Introduction
Silicone breast prosthesis removal has become a procedure sought by many women in New York City for various reasons, including medical concerns, personal preference changes, or complications related to the implants. Selecting the right hospital is crucial for a successful and safe surgery. In this article, we will share the top 5 hospitals in the ranking of silicone breast prosthesis removal in New York City, considering factors such as surgeon expertise, hospital facilities, patient reviews, and success rates.
Dr. Darrick E. Antell's Practice
Surgeon Expertise
Dr. Darrick Antell is a premier breast surgeon in NYC. He is widely regarded as one of the most experienced breast surgeons both in the New York area and worldwide. He has been listed in Harper’s Bazaar and other magazines as being among the best breast plastic surgeons in the country. With over twenty years of experience and more than ten thousand procedures under his belt, Dr. Antell combines meticulous surgical skills, the latest and safest medical technologies, and an artist's eye, ensuring excellent results.
Procedures Offered
- Custom breast implant removal (explant) surgery: He removes existing silicone or saline implants from the body. Women may choose this for lifestyle, cosmetic, or medical reasons.
- En bloc capsulectomy: When indicated, he performs this procedure to remove the tissue that has grown around the breast implant.
- Removal of recalled allergan textured breast implants: He addresses cases where patients have these implants associated with a heightened risk of breast implant - associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA - ALCL).
Patient Experience
Many of his breast implant removal patients are referred by former patients, which speaks volumes about their satisfaction. Dr. Antell has also performed surgeries on many celebrities and well - known persons, and he maintains an impeccable reputation for his exceptional surgical results, carried out with total discretion.
Hospital Facilities
Dr. Antell has privileges in numerous hospitals throughout New York City. Most patients prefer the procedure to take place in his discreet, private operating room located just across the street from the world - renowned Lenox Hill Hospital. The state - of - the - art outpatient surgery center is fully accredited, designed for patient comfort, and equipped with the latest technology. It has a private back entrance to ensure total discretion, and all staff members are thoroughly trained to offer personalized care.
Dr. Olivia Hutchinson's Practice
Surgeon Expertise
Dr. Olivia Hutchinson is recognized as a top breast implant removal surgeon in NYC. With over 20 years of experience, she has been evaluating patients with breast implant - related concerns and performing breast implant removal procedures. As a board - certified, Harvard and Columbia - educated female aesthetic plastic surgeon, she is committed to ensuring the finest surgical results for her patients.
Reasons for Implant Removal
She addresses a variety of reasons for breast implant removal, including both aesthetic and medical issues. Aesthetic issues may include a palpable or visible implant (folded, rippled, or wrinkled), implant rupture, leakage or deflation, implant malposition, capsular contracture, breast asymmetry, unsightly scars, nipple or areola problems, etc. Medical issues include severe capsular contracture, chronic pain, BIA - ALCL, breast implant illness (BII), infection, and bleeding.
Patient Reviews
Patients have given positive reviews about their experience with Dr. Hutchinson and her staff. One patient said, “Every single detail of my experience with dr. hutchinson and her amazing staff was exceptional. The atmosphere is calming, everything is super clean, and all I encountered were super professional and nice. Dr. hutchinson made me feel so comfortable and the results are amazing. I could not be happier.”
Clinical Approach
Dr. Hutchinson will advise patients on the various surgical options available and the best course of action to help them achieve their goals. In some cases, a secondary procedure such as a breast lift may be recommended to achieve the best aesthetic results.
Dr. Steven Wallach's Practice
Surgeon Expertise
Dr. Steven Wallach is a board - certified plastic surgeon. He has significant experience in breast implant removal procedures. During the consultation, he will walk patients through the options and techniques available for the procedure, aiming to provide the best results with the least amount of scarring.
Procedure Details
For breast implant removal, he usually makes an incision using the previous breast implant surgical approach to access the pocket created for the implants and removes them before sealing the incision site with sutures. This may be through an incision along the breast fold, the periareola region, or through a transaxillary incision in the armpit. In case of a ruptured silicone implant, he will also remove the implant filler material.
Patient Preparation
Good candidates for the procedure should be healthy, non - smokers or willing to stop smoking prior to the surgery, and stop taking blood - thinning medications. In preparation for the implant removal consultation, patients are advised to be familiar with terms related to breast implants, such as ptosis, deflation, capsulectomy, and explantation.
Recovery and Risks
After the procedure, patients may experience swelling, bruising, and mild pain. Most patients can return to light activity within three to five days, but they are advised to avoid aerobic activity for three to four weeks and heavy lifting for about six to eight weeks. The main risks of the surgery include unfavorable scarring, asymmetry, infection, bleeding, nipple loss, skin loss, fat necrosis, fluid collections, dysesthesias, and the need for revision surgery.
Dr. Barry Weintraub's Practice
Surgeon Expertise
Dr. Barry Weintraub has a strong aesthetic sense and combines medical science with artistry. He is known for his meticulous attention to detail, from pre - op to post - op care. Over 60% of his practice consists of complex redo surgeries, demonstrating his ability to handle challenging cases. He studied medicine at Cornell, and his practice is based on core values of humility, respect, and putting the patient first.
Procedures and Goals
Breast implant removal (explant) and replacement can be performed to change the size, location, and/or type of implants. The goals are to enhance the appearance of the breasts by replacing past implants with better - positioned, more appropriately sized, and more natural - looking and - feeling implants. He always places implants under the pectoralis - major muscle for a more natural result.
Patient Consultation
During the consultation, he encourages patients to bring a list of questions. He emphasizes the importance of patients having realistic expectations and being highly motivated for the change. He will also evaluate the patient's general health, ability to pause daily responsibilities, and financial wherewithal for the elective cosmetic surgery.
