Introduction

Breast augmentation has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in recent years. In New York City, a hub of beauty and innovation, many women are seeking high - quality breast augmentation services. This article will explore the top hospitals and surgeons for breast augmentation in New York City, highlighting their reputations, aesthetics, and key features. We'll also delve into important aspects such as the procedure itself, recovery, and what to consider when choosing a provider.

Popularity and Significance of Breast Augmentation

For over a decade, breast augmentation has held the top spot among cosmetic procedures. In the United States, more than 5 million women have undergone breast augmentation. About 90% of women opt for this procedure after having kids, and 79% of those who undergo the surgery report satisfaction. The shape and size of breasts have a direct impact on a woman's confidence. Thanks to breast augmentation, women can achieve the bust they desire.

Top Surgeons for Breast Augmentation in New York City

Dr. Nadia Afridi

Dr. Nadia Afridi is a well - known surgeon in New York City for breast augmentation. She is a board - certified plastic surgeon and a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Canada, as well as an associate fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Her clients have left impressive reviews due to the quality of her work and how she treats patients.

**Procedure and Considerations**: During breast augmentation surgery, Dr. Afridi considers four main aspects - the site of breast implant placement, the site of the incision for implant insertion, the type of implant (silicone or saline), and the size of the breast implant. Her practice usually lasts 1 - 2 hours under general anesthesia. Incisions are made in unnoticeable areas like the armpit, the underside of the breast, and around the areola, minimizing visible scarring. She is experienced with both saline and silicone implants, giving patients more options.

**Cost and Location**: The estimated breast augmentation cost with Dr. Afridi is $8900. Her practice is located at 815 Park Ave, New York, NY 10021, between 75th St & 74th St on the Upper East Side. Her contact number is (212) 421 - 5100.

**Pros and Cons**:

• **Pros**: Board - certified, very helpful and informative, staff is accommodating, offers several breast augmentation procedures, uses “try on the look” to determine the best size and shape for patients, accepts credit card, and accepts insurance.
• **Cons**: By appointment only.

Dr. Richard Swift

Dr. Richard Swift is a board - certified plastic surgeon who offers a variety of cosmetic surgeries and treatments. He has earned a number of prestigious awards for his experience and expertise.

**Pre - and Post - operative Care**: It is recommended that patients refrain from vigorous exercise the day before the breast augmentation procedure. The night before the surgery, patients should shower and wash with antimicrobial soap and avoid applying lotions, creams, or moisturizers on the treated area. After the surgery, breasts will be swollen and tender. Patients can return to work within a week but need to wear a surgical bra after the bandages are removed. Strenuous activities like bending, lifting, or intense exercise should be avoided until Dr. Swift approves.

**Cost and Location**: The estimated breast augmentation cost ranges from $5000 - $10000. His practice is at 110 E 87th St, New York, NY 10128, between Park Ave & Lexington Ave on the Upper East Side. The contact number is (212) 828 - 9906.

**Pros and Cons**:

• **Pros**: Board - certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, provides detailed consultations, offers pre - and post - operative care, has a caring and helpful staff, accepts credit card, and has over 25 years of experience.
• **Cons**: By appointment only.

Dr. Adam Kolker

Dr. Adam Kolker is highly recognized in New York City for plastic surgery. He graduated with honors from the highly selective accelerated six - year biomedical education program at Union College and Albany Medical College. He specializes in cosmetic surgery of the breast, body, and face and is board - certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery.

**Procedures Offered**: In addition to breast augmentation, he also performs breast asymmetry correction, breast lift, breast reduction, breast reconstruction, fat transfer breast augmentation, tuberous breast correction, and more.

**Cost and Location**: The estimated breast augmentation cost is between $9000 – $11000. His office is at 710 Park Avenue, New York City, New York, 10021. The phone numbers are (212) 744 - 3900 and (212) 744 - 6500.

**Pros and Cons**:

• **Pros**: American Board of Plastic Surgery certified, American Board of Surgery certified, has an impressive educational background, friendly and helpful staff, offers several breast augmentation procedures, and has a nice and clean office.
• **Cons**: Leaves staff to answer patient’s concerns, and surgery is very expensive.

