Introduction

Breast augmentation has become an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure in New York City, offering women the opportunity to enhance their appearance and boost their self - confidence. In 2025, a new ranking of breast augmentation beauty hospitals in the city has emerged, taking into account factors such as surgeon expertise, patient satisfaction, advanced techniques, and overall service quality. This article will explore the top breast augmentation practices, procedures, considerations, and more in the bustling metropolis of New York City.

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation, also known as a boob job, is the enlargement of the breasts either through transfer of fat from a part of the body or through surgical procedures which use breast implants or saline for enlargement of the breast. The most common one which is well - practiced is the surgical method. It mainly helps in enlarging or restoring symmetry to the breast, providing a solution to those who have had reduction in breast size either due to weight loss, pregnancy or breastfeeding, as well as those who want a balance in their physical appearance.

Typically, two age groups of ladies desire breast augmentation. The first group includes ladies in their 20s/30s who have been bothered by the small - breasted appearance since they were young. The older age group usually consists of mothers with deflated breasts from previous breastfeeding and other changes as a result of pregnancy. Additionally, in some severe congenital cases, the complete absence or presence of very small breasts can cause social distress, and breast augmentation can be a form of body reconstruction.

Top Breast Augmentation Practices in New York City

Dr. William Lao

Dr. William Lao is one of the top plastic surgeons specializing in breast implants in New York City. He is on a shortlist of surgeons in the country who specialize in the scarless breast augmentation technique, in which the implants are inserted through the armpit, leaving no visible scar. Dr. Lao is a double - board - certified plastic surgeon in both the USA and Taiwan with over 10 years of experience. He is a double major graduate of Johns Hopkins University, followed by a doctorate of medicine from Johns Hopkins. He has successfully performed over 500 breast surgeries throughout his career and has been voted top doctor in 2022 by New Beauty.

Breast augmentation at Dr. Lao's practice has the following details:

• Surgery time: 2 – 3 hours
• Price: approximately $9,000 – $20,000 (please book a consultation for the most up - to - date costs)
• Recovery: most patients return home on the day of surgery and return to their regular routine in 2 – 3 weeks
• Results: instant improvements, with the final results taking a few months as the swelling goes down

Dr. Nadia Afridi

Dr. Nadia Afridi is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Canada, an associate fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. As one of a limited number of plastic surgeons in New York City, Dr. Afridi is specifically interested in women's health issues as they relate to plastic surgery. Her practice has a service focus where 36% is breast augmentation.

For breast augmentation surgery, she has four considerations: the site of breast implant placement, site of the incision to insert the breast implant, type of implant (silicone or saline), and size of the breast implant. Her practice usually lasts 1 - 2 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. Incisions are usually made in unnoticeable areas like the armpit, the underside of the breast, and around the areola. The estimated breast augmentation cost is $8900.

Dr. Richard Swift

Dr. Richard Swift completed his residency in general surgery at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Short Hills, New Jersey. He performs a wide array of procedures to enhance one’s beauty including breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and liposuction in New York City and other procedures for the face, breasts, and body. His service focus has 18% on breast augmentation.

It is recommended that patients refrain from vigorous exercise the day before the breast augmentation procedure. The night before the surgery, they should shower and wash with antimicrobial soap and not apply any lotions, creams or moisturizers on the area to be treated. After the surgery, the breast will be swollen and tender, and patients can return to work within a week but need to wear a surgical bra when the bandages are removed. They should refrain from bending, lifting or engaging in strenuous exercise until Dr. Swift approves it. The estimated breast augmentation cost is $5000 - $10000.

Dr. Adam Kolker

Dr. Adam Kolker is a double board - certified plastic surgeon in New York City specializing in breast augmentation and cosmetic surgery procedures addressing all aspects of the body. His education and training in plastic surgery spans some of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world, including Harvard Medical School, New York University, and the University of Melbourne in Australia. He is an associate clinical professor of surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He offers a number of breast procedures aside from breast augmentation, such as breast asymmetry correction, breast lift, breast reduction, breast reconstruction, fat transfer breast augmentation, tuberous breast correction, and more.

