Introduction

Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that has gained significant attention in New York City. For many women in the city, large breasts can lead to a variety of physical and emotional challenges. Physically, they can cause pain in the neck, back, and shoulders, as well as poor posture, rashes, and breathing problems. Emotionally, they can lead to low self - esteem and self - consciousness. In this comprehensive article, we will explore the public and private hospitals in New York City that offer medical breast reduction services, the procedures involved, candidates for the surgery, and related considerations.

What is Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin from the breasts. The primary goal is to achieve a bust size that is more proportionate to the patient's body, while also alleviating the discomfort associated with overly large breasts, a condition known as macromastia. Overly large breasts can take both an emotional and physical toll on patients. The physical discomfort can make normal daily activities more difficult, and the long - term effects can even result in depression and anxiety, reducing the patient's overall quality of life.

Benefits of Breast Reduction

A breast reduction can have numerous positive results for patients:

• Relief from pain: One of the most significant benefits is the relief from back, neck, and shoulder pain caused by the weight of the breasts. This can greatly improve the patient's quality of life and make it easier to engage in physical activities.
• Better clothing fit: Patients will find that their clothes fit better, including bras and swimwear. This can enhance their confidence and comfort when dressing.
• Increased physical comfort: There is greater ease during exercise and a more proportionate physique, allowing patients to be more active without the hindrance of large breasts.
• Improved appearance: The surgery can result in better breast symmetry, more youthful, upward - tilted nipples, and more appealing, round breasts. This can lead to a boost in self - confidence.

Breast Reduction Techniques

There are several techniques used for breast reduction surgery, and the choice of technique depends on various factors such as the size and shape of the breasts, the amount of tissue to be removed, and the patient's desired results.

Circular Incision

This technique involves creating an incision around the areola (the area directly around the nipple) to remove excess tissue from the breast. It is often used for less significant breast reduction procedures and usually results in less noticeable scarring.

Vertical (Lollipop) Incision

Similar to the circular incision method, this option requires an incision around the areola, as well as an additional incision down from the areola to the crease of the breast, resulting in a “lollipop - shaped” incision. It is suitable for moderately sized breast reductions.

Anchor (Inverted - T) Incision

This type of breast reduction surgery uses incisions around the areola, vertically down the areola to the breast crease, and along the crease to form an “anchor” or “inverted - T” shape. It is typically used when a more significant amount of excess skin, fat, and glandular tissue needs to be removed.

Private Hospitals and Clinics for Breast Reduction in New York City

Breast Reduction Center of NYC

Located on the upper east side in Manhattan, the Breast Reduction Center of NYC is a premier destination for breast reduction plastic surgery. The center's surgeons are top - rated board - certified or board - eligible plastic surgeons. They offer high - quality surgical care in a state - of - the - art facility. The environment is private and relaxed, fostering personalized patient care.

The center performs hundreds of breast reduction surgeries each year. They use a special technique called a nerve block during surgery, which eliminates the need for prescription pain medicine. Only over - the - counter Tylenol and ibuprofen are necessary for recovery. They also do not use drains in their breast reductions, and all the stitches dissolve on their own, making post - op care much less complicated.

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.

Dr. Barry Weintraub

Dr. Barry Weintraub is a board - certified top plastic surgeon. He is dedicated to helping patients alleviate the symptoms associated with large breasts while creating proportionate, natural - looking breasts. His surgical suite in NYC is quad A - accredited.

Dr. Weintraub will discuss with the patient which breast - reduction option is best for them, depending on the size and shape of their breasts and desired results. He prefers his breast reduction patients to be in a comfortable state of twilight sleep during the surgery. He insists on the most sterile conditions in the operating room, with board - certified anesthesiologists and state - of - the - art monitoring equipment.

Although he has privileges at several hospitals, he prefers the privacy of his hospital - grade, state - of - the - art surgical center attached to his office at 800a Fifth Avenue.

Medical One New York - Dr. Ronald Espinoza

Medical One New York welcomes patients to learn more about options to reduce breast size. They understand the discomfort and self - esteem issues associated with large breasts. Their plastic surgeons, including Dr. Wendy Olivier and Dr. Ronald Espinoza, are experienced in performing breast reduction surgeries.

