Introduction
Breast weight - reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a life - changing procedure for many individuals in New York City. Large breasts can cause a range of physical and emotional problems, from neck, back, and shoulder pain to self - consciousness and limited physical activity. Choosing the right hospital is crucial for a successful and safe breast reduction surgery. In this article, we will explore the top five hospitals for breast weight - reduction surgery in New York City, including provincial hospitals and municipal stomatological hospitals (although note that stomatological hospitals usually don't primarily focus on breast reduction; here we mainly look at general - well - reputed medical institutions).
1. Mount Sinai - New York
Overview
Mount Sinai is a well - known and respected medical institution in New York City. It offers comprehensive services for breast reduction surgery. The hospital's team of highly trained and qualified plastic surgeons has extensive experience in enhancing women's breasts. Their approach to patient care is warm, caring, and supportive, creating a comfortable environment for patients to discuss their private and sensitive concerns about their bodies.
Patient Eligibility
To be eligible for breast reduction surgery at Mount Sinai, patients should meet the following criteria:
- Maintain a healthy, stable weight. Fluctuations in weight can affect the results of the surgery and potentially lead to complications.
- Not plan on future pregnancies, as pregnancy will significantly affect the breasts and may reverse the improvements achieved through surgery.
- Be physically mature with fully - developed breasts and emotionally mature about their choice to undergo the surgery.
Benefits of Surgery
Patients who undergo breast reduction surgery at Mount Sinai can expect a variety of positive results:
- Less neck, back, and shoulder pain: The excessive weight of large breasts can cause significant stress on the upper body, and reducing breast size can relieve this pain.
- Improved self - confidence: A more proportionate breast size can enhance body image and boost self - esteem.
- Decreased breast size for better proportion: The breasts will be more in line with the patient's body frame.
- Upward - pointing nipples: The procedure can reposition the nipples to a more youthful and aesthetically pleasing position.
- Relief from chafing and skin irritation: Sagging breast skin often leads to skin problems, and breast reduction can eliminate this issue.
- Balanced breast size: In cases where there is a significant size difference between the two breasts, the surgery can achieve better symmetry.
2. Columbia University Irving Medical Center (New York - Presbyterian/Columbia)
Overview
New York - Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center is one of New York's best hospitals and ranks No. 7 in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals. It has an outstanding plastic and reconstructive surgery department. The hospital's plastic surgeons are proficient in multiple areas of specialization, ranging from routine non - surgical cosmetic procedures to complex reconstructive operations.
Plastic Surgery Programs and Services
The hospital offers a wide range of plastic surgery services, relevant to breast reduction include:
- Cosmetic care: In addition to breast reduction (mammoplasty), they also provide other cosmetic procedures such as ear and eyelid lifts, breast augmentation, and tummy tucks.
- Reconstructive care: The hospital is a world leader in reconstructive care, including breast reconstruction after breast cancer. This expertise is valuable in ensuring that the breast reduction surgery achieves both aesthetic and functional goals.
Research and Innovation
The plastic surgery research laboratory at Columbia is actively involved in numerous research studies. These studies cover areas such as stem cells, tissue engineering, and gene therapy applications in wound healing. The research findings can potentially translate into better surgical techniques and improved patient outcomes for breast reduction and other plastic surgery procedures.
Expert Team
The plastic surgery team at Columbia consists of highly qualified surgeons. For example, Dr. Christine Rohde is a highly skilled clinician, researcher, and teacher, specializing in microsurgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, body contouring, cosmetic surgery, and breast, trauma, and cancer reconstruction. Other surgeons like Dr. Jeffrey A. Ascherman, Dr. Jarrod T. Bogue, etc., also have rich experience and expertise in different aspects of plastic surgery, which provides patients with a wide range of expertise and options for their breast reduction surgery.
3. Rapaport Plastic Surgery
Overview
Rapaport Plastic Surgery is well - known for its breast reduction services in New York City. Board - certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Rapaport takes a minimally invasive, personalized approach that prioritizes patient safety and achieves consistent results.
Patient Selection
Ideal candidates for breast reduction at Rapaport Plastic Surgery should be overall healthy and non - smokers or willing to quit. Smoking significantly reduces the quality of blood flow within the skin, increasing the risk of major complications in any procedure that involves lifting and reshaping the skin, such as breast reduction. Dr. Rapaport requires patients to abstain from all smoking for six weeks before the procedure and a minimum of two weeks after.
Surgical Technique
Breast reduction at Rapaport Plastic Surgery is a complex cosmetic surgery procedure. All breast reduction surgeries involve scars, and the type of scarring depends on factors such as skin color, age, and the exact type of procedure. Dr. Rapaport may use a lollipop incision or anchor incision to remove and reshape excess breast tissue. The surgery typically also involves a breast lift to correct sagging and reposition the areola if necessary.
Recovery Process
After surgery, patients are required to wear a surgical bra for two weeks. Since Dr. Rapaport's closure technique involves layers of internal, dissolvable sutures, there usually aren't any visible external sutures. Most patients are discharged the same day, but those living more than a one - hour drive away should plan to spend the night in NYC. Patients can expect their breasts to be swollen and bruised. They may resume their daily routines within one week but should take it easy for the first two weeks. Exercise and other strenuous activities should be avoided for at least three weeks, and they need to be gentle with their breasts for six weeks following surgery. It may take a few months for swelling to resolve and reveal the full outcome of the surgery, but breast reduction at Rapaport Plastic Surgery has a high satisfaction rate, with over 95% of patients being happy with the results according to one study.
