The top 3 and top 5 hospitals for breast implant removal in New York City have excellent quality!

Introduction

Breast implant removal is a procedure that many women in New York City consider for various reasons, including health concerns, cosmetic preferences, or complications with existing implants. Selecting the right hospital and surgeon is crucial for a successful outcome. In this article, we will explore the top 3 and top 5 hospitals for breast implant removal in New York City, delving into their qualities, the surgeons available, and what patients can expect from the procedure.

Reasons for Breast Implant Removal

Before discussing the top hospitals, it's important to understand why women might choose to have their breast implants removed. There are numerous factors that can contribute to this decision, and they can be broadly categorized into health - related and cosmetic - related reasons.

Health - related Reasons

• Implant Rupture, Leakage, or Deflation: Both silicone and saline implants can experience rupture or leakage over time. Silicone implants may rupture silently, and the silicone gel can sometimes migrate to other parts of the body. Saline implants are more likely to show visible deflation if the outer shell is damaged.
• Capsular Contracture: This occurs when the scar tissue (capsule) that forms around the implant hardens and tightens. It can cause pain, discomfort, and a distorted appearance of the breasts. Severe capsular contracture may require the removal of the implant and the surrounding scar tissue.
• Breast Implant - Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA - ALCL): Although rare, this is a type of non - Hodgkin lymphoma that has been associated with certain textured breast implants. The FDA has recalled some textured implants due to an increased risk of BIA - ALCL. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, or a mass around the implant.
• Breast Implant Illness (BII): Patients with BII may experience a wide range of symptoms such as fatigue, fever, gastrointestinal complaints, migraines, and more. While the exact cause is uncertain, it is believed to be associated with pre - existing autoimmune problems.
• Infection and Bleeding: Infections around the implant can occur, which may require the removal of the implant to treat the infection effectively. Bleeding is also a potential complication that may necessitate implant removal.

Cosmetic - related Reasons

• Unsatisfactory Results: Some women may be unhappy with the size, shape, or position of their implants. They may have expected a different aesthetic outcome from their initial breast augmentation surgery.
• Change in Personal Taste: Over time, a woman's aesthetic preferences may change. She may no longer desire the appearance of breast implants and prefer to return to her natural breast size and shape.
• Aging and Body Changes: Pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and the natural aging process can cause changes to the breasts. These changes may make the implants look out of place or cause the breasts to sag more, leading to the decision to remove the implants.

The Top 3 Hospitals for Breast Implant Removal in New York City

1. Hospital Associated with Dr. Darrick Antell

Dr. Darrick Antell is a widely - regarded plastic surgeon in New York City. He performs custom breast implant removal (explant) surgery, including the removal of allergan textured breast implants recalled by the FDA due to the associated risk of BIA - ALCL. When indicated, he also conducts an en bloc capsulectomy to remove the tissue around the breast implant.

Qualities of the Hospital: Dr. Antell has privileges in numerous hospitals throughout New York City. However, most patients prefer his discreet, private operating room located just across the street from world - renowned Lenox Hill Hospital. The state - of - the - art outpatient surgery center is fully accredited, designed for patient comfort, and equipped with the latest technology. The facility has a private back entrance to ensure total discretion, and all staff members are thoroughly trained to offer personalized care.

Surgeon Qualifications: Dr. Antell has been listed in Harper’s Bazaar and other magazines as one of the best breast plastic surgeons in the country. He has over twenty years of experience and has performed more than ten thousand procedures. He is an official spokesperson for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and has memberships in many regional and national medical societies. He is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and has won numerous awards.

Patient Experience: Many of his breast implant removal patients are referred by former patients, indicating high levels of patient satisfaction. He has performed custom breast removal surgeries on many celebrities and well - known persons, and his reputation for exceptional surgical results, performed with total discretion, is impeccable.

2. Clinic of Dr. Olivia Hutchinson

Dr. Olivia Hutchinson is recognized as one of the top breast implant removal surgeons on the upper east side in NYC. She has over 20 years of experience evaluating patients with breast implant - related concerns and performing breast implant removal.

