Introduction
Nipple and areola reconstruction is a crucial aspect of breast reconstruction, which helps patients achieve a more natural - looking breast appearance after mastectomy or other breast - related traumas. In New York City, a bustling metropolis with world - class medical facilities, there are numerous institutions and doctors specializing in this field. This article aims to provide a comprehensive ranking and overview of the institutions and doctors for nipple and areola reconstruction in New York City, along with relevant information about the procedures, recovery, and more.
Top Doctors for Nipple and Areola Reconstruction in New York City
Overall New York Ranking
According to Healthgrades, there are 104 doctors who perform nipple reconstruction in New York. Here are some of the highly - rated doctors:
| Doctor's Name | Rating (out of 5) | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Philip Torina, MD | 5.00 | 5 E 98th St #2, New York, NY 10029 |
| Dr. David Otterburn, MD | 5.00 | 525 East 68th Street Starr 8, New York, NY 10065 |
| Dr. Eloise Chapman - Davis, MD | 4.90 | 525 East 68th Street Suite J - 130, New York, NY 10065 |
| Dr. Jeffrey Ascherman, MD | 4.90 | 51 West 51st Street Suite 380, New York, NY 10019 |
| Dr. Heather Yeo, MD | 4.60 | 1283 York Avenue 9th floor, New York, NY 10065 |
| Dr. Evan Matros, MD | 4.80 | 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10065 |
| Dr. Rachel Blue Bond - Langner, MD | 4.40 | 222 E 41st St, New York, NY 10017 |
| Dr. Babak Mehrara, MD | 4.40 | 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10065 |
| Dr. Jess Ting, MD | 4.30 | 10 Union Sq E #3 - g, New York, NY 10003 |
| Dr. Jonathan Keith, MD | 4.00 | 79 Hudson St Ste 203, Hoboken, NJ 07030 |
| Dr. Jordan Jacobs, MD | 4.20 | 77 Worth St Fl 1, New York, NY 10013 |
| Dr. Alice Yao, MD | 2.30 | 5 E 98th St #2, New York, NY 10029 |
Brooklyn - Specific Ranking
In Brooklyn, Healthgrades found 97 doctors who perform nipple reconstruction. Some of the top - rated ones are:
| Doctor's Name | Rating (out of 5) | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Lisa Gfrerer, MD | 5.00 | 515 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215 |
| Dr. Philip Torina, MD | 5.00 | 5 E 98th St #2, New York, NY 10029 |
| Dr. David Otterburn, MD | 5.00 | 525 East 68th Street Starr 8, New York, NY 10065 |
| Dr. Jeffrey Ascherman, MD | 4.90 | 51 West 51st Street Suite 380, New York, NY 10019 |
| Dr. Evan Matros, MD | 4.80 | 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10065 |
| Dr. Rachel Blue Bond - Langner, MD | 4.40 | 222 E 41st St, New York, NY 10017 |
| Dr. Babak Mehrara, MD | 4.40 | 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10065 |
| Dr. Jess Ting, MD | 4.30 | 10 Union Sq E #3 - g, New York, NY 10003 |
| Dr. Jonathan Keith, MD | 4.00 | 79 Hudson St Ste 203, Hoboken, NJ 07030 |
| Dr. Jordan Jacobs, MD | 4.20 | 77 Worth St Fl 1, New York, NY 10013 |
| Dr. Alice Yao, MD | 2.30 | 5 E 98th St #2, New York, NY 10029 |
Procedures for Nipple and Areola Reconstruction
Graft Nipple Reconstruction
At the Long Island Plastic Surgical Group, graft nipple reconstruction is one of the methods used. In this procedure, the plastic surgeon takes skin from a donor site and attaches it to the newly constructed breast. For single - breast mastectomy cases, the donor site for the nipple can be the nipple of the other breast. In double - mastectomy cases, the donor site can be the earlobe or labia. The donor site for the areola can come from areas such as the scar from a flap reconstruction procedure, the crease of the buttock, or the inner thigh.
Flap Nipple Reconstruction
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 approach has advantages over the graft technique as it keeps the original blood supply flowing into the new nipple, increasing the chance of successful graft acceptance. Also, it typically results in less scarring around the reconstructed nipple and areola area.