Criteria for Ranking Plastic Surgeons

Several sources, such as Newsweek, rank plastic surgeons in the United States, including those for breast augmentation. The rankings in America's Best Plastic Surgeons lists for 2023 and 2024 consider multiple factors:

• **In - state and Out - of - state Recommendations**: Medical experts are asked to name leading plastic surgeons for each procedure both within and outside their own states. The order of recommendations matters, and self - recommendations lead to disqualification. These recommendations make up 45% of the overall score.
• **Quality Score**: For in - state recommendations, participants assess the quality of care, including consultation, complications, follow - up, and outcome. They rate each recommended surgeon on a scale from 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent). This score accounts for 15% of the total score.
• **Certification Score**: Plastic surgeons who have American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) accreditation receive 5% towards their total score. ABPS accreditation requires surgeons to complete appropriate training and pass oral and comprehensive written exams covering all plastic surgery procedures.

Best Clinics for Natural - looking Breast Augmentation

In 2024, the landscape of breast augmentation clinics in New York City has evolved to focus on delivering natural - looking results. The top clinics prioritize a patient - centric approach, combining advanced surgical techniques, superior patient care, and comprehensive aftercare services.

Advanced Techniques

• **Fat Grafting**: Also known as autologous fat transfer, this technique harvests fat from another part of the patient's body, purifies it, and then re - injects it into the breasts. It doesn't involve implants and can provide a more natural look and feel, with a subtle increase in breast size.
• **Anatomically Shaped Implants**: These implants mimic the natural slope of a woman's breast and come in various shapes and sizes. They are often used for patients with minimal natural breast tissue.
• **3D Imaging Technology**: Allows surgeons to create a virtual model of the patient's body and simulate different breast sizes and shapes. This helps both the surgeon and the patient decide on the best outcome, increasing patient satisfaction and reducing the need for revision surgery.

Surgeon Expertise and Patient Reviews

Surgeon expertise is crucial for achieving the desired natural - looking results. The best clinics in 2024 employ highly skilled and experienced surgeons who are typically board - certified and have extensive training in breast augmentation. Patient reviews also play a significant role. Positive reviews highlight the surgeon's expertise and patient satisfaction, and in the era of social media, they can build or tarnish a clinic's reputation.

Pricing and Financing Options

The cost of breast augmentation in 2024 varies depending on factors such as the clinic, surgeon expertise, geographical location, specific procedure, and the individual patient's health insurance coverage. Top - rated clinics with a good reputation may have higher pricing, but they often offer comprehensive care. Many clinics offer various financing options, including in - house financing plans and third - party medical loans. Insurance coverage for breast augmentation is typically limited, but exceptions may apply in cases where the procedure is medically necessary, such as after a mastectomy due to breast cancer.

Aftercare and Recovery Services

Aftercare and recovery services are essential for achieving the best results and ensuring a smooth recovery. Top clinics offer comprehensive aftercare, including regular post - operative check - ups, guidance on self - care practices, and prompt responses to any concerns or complications. They also provide personalized aftercare plans based on the patient's individual health conditions, surgical approach, and the body's response to the procedure. Emotional support and counseling services may also be available, along with dedicated helplines and support groups.

Understanding Breast Augmentation

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that changes the size or shape of the breasts using techniques such as implant placement or fat transfer. Refined and state - of - the - art procedures can produce natural - looking, long - lasting results with a manageable recovery time.

Types of Breast Implants

• **Saline Implants**: These implants are typically uniform in shape and firmness. If they break, the salt water is absorbed into the body with no side effects. They usually require a smaller incision site, but some people find them less natural - looking and they may show wrinkles or ripples over time.
• **Silicone Implants**: The most popular option, silicone implants feel and look more like natural breasts. They usually require a slightly larger incision site, and ruptures can be more difficult to detect without an MRI. They last longer and maintain their shape even after micro - ruptures.
• **Structured Implants**: Filled with saline and placed in an inner mold, they feel more like natural breasts.
• **Gummy Bear Implants**: These implants won't lose their shape even if the shell is compromised. The consistency of the silicone gel is thicker, and the breasts are usually firmer than with traditional implants.