Qualities of the Clinic: The atmosphere at her clinic is calming, and everything is super clean. The staff is reported to be super professional and nice, creating a comfortable environment for patients.

Surgeon Qualifications: As a board - certified, Harvard and Columbia - educated female aesthetic plastic surgeon, Dr. Hutchinson focuses on cosmetic breast surgery. She is committed to ensuring the finest surgical results for her patients and has extensive knowledge of the various complications associated with breast implants.

Patient Experience: Patients have left glowing reviews about their experience with Dr. Hutchinson and her staff. One patient stated, “Every single detail of my experience with Dr. Hutchinson and her amazing staff was exceptional. The atmosphere is calming, everything is super clean, and all I encountered were super professional and nice. Dr. Hutchinson made me feel so comfortable and the results are amazing. I could not be happier.”

3. Millennial Plastic Surgery (with Dr. David Shokrian)

Dr. David Shokrian at Millennial Plastic Surgery works with patients to create the perfect balance of surgical and natural remedies for breast implant removal. He is known for helping patients feel comfortable in their bodies after the procedure.

Qualities of the Clinic: The clinic has accessible, well - appointed offices right in midtown Manhattan. They offer comprehensive consultations with Dr. Shokrian and his team both virtually and in person, providing flexibility for patients.

Surgeon Qualifications: Dr. Shokrian has a strong reputation among patients. He is experienced in dealing with the various reasons for breast implant removal and provides detailed instructions to patients before and after the procedure.

Patient Experience: Many patients have shared positive testimonials. One patient said, “I had my surgery done 2 weeks ago & I had the most amazing experience ever. Dr. Shokrian & the girls are very caring, they made me feel very comfortable, especially Sophia & Barbara. They answered every question I had! I’m more than happy with my results & would definitely recommend MPS to anyone interested in cosmetic surgery!”

The Top 5 Hospitals for Breast Implant Removal in New York City

4. Breast Reconstruction Center of NYC

This center offers a wide range of breast surgeries, including breast implant removal. Their board - certified plastic surgeons have experience with various breast procedures and tailor each surgery to suit the patient's needs.

Qualities of the Center: They are committed to helping patients achieve their breast surgery goals with beautiful and natural - looking results. They work with patients' doctors or cancer specialists for breast cancer reconstruction surgery or post - mastectomy surgery. The center offers out - of - network benefits, and most insurance companies will reimburse patients when the policy allows out - of - network coverage. They also offer in - person and virtual consultations, which is convenient for patients.

Surgeon Qualifications: The surgeons at the center are board - certified and have multiple professional society memberships, including The Aesthetic Society, American College of Surgeons, and American Society of Plastic Surgeons. They are well - versed in different breast implant removal techniques, such as en bloc, partial capsulectomy, or total capsulectomy, depending on the patient's desired post - op result.

Patient Experience: Patients have given positive feedback about the surgeons. One patient stated, “Dr. Lotempio is an amazing plastic surgeon. She makes you feel comfortable and confident. Her presence is very nurturing. Dr. Lotempio also gives you her straight and honest opinion. It is not about the money. She explains what you can realistically expect from the procedure, your health and your safety are her highest priority.”

5. Zuckerman Plastic Surgery

Dr. Joshua D. Zuckerman at Zuckerman Plastic Surgery offers breast implant removal and exchange procedures to meet the changing needs and preferences of his patients.

Qualities of the Clinic: The clinic understands that the decision to undergo breast implant removal or exchange is deeply personal. They are focused on providing a patient - centered approach and offer a range of options for patients, including implant exchange for those who want to alter the size or type of their implants.

Surgeon Qualifications: Dr. Zuckerman is a highly skilled plastic surgeon. He is meticulous in his surgical techniques, aiming to minimize scarring and optimize recovery for his patients. He has the expertise to handle different reasons for breast implant removal, such as health concerns, cosmetic preferences, or aging implants.

