Introduction
Breast reduction surgery has become an increasingly popular option for many individuals in New York City. Whether it's to alleviate physical discomfort caused by overly large breasts or to enhance self - confidence, finding the right doctor and hospital for this procedure is crucial. In this article, we will explore the latest rankings of hospitals and doctors for breast reduction surgery in New York City, as well as provide comprehensive information about the surgery itself.
Best Doctors for Breast Reduction in New York City
Healthgrades has identified a number of top - rated doctors who perform breast reduction in New York. Here are some of the best options, along with their ratings and locations:
Doctor's Name | Rating (out of 5 stars) | Location |
---|---|---|
Dr. Peter Henderson, MD | 4.70 | 10 Union Sq E Frnt 2l, New York, NY 10003 |
Dr. Richard Reish | 4.90 | 330 9th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215 |
Dr. Leslie Cohen, MD | 4.70 | 1283 York Avenue 4th floor, New York, NY 10065 |
Dr. Scot Glasberg, MD | 4.60 | 42 E 74th St # A, New York, NY 10021 |
Dr. Nolan Karp, MD | 4.40 | 305 E 47th St Rm 1a, New York, NY 10017 |
Each of these doctors has a significant number of past patient ratings, which indicates their experience and the quality of care they provide. For example, Dr. Richard Reish with a rating of 4.90 out of 5 stars is highly regarded by his patients. This high rating is likely due to his skills in performing breast reduction surgery, as well as his bedside manner and ability to address patients' concerns.
Top - Ranked Hospitals for Breast Reduction in New York City
New York - Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center
This institution was named the top hospital in New York and ranked No. 7 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals. It was recognized for its excellence in 14 adult specialties and 8 children’s specialties. In the field of surgery, it has nationally - ranked adult specialties such as heart surgery, GI surgery, and lung surgery, as well as children’s specialties like pediatric heart surgery, pediatric GI surgery, and pediatric lung surgery. In the context of breast surgery, the hospital's high - ranking reflects the quality of surgical oncology expertise provided by many of its specialists, including those in breast surgery.
Mount Sinai - New York
Mount Sinai’s team of highly trained and qualified plastic surgeons is expert at enhancing women’s breasts. The hospital provides a warm, caring, and supportive approach to patient care. Their surgeons will help patients determine whether breast reduction surgery is the right choice for them during a confidential consultation. Patients can expect to receive all the necessary information to make an educated decision about the procedure. The hospital's reputation in breast surgery comes from its focus on patient well - being and the high - quality surgical outcomes it achieves.
What is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction surgery, also known as mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure for removing excess fat, skin, and tissue from overly large breasts. The goal of the procedure is to reshape the bust, reduce breast size in relation to the body frame, and have a positive impact on the patient's quality of life. Most women experience a reduction of one or two cup sizes. During the surgery, the surgeon takes special care to maintain the breasts’ functionality and sensitivity.
Benefits of Breast Reduction Surgery
- Physical Relief: Reduces neck, back, and shoulder pain caused by the weight of heavy breasts. It also relieves discomfort from bra - strap indentations and rubbing, and can improve posture.
- Enhanced Self - Confidence: Helps patients feel more comfortable with their appearance, reducing self - consciousness and embarrassment related to large breasts.
- Improved Mobility: Allows patients to lead a more active lifestyle, as large breasts can often be a barrier to participating in activities such as running or other sports.
- Better - Fitting Clothing: Makes it easier to find properly proportioned clothing, as large breasts can sometimes make it difficult to find clothes that fit well.
Candidates for Breast Reduction Surgery
You may be a candidate for breast reduction surgery if:
- You suffer from the side effects of oversized breasts, such as neck or back pain.
- The size of your breasts is out of proportion with the rest of your body, leading to poor posture and other physical problems.
- The weight of your breasts causes shoulder pain and painful bra indentations on your shoulders.
- The size of your breasts impairs your ability to lead an active lifestyle.
- One of your breasts is larger than the other.
- You otherwise enjoy good health.
- You have realistic expectations about the outcomes of mammoplasty.
- You're not a smoker, as smoking can increase the risk of complications during and after surgery.
It's important to note that if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the near future, it's usually recommended to postpone the surgery until after childbirth and breastfeeding. This is because pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause changes to the breasts that may affect the results of the surgery.
Types of Breast Reduction Procedures
Pedicle Method
In this breast reduction technique, the surgeon leaves a pedicle, also called attached tissue graft, with nerves and blood vessels intact, to supply the breast after it’s been reduced in size. There are different variations of the pedicle method, such as the inferior pedicle method and the superior pedicle method.
Inferior Pedicle Method
This is a pedicle breast surgery procedure in which the doctor attaches a tissue graft into the inframammary fold, where the bottom of the breast meets the chest. This method helps to ensure proper blood supply and nerve function to the remaining breast tissue.
Superior Pedicle Method
In this technique, the surgeon attaches a pedicle in the upper quadrant of the breast, above the areola. It also aims to maintain the blood supply and nerve connections to the breast tissue during the reduction process.
Free Nipple Graft
This technique in breast reduction surgery means a surgeon removes the nipple completely and replaces it in a new, higher position as a skin graft. It is usually used in cases where significant breast reduction is required.
Anchor Incision Pattern
This type of incision circles the areola’s parameter and then follows a straight line down the middle of the breast to the crease where the breast meets the chest. The anchor - shaped incision allows the surgeon to access and remove excess tissue effectively, but it may result in more visible scarring compared to some other methods.
