitations on physical activity, headaches, nerve compression syndromes, or rashes and infections under the breasts. The clinical term for large breasts that cause these problems is “symptomatic macromastia.”
Other Renowned Doctors and Hospitals for Breast Reduction in New York City
Best Breast Reduction Doctors
Healthgrades has identified several top doctors in New York City who perform breast reduction surgery:
Doctor's Name | Rating | Location |
---|---|---|
Dr. Peter Henderson, MD | 4.70 out of 5 stars | 10 Union Sq E Frnt 2L, New York, NY 10003 |
Dr. Richard Reish | 4.90 out of 5 stars | 330 9th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215 |
Dr. Leslie Cohen, MD | 4.70 out of 5 stars | 1283 York Avenue 4th floor, New York, NY 10065 |
Dr. Scot Glasberg, MD | 4.60 out of 5 stars | 42 E 74th St #A, New York, NY 10021 |
Dr. Nolan Karp, MD | 4.40 out of 5 stars | 305 E 47th St Rm 1A, New York, NY 10017 |
Other Hospitals
There are also many other hospitals in New York City that have a good reputation for breast reduction surgery:
- NYC Health + Hospitals / Kings County: 70% of patients would definitely recommend this hospital. It is located at 451 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203.
- Wyckoff Heights Medical Center: 54% of patients would definitely recommend this hospital. It is located at 374 Stockholm St, Brooklyn, NY 11237.
- Interfaith Medical Center: It is located at 1545 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213.
- Metropolitan Hospital Center: 64% of patients would definitely recommend this hospital. It is located at 1901 1st Ave, New York, NY 10029.
Breast Reduction Procedure Details
What is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction surgery is a surgical procedure for removing excess fat, skin, and tissue from overly large breasts. The procedure aims to reshape the bust, reduce breast size in relation to the body frame, and improve the patient's quality of life. For most women, the reduction procedure reduces the breast size one or two cup sizes. During the procedure, the surgeon takes special care to maintain the breasts' functionality and sensitivity.
Types of Breast Reduction Procedures
There are several types of breast reduction procedures, and the surgeon will choose the one that promises the best results to fit the patient's body size and desires:
- Pedicle Method: In this technique, the surgeon leaves a pedicle, also called an attached tissue graft, with nerves and blood vessels intact, to supply the breast after it's been reduced in size.
- Inferior Pedicle Method: This is 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: In this technique, 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: This type of 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: Using this type of incision for breast reduction, the plastic surgeon gains access to the breast parenchyma, the inner tissue of the breast, for removal. This procedure is popular because it leaves minimal scarring. It is a “scarless” breast reduction technique that reduces the size of the breasts through tiny incisions that result in minimal, imperceptible scarring. Patients with significant breast fat, minimal excess skin, properly - positioned nipples, and adequately sized areolas benefit the most from this technique.
Pre - operative Preparation
Before breast reduction surgery, patients need to go through several pre - operative steps:
- Initial Consultation: The patient should contact an experienced breast surgeon to learn more about the procedure. During the consultation, the patient can discuss their goals, concerns, and expectations with the surgeon.
- Physical Exam: The doctor will carry out a physical examination, review the patient's medical history, and ask further questions to determine if the patient is a good candidate for mammoplasty. The doctor will also determine the best reduction option to suit the patient's chest, height, weight, and body size.
- Pre - operative Requirements: The doctor may take a baseline mammogram for a better view of the breasts. The patient will be requested to stop taking blood - thinning medications, aspirin, and anti - inflammatories. They should also stop smoking weeks before the procedure for the best results. Depending on the patient's medical situation, the surgeon may request the patient to take some additional medications or adjust their doses. If the patient is pregnant, they may have to wait until after they've finished breastfeeding before getting the procedure.
What Happens During Surgery?
Breast reduction is an inpatient surgery that takes place in a fully equipped ambulatory surgical center. The general steps of the procedure are as follows:
- Incision Marks: The surgeon marks the incision lines on the breasts, depending on their shape, size, and required reduction. This is usually done while the patient is standing.
- Anesthesia: Once the patient is comfortably lying down on the operating bed, the anesthesiologist puts the patient under general anesthesia, so they sleep through the procedure. The anesthesiologist stays at hand to monitor the patient throughout the surgery.
- Incisions: Incisions are made according to the best breast reduction technique based on the patient's breasts' anatomy.
- Breast Reduction: The surgeon removes the excess tissue, fat, skin, and glandular tissue from the lower part of the breasts to reduce the size.
- Breast Lift: The bust is reshaped with the remaining breast tissue into natural contours, as part of the breast lift.
- Nipple and Areola Repositioning: The surgeon moves the nipple to a higher location on the breast while it's still attached to its blood supply.
- Closing the Incision: By bringing the incisions together, the newly reduced breasts gain a natural shape. Using suture layering in the breast tissue creates support. To close the incision, the doctor uses a combination of skin adhesives, surgical tape, and sutures. Whenever possible, the surgeon uses absorbent sutures that dissolve naturally.
- Dressing: The surgeon dresses the incisions with a gauze bandage and then wraps the bosom in a protective cover.
Post - operative Recovery
The recovery period after breast reduction surgery varies from patient to patient. Here are some general points regarding recovery:
- Discomfort and Soreness: Patients may feel some pain and soreness around their breasts during the recovery period. The doctor may prescribe a short - term round of prescription pain medication or recommend the best over - the - counter painkillers to reduce the discomfort.
- Return to Work: Patients can return to work in two to three weeks, depending on how they feel and what kind of work they do. By this stage, they are likely wearing a sports bra for support.
- Physical Activity: Patients should avoid high - intensity exercise, especially running and weight