Implant Placement and Incision Options

Implant Placement

• **Submuscular Placement**: The implant is placed under the pectoral muscle. This provides a more natural look as the muscle covers the implant, reducing the visibility of the implant edges. It also has less interference with mammography results and is less likely to cause rippling.
• **Subglandular Placement**: The implant is placed above the muscle and behind the breast tissue. It can be a more straightforward procedure with less pain during recovery, but the implant may look and feel less natural, and there is a higher risk of visible rippling.

Incision Options

• **Inframammary Incision**: Made under the breast in the natural crease. It leaves a tiny scar, usually 1 - 2 inches long, and offers the best scar concealment and fewest breastfeeding complications.
• **Periareolar Incision**: Made around the areola's outer edge. The scar is disguised by the natural pigmentation change. There is a very low chance of it preventing breastfeeding.
• **Transaxillary Incision**: Made in the armpit, creating the least visible scar tissue. It is the least invasive to the mammary gland, making it a preferred option for younger women who want to retain their ability to breastfeed.

Preparing for Breast Augmentation

Consultation Process

The initial consultation with a plastic surgeon is a crucial step. During this process:

• You will meet the medical team and get to know your plastic surgeon.
• Your medical history, including past surgical operations, health issues, mammograms, breast biopsies, and current medications, will be evaluated.
• A physical examination of your breasts will be performed, including an assessment of the skin and soft tissue health, the base width of the breast, and the quality of the breast skin.
• Photographs will be taken to aid with planning, but they will not be shown to other patients without your written permission.
• If you have not yet completed your family, the surgeon will discuss how pregnancy and nursing may impact the outcomes of breast enhancement.

Pre - operative Instructions

To ensure the best results from the procedure, a plastic surgeon usually requests that you:

• Stop smoking and taking certain medications, especially blood - thinning medications like ibuprofen or aspirin.
• Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs.
• Make arrangements for someone to drive you home after the outpatient procedure and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours.
• Make sure your expectations for the outcome of the surgery are realistic. You should be confident in your decision, motivated, and well - informed.

Recovery and Aftercare

Immediate Post - operative Care

After breast augmentation, which is an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, the average breast implant procedure takes 45 to 60 minutes, and the patient is kept under observation for an extra hour or two before being allowed to go home. Patients usually need to:

• Sleep upright, usually in a recliner, for the first 48 hours after surgery.
• Return to work within a few days, as long as they don't do any heavy lifting.
• Wait about two weeks before sleeping on their side.
• Avoid raising their arms over their head for a couple of weeks.
• Reduce strenuous activity for two to three weeks.
• Wear a bra 24 hours a day for at least four weeks.

Long - term Recovery and Follow - up

Full recovery usually takes between six to eight weeks. Patients should follow all post - operative instructions provided by the surgeon, including taking prescribed medications, eating a healthy diet, and going for post - op check - ups. The team at the clinic will monitor the healing process, check for any complications such as implant rupture, hardening, or changes in breast shape. Most clinics offer free follow - up visits to ensure the best results are maintained.

FAQs about Breast Augmentation in New York City

Cost - related Questions

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of breast augmentation is about $4,500, but this usually doesn't include all the other fees such as the anesthesiologist's fees, operating room charges, prescription medications, blood tests, and imaging tests. Talk to your cosmetic surgeon about the additional fees during your consultation.

Insurance Coverage

Most insurance policies don't cover breast augmentation as it is considered a purely cosmetic, non - medical procedure. However, in cases where the procedure is medically necessary, such as after a mastectomy due to breast cancer, insurance may provide coverage.

Breastfeeding after Augmentation

The vast majority of women who get breast augmentations can continue to breastfeed. However, some women may experience a short - term decrease in milk supply. The ability to breastfeed well with implants depends on the procedure conducted, the location of the implants, the level of damage to breast tissue, and if there are any scars in the milk