The price of breast reduction at this facility is determined by the size of the breasts and the complexity of the procedure. In many cases, the surgery is deemed medically necessary and can be covered by the patient's insurance carrier. The center accepts private insurance.

Dr. Darrick Antell

Dr. Darrick Antell is one of the world's most celebrated plastic surgeons. Trained at Stanford and Cornell, he is known for his meticulous precision, integrity in patient care, and outstanding ability to create remarkably natural - looking results. As a breast surgeon, he specializes in shaping, reducing, and improving the appearance of women's breasts for those whose breasts are too large for their physique.

During the consultation, Dr. Antell will listen to the patient's concerns, evaluate their medical history and overall health, measure and examine their breasts, and take photographs for the medical record. He will discuss the aesthetic goals for the size and appearance of the breasts and describe the breast reduction surgery in detail, including its risks and benefits.

The breast reduction procedure begins with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation or “twilight” sedation. A board - certified anesthesiologist will monitor the patient throughout the procedure. Incisions are made depending on the amount of breast tissue to be removed, and the excess fat, skin, and tissue are removed, and the breasts are reshaped.

New York Group for Plastic Surgery

The New York Group for Plastic Surgery has a team of highly - trained and qualified plastic surgeons. They have been enhancing women's lives for over 27 years. Their warm, caring, and supportive approach to patient care provides an environment where patients feel comfortable discussing private and sensitive concerns about their body.

Many women choose breast reduction at this practice for reasons such as reducing neck, back, and shoulder pain, improving self - confidence, and achieving a more proportionate breast size. The surgeons will work with the patient to determine the right combination of procedures, and they offer online before - and - after photos for patients to see the results.

Breast reduction surgery is performed at their on - site and outpatient facility, and patients can go home the day of the surgery. After the surgery, patients may experience temporary numbness of the nipples and breasts, and there are specific guidelines for resuming activities and exercises.

Public Hospitals for Breast Reduction in New York City

While specific details about public hospitals' breast reduction services may not be as prominent as private clinics, there are several public hospital systems in New York City that could potentially offer breast reduction services:

NYC Health + Hospitals

NYC Health + Hospitals is a large public hospital system in the city. Some of its hospitals may offer breast reduction surgeries, especially when the procedure is deemed medically necessary. These hospitals serve a diverse population and may provide more affordable options for patients who are eligible for Medicaid or other public insurance programs. However, the availability of breast reduction services may vary among different hospitals within the system, and the wait times may be longer compared to private clinics.

Mount Sinai Hospital (partially public - supported)

Mount Sinai's team of highly trained and qualified plastic surgeons is expert at enhancing women's breasts. Their approach to patient care is warm, caring, and supportive. They will help patients determine whether breast reduction is the right choice for them at a confidential consultation, providing all the necessary information to make an educated decision.

To be eligible for breast reduction surgery at Mount Sinai, patients should maintain a healthy, stable weight, not plan on future pregnancies that will affect their breasts, and be physically and emotionally mature about their choice. The surgery can help patients gain freedom from the physical and emotional burden of large breasts.

Candidates for Breast Reduction

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for breast reduction surgery. The ideal candidates typically meet the following criteria:

• Health status: They are generally in good health, with no major medical concerns such as diabetes or heart problems. Smoking can also affect the surgical outcome, so non - smokers are preferred. Obesity may also complicate the surgery, so patients are usually expected to be at or near their ideal weight and able to maintain it.
• Breast development: Women should have fully developed breasts. It is usually recommended to wait until breast development is complete, typically after the age of 18, before considering breast reduction.
• Reproductive plans: Those who are finished having children are better candidates. Pregnancy can cause changes in the breasts, which may reverse the results of the surgery.
• Physical and emotional symptoms: They experience physical symptoms such as back, neck, and shoulder pain, rash or skin irritation under the breasts, nerve pain, restricted activity due to breast size, or poor self - image related to overly - large breasts. Emotionally, they should have realistic expectations about the surgery and its results.

Insurance Coverage for Breast Reduction

Insurance coverage for breast reduction depends on whether the surgery is deemed medically necessary. If the breast size is causing neck, shoulder, or back pain, the surgery may be covered by insurance. However, insurance companies usually require specific documentation.