Le Jour Incision Pattern
Using this type of incision for breast reduction, the plastic surgeon gains access to the breast parenchyma, the inner tissue of the breast, for removal. This procedure is popular because it leaves minimal scarring. It is suitable for patients with significant breast fat, minimal excess skin, properly - positioned nipples, and adequately sized areolas.
The Breast Reduction Surgery Process
Initial Consultation
The first step is to contact an experienced breast surgeon. During the consultation, the surgeon will review your medical history, perform a physical examination, and ask questions to determine if you're a good candidate for the surgery. They will also discuss your goals and expectations, and explain the different surgical techniques and their potential outcomes.
Pre - operative Requirements
- Mammogram: The doctor may take a baseline mammogram for a better view of your breasts.
- Medication Adjustment: You will be asked to stop taking blood - thinning medications, aspirin, and anti - inflammatories, as these can increase the risk of bleeding during surgery. If you're on other medications, the surgeon may advise you to adjust the doses or stop taking them temporarily.
- Smoking Cessation: Smoking should be stopped weeks before the procedure, as it can impair healing and increase the risk of complications.
The Surgery Itself
- Incision Marks: The surgeon marks the incision lines on your breasts while you're standing, based on their shape, size, and the required reduction.
- Anesthesia: Once you're on the operating bed, the anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia, and you will sleep through the procedure. The anesthesiologist will monitor your vital signs throughout the surgery.
- Incisions: Incisions are made according to the chosen breast reduction technique.
- Breast Reduction: The surgeon removes the excess tissue, fat, skin, and glandular tissue from the lower part of your breasts to reduce the size.
- Breast Lift: The bust is reshaped with the remaining breast tissue into natural contours.
- Nipple and Areola Repositioning: The surgeon moves the nipple to a higher location on the breast while keeping it attached to its blood supply.
- Closing the Incision: The incisions are brought together, and the doctor uses a combination of skin adhesives, surgical tape, and sutures to close them. Whenever possible, absorbent sutures that dissolve naturally are used.
- Dressing: The surgeon dresses the incisions with a gauze bandage and then wraps your breasts in a protective cover.
Recovery
The recovery process varies from person to person. In general:
- Pain and Discomfort: You may feel some pain and soreness around your breasts during the recovery period. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication to manage this.
- Return to Work: You can usually return to work in two to three weeks, depending on the nature of your job.
- Physical Activity: High - intensity exercise, especially running and weight - lifting, should be avoided for at least a month. You should wait until after your follow - up visit to receive instructions for a moderate return to physical activities.
- Scarring: Initially, the scars may be highly visible, red, or pink in color. With proper care, they will fade after several months.
- Final Results: You can expect to see the full results of your surgery in three weeks to several months, depending on the extent of the surgery.
Cost of Breast Reduction Surgery
The cost of breast reduction surgery can vary widely depending on several factors. If the surgery is considered medically necessary, such as when large breasts cause chronic pain and other physical problems, it may be covered by insurance. However, if it is for purely cosmetic reasons, the patient will be responsible for the full cost.
Factors that affect the cost include the current size of your breasts, your goal breast size, the preferred surgeon, and any related medical conditions. Some components of the cost may include the surgeon's fee, anesthesia fees, hospital or surgical facility fees, and post - operative care costs. It's important to discuss the cost and insurance coverage with your surgeon and the insurance company during the consultation process.
Choosing the Right Surgeon
Selecting the right surgeon for your breast reduction surgery is of utmost importance. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:
- Certification: Look for a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This certification indicates that the surgeon has met the high standards of education, training, and experience in the field of plastic surgery.
- Experience: Choose a cosmetic surgeon with years of experience in breast surgeries, especially in the type of breast reduction surgery you want. You can ask the surgeon about the number of breast reduction surgeries they have performed and their success rate.
- Bedside Manner: A good surgeon should be easily approachable, listen to your concerns, and alleviate your fears. They should be able to explain the surgical process in a way that you can understand and answer all your questions.
- Reviews: Read reviews from the surgeon's other patients to get an idea of their satisfaction level. Online review platforms, as well as word - of - mouth recommendations from friends or family, can be valuable sources of information.
- Facility: Make sure the surgical facility is well - equipped and staffed with qualified personnel. It should have the necessary safety measures in place to ensure a successful surgery and a smooth recovery.
- Customer Service: Choose a surgeon who offers reliable customer service. This means that you can easily contact the surgeon or their staff if you have any questions or concerns during the pre - operative, operative, or post - operative phases.
- Reputation: Look for a top - rated surgeon in the profession. Surgeons who have publications in the field and are respected by their peers are often a good choice.
- Transparency: The surgeon should be transparent about the surgical process, including the potential risks and complications, as well as the cost of the surgery. They should also help you with any paperwork required for insurance.
Conclusion
Breast reduction surgery can be a life - changing procedure for many individuals in New York City. With the availability of top - rated doctors and hospitals, patients have access to high - quality care and expertise. It's important to understand the procedure, its benefits, and the recovery process, as well as to choose the right surgeon. By doing so, patients can achieve their desired results and improve their quality of life.
If you're considering breast reduction surgery, we encourage you to do further research, schedule a consultation with a qualified surgeon, and take the first step towards a more comfortable and confident you. Share this article with others who may be interested in learning more about breast reduction surgery in New York City.