Macromastia Reduction in New York City: Top Hospitals and Everything You Need to Know

Introduction

Macromastia, or overly large breasts, can cause a variety of physical and emotional discomforts for many women. From chronic pain in the neck, back, and shoulders to issues with self - esteem and limited physical activity, the impact of macromastia can be significant. Thankfully, breast reduction surgery is a viable solution. In New York City, there are several top - notch hospitals and medical facilities that offer high - quality macromastia reduction procedures. In this article, we will explore the top five hospitals for macromastia reduction in New York City and provide comprehensive information about the procedure.

What is Macromastia and Why Consider Reduction?

Macromastia is a condition where women have excessively large breasts. The weight of the breasts can lead to a range of problems. Physically, it can cause pain in the neck, back, and shoulders. This pain is often due to the additional stress placed on the musculoskeletal system. The large size of the breasts can also lead to poor posture, as the body tries to compensate for the weight. This poor posture can then lead to nerve compression, causing tingling or numbness in the arms and hands.

Emotionally, macromastia can be a source of self - consciousness and low self - esteem. Women may feel uncomfortable in social situations or have difficulty finding clothing that fits properly. They may also be limited in their ability to participate in physical activities such as sports or exercise, which can further impact their overall quality of life.

Breast reduction surgery, also known as mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that aims to remove excess fat, skin, and tissue from the breasts. By reducing the size of the breasts, it can relieve physical pain, improve posture, and enhance a woman's self - confidence.

Top Five Hospitals for Macromastia Reduction in New York City

1. Rowe Plastic Surgery

Rowe Plastic Surgery is a well - known name in the field of breast reduction in New York City. The team at Rowe Plastic Surgery consists of three expert plastic surgeons - Dr. Lisa F. Schneider, Dr. Norman M. Rowe, and Dr. Charles Pierce, along with a large staff of nurses, physician assistants, and other team members.

The doctors at Rowe Plastic Surgery are board - certified plastic surgeons and among the top reduction mammoplasty specialists. They focus on minimally invasive breast reduction surgery, paying attention to excess breast weight, breast malposition, cosmetic appearance (asymmetry, minimal scarring), and rapid recovery.

They offer a variety of breast reduction techniques, including the pedicle method, inferior pedicle method, superior pedicle method, free nipple graft, anchor incision pattern, and le jour incision pattern. The surgeons will discuss these techniques with the patient during the initial consultation to choose the most appropriate method for the patient's body size and desires.

Over 90,000 breast reduction surgeries are performed annually in the United States, and Rowe Plastic Surgery has a high patient satisfaction rate. Women who choose Rowe Plastic Surgery often report significant satisfaction with the outcomes, saying things like “I should have done this much earlier!”

2. Breast Reduction Center of NYC

Located on the upper east side in Manhattan, the Breast Reduction Center of NYC is the premier destination for breast reduction plastic surgery. The breast reduction specialist surgeons here are top - rated board - certified/board - eligible plastic surgeons.

What sets this center apart is its innovative approach to pain management. They have developed a special technique called a nerve block, which eliminates the need for prescription pain medicine. Patients can recover using only over - the - counter Tylenol and ibuprofen, even for very large breast reduction volumes.

The center performs hundreds of breast reduction surgeries each year. They do not use drains in their breast reductions, and all the stitches dissolve on their own, making post - op care much less complicated. They also offer virtual consultations from anywhere in the world, which is a great convenience for patients.

Insurance coverage is also an important aspect, and the center is in - network with Cigna, United Healthcare, and Oxford (with some plan exclusions). They can also assist patients with insurance paperwork if they meet the criteria for medically necessary breast reduction.

3. Luxurgery NYC (Dr. Shridharani)

Dr. Shridharani at Luxurgery NYC is a board - certified NYC plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reduction. He stays up - to - date with the latest techniques and has comprehensively reviewed plastic surgery literature to optimize his patients' care.

He is against the unnecessary use of drains in breast reduction surgery, as many studies show that drains are often not required. This approach helps to reduce patient discomfort during the recovery process.

Dr. Shridharani offers his patients the option of having their procedures performed at his office or at area hospitals and “surgicenters” in New York City. His operating room and facility have certification and accreditation by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for the surgery.

Many women who undergo breast reduction with Dr. Shridharani are still able to breastfeed, as he takes great care to preserve the function of the breast whenever possible. Teens are also a common population that request breast reduction surgery from him, and the procedure can have a life - changing impact on their physical and emotional well - being.

