Introduction

Breast augmentation, often referred to as a "boob job," is a surgical procedure aimed at increasing breast size, enhancing shape, or improving symmetry. It has become one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the United States, and New York City is a hub for top - notch breast augmentation practices. In this article, we will explore the top three hospitals or clinics for breast augmentation in New York City, as well as provide in - depth information about breast augmentation in general.

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that mainly helps in enlarging or restoring symmetry to the breast. It provides a solution to those who have had a reduction in breast size either due to weight loss, pregnancy, or breastfeeding, as well as those who want a balance in their physical appearance. There are two common methods for breast augmentation: using breast implants (either silicone or saline) or transferring fat from a part of the body to the breasts. The most common method is the surgical use of implants.

According to a report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2020 alone, nearly 200,000 women in the United States underwent breast augmentation despite the onset of a global pandemic. This shows the high demand for this procedure.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Breast Augmentation Clinic

• Surgeon Expertise: The skill and experience of the surgeon are crucial. Look for board - certified plastic surgeons who have extensive training and a proven track record in breast augmentation surgeries. For example, a surgeon who has performed hundreds of successful breast augmentations is more likely to deliver satisfactory results.
• Patient Reviews: Patient reviews offer insights into the quality of care received, the patient's experience, and the satisfaction level with the results. Positive reviews from previous patients can be a good indication of a clinic's reputation.
• Advanced Techniques: Clinics that use the latest surgical techniques, such as 3D imaging and simulation, and modern implant materials are more likely to provide natural - looking and long - lasting results.
• After - care and Recovery Services: Comprehensive after - care is essential for a smooth recovery and optimal results. This includes regular post - operative check - ups, guidance on self - care practices, and emotional support.
• Cost and Financing Options: The cost of breast augmentation can vary widely depending on factors such as the surgeon's fees, facility costs, and the type of implants used. It's important to understand the pricing structure and explore financing options if needed.

The Top Three Breast Augmentation Clinics in New York City

1. Dr. Nadia Afridi

Dr. Nadia Afridi is one of the most popular surgeons in NYC when it comes to breast augmentation. She 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.

Service Focus: Her practice has a high focus on breast augmentation, with 36% of her services dedicated to this procedure. She also offers other services such as body contouring (27%), liposuction (25%), and botox (9%).

Expertise: Dr. Afridi is very professional and caring. She has four key considerations for breast augmentation surgery: the site of breast implant placement, the site of the incision to insert the breast implant, the type of implant (silicone or saline), and the size of the breast implant. She is experienced with both saline and silicone implants, giving patients a wider option. Her incisions are usually made in unnoticeable areas like the armpit, the underside of the breast, and around the areola, which helps to minimize the visibility of scars.

Patient Reviews: She has received impressive reviews from clients due to her quality of work and the way she handles patients. She and her staff are very helpful and accommodating, treating patients like royalty.

Cost: The estimated cost of breast augmentation with Dr. Afridi is $8900. She also accepts credit cards and insurance.

Location: Her practice is located at 815 Park Ave, New York, NY 10021, between 75th St & 74th St, Upper East Side. Her phone number is (212) 421 - 5100.

2. Dr. Richard Swift

Dr. Richard Swift is a board - certified plastic surgeon who offers a variety of cosmetic surgeries and treatments. He completed his residency in general surgery at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Short Hills, New Jersey.

Service Focus: He focuses on a range of procedures, with 49% of his services dedicated to body contouring, 18% to breast augmentation, 7% to liposuction, and 2% to tummy tuck.

Expertise: Dr. Swift has earned a number of prestigious awards for his experience and expertise. He provides detailed consultations on surgical techniques, alternative treatments, and pre - and post - operative care. He is dedicated to delivering personalized, high - quality, one - on - one care to ensure patients' complete comfort and satisfaction. For breast augmentation, he recommends that patients refrain from vigorous exercise the day before the procedure and shower with antimicrobial soap the night before. After the surgery, he guides patients on the recovery process, including wearing a surgical bra and refraining from certain activities until he approves.

Patient Reviews: His patients praise his skill and the care provided by his team, from the receptionist to the operating room nurse and anesthesiologist.

Cost: The estimated cost of breast augmentation with Dr. Swift ranges from $5000 - $10000. The price differs depending on the extent of surgery and the number of treatments needed, but it is in line with other board - certified plastic surgeons.

Location: His practice is located at 110 E 87th St, New York, NY 10128, between Park Ave & Lexington Ave, Upper East Side. His phone number is (212) 828 - 9906.

3. Dr. Adam Kolker

Dr. Adam Kolker is a double - board certified plastic surgeon in New York City. He specializes in cosmetic surgery of the breast, body, and face. He has an impressive educational background, having graduated from a highly selective accelerated six - year biomedical education program at Union College and Albany Medical College.

Service Focus: His practice offers a wide range of breast procedures, with a significant focus on breast augmentation. He also performs breast asymmetry correction, breast lift, breast reduction, breast reconstruction, fat transfer breast augmentation, tuberous breast correction, and more.

Expertise: Dr. Kolker is knowledgeable, skilled, and talented. He offers a number of breast procedures aside from breast augmentation. For example, in the case of fat transfer breast augmentation, he has the expertise to harvest fat from other parts of the body and inject it into the breasts. His service also involves a combined effort of his surgical and anesthesia team to ensure the best results.

Patient Reviews: Many patients are satisfied with his work, and he has been featured in numerous media outlets. However, some patients note that his staff answers calls instead of him directly.

Cost: The estimated cost of breast augmentation with Dr. Kolker ranges from $9000 – $11000. The price depends on the material used, with silicone breast implants being $1000 more expensive than saline implants.

Location: His practice is located at 710 Park Avenue, New York City, New York 10021. His phone numbers are (212) 744 - 3900 / (212) 744 - 6500.