Surgical Approach
Dr. Weintraub prefers 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 on - staff, board - certified anesthesiologists and state - of - the - art monitoring equipment. Every intraoperative maneuver is executed with precision and care.
After - Surgery Care
There may be minimal swelling and bruising after the surgery. Patients are advised to carefully follow all instructions provided by Dr. Weintraub, including early showering for cleaner wounds and narrower incisions. He will also advise on when patients can return to their normal lifestyle and exercise routine.
Weill Cornell Medicine
Multidisciplinary Team
Weill Cornell Medicine has a multidisciplinary team of plastic and reconstructive surgeons, oncologists, geneticists, and nurses who specialize in breast cancer care. This comprehensive approach ensures that patients receive well - rounded support throughout the breast surgery and reconstruction process.
Breast Reconstruction Options
- Autologous reconstruction: This uses the patient's own tissue from different areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks, to reconstruct the breast. Nerves can be reconstructed to increase sensory recovery.
- Implant - based reconstruction: They perform breast reconstruction using tissue expanders and implants, utilizing both saline and silicone breast implants from all implant manufacturers. They have pioneered techniques like direct - to - implant reconstruction and tissue expander reconstruction without the use of drains.
- Breast innervation: Novel reinnervation procedures can be performed during both autologous and implant - based reconstruction to improve sensation and patient quality of life.
Patient Comfort and Support
The team at Weill Cornell Medicine prioritizes patient comfort at every step. Before surgery, patients have time to ask questions to fully understand the procedure. In state - of - the - art surgical suites, the latest anesthetics and medications are used to help patients recover more quickly. After surgery, the care team manages pain and teaches patients how to care for themselves during the healing process.
Partnerships
Weill Cornell Medicine partners with New York - Presbyterian, one of the top hospital systems in New York City and the U.S., which further enhances the quality of care available to patients.
Comparison of the Top 5 Hospitals
| Hospital/Surgeon | Surgeon Expertise | Procedures Offered | Patient Experience | Hospital Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Darrick E. Antell | Highly experienced, listed in top magazines, many procedures over 20+ years | Custom explant, en bloc capsulectomy, removal of recalled implants | Many referrals, discreet and excellent results | Private, accredited outpatient center near Lenox Hill Hospital |
| Dr. Olivia Hutchinson | 20+ years of experience, board - certified, Harvard and Columbia - educated | Addresses various aesthetic and medical reasons for removal, may recommend secondary procedures | Positive patient reviews about staff and results | Not detailed separately from practice but likely high - quality |
| Dr. Steven Wallach | Board - certified, experienced in explaining options and techniques | Standard breast implant removal through previous incisions, removal of filler material if needed | Focus on patient preparation and after - care education | Not extensively detailed about specific hospital but surgical center likely well - equipped |
| Dr. Barry Weintraub | Strong aesthetic sense, handles complex redo surgeries | Explant and replacement, emphasizes natural - looking results | Patient - centered consultation, focus on realistic expectations | Hospital - grade surgical center attached to office |
| Weill Cornell Medicine | Multidisciplinary team of experts in breast care | Autologous and implant - based reconstruction, breast innervation | Patient comfort and support throughout, partnership with top hospital system | State - of - the - art surgical suites |
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hospital for Silicone Breast Prosthesis Removal
Surgeon Qualifications
Look for board - certified plastic surgeons with extensive experience in breast implant removal procedures. Check their track record, including patient reviews and the number of successful surgeries they have performed. Surgeons who are well - known in the industry and have been recognized in top magazines or professional associations are often a good choice.
Hospital Reputation and Accreditation
Choose a hospital or surgical center that is accredited and has a good reputation for patient safety and quality of care. Accreditation ensures that the facility meets certain standards in terms of equipment, staff training, and safety protocols. Check online reviews and ratings from previous patients to get an idea of the hospital's performance.
Range of Services
Consider the range of services offered by the hospital. In addition to basic breast implant removal, some hospitals may offer additional procedures such as en bloc capsulectomy, breast lift, or breast reconstruction. Having these options available can be beneficial if you may need a secondary procedure or if you want to achieve a more comprehensive aesthetic result.
Patient Experience
Read patient testimonials and reviews to understand the level of care and support provided by the hospital staff. A hospital that prioritizes patient comfort, communication, and after - care can make a significant difference in your overall experience and recovery process.
Cost and Insurance
Understand the cost of the procedure, including all associated fees such as surgeon's fees, hospital fees, anesthesia fees, and post - operative care. Check if your insurance covers breast implant removal, especially if it is for medical reasons. If not, explore payment options and financing plans offered by the hospital.
Conclusion
In New York City, there are several top - notch hospitals and surgeons available for silicone breast prosthesis removal. Dr. Darrick E. Antell, Dr. Olivia Hutchinson, Dr. Steven Wallach, Dr. Barry Weintraub, and Weill Cornell Medicine all offer high - quality services with experienced surgeons, advanced facilities, and a focus on patient care. Each has its own unique strengths, whether it's the surgeon's expertise, the range of procedures offered, or the comprehensive support provided during the surgical process. When choosing a hospital for your silicone breast prosthesis removal, carefully consider the factors mentioned above to make an informed decision that best suits your needs and preferences.
We encourage you to take the next step in your journey towards breast implant removal. Reach out to these hospitals or surgeons to schedule a consultation. Discuss your concerns, goals, and expectations, and gather all the necessary information to make the right choice. Share this article with others who may be interested in this topic, and explore related resources to learn more about breast health and surgical procedures.