For example, at the Breast Reduction Center of NYC, the clinical term “symptomatic macromastia” is what an insurance company will look for to decide whether the requested breast reduction is medically necessary. The center's team will help patients with all the necessary paperwork if they are deemed candidates for insurance coverage. Similarly, Dr. Darrick Antell can help determine if the procedure meets the points required by an insurance company and will provide a letter describing the patient's symptoms and physical findings, including an estimate of the amount of breast tissue to be removed.

It's important to note that if the reasons for the surgery are purely cosmetic, insurance companies typically do not cover the cost, and the patient will have to pay out - of - pocket.

Preparing for Breast Reduction Surgery

Preparing for breast reduction surgery is an important step to ensure a successful outcome. Here are some common preparations:

Medical clearance

Patients will need to obtain medical clearance from their family physician. This helps the surgeon assess the patient's overall health and identify any potential risks.

Tests

Some surgeons may require tests, such as a mammogram, to ensure the breast health of the patient.

Lifestyle changes

Patients are usually advised to stop smoking for a period of time both before and after the surgery, as smoking can affect the healing process. They should also avoid blood - thinning drugs or supplements, such as aspirin, which can increase the risk of bleeding during surgery.

Arrangements

Since the patient will be under anesthesia during the surgery, they need to arrange for someone to drive them home after the procedure. In some cases, especially for patients traveling from a distance, post - operative accommodation may need to be arranged.

The Breast Reduction Procedure

The breast reduction procedure typically involves the following steps:

Anesthesia

The surgery usually begins with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation or “twilight” sedation. A board - certified anesthesiologist will monitor the patient throughout the procedure to ensure safety.

Incision

As mentioned earlier, the type of incision depends on the amount of breast tissue to be removed. Incisions can be made around the areola, at the crease under the breast then up to the nipple, or around the areola and down to the base of the breast.

Tissue removal and reshaping

Once the incision is made, the surgeon will remove the excess fat, skin, and tissue. The remaining tissue will be carefully reshaped into a smaller, more attractive shape. The nipples may also be repositioned to point upward, creating a lifted, perkier look.

Suturing

Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to support the newly sculpted breasts.

Risks and Complications of Breast Reduction

While breast reduction is typically a safe procedure when performed by an experienced, board - certified plastic surgeon, there are still risks involved:

• Bleeding and infection: These are common risks associated with any surgery. Patients need to follow the post - operative care instructions carefully to minimize the risk of infection.
• Reaction to anesthesia: Although rare, some patients may have an adverse reaction to the anesthesia used during the surgery.
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation: There is a risk of changes in nipple or breast sensation, which typically resolves in a few months. In rare cases, there can be partial or total loss of the nipple and areola.
• Scarring: Scars are a natural part of the healing process. While efforts are made to minimize their visibility, they will never completely disappear.

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery from breast reduction surgery takes time, and proper aftercare is crucial for a successful outcome:

Immediate post - operative period

After the surgery, patients will be able to return home with a family member or friend the same day. They will have a compression dressing on their breasts to support the new shape and reduce swelling. Expect some swelling and bruising, which are normal parts of the healing process.

Activity restrictions

Most patients can return to many of their daily activities within days of the procedure, but they should avoid strenuous exercise until cleared by the surgeon, usually about two weeks after the surgery. Vigorous activities should be limited for at least the first month.

Follow - up appointments

Patients will need to attend follow - up appointments with the surgeon to monitor the healing process. The external sutures are usually removed one to two weeks after the procedure.

Scar management

The scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks before beginning to fade. The surgeon may recommend certain scar - management techniques, such as using silicone sheets or creams.

Choosing the Right Surgeon

Choosing the right surgeon for breast reduction is a crucial decision. Here are some factors to consider:

Board certification

Ensure that the surgeon is board - certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This certification indicates that the surgeon has met the rigorous standards of training and expertise.

Experience

Look for a surgeon with extensive experience in performing breast reduction surgeries. You can ask about the number of surgeries they have performed and view before - and - after photos of their patients.

Reputation

Check the surgeon's reputation among other medical professionals in the community and read patient reviews. Speaking to the surgeon's previous patients who have undergone similar procedures can also provide valuable insights.

Communication