4. Antell - MD (Dr. Darrick Antell)

Dr. Darrick Antell is 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.

During the consultation, Dr. Antell listens to the patient's concerns, evaluates their medical history and overall health, measures and examines the breasts, and takes photographs for the medical record. He then discusses the aesthetic goals for the size and appearance of the breasts and describes the breast reduction surgery in detail, including its risks and benefits.

The breast reduction procedure at Antell - MD begins with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation or another form of “twilight” sedation. A board - certified anesthesiologist monitors the patient throughout the procedure to ensure safety. Dr. Antell uses different incision types depending on the amount of breast tissue that needs to be removed, and he carefully reshapes the breasts and repositions the nipples to achieve the desired look.

He also offers guidance on insurance coverage. If the breast size is causing neck, shoulder, or back pain, breast reduction surgery may be covered by insurance, and Dr. Antell can help determine if the procedure meets the insurance requirements.

5. NYU Langone Health

NYU Langone Health offers comprehensive breast plastic surgery services. Their plastic surgeons are experts in the treatment of breast hyperplasia or macromastia, among other breast conditions.

They offer the latest reconstruction techniques, including breast reduction using the short - scar method, which involves a smaller incision than traditional techniques and has more cosmetically appealing results. Their surgeons also perform breast reconstruction using perforator flaps, a complex microvascular surgical technique.

The breast surgical oncologists at Perlmutter Cancer Center and the plastic surgeons at NYU Langone maintain ongoing communication throughout the planning process, creating a customized surgical plan for each patient. They use three - dimensional imaging to assist in preoperative planning, long - term evaluation, and follow - up care after breast reduction, reconstruction, or augmentation.

The team of plastic surgeons at NYU Langone is highly experienced and uses the newest techniques to perform breast reconstruction and cosmetic breast surgery. They are available at different locations, and patients can schedule an appointment by calling the respective contact numbers.

What to Expect Before, During, and After Breast Reduction Surgery

Before Surgery

Before undergoing breast reduction surgery, patients typically go through an initial consultation. During this consultation, the surgeon will listen to the patient's concerns, evaluate their medical history, and perform a physical examination. They will also discuss the different breast reduction techniques and help the patient choose the most appropriate one based on their body size, breast composition, and desired outcome.

The patient may be required to have certain tests, such as a mammogram, to ensure the health of the breasts. They will also be advised to stop smoking for a period of time both before and after the surgery, as smoking can interfere with the healing process. Additionally, they should avoid blood - thinning drugs or supplements, such as aspirin, to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding during surgery.

The surgeon will also provide instructions on other pre - operative requirements, such as taking baseline mammograms, adjusting medications if necessary, and arranging for someone to drive the patient home after the surgery. In some cases, additional procedures like a mastopexy, nipple reduction, or the Stevens laser bra technique may be included in the operation, and the surgeon will explain these to the patient.

During Surgery

Breast reduction surgery is usually an inpatient surgery that takes place in a fully equipped ambulatory surgical center. The general steps of the procedure are as follows:

1. Incision Marks: The surgeon marks the incision lines on the breasts while the patient is standing. The location and pattern of the incisions depend on the shape, size, and required reduction of the breasts.
2. Anesthesia: Once the patient is lying comfortably on the operating bed, the anesthesiologist administers general anesthesia, and the patient sleeps through the procedure. The anesthesiologist monitors the patient's vital signs throughout the surgery.
3. Incisions: Incisions are made according to the chosen breast reduction technique, which is based on the patient's breast anatomy.
4. Breast Reduction: The surgeon removes the excess tissue, fat, skin, and glandular tissue from the lower part of the breasts to reduce the size.
5. Breast Lift: The remaining breast tissue is reshaped into natural contours as part of the breast lift.
6. Nipple and Areola Repositioning: The surgeon moves the nipple to a higher location on the breast while keeping it attached to its blood supply.
7. Closing the Incision: The incisions are brought together, and the doctor uses a combination of skin adhesives, surgical tape, and sutures to close them. Whenever possible, absorbent sutures that dissolve naturally are used.
8. Dressing: The surgeon dresses the incisions with a gauze bandage and then wraps the breasts in a protective cover.

