The Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Gulou Hospital for Breast Reduction Plastic Surgery in New York City!

Introduction

When it comes to breast reduction plastic surgery in New York City, patients have various options, including different traditional Chinese medicine - affiliated hospitals and specialized plastic surgery centers. This article will delve into the details of breast reduction plastic surgery in NYC, exploring the features of related hospitals such as the Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Gulou Hospital, along with other well - known facilities in the area. We'll also cover aspects like patient suitability, surgical techniques, and insurance coverage.

Breast Reduction Centers in New York City

Breast Reduction Center of NYC

The Breast Reduction Center of NYC, located on the upper east side in Manhattan, is a premier destination for breast reduction plastic surgery. Their breast reduction specialist surgeons are top - rated board - certified or board - eligible plastic surgeons. Here are some of its outstanding features:

• Environment and Patient Care: It offers a beautiful private and relaxed environment, providing personalized patient care. Patients reported that the communication with the team was effortless, and their questions were answered promptly. Pre - and post - surgery, they were checked on in a thoughtful way, resulting in an overall positive experience.
• High Volume of Surgeries: The center performs hundreds of breast reduction surgeries each year, which reflects its rich experience in this field.
• Advanced Surgical Techniques:
  • The surgeons do not use drains in breast reductions, and all the stitches dissolve on their own, simplifying post - op care.
  • A special technique called a nerve block is used during surgery. This eliminates the need for prescription pain medicine, and patients only need over - the - counter Tylenol and ibuprofen for recovery. Even patients with large breast reduction volumes (some over 7 pounds) can be treated using this method.
• Consultation Options: It offers virtual consultations from anywhere in the world. For new patients, only virtual appointments are provided initially to allow more flexibility in scheduling. If needed, an in - person visit can be scheduled later. Patients can also have a complimentary 15 - minute phone consultation with a patient coordinator to ask questions about surgery, costs, financing, and health insurance coverage.
• Insurance and Financing: The center is in - network with Cigna, United Healthcare, and Oxford (but does not accept United Healthcare community plan and Oxford metro plans). It may accept the Empire Plan (NYSHIP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Aetna plans only if patients have out - of - network benefits. Unfortunately, it does not accept Medicare, Medicaid, Medi - Cal, Tri - Care, Amida Care, Fidelis, and Metroplus plans. For patients with non - accepted plans, self - pay is required. It also provides information on CareCredit's financing options for out - of - pocket healthcare expenses.

Columbia University's Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

As one of New York’s best hospitals and a world - top medical center, Columbia University's plastic surgery department has a wide range of plastic surgery programs and services related to breast reduction:

• Comprehensive Services: In addition to breast reduction (mammoplasty), the department offers cosmetic care including ear and eyelid lifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, etc., and reconstructive care such as breast reconstruction after breast cancer, skin lesion excision, and more. They also have special programs for cleft palate/lip care, orthoplastic surgery care, and breast reconstructive care.
• Expert Surgeons: The clinical staff consists of plastic surgeons proficient in multiple areas of specialization. For example, Dr. Christine Rohde, the chief of the division, is trained in the full range of plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, specializing in microsurgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, etc. Each surgeon has rich experience and many have numerous publications and presentations in the field.
• Research - Driven: The plastic surgery research laboratory is involved in numerous research studies, including those related to stem cells, tissue engineering, and the study of bone substitutes. A major focus is on the application of gene therapy to wound healing, which can potentially benefit patients undergoing breast reduction surgery in terms of post - operative recovery.

Breast Reduction at Traditional Chinese Medicine - Affiliated Hospitals

Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine's Approach

The Department of Surgery at the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine is a leading institution in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis and treatment. Although it may not be directly in New York City, understanding its approach can provide some insights into TCM - based breast - related treatments that might have implications for breast reduction:

• Department Strength: It is a national regional center for TCM diagnosis and treatment and a national specialized construction unit for TCM advantages. It has 12 specialized departments including breast surgery, a large number of surgical inpatient beds, and advanced medical research equipment like the fourth - generation Da Vinci robotic surgical system, 3D ultra - high - definition laparoscope, and 4K high - definition laparoscope.
• Key Specialties in TCM: The department focuses on leveraging the advantages of combining TCM and Western medicine in treating difficult and severe surgical diseases. "Granulomatous mastitis" and "breast cancer" are among the key areas where the hospital excels in TCM. In breast - related treatments, the integration of TCM might bring additional benefits such as better pain management, faster post - operative recovery, and reduced side effects through the use of TCM herbs and therapies during the perioperative period.
• Research and Education: In the past five years, the department has undertaken over 120 research projects at various levels, published over 200 academic papers, developed TCM formulations, and led the development of national clinical pathways, industry guidelines, and local standards. It also undertakes teaching tasks and internship programs for multiple levels of students at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, which shows its importance in TCM surgical education and research.

