Introduction
Liposuction and buttock augmentation are two popular cosmetic procedures in New York City. With the increasing demand for these treatments, patients are often looking for reliable and high - quality medical facilities. This article will introduce three top - ranked hospitals in New York City for liposuction and buttock augmentation, including their services, surgeons, and advanced technologies.
Understanding Liposuction and Buttock Augmentation
Liposuction
Liposuction is a widely - practiced cosmetic surgical procedure. In the United States, it remains one of the most commonly performed operations. As Dr. David Rapaport, a New York plastic surgeon with over 27 years of experience in liposuction, explains, it is the gold - standard method for permanent spot reduction and contour improvement in areas with excess fatty deposits. The fat cells in our bodies are distributed according to our genetics early in life. Once these fat cells are removed through liposuction, they cannot come back, resulting in a permanent improvement in body contour. However, it's important to note that liposuction is not a weight - loss procedure, although it can motivate patients to adopt a healthier lifestyle after the operation. In women, common treatment areas include the waist, saddlebags (outer thighs), hips, abdomen, inner thighs, circumferential thighs, knees, arms, and calves. In men, “love - handles,” the lower abdomen, under the chin (submental), and chest are frequently targeted.
There are also various liposuction techniques available. Dr. Rapaport uses the tumescent technique, which involves injecting a dilute solution of lidocaine as a local anesthetic and epinephrine to control bleeding before the actual suctioning of fatty tissue. This method effectively reduces blood loss, allows for increased fat removal and improved sculpting, and speeds up recovery. Other advanced liposuction technologies include laser liposuction (Smartlipo), ultrasonic liposuction (UAL), power - assisted liposuction (PAL), and radiofrequency - assisted liposuction (RFAL, BodyTite). Among these, Dr. Rapaport believes BodyTite, Vaser, and PAL are beneficial. BodyTite offers true bipolar radiofrequency energy delivery, enabling precise control of heat energy transferred across the skin and measurable improvements in skin tightness. Vaser is useful for treating dense tissues or areas that have previously undergone liposuction, as it helps to emulsify fat before aspiration.
Buttock Augmentation
Buttock augmentation is a procedure aimed at enhancing the size and shape of the buttocks. There are different methods for buttock augmentation, such as fat grafting, where fat is taken from other parts of the body (like through liposuction from the abdomen or thighs) and transplanted to the buttocks. This approach not only helps in achieving a fuller buttock appearance but also makes use of the patient's own body fat, reducing the risk of allergic reactions.
The Ranked Hospitals in New York City
Columbia University's Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Overview
Columbia University's plastic and reconstructive surgery department is one of New York's best hospitals and a world - class medical center. It has a wealth of experience that few other programs can match. The mission of the department is to use its abundant resources to provide the highest - quality care for patients in need of cosmetic or reconstructive procedures.
Services
The department offers a comprehensive range of services. In terms of cosmetic care, it provides surgical and non - surgical options like ear and eyelid lifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, and, of course, liposuction. For reconstructive care, the plastic surgeons are world leaders in areas such as breast reconstruction after breast cancer, skin lesion excision, and reconstructive surgery for the nose and ears. They also have a specialized craniofacial surgery program for cleft palate and cleft lip care, which affects thousands of newborns each year. The orthoplastic surgery program combines leading experts in orthopedic and reconstructive plastic surgery, offering lower wound complication rates and higher patient satisfaction in recovery. The breast cancer reconstructive surgery program empowers individuals who have undergone breast cancer surgery to reclaim their physical and emotional well - being.
Surgeons
The clinical staff at Columbia consists of highly skilled plastic surgeons. Dr. Christine Rohde, the chief of the division of plastic surgery, is a well - trained clinician, researcher, and teacher. She specializes in microsurgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, body contouring, cosmetic surgery, and breast, trauma, and cancer reconstruction. Dr. Jeffrey A. Ascherman is an experienced plastic and reconstructive surgeon with over 75 scientific publications and multiple inclusions in prestigious lists such as Castle Connolly’s America’s Top Doctors and New York Magazine’s Best Doctors. He is also actively involved in humanitarian surgical missions. Dr. Jarrod T. Bogue, who completed his plastic surgery training at NewYork - Presbyterian's integrated residency program and a fellowship in microsurgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering, specializes in microsurgery, orthoplastic surgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, as well as cancer and trauma reconstruction.
