Introduction
Facial symmetry is a significant aspect of one's appearance, and in New York City, numerous hospitals offer high - quality plastic surgery services to correct uneven facial symmetry. In this article, we will explore the top three plastic surgery departments in New York City, highlighting their features, rankings, and services, which can serve as a useful reference for those seeking to address facial asymmetry issues.
Understanding Facial Asymmetry and Plastic Surgery
Facial asymmetry can occur due to various reasons, including genetic factors, injuries, or medical conditions. Plastic surgery for correcting facial asymmetry involves a range of procedures, such as rhinoplasty, otoplasty, and facial reconstructive surgeries. The goal is to enhance the patient's appearance, restore normal function, and boost self - confidence. When choosing a hospital for such procedures, factors like the hospital's reputation, the expertise of the surgeons, and the available technology are crucial.
Lenox Hill Hospital at Northwell Health
Overview
Lenox Hill Hospital at Northwell Health is a well - known general medical and surgical facility in New York City. It is also a teaching hospital, which means it combines clinical practice with education and research. The evaluation of this hospital also includes data from Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, adding to its comprehensive nature.
Rankings
- National Rankings: It is nationally ranked in 10 adult specialties. For instance, in cancer, it ranks #43 in the nation; in cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, it ranks #10 in the nation; and in geriatrics, it ranks #18 in the nation.
- Regional Ranking: It is ranked #5 in New York.
- Procedures and Conditions: It is rated high performing in 1 adult specialty and 16 procedures and conditions. For example, in procedures related to cancer such as leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, colon cancer surgery, and lung cancer surgery, it has a high - performing rating of 5/5.
Plastic Surgery Services for Facial Asymmetry
The hospital has plastic surgeons on its staff, such as David L. Abramson MD, who specializes in aesthetic / cosmetic plastic surgery, breast reconstruction, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and Nadia S. Afridi MD, who specializes in general plastic surgery. These surgeons can perform a variety of procedures to correct facial asymmetry, such as rhinoplasty to reshape the nose and otoplasty to correct ear deformities.
Patient Experience
Patient experience scores are based on surveys taken from inpatients after they were discharged. The hospital has an overall satisfaction rating of 3 stars out of 5. In aspects like willingness to recommend, satisfaction with doctors’ communications, and satisfaction with nurses’ communications, it also scores around 3 out of 5. However, satisfaction with efforts to prevent medication harm scores 2 out of 5.
Health Equity
Lenox Hill Hospital at Northwell Health is also evaluated in terms of health equity. In terms of racial disparities in outcomes, for example, in days at home after knee replacement, hip replacement, or back surgery (spinal fusion), it is better than average. But in charity care provision for uninsured patients, it is lower than other hospitals.
Columbia University Plastic Surgery
Overview
As one of New York’s best hospitals and the world’s top medical centers, Columbia University's plastic surgery department has the experience that few other programs can match. Its mission is to use its extensive resources to deliver high - quality care for cosmetic or reconstructive procedures.
Services
Cosmetic Care
The cosmetic care program offers surgical and non - surgical options to improve cosmetic health. For patients with facial asymmetry, procedures like brow lift, chin surgery, face lift (rhytidectomy), and cosmetic nose surgery (rhinoplasty) can be performed. These procedures can help balance the facial features and correct unevenness.
Reconstructive Care
Columbia's plastic surgeons are world leaders in reconstructive care. In cases where facial asymmetry is caused by an injury, illness, or birth defect, they can perform procedures such as breast reconstruction after breast cancer, skin lesion excision, and reconstructive surgery for the nose and ears. The cleft palate / cleft lip care program is also significant as cleft conditions can lead to facial asymmetry, and the specialized craniofacial surgery can correct these issues.
Orthoplastic Surgery Care
This program brings together leading experts in orthopedic and reconstructive plastic surgery. For complex facial injuries that may be related to bone and soft - tissue problems, this integrated approach can provide more effective treatment options and better outcomes in correcting facial asymmetry.
