Introduction
Silicone breast prosthesis surgery is a popular cosmetic procedure that can enhance the appearance and confidence of many women. In Albany, there are several hospitals and medical professionals offering this service. This article will present the ranking list of hospitals for silicone breast prosthesis surgery in Albany, along with in - depth information about the procedure, doctors, and hospitals.
General Information about Silicone Breast Prosthesis Surgery
What is Silicone Breast Prosthesis Surgery?
Silicone breast prosthesis surgery, also known as breast augmentation with silicone implants, is a surgical procedure in which a board - certified plastic surgeon increases the size of the breasts and improves their shape using silicone implants. Silicone implants have a durable silicone shell filled with a gel of various degrees of cohesiveness, and the most cohesive ones are often referred to as “gummy bear” breast implants. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation with implants has been one of the top cosmetic surgical procedures in the United States and has been consistently in the top 5 since 2006, with nearly 300,000 breast augmentations performed in the USA in 2022.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Women who may be good candidates for silicone breast prosthesis surgery include those with underdeveloped natural breast tissue, disproportionately small breasts compared to their lower body, asymmetrical or oddly - shaped breasts, deflation and lost volume due to weight loss or after pregnancy and breast - feeding, and loss of firmness, loose skin, and sagging breasts (often paired with a breast lift). As stated in relevant sources, a plastic surgeon will typically discuss the patient's motivations for the surgery, perform a physical examination, and review the patient's health history to ensure the procedure is the safest and most effective choice.
Types of Implants
| Type of Implant | Description | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Saline Implants | Made of silicone shells filled with sterile salt water. Typically require smaller incisions than silicone implants. | If they break, the saline solution is naturally absorbed and expelled from the body. |
| Silicone Implants | Have durable silicone shells filled with a gel of various degrees of cohesiveness. More closely mimic the feel of natural breast tissue. | Provide a more natural look and feel. The cohesive silicone gel sticks together and does not leave the breast pocket if a rupture occurs. |
Both saline and silicone implants are FDA - approved, with saline for women older than 18 and silicone for women older than 22.
Ranking List of Hospitals for Silicone Breast Prosthesis Surgery in Albany
Overall Hospital Rankings in Albany
US News provides rankings of hospitals in the Albany, New York metropolitan area. Hospitals are ordered according to their performance in complex care in medical specialties such as cancer and in common procedures and conditions like knee replacement and heart failure. Some of the well - known hospitals in Albany are as follows:
- St. Peter's Hospital - Albany: #1 in Albany, NY. High performing in 2 specialties and 15 procedures/conditions.
- Albany Medical Center: #2 in Albany, NY. High performing in 13 procedures/conditions.
- Ellis Hospital: High performing in 5 procedures/conditions.
While these are general hospital rankings, they can also be an indicator of the overall quality of medical services in the area, which may be relevant for silicone breast prosthesis surgery.
Hospitals Specialized in Breast - Related Procedures
Although specific rankings for silicone breast prosthesis surgery may not be straightforward, there are hospitals and doctors in Albany with excellent reputations in breast - related procedures. Here are some of the notable ones:
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Doctors at Various Practices
Healthgrades lists many doctors who perform breast surgical procedures in Albany. For example:
- Dr. Todd Beyer, MD: Rated 4.80 out of 5 stars. Located at 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208.
- Dr. Gabriel Kaufman, MD: Rated 4.70 out of 5 stars. Located at 317 S Manning Blvd Ste C364, Albany, NY 12208.
- Dr. Susan Gannon, MD: Rated 4.50 out of 5 stars. Located at 455 Patroon Creek Blvd Ste 101, Albany, NY 12206.
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Rockmore Plastic Surgery
Dr. Jeffrey Rockmore at Rockmore Plastic Surgery in Latham, serving Albany and other areas, has extensive experience in breast augmentation. He has performed more than 4,000 breast procedures. He uses a 3 - dimensional approach for consistently beautiful and natural - looking breasts and offers a variety of options for breast implants, including size, shape, material, and profile. For example, he takes into account the width of the patient's chest and breasts when choosing an implant to prevent excess space between the breasts. His patients travel from Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, and throughout New York for breast augmentation procedures.
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Capek Plastic Surgery
Dr. Lucie Capek at Capek Plastic Surgery is an expert in breast augmentation. She helps patients choose the right implant type, size, and shape based on their unique breast shape, tissue characteristics, body type, and desired results. She uses breast implant sizers to help patients visualize their desired breast size. Her office - based operating suite is quada - accredited, and she uses the harmonic scalpel to minimize bleeding and muscle twitching during the surgery. Many patients from the capital district areas of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and Saratoga, as well as from New York City, Vermont, Massachusetts, and beyond, trust her to perform their breast augmentation surgery.
