Introduction
In recent years, the demand for breast implant removal in New York City has witnessed a significant surge. Women are opting for this procedure for various reasons, including implant - related complications, changing aesthetic preferences, or concerns about potential health risks. With numerous hospitals and clinics offering breast implant removal services, it can be overwhelming for patients to choose the right one. This article aims to provide an in - depth analysis of the top hospitals in New York City for breast implant removal, considering factors such as the expertise of surgeons, the range of procedures offered, patient satisfaction, and cost.
Reasons for Breast Implant Removal
Before delving into the hospital rankings, it's crucial to understand why women choose to have their breast implants removed. The reasons can be broadly classified into medical and aesthetic concerns.
Medical Reasons
- Capsular Contracture: This is a common complication where the scar tissue (capsule) around the implant hardens. It can cause pain, discomfort, and distortion of the breast's appearance. For example, a patient may experience a tight, firm feeling in the breast, and the shape may become misshapen.
- Implant Rupture or Leakage: Both saline and silicone implants can rupture or leak over time. Saline implants may deflate rapidly, while silicone implants may not show obvious external signs. An MRI or ultrasound may be required to detect a silicone implant rupture.
- Breast Implant - Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA - ALCL): This is a rare form of cancer associated with breast implants, primarily textured implants. It often presents as a mass or fluid accumulation in the breast several years after implant surgery.
- Chronic Pain: Some women may experience persistent pain in the breasts, shoulders, or back, which they attribute to their breast implants.
- Infection: Infections can occur around the implant, leading to symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, and fever.
Aesthetic Reasons
- Changing Preferences: Over time, a woman's aesthetic preferences may change. She may no longer desire the size, shape, or appearance of her breast implants and opt for removal.
- Visible or Palpable Implants: In some cases, the implant may become visible through the skin or can be easily felt, which is an aesthetic concern for many patients.
- Asymmetry: The breasts may appear unequal in size or shape, either due to the initial implant placement or changes over time.
Top Hospitals for Breast Implant Removal in New York City
Breast Reconstruction Center of NYC
The Breast Reconstruction Center of NYC, located at 461 Park Ave S, #7K, New York, NY 10016, is highly regarded for breast implant removal.
Surgeon Expertise
The center's board - certified plastic surgeons are top - rated and well - trained in breast implant removal surgery. They are aware of the latest advancements in the field and have extensive experience dealing with various types of implant - related issues.
Range of Procedures
They offer a variety of breast implant removal procedures, including en bloc removal, partial capsulectomy, and total capsulectomy.
| Procedure | Description |
|---|---|
| En bloc | The plastic surgeon removes the implants and capsule in a single procedure. This is often preferred when there are concerns about potential contamination or to minimize the risk of leaving behind any tissue that could cause future problems. |
| Partial capsulectomy | It involves removing the breast implant material and trimming/shaping some of the capsule material to create the patient's desired chest contour. This may be suitable for patients with less severe capsule issues. |
| Total capsulectomy | The procedure consists of removing the implant, capsule, and remaining scar tissue. It is a more extensive procedure but can be necessary in cases of significant scarring or complications. |
Patient Experience
Patients appreciate the personalized approach of the surgeons. During the initial consultation, the surgeon takes the time to understand the patient's concerns and goals, and then explains each variation of the breast implant removal procedure. The state - of - the - art surgical suite provides a comfortable and safe environment for the surgery.
Cost
While the exact cost may vary depending on the complexity of the procedure, the center offers high - quality services. The overall cost may include surgeon fees, facility fees, anesthesia fees, and post - operative care costs.
Dr. Joshua Levine's Associated Hospitals
Dr. Joshua Levine has established dedicated hospital programs and expert surgical teams in multiple hospitals across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut for natural breast reconstruction, which also includes breast implant removal.
Hospital Affiliations
New York Facilities
- New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mt. Sinai: Ranked among “America’s best hospitals” for nine years straight since 2006 and has achieved Magnet® status for excellence in nursing services. It offers a high - level of care and support for patients undergoing breast implant removal.
- Nyack Hospital: Recognized as a “top performer” for three consecutive years by the Joint Commission, indicating its high standards of patient safety and quality of care.
- Good Samaritan Hospital: Has the Joint Commission gold seal of approval, which is a testament to its commitment to meeting national standards for healthcare quality.
- Northern Westchester Hospital: Listed among the “best hospitals 2013 - 14” by U.S. News & World Report. It provides a comprehensive range of services for breast implant removal patients.
- Montefiore Medical Center: A well - known medical institution that offers state - of - the - art facilities and a team of experienced surgeons for breast implant removal.
New Jersey Facilities
- Hackensack University Medical Center: Earned the distinction of being New Jersey’s #1 hospital and is among the top 30 hospitals in the nation to have 10 or more (11) national specialty rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s 2014 - 15 best hospitals rankings.
- Morristown Medical Center: One of the safest hospitals in the nation — fourteen consecutive times and a top teaching hospital. It has been recognized in various rankings, such as being among the world’s best hospitals 2022 and best hospitals for infection prevention.
- Holy Name Medical Center: Offers quality medical services and has a team of professionals experienced in breast implant removal procedures.
- Saint Barnabas Medical Center: Another reliable option in New Jersey for breast implant removal, with a focus on patient - centered care.
Connecticut Facilities
- Greenwich Hospital: In 2022, it earned a five - star hospital quality rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and received the Women’s Choice Award for one of America’s best hospitals for cancer care. It has a history of providing excellent patient experiences, as recognized by Healthgrades.