After Surgery

After the surgery, patients can expect some mild pain and soreness when they wake up. They may also feel pulling or stretching around the breasts, which is normal and will pass over time. The length of the hospital stay depends on how extensive the surgery was, and some patients may require an overnight stay.

If the patient is released the same day, they need a friend or family member to drive them home and stay with them for the first 24 hours because they may feel weak due to the general anesthesia. The surgeon will arrange to remove the stitches in five to ten days if appropriate.

Patients are advised to avoid heavy lifting and lifting their arms over their head for the first two weeks after surgery to allow for proper healing. They can take their first shower a day after the removal of their bandages. It is normal to experience swelling and bruising, which will gradually fade over several months. The final results of the surgery may take three weeks to several months to become fully visible, depending on the extent of the surgery.

Recovery times can vary, but in general, patients can return to work in two to three weeks, depending on the type of work. They should avoid high - intensity exercise, especially running and weight - lifting, for at least a month and wait until after their follow - up visit to receive exact instructions for a moderate return to physical activities. The visibility of the scarring depends on the technique used and how extensive the breast reduction was, but with proper care, the scars will fade over time.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

The cost of breast reduction surgery can vary depending on several factors, such as the current size of the breasts, the goal breast size, the preferred surgeon, and any related medical conditions. For many women, if the large breasts are causing debilitating pain and difficulty with daily activities, the breast reduction surgery may be considered medically necessary, and the majority of the costs related to the surgery could be covered by insurance.

Each hospital and surgeon may have different insurance policies. For example, Rowe Plastic Surgery has a team of insurance experts who will review the patient's case to determine if they qualify for insurance coverage. The Breast Reduction Center of NYC is in - network with some insurance companies but does not accept others, such as Medicare, Medicaid, etc. At Antell - MD, Dr. Antell can help determine if the procedure meets the insurance requirements and assist with the necessary paperwork.

If the surgery is not covered by insurance or if the patient is interested in reducing their breasts for purely cosmetic reasons, the patient will need to pay for the surgery out - of - pocket. In such cases, it is important to get a detailed price quote from the surgeon after the initial consultation.

Choosing the Right Surgeon and Hospital

Choosing the right surgeon and hospital for macromastia reduction is crucial for a successful outcome. Here are some tips to help you make the right decision:

• Certification: Look for a plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This certification ensures that the surgeon has met the rigorous standards of education, training, and experience in plastic surgery.
• Experience: Choose a cosmetic surgeon with years of experience in breast surgeries, especially in the type of breast reduction surgery you want. An experienced surgeon is more likely to have the skills and knowledge to handle any complications that may arise during the procedure.
• Manner: The best plastic surgeon is approachable and listens to your concerns. They should be able to alleviate your fears and answer all your questions openly and honestly.
• Reviews: Read the reviews from the surgeon's other patients to determine the success rate and the quality of care. Positive reviews can give you confidence in the surgeon's abilities.
• Facility: Vet the facility to confirm it has the right equipment and personnel to make you feel safe and comfortable. A well - equipped facility with experienced staff is essential for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery.
• Customer Service: Find a plastic surgeon who offers reliable customer service. You may have questions or concerns during the process of your breast reduction, and it is important to have a surgeon and staff who are responsive and helpful.
• Reputation: Look for a top - rated surgeon in the profession who has publications in the field and has earned the respect of other cosmetic surgeons. A good reputation is a sign of a skilled and trustworthy surgeon.
• Transparency: Check whether there are complaints about the doctor's charges from other patients. A good surgeon will discuss the surgical process before the procedure and help with any paperwork required for insurance.

Conclusion

Macromastia can have a significant impact on a woman's physical and emotional well - being, but breast reduction surgery offers a solution. In New York City, there are several top - notch hospitals and surgeons who can provide high - quality macromastia reduction procedures. Rowe Plastic Surgery, Breast Reduction Center of NYC, Luxurgery NYC, Antell - MD, and NYU Langone Health are among the best options, each with its own unique features and advantages.

Before undergoing the surgery, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the procedure, including what to expect before, during, and after surgery, as well as the cost and insurance coverage. Choosing the right surgeon and hospital is also crucial for a successful outcome. By taking the time to research and make an informed decision, women can look forward to a life with reduced pain, improved posture, and enhanced self - confidence.

If you or someone you know is considering macromastia reduction, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of the top hospitals or surgeons mentioned in this article. Take the first step towards a better quality of life and relief from the discomfort of macromastia.