Top Five Hospitals for Breast Implant Removal Surgery in Albany
Breast implant removal surgery, also known as explant, has been growing in popularity as more women embrace natural lifestyle options or face various complications with their implants. In Albany, there are several excellent hospitals that offer this procedure. This article will introduce the top five hospitals for breast implant removal surgery in Albany, along with details about the procedure, reasons for explant, and post - operative care.
Understanding Breast Implant Removal
Breast implants are not lifetime devices, and there are multiple reasons why a woman might choose to have them removed, replaced, or adjusted. Let's first look at some key aspects of breast implant removal.
Reasons for Explant Surgery
- Desiring a Different Size: Over time, a woman's body changes due to pregnancy, menopause, or weight fluctuations. Her lifestyle may also change, leading her to desire either larger or smaller breasts. For example, many women with 10 - 20 - year - old implants find that the current size no longer suits their new body or lifestyle. According to research, a significant number of patients opt for implant removal to achieve a more suitable breast size for their current needs.
- Capsular Contracture: This is a common reason for implant removal or revision. Capsular contracture occurs when the scar tissue around the implant hardens and tightens. It can happen shortly after breast augmentation or many years later. The hardened scar tissue can distort the breast's shape, make it asymmetric, and even cause pain. Studies have shown that the incidence of capsular contracture can vary depending on factors such as the type of implant and surgical technique used.
- Breast Implant Rupture: Both saline and silicone implants can rupture due to daily wear and tear. Saline implant rupture is usually obvious as the breast deflates, while silicone implant rupture may be silent or present with a change in shape, the appearance of a lump, or new discomfort. The FDA recommends regular high - definition ultrasounds for silicone implants to screen for rupture, and if suspected, a breast MRI can confirm it.
- Implant Malposition: Implants can end up in an improper position, either too low, too high, too close together, or too far apart. This can be caused by capsular contracture, gravity, asymmetric pocket creation during surgery, or tissue changes due to age, weight, pregnancy, and menopause. Additional surgery, such as internal suturing techniques (capsulorrhaphy), implant replacement, or the use of a biological mesh “sling,” is often required to correct the problem.
- Implant Rippling: This is a cosmetic concern, especially common with saline implants in thinner patients. Even silicone implants can show visible rippling if the overlying tissues are thin or stretched. Corrective procedures may include switching to a cohesive “gummy” silicone implant or fat injections to camouflage the rippling.
- Recalled Implants, ALCL, and BII: There are rare but serious risks associated with textured implants, such as anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). The sale of these implants has been recalled. Breast implant illness (BII), a condition self - identified by women with a wide range of symptoms, is also a growing concern. In such cases, breast implant removal may be considered.
Pre - Procedure Preparation
Before the breast implant removal surgery, a consultation with a plastic surgeon is essential. The surgeon will assess the patient's unique situation, explain the different procedure options, and help the patient set realistic expectations. Patients should be in optimum health, follow a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, and avoid smoking as it can hinder the body's natural healing process. For patients with chronic conditions like high blood pressure, they should follow their primary care physician's advice during the treatment.
The Top Five Hospitals in Albany for Breast Implant Removal
1. Capek Surgical Arts
Dr. Lucie Capek at Capek Surgical Arts is a well - known plastic surgeon in Albany. Her state - of - the - art Quad A accredited operating suite in Latham, NY, provides patients with an intimate, comfortable, and discreet surgical experience. The practice offers a wide range of breast implant removal and revision options.
Procedure Options
- Simple Implant Removal: This can be done in the office - based operating suite under local anesthesia for both saline and silicone implants when no capsule removal is needed and the silicone implants are not ruptured. Saline breast implants may be drained prior to removal to allow the skin to contract, giving the patient time to decide if they want replacement with implants or fat. This limited procedure has minimal downtime and discomfort.
- Capsulectomy: When a patient has capsular contracture, Dr. Capek performs a capsulectomy to remove the scar tissue. This also creates a fresh pocket for a new implant. In some cases, she may switch the implant pocket from under the breast gland to under the pectoralis muscle. The incision used may be the same as the original one for implant insertion, but a different or larger incision may be required.
- Implant Replacement: In many cases, the practice replaces breast implants at the same time as explant or revision. Dr. Capek can adjust the size of the implant “pocket” according to the patient's desired implant size and recommend the most suitable type of implant. She may also suggest additional procedures like a breast lift or fat transfer.
- Replacement with Autologous Fat: For patients who want a more natural look and feel or are going smaller, the implants can be replaced with the patient's own fat. This procedure works well when the natural breast tissue has been “pre - expanded” with implants.
- Implant Repositioning: This procedure involves modifying the capsular tissue around the implants. Capsulorrhaphy and capsulotomy are used to tighten or release the capsule, and in rare cases, a biological mesh “sling” is added for support. It may be combined with a breast lift.
- Simultaneous Breast Lift and Resizing of the Areolae: If a patient is going smaller or has loose skin, a breast lift may be performed at the same time. This can range from a simple resizing of the areola to a more extensive skin removal with a lollipop or anchor scar.
Post - Procedure Care
After the surgery, patients are advised to rest quietly for 24 to 48 hours. They can shower after 48 hours and should wear a surgical bra around the clock for the first 2 - 3 weeks. Drains may be used for a few days if a capsulectomy has been performed. Dissolvable sutures and glue are used, minimizing wound care. Patients with sedentary jobs can typically return to work within a week, while strenuous activities like running should be restricted for 6 - 8 weeks. Regular follow - up appointments are scheduled to monitor the recovery process.
2. K Plastic Surgery
Dr. Kayastha at K Plastic Surgery serves Albany and the entire capital region. He is a board - certified plastic surgeon with extensive training and experience.