Research and Education
The plastic surgery research laboratory at Columbia is actively involved in numerous research studies. For example, it focuses on stem cells, tissue engineering, and the study of bone substitutes. The application of gene therapy to wound healing is also a major area of research, which can potentially improve the results of reconstructive surgeries related to facial asymmetry. The department also has a plastic surgery residency program and offers surgical CME events, indicating its commitment to education and the development of future plastic surgeons.
Plastic Surgery Team
The division of plastic & reconstructive surgery at Columbia has a team of board - certified surgeons. Christine Rohde, MD, the chief of the division, is a highly skilled clinician, researcher, and teacher, specializing in microsurgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, and facial reconstruction. Jeffrey A. Ascherman, MD, has published over 75 scientific articles and chapters and has been included in top - doctor lists. These experts have the knowledge and skills to handle complex cases of facial asymmetry.
Mount Sinai Plastic Surgery
Overview
Mount Sinai's plastic surgery practice is dedicated to providing natural - looking improvements that enhance the looks and strengthen self - assurance. It offers a full range of options in both aesthetic (cosmetic) and reconstructive (restorative) plastic surgery, as well as an array of non - invasive enhancing treatments.
Surgeons' Expertise
The plastic surgeons at Mount Sinai are board - certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Many of them have undergone further specialized training, which means they can offer a combination of the best surgical skills, the latest techniques, and keen aesthetic judgment. The fact that they are faculty members of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and have established the largest plastic surgery residency program in the United States shows their high - level of expertise and commitment to the field.
Facility and Technology
The newly designed plastic surgery suite at the Mount Sinai Hospital campus, named the Derfner - Lieberman Family Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, offers a comfortable and private environment for patients. The consultation suites combine comforting accommodations with the most advanced technology. A 55 - inch touchscreen is available in the exam room for patients to browse patient education materials and videos, and doctors can use it to help patients visualize their anticipated results. Additionally, the hospital offers remote telemedicine technology, allowing patients to have video conferences with their doctors from home.
History and Dedication
Mount Sinai has a long tradition of providing ground - breaking plastic surgical care, especially to the underserved. The founder of its plastic surgery department, Arthur J. Barsky, MD, was a pioneering plastic surgeon known for his work with Hiroshima victims and the children of Vietnam. This legacy of dedication ensures that patients with facial asymmetry issues will receive high - quality and compassionate care.
Comparison of the Three Hospitals
| Hospital | Rankings | Plastic Surgery Services | Patient Experience | Technology and Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenox Hill Hospital at Northwell Health | National rankings in 10 adult specialties, #5 in New York. High - performing in multiple procedures and conditions. | General plastic surgery, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Experienced plastic surgeons on staff. | Overall satisfaction score of 3 out of 5 in multiple aspects. | General medical and surgical facilities, with an evaluation that includes data from Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. |
| Columbia University Plastic Surgery | One of New York’s best and world - top medical centers in plastic surgery. | Comprehensive cosmetic and reconstructive services, including craniofacial surgery, orthoplastic surgery, etc. | Not specifically detailed in terms of general patient experience scores, but committed to personalized and compassionate care. | Advanced research facilities for stem cells, tissue engineering, etc. Different offices in various locations. |
| Mount Sinai Plastic Surgery | Surgeons with high - level expertise as they are board - certified and part of a large residency program. | Full range of aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, non - invasive treatments. | Designed to provide a comfortable and personalized experience in a new plastic surgery suite. | Newly designed suite with advanced touch - screen technology and telemedicine options. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lenox Hill Hospital at Northwell Health, Columbia University Plastic Surgery, and Mount Sinai Plastic Surgery are three outstanding plastic surgery departments in New York City. Each has its own unique advantages. Lenox Hill Hospital has high national and regional rankings, Columbia University offers comprehensive services and is at the forefront of research, and Mount Sinai provides state - of - the - art facilities and experienced surgeons. When choosing a hospital to correct facial asymmetry, patients should consider factors such as the hospital's ranking, the available services, the patient experience, and the technology and facilities.
If you are interested in learning more about these hospitals or exploring plastic surgery options for correcting facial asymmetry, we encourage you to visit the hospitals' official websites, make inquiries, or schedule consultations with the surgeons. Share this article with others who may be interested in facial plastic surgery to help them make informed decisions.