4. Breast Reduction Center of NYC
Overview
The Breast Reduction Center of NYC, located on the upper east side in Manhattan, is a premier destination for breast reduction plastic surgery. It offers top - quality surgical care in a state - of - the - art facility. The breast reduction specialist surgeons are top - rated board - certified or board - eligible plastic surgeons, providing a personalized patient care experience.
Unique Features
One of the unique features of this center is its approach to pain management. The surgeons use a special technique called a nerve block during surgery, which eliminates the need for prescription pain medicine. Only over - the - counter Tylenol and ibuprofen are necessary for recovery, even for patients with very large breast reduction volumes. Additionally, the surgeons do not use drains in breast reductions, and all the stitches dissolve on their own, making post - op care much less complicated.
Insurance and Patient Evaluation
The center is in - network with Cigna, United Healthcare, and Oxford (but does not accept United Healthcare community plan and Oxford metro plans). It may accept the Empire Plan (NYSHIP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Aetna plans only if patients have out - of - network benefits. Insurance coverage for breast reduction is determined on a case - by - case basis. The center will evaluate patients to determine if they are candidates for insurance coverage. Typically, breast reduction surgery may be considered reconstructive and medically necessary when patients meet certain criteria such as experiencing shoulder, back, or neck pain due to their breasts, having bra straps causing significant grooving in the shoulders, or having limitations on physical activity due to breast size.
5. Antell MD
Overview
Antell MD is associated with Dr. Darrick Antell, one of the world’s most celebrated plastic surgeons. Trained at Stanford and Cornell, he is known for his meticulous precision, integrity in patient care, and outstanding ability to create remarkably natural - looking results, especially in breast reduction surgery.
Consultation and Preparation
During the consultation for breast reduction, Dr. Antell will listen to the patient's concerns, evaluate their medical history and overall health, measure and examine their breasts, and take photographs for the medical record. He will discuss the patient's aesthetic goals and describe the breast reduction surgery in detail, including its risks and benefits. To prepare for the surgery, patients may be asked to have tests such as a mammogram, stop smoking for a period of time both before and after the surgery, avoid blood - thinning drugs or supplements like aspirin, and arrange for someone to drive them home after the surgery.
Surgical Procedure and Risks
The breast reduction procedure at Antell MD begins with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation or “twilight” sedation, monitored by a board - certified anesthesiologist. Incision types depend on the amount of breast tissue that needs to be removed, including around the areola (for less significant reduction), at the crease under the breast then up to the nipple (for slightly droopy breasts), and around the areola and down to the base of the breast (for more significant tissue removal). As with any surgery, there are risks such as bleeding, infection, reaction to anesthesia, and changes in nipple or breast sensation. In rare cases, there can be partial or total loss of the nipple and areola.
Recovery and Aftercare
After surgery, patients can return home the same day. They will have a compression dressing on their breasts. Swelling and bruising are expected, and most patients can return to many of their daily activities within days. Exercise should be avoided until Dr. Antell clears them, usually about two weeks after surgery. External sutures are usually removed one to two weeks after the procedure. It may take several months for the swelling and bruising to fully dissipate, and the final result is typically visible around six months. Scars will fade over time but will never disappear completely.
Comparison of the Five Hospitals
| Hospital | Specialty Focus | Patient - Friendly Features | Research and Innovation | Insurance Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Sinai - New York | General breast enhancement and reduction with patient - centered care approach | Warm and supportive environment for patients to discuss sensitive issues | Well - established surgical techniques | Standard insurance evaluation for coverage |
| Columbia University Irving Medical Center | Comprehensive plastic and reconstructive surgery including breast reduction and reconstruction after cancer | World - class surgeons and a wide range of services | Active research in stem cells, tissue engineering, and gene therapy for wound healing | Multiple insurance plans may be covered depending on case |
| Rapaport Plastic Surgery | Minimally invasive and personalized breast reduction approach | High - satisfaction rate and detailed recovery guidance | Emphasis on surgical technique for consistent results | Out - of - network benefits may be considered |
| Breast Reduction Center of NYC | Specialized in breast reduction with unique pain management | Special nerve - block technique for pain and simple post - op care | Focus on improving patient experience during recovery | Some in - network plans and case - by - case evaluation for others |
| Antell MD | Precision and natural - looking breast reduction results | High - level of consultation and patient education | Use of advanced anesthetic techniques for surgery | Help patients determine insurance coverage requirements |
Conclusion
In New York City, these top five hospitals for breast weight - reduction surgery offer a range of services and expertise. Mount Sinai provides a patient - friendly environment for breast reduction, Columbia University Irving Medical Center stands out with its research and comprehensive plastic surgery services, Rapaport Plastic Surgery offers a minimally invasive approach, the Breast Reduction Center of NYC has unique pain management features, and Antell MD is known for its precision in achieving natural - looking results. Each hospital has its own strengths, and patients should carefully consider their own needs, preferences, and medical conditions when choosing a hospital for breast reduction surgery.
If you are considering breast weight - reduction surgery, we encourage you to explore these hospitals further. Contact the hospitals directly for more detailed information, schedule consultations, and take the first step towards a more comfortable and confident life.
