Introduction

Breast augmentation is a highly sought - after plastic and aesthetic surgery procedure in New York City. Women choose this surgery for various reasons, such as enhancing their self - confidence, correcting breast asymmetry, or restoring breast volume after pregnancy or weight loss. In a city brimming with world - class medical facilities and renowned plastic surgeons, finding the right hospital for breast augmentation can be a daunting task. This article aims to introduce the top 5 breast augmentation hospitals in New York City, along with important information about the procedure, including recovery, risks, and costs.

The top 5 breast augmentation hospitals for plastic and aesthetic surgery in New York City are all here!

Understanding Breast Augmentation

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation, also known as a boob job, is the enlargement of the breasts either through the transfer of fat from a part of the body or through surgical procedures using breast implants or saline for enlargement of the breast. The most common method is the surgical approach. It helps in enlarging or restoring symmetry to the breast, and it is a solution for those who have experienced a reduction in breast size due to weight loss, pregnancy, or breastfeeding, as well as for those who seek a better - balanced physical appearance.

Benefits of Breast Augmentation

Enhanced Confidence: Many women experience a significant boost in self - confidence after achieving their desired breast size and shape. For example, those who were previously self - conscious about their small breasts may feel more comfortable in their own skin and more confident in social and professional settings.
Improved Proportions: It can enhance overall body proportions, creating a more balanced silhouette. This is especially beneficial for women with an otherwise well - proportioned body but who feel that their breasts are too small in comparison.
Corrected Asymmetry: Breast augmentation can help address natural breast asymmetry, creating a more symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing breast shape. Asymmetry can be a source of discomfort for many women, and this procedure can provide a solution.
Restored Fullness: Women who have lost breast volume due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss can regain the fullness and youthful contour of their breasts.
Broader Wardrobe Options: Achieving the ideal breast size opens up more clothing choices, as women can find clothes that fit more comfortably and flatteringly.

Types of Breast Implants

Type of Implant	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages
Silicone Gel Implants	These implants have a silicone shell filled with a cohesive silicone gel. They come pre - filled by the manufacturer.	They look and feel more natural, closely mimicking the texture of natural breast tissue. The gel has a higher cohesivity, which helps the implant maintain its shape.	Traditionally, they required larger incisions for insertion. The FDA suggests MRI scans every few years to monitor the condition of the implant shell. They are approved for patients who are at least 22 years old.
Saline Implants	These are filled with a saline solution (salt and water) after they have been placed into the treatment site. They consist of a silicone shell.	A smaller incision size can be used for insertion. Since they do not contain silicone, long - term monitoring is not required. In case of a rupture, the saline can be safely absorbed by the body. They are approved for patients who are at least 18 years old.	In thin women with small amounts of breast tissue, visible rippling at the implant edges may be seen.
Ideal Implant Structured Breast Implants	These are round and contain two chambers and a layered system of external shells, filled with a variable amount of saline solution.	They offer good shape retention and have features that aim to reduce the risk of rippling.	They are a relatively new type of implant, so long - term data on their performance may be more limited compared to silicone and saline implants.

The Top 5 Breast Augmentation Hospitals in New York City

Columbia Surgery

As one of New York’s best hospitals and a world - renowned medical center, Columbia Surgery offers a comprehensive plastic and reconstructive surgery program. The cosmetic care program provides breast augmentation as well as a range of other surgical and non - surgical options. The hospital's plastic surgeons are proficient in multiple areas of specialization, from routine cosmetic procedures to complex reconstructive operations. The division is also at the forefront of clinical and laboratory research in plastic surgery.

Surgeons: The team includes highly skilled surgeons such as Christine Rohde, MD, who is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of the full range of plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, specializing in microsurgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, and breast reconstruction. Jeffrey A. Ascherman, MD, is an experienced plastic and reconstructive surgeon with numerous scientific publications and appearances on prestigious doctor lists.

Contact: Call (212) 305 - 3103 or request an appointment online. They have multiple offices in locations like Washington Heights, Midtown, East Side, Westchester, and New Jersey.