The estimated breast augmentation cost is $9000 – $11000. However, his service is quite expensive because of the combined effort of his surgical and anesthesia team, and the price also depends on the material used, with silicone breast implants being $1000 more expensive than saline implants.

Dr. David L. Cangello

Dr. David L. Cangello is a board - certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in the art of cosmetic breast surgery. He offers personalized treatment plans to meet patients' aesthetic goals. Patients choose Dr. Cangello because he is known as a highly skilled surgeon who delivers elegant, natural - looking results. His superior results have earned the trust of professional models from some of the world’s top agencies, including Wilhelmina Models, IMG Models, and Next Management.

He offers a full range of cosmetic breast surgery, including breast lift, breast revision, and natural augmentation with fat transfer. Dr. Cangello takes an artistic approach to breast augmentation that combines medical precision with the principles of aesthetics. The contact number to schedule a consultation at his NYC office is (212) 644 - 4416.

Comparative Analysis of Top Practices

Considerations Before Choosing a Breast Augmentation Practice

Surgeon Qualifications

It is crucial to choose a surgeon who is board - certified. Board - certification ensures that the surgeon has met the rigorous standards set by professional medical organizations. Look for surgeons who are members of well - known plastic surgery societies such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Their training, experience, and knowledge are often top - notch. For example, Dr. William Lao is a double - board - certified plastic surgeon in both the USA and Taiwan, which gives patients confidence in his skills. Additionally, surgeons with advanced training in specific breast augmentation techniques, like the scarless approach, are highly valuable.

Patient Reviews

Patient reviews can provide valuable insights into the quality of service, the surgeon's bedside manner, and the final results. Read reviews on various platforms to get a comprehensive understanding. For instance, many patients of Dr. Lara Devgan have shared their positive experiences, such as feeling minimal pain and having great - looking results after breast augmentation. Look for patterns in the reviews. If multiple patients mention similar positive aspects, it's a good sign. On the other hand, be cautious of practices with a large number of negative reviews regarding patient care or unsatisfactory results.

Cost and Financing

The cost of breast augmentation can vary widely depending on the surgeon, the type of procedure, and the location. Some clinics may offer more competitive prices, but it's important not to sacrifice quality for cost. Consider all the factors involved, including the surgeon's fee, anesthesia costs, and post - operative care. Many clinics offer financing options, such as CareCredit, which can help make the procedure more affordable. CareCredit has no - interest plans up to 24 months and extended payment plans for 24, 36, 48, or 60 months.

Advanced Techniques

Look for practices that use advanced techniques to achieve natural - looking results. In 2025, techniques like 3D imaging technology are becoming more common. This technology allows patients to visualize the potential results before surgery, increasing patient satisfaction and reducing the need for revision surgery. Some surgeons also specialize in fat grafting, a technique where fat is harvested from another part of the patient's body and injected into the breasts, providing a more natural look and feel.

Aftercare and Recovery Services

Aftercare is a critical part of the breast augmentation process. A good practice will provide comprehensive aftercare services, including regular post - operative check - ups, guidance on self - care practices, and prompt responses to any concerns or complications. For example, top clinics will tailor aftercare plans to each patient's specific needs, considering factors such as individual health conditions, the surgical approach used, and the body's response to the procedure. They may also offer emotional support and counseling services to help patients cope with the psychological aspects of recovery.

Breast Augmentation Procedures

Types of Implants

Silicone Implants

Silicone implants are pre - filled by the manufacturer with a cohesive, silicone gel. Many patients find that they feel more natural to the touch and aesthetically look more natural too. However, they traditionally required larger incisions, but some surgeons use the Keller funnel method to minimize incision size. The FDA suggests MRI scans every few years to monitor the condition of the implant shell, although this is only a recommendation and not mandated. They are approved for patients who are at least 22 years old.