Types of Breast Implants

Silicone Implants

Silicone implants are pre - filled with a silicone gel. They look and feel more natural in the breasts compared to saline implants. In 2020, approximately 84% of all breast augmentations in the United States were performed with silicone implants. These implants have undergone many improvements over the years, and today's cohesive silicone gel implants, also known as gummy bear implants, are increasingly popular. They are thick enough to keep their form and minimize the risk of leakage if the implant becomes compromised. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes to mimic most breast shapes and fit a wider range of chest dimensions.

Saline Implants

Saline implants are placed in the breast pocket and are filled to the patient's desired volume during the procedure. They are a firmer, rounder implant. The advantage of saline implants is that in case of a rupture, the saline solution is absorbed by the body. However, some patients may find that they do not have the same natural feel as silicone implants.

Fat Transfer (NaturalFill)

Some clinics, like Mount Sinai, offer a fat transfer technique known as NaturalFill®. This is a two - step procedure where fat is removed from the patient's buttocks or abdomen using liposuction and then immediately inserted into the breasts. This method uses the patient's own fat deposits, which can be a more natural option for some patients and has the added benefit of removing fat from an unwanted area.

The Breast Augmentation Procedure

Pre - operative Consultation

Before the surgery, patients will have a consultation with their surgeon. During this consultation, the surgeon will listen to the patient's goals, examine the patient's breasts, and take measurements. The surgeon will also discuss the type of implants, the incision location, and the placement of the implants. For example, if a patient has signs of ptosis or sagging skin, the surgeon may recommend subglandular placement of the implants. The patient will also be asked about their medical history, allergies, and current medications. The surgeon will provide detailed pre - operative instructions, which may include quitting smoking, tapering off certain medications, and arranging for someone to pick them up after the surgery.

The Surgery

Breast augmentation is typically an outpatient procedure that takes 1 - 1.5 hours to perform. The patient will be given either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation anesthesia. The surgeon will make small incisions to create a pocket for the implant. The incision options include an inframammary incision (under the breast), a periareolar incision (around the areola), or a transaxillary (under the armpit) incision. The choice of incision depends on factors such as the type of implant, the patient's anatomy, and the desired outcome. Once the pocket is created, the implant is placed either under the pectoral muscles (submuscular plane) or above the pectoral muscles (subglandular). After the implant is in place, the surgeon will close the incisions with sutures and wrap the area with a compression garment.

Post - operative Recovery

In the initial days after surgery, it's normal to experience moderate symptoms of fatigue, discomfort, swelling, and bruising. Patients will be given a prescription for pain medication and a surgical compression bra to wear for a few weeks. Most patients can resume light activities and work in 2 - 3 weeks, and more strenuous activities like going to the gym at 6 - 8 weeks. It may take a few months for the implants to settle into place, and the final results can be seen at that time.

Cost of Breast Augmentation

The cost of breast augmentation in New York City can vary widely. Factors that influence the cost include the surgeon's fees, the type of implants used, the complexity of the procedure, and the location of the clinic. The price can range from approximately $3900 to over $11000. Insurance coverage for breast augmentation is typically limited, as most insurance companies consider it a cosmetic procedure. However, in cases where the procedure is deemed medically necessary, such as after a mastectomy due to breast cancer, insurance may cover some of the costs. Some clinics offer financing options to help patients afford the procedure, such as in - house financing plans or third - party medical loans.

Benefits and Risks of Breast Augmentation

Benefits

• Enhanced Appearance: Breast augmentation can help women achieve the breast size and shape they desire, which can boost self - confidence and improve body image.
• Restored Symmetry: It can correct asymmetry between the breasts, creating a more balanced appearance.
• Restored Volume: Women who have lost breast volume due to pregnancy, weight loss, or aging can regain their pre - pregnancy or youthful breast size.
• Improved Clothing Options: It can open the door to a wider range of clothing styles, as women no longer have to worry about their breasts not fitting properly into certain garments.

Risks

• Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA - ALCL): There is a small but increased risk of developing BIA - ALCL, which is a form of non - Hodgkin's lymphoma. It appears to be associated with textured implants and patients who develop a seroma (accumulation of fluid around the breast).
• Breast Implant Illness (BII): Some women report a variety of symptoms such as memory loss, joint pain, and fatigue after having implants placed. However, the cause of these symptoms and their link to synthetic implants is still being investigated.
• Other Complications: These can include infections, bleeding, alterations in nipple or breast sensations, implant leakage or rupture, development of scar tissue, and unsatisfactory outcomes that may require further surgeries.

After - care and Follow - up

Aftercare is crucial for a successful breast augmentation. Top clinics in New York City offer comprehensive after - care services. This includes regular post - operative check - ups to monitor the healing process, check for any complications, and ensure that the implants are settling properly. Patients will be given instructions on self - care, such as how to care for the incisions, when to start breast massages (which can help the implants settle), and what activities to avoid. Emotional support is also provided, as the recovery process can be a challenging time for some patients. Many clinics have dedicated helplines or support groups where patients can share their experiences and get advice from others who have undergone similar procedures.

Conclusion

Breast augmentation is a popular and effective way for women to enhance their appearance and improve their self - confidence. New York City is home to some of the top breast augmentation clinics and surgeons in the world. Dr. Nadia Afridi, Dr. Richard Swift, and Dr. Adam Kolker are three of the leading experts in the field, each with their own unique expertise, service focus, and patient reviews. When considering breast augmentation, it's important to thoroughly research your options, choose a qualified surgeon, and understand the procedure, recovery process, and associated risks. If you are considering breast augmentation, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of these top surgeons to learn more about how they can help you achieve your desired results. Don't hesitate to take the first step towards a more confident you!