Patient Experience: While specific patient testimonials are not as abundant in the provided references, the clinic's approach to guiding patients through every step of the process suggests a commitment to providing a positive patient experience. They offer consultations to help patients learn more about their options for breast implant removal or exchange.

The Breast Implant Removal Procedure

The breast implant removal procedure generally involves the following steps, regardless of the hospital or surgeon:

Consultation

During the initial consultation, the surgeon will thoroughly evaluate the patient's general health and medical history. They will assess the current condition of the breasts, including the size, shape, and position of the implants. If the patient is having the implants removed due to medical complications, it is important to discuss any symptoms they may be experiencing. The patient should bring any information they have about their existing implants and previous breast augmentation surgery. The surgeon will then work with the patient to create a proper surgical plan based on the patient's desired outcome. In some cases, it may be recommended to pair the explant surgery with another procedure, such as a breast lift.

Pre - operative Preparation

Based on various factors such as age and implant condition, the surgeon may order imaging tests such as an ultrasound, mammogram, or MRI before the procedure. The patient will be given guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, iron tablets, and specific medications. They may also be given prescriptions to fill before the surgery. Some patients may need to obtain pre - operative clearance from another doctor. Additionally, since the procedure is usually performed under “twilight” sedation, the patient should arrange for someone to drive them home after the surgery and have someone to assist them during the first few days of recovery.

Anesthesia

Breast implant removal is typically performed with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation or another type of “twilight” anesthesia. In some rare cases, only local anesthesia may be used. A board - certified anesthesiologist will monitor the patient throughout the procedure to ensure their safety and comfort.

Surgery

If possible, the surgeon will remove the implant through the existing incisions from the initial breast augmentation surgery. However, if the patient has experienced capsular contracture, a silicone implant rupture, or has textured breast implants and is experiencing BIA - ALCL, it may be necessary to remove the hardened scar tissue surrounding the implant. When the implant and scar tissue are removed simultaneously, it is called en - bloc resection. The incisions are then closed with multiple layers of internal, dissolving sutures, and an external layer of sutures if needed. The surgeon may place a layer of gauze or a bandage over the breasts to speed healing. The surgery usually takes between one to two hours to complete, and en - bloc resection can take even longer.

Recovery

After the surgery, the patient will recover in a state - of - the - art recovery suite while being monitored by a registered nurse. A specialized, long - lasting local anesthesia is used to reduce discomfort. Breast implant removal is an outpatient procedure, so the patient can return home the same day. The patient should expect to have an escort to bring them home, as they will not be able to drive for 24 hours after the administration of anesthesia. The patient's breasts may be covered in a layer of gauze or a bandage, and they may feel tired or sore. Many patients can return to most daily activities within days, but it is best to refrain from vigorous exercise for around two weeks. The surgeon will provide an individualized recovery plan based on the details of the procedure and the patient's healing rate. The patient may experience some loss of feeling in the breast area and around the incisions, which typically fades over time. Fluid drainage from the incision site may also occur. In most cases, the majority of patients do not require a breast lift after surgery, as their breasts generally return to their pre - operative shape naturally. The patient will usually return to the office the day after surgery for the surgeon to monitor the healing process. If external sutures are used, they are usually removed around 7 - 10 days following the procedure. It may take several months before the final results are visible, and the scars will likely be firm and pink for at least six weeks before beginning to fade.

Comparing the Top Hospitals

Conclusion

Choosing a hospital for breast implant removal in New York City is a significant decision that should be based on multiple factors, including the reputation of the surgeon, the qualities of the facility, insurance coverage, and patient experience. The top 3 hospitals - those associated with Dr. Darrick Antell, Dr. Olivia Hutchinson, and Millennial Plastic Surgery - each offer unique advantages, whether it's the state - of - the - art facilities, the long - standing experience of the surgeons, or the positive patient testimonials. Expanding to the top 5 hospitals, the Breast Reconstruction Center of NYC and Zuckerman Plastic Surgery also provide excellent options, with a focus on personalized care, a range of surgical techniques, and patient - centered approaches.

If you are considering breast implant removal, we encourage you to take the