Other Relevant Medical Institutions in New York City

NYC Health + Hospitals / Queens

The Department of Surgery at NYC Health + Hospitals / Queens offers a wide range of surgical services, including plastic surgery:

• Comprehensive Surgical Specialties: In addition to plastic surgery for breast reduction, it has specialties in general surgery, breast surgery, colorectal surgery, vascular surgery, thoracic surgery, hand surgery, and podiatric surgery. This means that patients with related underlying conditions can receive comprehensive medical services within the same hospital.
• Quality Breast Care: The board - certified breast surgeons in the breast surgery department use state - of - the - art breast imaging techniques such as digital mammography, breast sonography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and PET scanning. They can perform breast - conserving surgery for breast cancer when possible and offer immediate reconstruction after mastectomy if desired.

Dr. Huettner's Practice

Dr. Franziska Huettner, a double - board certified plastic surgeon in New York and Florida, has a well - established practice for breast - related surgeries:

• Patient - Centered Care: Her patients receive undivided attention, a direct line of communication, and a fully customized surgical and recovery plan. This personalized approach aims to meet the specific needs and expectations of each patient.
• Specialized Breast Surgeries: She specializes in breast reduction, breast lift, augmentation, implant revision, reconstruction, and nipple inversion procedures. Her bilingual ability in English and German also welcomes international patients seeking reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.

Patient Suitability for Breast Reduction Surgery

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for breast reduction surgery. Here are the typical criteria to determine if a person is a candidate for this surgery:

1. Medical Problems Caused by Breasts: If the breasts are creating medical problems such as shoulder, back, or neck pain, or if the bra straps are causing significant grooving in the shoulders, breast reduction may be considered. Also, bad posture characterized by hunched shoulders and a curved back due to large breasts can be an indication.
2. Limitations on Physical Activity: Patients who have limitations on physical activity, such as difficulty performing household chores, work duties, or exercise due to their breast size, may be suitable candidates.
3. Other Health Issues: Headaches or nerve compression syndromes due to the weight of the breasts, as well as the development of rashes and/or infections on the trapped skin under the breasts, can also be reasons for considering breast reduction surgery.
4. Breast Development: It is usually recommended to wait until breast development is complete. Surgeons will carefully evaluate the size and shape of the breasts, the quality of the skin, and the placement of the nipples and areolas, and fully explain the expectations from the surgery to the patient.

Insurance Coverage for Breast Reduction Surgery

Insurance coverage for breast reduction surgery can be a complex issue. Generally, if the reasons for the surgery are purely cosmetic, insurance companies will not cover it. However, if the patient meets the criteria for “symptomatic macromastia,” meaning the large breasts are causing pain, discomfort, and interfering with daily life, insurance may cover the surgery. For example, at the Breast Reduction Center of NYC, if after consultation the patient is deemed a candidate for insurance coverage, the team will help with all the necessary paperwork. Here is a comparison of insurance acceptance at different centers:

Recovery and Post - Operative Care

Recovery and post - operative care are crucial aspects of breast reduction surgery. Different centers have different approaches:

• At the Breast Reduction Center of NYC: Since the surgeons do not use drains and the stitches dissolve on their own, post - op care is less complicated. With the use of the nerve block technique, patients only need over - the - counter Tylenol and ibuprofen for pain management. Patients are also checked on pre - and post - surgery to ensure a smooth recovery process.
• Combined TCM and Western Medicine Approach (Hypothetical for Relevant Hospitals): In institutions like the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, if TCM is combined with Western surgical methods, patients might receive TCM herbal remedies or therapies during the recovery period to promote wound healing, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the body's overall condition.

Conclusion

In New York City, there are several excellent options for breast reduction plastic surgery. Specialized centers like the Breast Reduction Center of NYC offer high - quality, patient - centered care with advanced surgical techniques and innovative pain management. Columbia University's plastic surgery department provides comprehensive services backed by extensive research. Traditional Chinese medicine - affiliated hospitals, although not typically direct providers of surgery in NYC, offer unique perspectives on integrating TCM with Western surgical approaches that could potentially enhance treatment and recovery. When considering breast reduction surgery, patients should carefully evaluate their own suitability, research different institutions, and understand insurance coverage. It's also important to have in - depth consultations with surgeons to make an informed decision.

If you're considering breast reduction plastic surgery, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with a reputable medical institution. Read more patient reviews, explore related research, and share this article with others who might be interested in learning about breast reduction surgery in New York City.