Advanced Technologies
The plastic surgery research laboratory at Columbia is at the forefront of innovation. It is conducting numerous research studies 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. The laboratory has used gene therapy to introduce growth factor genes (such as PDGF and VEGF) to wounds using different techniques, including retroviral vectors, and has seen improved healing in ischemic and diabetic wounds. It is also investigating the use of stem cells for tissue regeneration and the use of various bone substitutes to expedite bone healing.
Zuckerman Plastic Surgery
Overview
Zuckerman Plastic Surgery is led by Dr. Joshua Zuckerman, a top - ranked board - certified plastic surgeon in New York City. He is a specialist in cosmetic plastic surgery of the breast, body, and face, with a particular focus on tummy tuck surgery, mommy makeover surgery, and other aesthetic surgery procedures of the body.
Services
Dr. Zuckerman performs more tummy tuck surgeries, or abdominoplasty, than any other cosmetic surgery of the body. He minimizes scarring, especially with his scarless umbilicus (belly button) re - creation technique, and creates high - quality feminine, hourglass contours. In addition to tummy tucks, he is also an expert in liposuction and buttock augmentation. He uses the latest techniques to maximize fat elimination and contouring. For example, in some cases, he combines liposuction of the abdomen and flanks with buttock augmentation via fat grafting.
Surgeon Reputation
Dr. Zuckerman has been selected as a New York Times Magazine Super Doctor for the last four years running. He trained at Brown University for plastic surgery residency and at New York University (NYU) for a plastic surgery fellowship. He was named as a chief resident at Brown and graduated first in his medical school class. He now helps train the next generation of plastic surgeons at Manhattan, Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital and New York Eye Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. He is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and serves on a national leadership committee. He also belongs to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the most exclusive aesthetic plastic surgery society. He receives near - perfect five - star ratings on review sites and has received a patient’s choice award ranking in the top 5% of doctors nationwide. His popular Instagram account @plastic surgeon nyc has over 16,000 followers.
Patient Testimonials
Many patients have given positive testimonials about Dr. Zuckerman. One tummy tuck surgery patient was stunned by the dramatic result of his procedure and never thought it was possible to fully reverse the effects of weight gain and pregnancy. A breast augmentation surgery patient called him a “miracle worker,” as she was previously told that the procedure she wanted was impossible. Another breast lift surgery patient described him as the absolute best at what he does, treating her like a friend and showing an artistic touch in his field.
A Facility Associated with Dr. David Rapaport
Overview
Although not a traditional “hospital” in the strict sense, the practice associated with Dr. David Rapaport is highly regarded in the field of liposuction in New York City. Dr. Rapaport has over 27 years of experience performing liposuctions and body contouring procedures.
Services
Dr. Rapaport offers liposuction services using the tumescent technique, which is considered the gold standard by most experts. He treats a wide range of areas in both men and women, as mentioned earlier. He also provides additional services related to addressing the complications of sub - optimal liposuction performed elsewhere. For example, he often sees patients with irregularities and over - correction deformities and can use fat grafting or non - surgical techniques like CoolSculpting to improve these issues.
Surgeon Expertise
Dr. Rapaport is a board - certified plastic surgeon with advanced training in cosmetic surgery from Harvard and NYU. He is considered among the best in his field. He has a keen eye for beauty and extraordinary technical expertise, which allows him to achieve the most aesthetically pleasing results. He brings both artistry and scientific knowledge to the operating table. He is also well - known for his warnings about the claims of some new liposuction technologies and has a good understanding of which technologies are truly beneficial, such as BodyTite, Vaser, and PAL.