Considerations When Choosing a Hospital or Doctor for Silicone Breast Prosthesis Surgery
Doctor's Experience and Reputation
It is crucial to choose a doctor with extensive experience in silicone breast prosthesis surgery. Look for doctors with high patient ratings and positive reviews. As seen from the Healthgrades data, doctors with higher star ratings have likely provided better - quality care and patient satisfaction. For example, Dr. Sanjiv Kayastha, MD, who is rated 5.00 out of 5 stars for breast lift surgery, may also be a reliable choice for silicone breast prosthesis surgery.
Hospital Accreditation and Facilities
Ensure that the hospital or surgical facility where the procedure will be performed is accredited. Accreditation indicates that the facility meets certain standards of quality and safety. For example, Capek Plastic Surgery's office - based operating suite is quada - accredited, which gives patients more confidence in the safety of the procedure.
Cost and Insurance
The cost of silicone breast prosthesis surgery can vary depending on the choice of implants, specifics of the surgery, and individual patient factors. Some clinics may offer price quotes during the consultation. It's important to note that in most cases, breast augmentation is considered a cosmetic procedure and may not be covered by insurance. However, patients should check with their insurance providers to confirm.
After - Care and Follow - up
Good after - care and follow - up are essential for a successful recovery. Doctors should provide clear instructions on post - operative care, such as wearing a compression garment, restrictions on activities, and follow - up appointments. For example, Dr. Rockmore provides patients with a comfortable surgical bra to wear continuously after surgery for the first couple of weeks and schedules follow - up visits at 8 weeks and 6 months after the procedure.
Procedure Process and Recovery
Before the Procedure
Before silicone breast prosthesis surgery, patients will have a consultation with the doctor. During this consultation, the doctor will discuss the patient's goals, examine the patient's breasts, and help the patient choose the appropriate implant type, size, and placement. The doctor may also use breast implant sizers to help the patient visualize the results. Patients are advised to be in optimum health, follow a healthy lifestyle, avoid smoking, and follow their primary care physician's advice when treating chronic conditions like high blood pressure.
During the Procedure
The breast augmentation procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. The doctor will make an incision, either under the breast (inframammary fold), around the areola (periareolar), or in the armpit (transaxillary). The most commonly recommended approach is the inframammary fold incision due to a lower risk of associated complications like capsular contracture. The doctor will then create a pocket for the implant, either above the muscle (subglandular), behind the pectoralis muscle (submuscular), or a combination of both (biplanar). The entire surgery generally takes 1 - 2 hours to complete.
After the Procedure
Immediately after the surgery, patients can expect to feel some discomfort and grogginess. They can usually return home after a brief period of observation. The initial recovery timeline is as follows:
- Day 1: Most patients can shower the day after surgery if they are careful not to get the incision site too wet (sponge baths may be recommended in some cases).
- Days 2 & 3: If the patient is comfortable and no longer taking prescription medication, they should be able to resume driving within 72 hours of the procedure.
- Days 3 - 5: Swelling, tightness, and soreness tend to peak during this period, but any discomfort is usually easily remedied with over - the - counter medicine.
- Day 7: Most patients feel well enough to return to work, school, and other light activities. They will have their first postoperative appointment a week after the surgery to ensure that their healing is progressing as planned.
- Weeks 2 - 4: Patients should be able to resume most strenuous activities during this time. Restrictions on lifting objects and moving their arms above shoulder height may also be eased.
Over the long term, the augmented breasts will soften and settle into their final positions, and the scars will fade. However, patients with silicone implants are recommended to have periodic ultrasounds to screen for silent implant rupture.
Potential Risks and Complications
Even with the care of professionally trained surgeons, every surgical procedure carries some risk. Early risks of breast augmentation procedures include bleeding or hematoma, anesthesia side effects like nausea, and changes in the sensation of the nipple or breast. Over the long term, breast implants may have associated issues that require monitoring and treatment, such as capsular contracture (increasing firmness and possible shape change of the breast), implant malposition (shifting of the implant into an undesirable position), and implant rupture. If a saline breast implant breaks, the implant releases a saltwater solution that is naturally absorbed and expelled from the body. A silicone implant rupture may be silent, so the FDA recommends that women with silicone implants should have periodic ultrasounds to check their integrity.
Conclusion
In Albany, there are several well - known hospitals and experienced doctors offering silicone breast prosthesis surgery. When considering this procedure, it is important to do thorough research on the hospitals, doctors, and the procedure itself. Look at the doctor's experience, the hospital's accreditation, the cost, and the after - care services. By making an informed decision, patients can increase their chances of having a successful and satisfying outcome.
If you are interested in learning more about silicone breast prosthesis surgery in Albany, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of the recommended doctors. Share this article with your friends or family who may also be interested in this topic. Stay informed about the latest developments in cosmetic surgery by exploring related topics on our website.