Procedure Details
Breast implant removal at K Plastic Surgery utilizes the previous incision sites to avoid new scarring. The procedure can be performed alone to return the breasts to their natural appearance or combined with a breast lift to correct sagging after volume loss. During the procedure, an incision is made over the previous scar, the implant is removed, and if capsular contracture is present, it is corrected. New implants can be placed if the patient desires, and a breast lift can also be performed simultaneously to reposition the breasts and remove excess skin.
Patient Support
Dr. Kayastha takes the time to discuss the risks and answer all of the patient's questions during the consultation. He can provide information on potential links between breast implants and autoimmune diseases, cellulitis, long - term pain, infection, and other health problems. After the surgery, patients can expect some bruising and swelling, and prescription pain medication can be taken to minimize discomfort. They are provided with a surgical bra to aid in the healing process and are advised to take a few days off work and wait about a week to return to normal daily activity. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for six weeks after the procedure.
3. Albany Medical Center Hospital
Albany Medical Center Hospital offers a removal of ruptured breast implant procedure. The hospital's price for this procedure varies depending on whether the patient is paying in cash or has an insurance plan with a pre - negotiated rate.
Procedure Steps
The procedure involves making an incision in the breast to access the ruptured implant and surrounding tissue. The implant is then removed, and cells from the surrounding tissue may be examined by a pathologist to check for any abnormalities. After the procedure, the incision is closed with sutures, and the patient may need to wear a compression garment for a few weeks to facilitate healing. There may be some swelling and discomfort for the first few days, which can be managed with medications prescribed by the surgeon.
Care Quality
The hospital has a 2 - star overall ranking from CMS. Its performance metrics show that the effectiveness of care is below the national average, but the safety of care is above the national average. While it may have some areas for improvement, it still provides a necessary service for patients in need of breast implant removal due to rupture.
4. DeLuca Plastic Surgery
DeLuca Plastic Surgery has over 30 years of breast surgery experience and has performed over 1,500 cosmetic breast procedures. They have a complication/revision rate below 2% on primary breast augmentations.
Revision and Removal Procedures
The practice offers breast implant revision surgery to correct various complications, including bottoming out, breast asymmetry, implant malposition, symmastia, double bubble deformity, implant rippling, and capsular contracture. For patients who want to have their implants removed completely, they also provide breast implant removal surgery. The surgeons at DeLuca Plastic Surgery sit down with each patient to develop a customized plan based on their individual needs and aesthetic goals.
Recovery and Aftercare
Typically, patients return to normal activities within one to two weeks following breast revision surgery. Exercise can begin at 6 weeks, and final recovery often takes 10 weeks. The surgeons provide extensive post - operative care, including a recovery program to optimize the healing process. They are available for emergency care 24/7 after surgery.
5. St. Peter's Health Partners
St. Peter's Health Partners offers comprehensive breast surgery in both Albany and Troy. Although mainly known for breast cancer - related surgeries like breast conservation surgery and mastectomy with reconstruction, their highly - skilled, board - certified, and fellowship - trained breast surgeons can also handle breast implant removal cases.
Surgical Expertise
The advanced breast conserving surgery (oncoplastic surgery) technique at St. Peter's combines plastic surgery techniques and surgical oncology practices to conserve breast tissue. This shows the high level of surgical skills and knowledge among their surgeons, which can also be applied to breast implant removal and related procedures.
Patient - Centered Approach
The surgical teams at St. Peter's Health Partners work closely with patients to determine the best treatment plan. They consider the patient's overall health, aesthetic goals, and specific circumstances to provide personalized care.
Comparing the Top Five Hospitals
| Hospital | Unique Selling Points | Procedure Options | Post - Procedure Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capek Surgical Arts | Quad A accredited operating suite, experienced surgeon Dr. Lucie Capek, personalized approach | Simple implant removal, capsulectomy, implant replacement, fat transfer, implant repositioning, breast lift | Rest period, surgical bra, follow - up appointments, minimal wound care |
| K Plastic Surgery | Board - certified Dr. Kayastha, uses previous incision sites, provides detailed risk information | Implant removal with or without lift, correction of capsular contracture, implant replacement | Bruising and swelling management, surgical bra, activity restrictions, follow - up |
| Albany Medical Center Hospital | Specialized in removing ruptured breast implants, price transparency | Removal of ruptured implant, tissue examination | Compression garment, pain medication, short - term follow - up |
| DeLuca Plastic Surgery | 30+ years of breast surgery experience, low complication rate, customized plans | Breast implant revision and removal, correction of multiple complications | Gradual return to normal activities, recovery program, 24/7 emergency care |
| St. Peter's Health Partners | Highly - skilled breast surgeons, comprehensive breast surgery services, oncoplastic expertise | Breast implant removal, can be combined with other procedures | Patient - centered care, personalized treatment plans |
Conclusion
Choosing the right hospital for breast implant removal surgery in Albany is a crucial decision that can significantly impact the outcome and the patient's overall experience. The top five hospitals mentioned above - Capek Surgical Arts, K Plastic Surgery, Albany Medical Center Hospital, DeLuca Plastic Surgery, and St. Peter's Health Partners - each have their own unique strengths and offerings. Whether it's the personalized approach, surgical expertise, post - procedure care, or specialized services, patients should carefully consider their options based on their individual needs and circumstances.
If you are considering breast implant removal surgery, we encourage you to reach out to these hospitals for a consultation. During the consultation, you can ask detailed questions, discuss your aesthetic goals, and understand the full scope of the procedure and aftercare. Don't hesitate to take the first step towards achieving the look and confidence you desire. Share this article with others who may be interested in learning more about breast implant removal surgery in Albany.