Saline Implants

Saline implants are filled with saline once they’ve been placed into the treatment site. Because of this, a smaller incision size can be utilized to accommodate insertion of the implants. Since they do not contain silicone, long - term monitoring is not required. In thin women with small amounts of breast tissue, visible rippling at the implant edges may be seen. In the rare case they rupture, the saline can be safely absorbed by the body. Saline implants are approved for patients who are at least 18 years old.

Natural Fill (Fat Grafting)

Some surgeons, like those at Mount Sinai, offer a natural fill option using a fat transfer technique. First, the surgeon removes fat from the patient's buttocks or abdomen with a liposuction technique. The surgeon then immediately inserts that fat into the breasts to enlarge them using the patient's own fat deposits. This technique is preferred by many women because it does not involve the use of implants and helps in achieving a subtle increase in breast size and a more natural look and feel.

Implant Placement and Incision Options

Implant Placement

Breast implants can be placed under the pectoral muscle (submuscular placement) or the breast tissue (submammary/subglandular placement). Placing the implants under the muscle can provide a more natural look, especially for patients with less breast tissue. However, placing them on top of the muscle can enhance cleavage in patients with sufficient tissue.

Incision Options

Common incision options include inframammary (in the crease between the breast and chest wall), periareolar (around the nipple), transaxillary (in the armpit), and umbilical (through the belly button). The choice of incision depends on various factors, such as the patient's anatomy, the size and type of implant, and the surgeon's preference. For example, transaxillary incisions can result in no visible scars on the breast, but not all surgeons are experienced in this technique.

Frequently Asked Questions about Breast Augmentation

When can I sleep on my side after breast augmentation?

You will need to wait at least two to three weeks before you can sleep on your side after breast augmentation. Doing it during the early stages is not advisable as it might ruin the whole process and cause the implants not to settle well. With that, you won’t be able to get the desired shape you want. The information on when to sleep on your side can also be gotten from your specialist as they can adequately say when to sleep that way. Remember, sleeping on your side or your stomach just after breast augmentation is a very bad idea. The ideal way of sleeping after breast augmentation is on your back.

Is breast augmentation safe?

Just as breast augmentation can be helpful, it also poses some risks during and after surgery. Some of the complications that can arise after breast augmentation include breast pain, breast numbness, loss of sensation in nipples, implant leak, issues with breastfeeding, breast implant illness, and allergic reactions. Surgery or total removal of the implant can be employed to handle some of these complications. This is not to say that breast augmentation is bad or very risky, it is just always good to be aware of the risks before performing such surgery. If there are no complications, breast implants can last for a long time and bring about no form of harm or pain.

How painful is breast augmentation recovery?

During recovery, individuals that have gone through breast augmentation may feel little or no pain, and where there’s pain, it even goes completely after a couple of weeks. Everyone handles pain differently so this might also depend on the individual, but the pain is usually mild with no serious pain unless in cases where there are complications. Taking your pain medication, if prescribed, will help to deal with whatever pain you may have during recovery.

How long to recover from breast augmentation?

The recovery process after breast augmentation usually takes between six to eight weeks, and then you’re back to continuing your normal activities. During this recovery time, you’re to take a good amount of rest, wear a recovery bra, take your medication, eat well and healthy, and also ensure you take every bit of information from your specialist with utmost seriousness. The instance where it takes longer is if there are any complications after the procedure or you don’t follow the instructions set by your specialist for your recovery.

Can you breastfeed after breast augmentation?

Absolutely. Breast augmentation or implants do not stop you from breastfeeding. It is possible that milk supply might be short due to the presence of breast implants, but it doesn’t cause any real harm, though it can be considered normal to find some changes in the size of breasts after breastfeeding. The ability to breastfeed very well with implants depends on the procedure conducted, location of the implants, level of damage to breast tissue, and also if there’s any scars in the milk ducts as a result of the surgery.

Do’s and Don’ts after breast augmentation

Do’s

• Ensure you rest very well