Nipple Tattooing
Nipple tattooing is the final step in the nipple reconstruction process offered at the Long Island Plastic Surgical Group's breast reconstruction surgery center. It uses typical tattooing equipment for medical purposes to create a natural - looking nipple that complements the skin color and tone. The medical team mixes various pigments to match the color of the remaining nipple or, in the case of bilateral reconstruction, to the patient's preoperative photos. However, patients should know that tattooing alone won't create the same natural - looking appearance as a complete nipple reconstruction and may require multiple treatment sessions.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
Cost
According to Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery, nipple reconstruction costs between $2,000 to $12,000. The cost of nipple correction surgery also falls within the same range at this institution.
Insurance Coverage
The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 is a federal law requiring any insurance company covering mastectomies to also cover all stages of breast reconstruction, including nipple reconstruction. However, at Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery, nipple reconstruction is covered by insurance only in the context of previous breast cancer.
Recovery Process
General Timeline
Nipple and areola reconstruction is typically performed about three to six months after the first stage of breast reconstruction, depending on the patient's full - recovery timeline. The recovery period for nipple correction surgery at Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery is 1 to 3 days, and patients are recommended to refrain from working out for 1 - 2 weeks after the procedure. For patients undergoing flap procedures at Dr. Levine's center, they may require a stay of 5 to 6 days, and upon returning home, they can expect swelling, soreness, and bruising for 2 to 3 weeks.
Post - Surgery Care
Doctors and their teams play a crucial role in post - surgery care. At Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery, Dr. Bassiri - Tehrani, the patient care coordinator, and the rest of the team will guide and support patients throughout their post - surgery care, scheduling follow - up appointments to assess recovery and results. Similarly, Dr. Levine and his staff will be available via phone call for patients after they return home.
Top Nipple Surgery Doctors in New York
Realself.com lists several top nipple surgery doctors in New York. These doctors are board - certified plastic surgeons with years of experience:
| Doctor's Name | Years of Experience | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS | 40 | 112 - 03 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills, New York |
| Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS | 30 | 114 E. 71st St., New York, New York |
| Anthony DeBoni, MD | 26 | 5898 Bridge St., East Syracuse, New York |
| Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS | 29 | 169 E. 69th St., New York, New York |
| Ryan Neinstein, MD, FRCSc | 17 | 4W 58th, New York, New York |
| Norman M. Rowe, MD | 21 | 820 Park Ave., New York, New York |
| Irena Karanetz, MD | 6 | 999 Franklin Ave., Garden City, New York |
| Sharon Y. Giese, MD | 25 | 114 E 61st St., New York, New York |
| Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS | 30 | 1424 Richmond Ave., Staten Island, New York |
| Michelle Zweifler, MD | 23 | 800 - A Fifth Ave., New York, New York |
Traveling for Nipple and Areola Reconstruction
Many patients choose to travel for surgery, especially to seek the expertise of renowned surgeons like Dr. Joshua L. Levine. For local patients in the tri - state area, they will meet with Dr. Levine prior to scheduling surgery. Out - of - town patients (over 3 hours driving distance) will meet with him the day of or the day before their scheduled surgery. The center provides first - class concierge care to traveling patients and offers recommendations on accommodation and the best times to fly in for consultation or surgery. There are dedicated natural tissue breast reconstruction centers in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, and with three major international airports nearby, New York City is easily accessible for patients from around the world.
Conclusion
In New York City, there is a wide range of institutions and doctors offering nipple and areola reconstruction services. Patients have the option to choose from highly - rated doctors based on their location (whether in New York City as a whole or specifically in Brooklyn), the type of procedure they need, cost, and insurance coverage. The available procedures, such as graft and flap nipple reconstruction along with nipple tattooing, provide different solutions to meet the diverse needs of patients. Additionally, the recovery process and post - surgery care are well - supported by medical teams. Traveling for surgery is also a viable option for patients seeking specialized expertise.
If you are considering nipple and areola reconstruction, we encourage you to do further research on the doctors and institutions mentioned in this article. Contact the relevant medical centers for consultations to understand your options better and make an informed decision that is right for you. Share this article with others who may be interested in this topic and explore more about breast reconstruction on our website.