Surgeon Expertise
Dr. Levine has personally directed the advanced training of his surgical teams in state - of - the - art procedures at each of the centers. His team includes experts in microsurgery and breast surgery, ensuring that patients receive the highest level of care. For example, Robert Allen, M.D., is a pioneer of perforator free flap breast reconstruction, and Julie Vasile, M.D., is a board - certified fellowship - trained microsurgeon.
Patient Recovery
The surgical teams at these affiliated hospitals focus on ensuring quick patient recovery. Dr. Levine always uses a second expert microsurgeon when performing perforator flap breast reconstruction, which is a complex procedure. This approach helps to increase the safety and efficiency of the surgery, reducing the time for the patient under anesthesia and minimizing the risk of complications.
Steven Wallach MD, FACS
Dr. Steven Wallach offers breast implant removal services in a convenient location to serve the areas of New York, NY.
Consultation Process
During the consultation, Dr. Wallach evaluates the patient's situation based on their concerns. If there are complications such as capsular contracture, he performs an examination to confirm the diagnosis. For cosmetic concerns, he discusses other options like breast implant replacement or breast lift. He walks the patient through the available options and techniques, and helps to determine the best approach to achieve the desired results with the least amount of scarring.
Procedure Details
The surgery may be performed under intravenous (IV) sedation or general anesthesia for the patient's comfort and safety. Dr. Wallach makes an incision using the previous breast implant surgical approach to access the pocket and removes the implant. He may also remove the scar capsule surrounding it and take extra care to remove any leaked silicone gel in case of rupture. If the patient wants the implants replaced, new implants are inserted according to the agreed - upon surgical plan.
Recovery and Aftercare
Patients can expect swelling and bruising around the breasts immediately after the procedure and may experience mild pain. Dr. Wallach instructs patients on activity restrictions, such as avoiding aerobic activity for three to four weeks and heavy lifting for about six to eight weeks. He also provides post - operative care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.
Patient Resources
Dr. Wallach encourages patients to visit the before - and - after photo gallery to see the results he can achieve with breast surgery procedures. He also provides answers to frequently asked questions, such as those related to the safety of implants, possible health risks, and recovery time.
Olivia Hutchinson, MD
Dr. Olivia Hutchinson is recognized as a top breast implant removal surgeon on the Upper East Side in NYC.
Expertise in Evaluating Concerns
With over 20 years of experience, she is well - versed in evaluating patients with breast implant - related concerns. She can address both aesthetic and medical issues, such as visible implants, rupture, capsular contracture, and rare conditions like BIA - ALCL.
Treatment Options
Dr. Hutchinson advises patients on the various surgical options available and the best course of action to achieve their goals. In some cases, a secondary procedure such as a breast lift may be recommended to achieve the best aesthetic results.
Patient Experience
Patients have reported exceptional experiences with Dr. Hutchinson and her staff. The office environment is calming, clean, and the staff is professional and friendly. Dr. Hutchinson makes patients feel comfortable and confident throughout the process.
Cost Considerations
The cost of breast implant removal in New York City can vary depending on several factors, including the type of procedure, the hospital or clinic, the surgeon's experience, and whether additional procedures such as replacement or a breast lift are required.
Comparing Costs
According to Sidecar Health, the average cash price for breast implant removal and replacement care in New York is $9,455 at a surgery center versus $16,596 at an outpatient hospital.
| Facility Type | Average Cash Price | Services and Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Surgery Center | $9,455 | May offer fewer complimentary services and a more limited range of support services compared to an outpatient hospital. However, it can result in significant cost savings (about 43% compared to an outpatient hospital). |
| Outpatient Hospital | $16,596 | Typically offers more complimentary and support services as it is connected to the hospital system. |
The breakdown of costs for a common breast implant removal and replacement at a surgery center and an outpatient hospital in New York includes provider fees (such as surgeon and anesthesiologist fees), facility fees, prescription costs, and anesthesia - related costs.
Patient Selection Process
When choosing a hospital or surgeon for breast implant removal in New York City, patients should consider the following steps:
Research
Start by researching different hospitals and surgeons. Look for reviews, ratings, and before - and - after photos. Online platforms such as RealSelf and AEDIT can provide valuable information about patient experiences and the quality of services offered.
Credentials
Check the surgeon's credentials, including board certification, training, and experience. A board - certified plastic surgeon has met the rigorous standards set by the relevant professional organizations.
Consultation
Schedule consultations with multiple surgeons. During the consultation, ask questions about the procedure, the expected results, the risks involved, and the cost. Pay attention to how the surgeon communicates and whether they listen to your concerns.
Cost and Insurance
Understand the cost of the procedure and whether insurance will cover any part of it. In some cases, if the removal is due to a medical necessity, insurance may provide partial or full coverage.
Conclusion
New York City offers a wide range of options for breast implant removal, with several top - notch hospitals and experienced surgeons. Whether it's due to medical complications or changing aesthetic preferences, patients can find a suitable provider. The Breast Reconstruction Center of NYC, Dr. Joshua Levine's affiliated hospitals, Steven Wallach MD, and Olivia Hutchinson, MD, are just a few of the outstanding choices in the city. When considering breast implant removal, patients should carefully research their options, evaluate the surgeon's expertise, and consider the cost and patient experience.
If you're considering breast implant removal in New York City, we encourage you to take the next step. Research the hospitals and surgeons mentioned in this article, schedule consultations, and ask all the questions you have. Share this article with others who may be in a similar situation, and don't hesitate to explore related topics such as post - removal recovery tips or the latest advancements in breast implant removal techniques.