Weill Cornell Medicine

Weill Cornell Medicine is passionate about helping patients feel their best. Their plastic and reconstructive surgeons work closely with patients from the initial consultation to understand their goals and discuss the best options. They offer the full range of cosmetic breast surgery options, including breast augmentation with implants, breast reduction surgery, breast lift surgery, and DIEP flap surgery.

Advantages: The surgeons are leaders in plastic and reconstructive surgery. The hospital partners with New York - Presbyterian, one of the top hospital systems in the city and the US. They focus on providing individualized breast surgery for a unique body and prioritize patient comfort at every step, from pre - surgery consultation to post - surgery recovery.

Contact: Call (646) 962 - 4210 or fill out an online form to request an appointment.

Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai's plastic surgeons have extensive experience in performing breast augmentation. They use advanced 3D imaging technology to help patients visualize how their larger breasts will look on their unique bodies. This technology allows patients to try on different sizes of breasts virtually before making a decision. The hospital offers different options for breast augmentation, including silicone and saline breast implants and a fat - transfer technique called NaturalFill®, which was pioneered and perfected by their surgeons.

Patient - Centered Care: The surgeons consult with patients, carefully listening to their desires for enhancing breast size and helping them decide on the size and shape that will look best for their bodies. They also confirm that patients are suitable candidates for the procedure through a physical exam and health - related questions.

Contact: Information on how to contact the relevant department for breast augmentation can be found on their official website, which provides details on scheduling consultations and surgeries.

Dr. Darrick Antell's Practice

Dr. Darrick Antell is a renowned breast augmentation surgeon in New York City and a board - certified plastic surgeon. He has performed more than ten thousand plastic surgery procedures, including thousands of breast augmentation surgeries. Dr. Antell focuses on achieving beautiful, long - lasting results with a reduced risk of complications and a look that is perfectly balanced with the patient's frame.

Expertise: He is well - versed in addressing common complications such as capsular contracture. He discusses all aspects of the procedure with patients during the consultation, including implant type, incision type, implant placement, and size. He offers both saline and silicone implants and uses advanced techniques to minimize scarring.

Contact: Call the office at (212) 988 - 4040 to schedule a consultation.

Dr. Adam R. Kolker's Practice

Dr. Adam R. Kolker is a double - board - certified plastic surgeon in New York City specializing in breast augmentation and a wide range of cosmetic surgery procedures. His education and training span some of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world, including Harvard Medical School, New York University, and the University of Melbourne in Australia. He is also an associate clinical professor of surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Credentials: Dr. Kolker has an impressive list of credentials, including being featured in New York Magazine's best doctors issues from 2013 - 2024, being named one of America's best plastic surgeons by Newsweek in 2021 - 2024, and being distinguished in Castle Connolly's lists. His patients have given numerous positive testimonials about his work, highlighting his ability to achieve natural and beautiful results.

Contact: Call (212) 744 - 6500 for consultations, and he has an office at 710 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021.

Preparing for Breast Augmentation

Consultation

The consultation is a crucial step in the breast augmentation process. During the consultation, the surgeon will perform a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's general health and medical history. They will also assess the current condition of the breasts, including size, shape, and nipple position. The patient should have an open and honest conversation with the surgeon about their expectations, goals, and any concerns they may have. The surgeon will then guide the patient through selecting the proper implant type, incision type, implant placement, and size.

Pre - operative Instructions

Health and Lifestyle: Patients may be advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise. Smokers are usually asked to quit smoking well before the surgery, as smoking can delay the healing process and increase the risk of complications.
Medications: Certain medications, such as blood - thinners, vitamins, and herbal supplements, may need to be stopped before the surgery, as they can increase the risk of bleeding. Patients should inform the surgeon about all the medications they are taking.
Pre - operative Tests: Depending on the patient's medical history, pre - operative tests such as blood work, mammograms, or other imaging studies may be required. These tests help the surgeon ensure that the patient is in good health for the surgery.
Support System: Patients should arrange for someone to drive them home after the surgery and to assist them during the first few days of recovery.

The Breast Augmentation Procedure

Anesthesia

Breast augmentation is typically performed with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation or with another form of “twilight” sedation. In either case, the patient will not experience any discomfort during the procedure. A board - certified anesthesiologist will monitor the patient throughout the surgery to ensure safety.