Patient - Friendly Approach
Dr. Rapaport's approach is patient - centered. He performs most of his liposuctions under IV sedation, also called “twilight” anesthesia, which virtually eliminates the risks associated with general anesthesia, such as blood clots and airway complications. He also carefully considers each patient's contour and discusses with them what improvement they can reasonably expect during the consultation. He places a single suture in each incision for liposuction to allow it to heal as a fine line while also allowing for fluid drainage, and he may choose dissolvable sutures depending on the patient's skin type.
Comparing the Three Hospitals
| Hospital | Service Range | Surgeon Reputation | Advanced Technologies | Patient - Centered Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia University's Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery | Comprehensive, including cosmetic, reconstructive, cleft palate/lip care, orthoplastic, and breast cancer reconstructive surgery | Highly experienced surgeons with national and international recognition, involved in research and teaching | Cutting - edge research in stem cells, gene therapy, and bone substitutes | Holistic approach considering all aspects of patient's health, from different surgical needs to long - term recovery |
| Zuckerman Plastic Surgery | Specialized in tummy tucks, liposuction, and buttock augmentation, with a focus on body contouring | Top - ranked surgeon with numerous accolades and a large patient following on social media | Latest techniques for fat elimination and contouring, such as scarless umbilicus re - creation | Emphasis on patient satisfaction, with many positive testimonials |
| Facility Associated with Dr. David Rapaport | Mainly focused on liposuction and addressing liposuction - related complications | Expert in liposuction with over 27 years of experience and advanced training from top institutions | Use of proven techniques like tumescent liposuction and beneficial technologies like BodyTite and Vaser | Patient - friendly anesthesia approach and individualized contour analysis |
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hospital
Surgeon Experience
The experience of the surgeon is of utmost importance. As seen in the cases of the three hospitals mentioned, experienced surgeons are more likely to achieve better results and handle complications effectively. For example, Dr. David Rapaport's over 27 years of experience in liposuction gives him a deep understanding of the procedure and allows him to address various patient needs. Dr. Joshua Zuckerman's extensive training and multiple awards also demonstrate his high - level expertise.
Available Technologies
Advanced technologies can significantly improve the safety and effectiveness of liposuction and buttock augmentation procedures. Columbia University's research on gene therapy and stem cells may bring new treatment options in the future. Dr. Rapaport's use of BodyTite and Vaser technologies shows his commitment to using the best available methods for his patients.
Hospital Reputation
A hospital's reputation reflects its overall quality of care. Columbia University is well - known as a world - class medical center, and Zuckerman Plastic Surgery has received high ratings from patients and industry recognition. A good reputation means that the hospital is likely to have high - standards in terms of hygiene, patient safety, and ethical practices.
Cost
Liposuction and buttock augmentation costs can vary widely. In New York City, factors such as surgeon fees, facility fees, and anesthesia costs influence the total price. Patients should research the average prices in the city, compare quotes from different hospitals, and consider any financing options available. For example, some clinics offer payment plans or medical credit cards to make the procedures more affordable.
Patient Reviews
Reading patient reviews can provide valuable insights into the actual experience at a hospital. Positive reviews about staff professionalism, patient care, and the final results can be reassuring. However, patients should also look for common themes in negative reviews to identify any potential issues.
Conclusion
When it comes to liposuction and buttock augmentation in New York City, the three hospitals - Columbia University's Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Zuckerman Plastic Surgery, and the facility associated with Dr. David Rapaport - stand out in terms of their services, surgeon expertise, and advanced technologies. Each hospital has its own unique features and advantages. Columbia University offers a comprehensive range of services with cutting - edge research, Zuckerman Plastic Surgery is known for its specialized body - contouring procedures and highly - rated surgeon, and Dr. Rapaport's facility is a leader in liposuction with a patient - friendly approach.
If you are considering liposuction or buttock augmentation, it is crucial to do thorough research, consult with multiple surgeons, and carefully weigh the factors mentioned above. Take the time to make an informed decision that suits your individual needs and goals. Share this article with friends or family who may also be interested in these procedures, and explore more about cosmetic surgery options in New York City.