Incision and Implant Placement

The chosen incision method and placement of the implant will be customized to the patient's anatomy to ensure natural - looking results. Incisions can be made in different locations:

Inframammary: This incision is made in the crease between the breast and the chest wall. It allows for good access to the breast pocket and is often preferred as the scar can be well - hidden in the natural crease.
Periareolar: The incision is made around the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple). This option can result in less visible scarring, especially in patients with darker areolas. However, it may have a slightly higher risk of affecting nipple sensation.
Transaxillary: The incision is made in the armpit. This method can leave a scar that is hidden in the natural folds of the armpit. However, it may be more challenging to achieve precise implant placement using this approach.

The implant can be placed either directly behind the breast tissue (subglandular placement) or behind the pectoral (chest) muscle (submuscular placement). Placing the implant behind the chest muscle may reduce the risk of capsular contracture but can result in a slightly longer recovery time.

Recovery After Breast Augmentation

Immediate Post - operative Period

After the surgery, the patient will recover in a recovery suite while being monitored by a nurse. A specialized, long - lasting local anesthesia is often used to decrease discomfort. Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure, so the patient can return home the same day. However, they should have an escort as they will not be able to drive for 24 hours after the administration of anesthesia.

Recovery Timeline

First Few Days: Patients may feel tired, sore, and experience some tightness in the breasts. They will be given pain medication to alleviate discomfort. Most patients are advised to rest and avoid strenuous activities. Wearing a post - surgical bra is usually recommended.
One Week: Many patients are able to resume non - strenuous and non - contact sport activities at this stage. However, they should still avoid heavy lifting and intense exercise.
Four to Six Weeks: By this time, most of the pain and swelling should have subsided. The patient will typically have several follow - up appointments with the surgeon to ensure proper healing. Strenuous exercise can usually be gradually resumed at this point, but it is important to follow the surgeon's advice.
Long - term: It may take several months for the final results to be visible, as the swelling continues to dissipate and the breasts settle into their final shape. Scars will gradually fade over time but may never completely disappear.

Risks and Complications of Breast Augmentation

Capsular Contracture

This is one of the most common complications after breast augmentation. It occurs when the scar tissue around the implant tightens, causing the breast to feel hard and may result in a misshapen appearance. Capsular contracture can be treated by removing the implant and scar tissue, and if desired, placing new implants. Using an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) such as Strattice or Alloderm has shown promising results in resisting capsular contracture.

Infection

Infection typically presents within a week after surgery and can usually be treated by antibiotics. In some cases, the implant may need to be removed. Symptoms of infection include redness, swelling, pain, and fever.

Implant Rupture

A rupture can occur as a result of injury or from normal compression and movement of the breast. If a saline implant ruptures, the salt - water is harmlessly absorbed by the body, and the breast will appear deflated. With silicone implant ruptures, a revision surgery is usually performed to replace the implant and remove any troublesome scar tissue.

Changes in Sensation

Some patients may experience changes in nipple or breast sensation after the surgery. This can range from numbness to increased sensitivity. In most cases, the sensation will return to normal over time, but in some cases, it may be permanent.

Cost of Breast Augmentation

The cost of breast augmentation depends on several factors, including the type of procedure, the type of implants, the surgeon's fee, operating room and anesthesia fees, and the location of the hospital or clinic. On average, breast augmentation cost in New York City usually ranges from $3,900 to $6,000. However, the cost may not include the price of the implants, which can vary depending on the type and brand. Some surgeons may offer payment plans or financing options to help patients manage the cost.

Conclusion

Breast augmentation is a popular and effective way for women to enhance their appearance and boost their self - confidence. In New York City, there are several top - notch hospitals and experienced surgeons who can provide high - quality breast augmentation services. The five hospitals mentioned in this article - Columbia Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, Mount Sinai, Dr. Darrick Antell's Practice, and Dr. Adam R. Kolker's Practice - all have their unique strengths and advantages. Before undergoing breast augmentation, it is essential for patients to do thorough research, have detailed consultations with their chosen surgeons, and understand all aspects of the procedure, including the risks, recovery, and costs.

If you are considering breast augmentation, we encourage you to take the next step and schedule a consultation with one of the reputable surgeons in these top hospitals. You can also share this article with others who may be interested