The Top 5 Hospitals for Autologous Fat Filling of the Breast in New York City

Autologous fat filling of the breast, also known as autologous fat transfer breast augmentation or fat grafting, is a popular cosmetic and reconstructive procedure. This technique uses a patient's own fat cells to enhance the size and shape of the breasts, offering a more natural alternative to traditional breast implants. In New York City, several hospitals stand out for their expertise in this procedure. Here are the top 5 hospitals:

1. Mount Sinai Hospital

Expertise in Autologous Breast Reconstruction

Mount Sinai Hospital is renowned for its autologous (microvascular) breast reconstruction services. This approach involves taking a piece of skin and fat (a “flap”) from one site on the patient's body, such as the abdomen or thighs, and transferring it to the chest to reconstruct the breast after mastectomy. One of the advanced techniques used at Mount Sinai West, under the direction of Hani Sbitany, MD, is the DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap breast reconstruction.

The DIEP flap procedure is a significant advancement in autologous breast reconstruction. Unlike traditional approaches like the TRAM flap, which transfer a small amount of muscle along with skin and fat, the DIEP flap completely avoids any muscle transfer and only involves the use of skin and fat. The surgeon removes a section of skin and fat from the lower abdominal roll and transfers it to the chest, while preserving all abdominal muscles. As an added benefit, it often results in a “tummy tuck” effect.

The advantages of autologous breast reconstruction at Mount Sinai include:

• It is generally a single - procedure that lasts a lifetime, as it consists completely of the patient's own natural tissue (fat).
• Since it uses the patient's own donor tissue instead of a foreign body, there is less chance of rejection or infection.
• The reconstructed breast is more likely to look natural, and there is a higher possibility of regaining sensation compared to implant reconstruction.

Patient Care and Support

Mount Sinai provides comprehensive patient care throughout the autologous breast reconstruction process. They offer detailed consultations to help patients understand the procedure, its risks, and expected outcomes. Post - operative care includes regular follow - up appointments to monitor recovery and address any concerns promptly. The hospital also has a team of experienced nurses and support staff who ensure patients have a comfortable and safe recovery.

2. Murray Hill Plastic Surgery & Vein Center

Advanced Fat Transfer Techniques

At Murray Hill Plastic Surgery & Vein Center, Dr. Sabry, a board - certified plastic surgeon, is at the forefront of autologous breast augmentation with fat transfer. The center combines advanced fat transfer methods with cutting - edge tissue expansion technology, such as the Brava tissue expansion system.

The fat transfer breast augmentation procedure at this center involves three main steps:

1. Preparation with Brava system (optional): Patients are required to use the Brava tissue expansion system for several weeks before the actual surgery. This device uses gentle suction to gradually expand the breast tissue, increasing blood supply to the breast area and stimulating the growth of new tissue. It significantly improves the success rate and longevity of the autologous fat transfer results.
2. Fat harvesting: Dr. Sabry uses a gentle liposuction technique to remove fat from areas such as the abdomen, thighs, flanks, or other areas with sufficient natural fat. This step not only provides the necessary fat for transfer to the breasts but also offers the added benefit of body contouring.
3. Breast fat transfer procedure: The harvested donor fat undergoes a purification process to separate the viable fat cells from excess fluids and debris. Dr. Sabry then carefully injects the purified fat into various layers of the breast tissue using advanced fat transfer techniques to achieve natural - looking, long - lasting results.

Benefits of Treatment at Murray Hill

The autologous breast augmentation at Murray Hill Plastic Surgery & Vein Center offers numerous benefits:

• It is a minimally invasive procedure, involving only tiny incisions and resulting in minimal scarring.
• The results look and feel completely natural, as the procedure uses the patient's own natural fat.
• There is no risk of implant - related complications such as rupture or capsular contracture.
• The procedure offers dual contouring, enhancing the natural shape of the breasts while slimming down the donor areas.

3. New York Group for Plastic Surgery

Reconstructive Expertise

The New York Group for Plastic Surgery has surgeons with extensive experience in breast reconstruction, including autologous tissue flap reconstruction. Dr. C. Andrew Salzberg is the pioneer of the direct - to - implant, or “one - step,” breast reconstruction procedure, while Dr. Jordan M.S. Jacobs specializes in DIEP flap reconstruction and other microsurgical reconstructive procedures using a woman's own tissue.

In autologous tissue flap reconstruction, such as DIEP flap surgery, the breast is rebuilt by transplanting live skin and fat from the abdomen. The advantages of this approach are that the reconstructed breast remains the patient's own and matures with her, and it lasts for the patient's lifetime. However, the surgery is longer and more complex, and there is a scar on the abdomen.

The surgeons at the New York Group for Plastic Surgery work closely with patients to help them make informed decisions about their breast reconstruction options. They consider factors such as the type of mastectomy, the patient's body type, cancer treatments, past surgeries, and personal preferences.

Comprehensive Patient Support

The clinic provides comprehensive support to patients throughout the breast reconstruction process. They offer in - depth consultations to answer all patients' questions and address their concerns. Post - operative care includes regular follow - up appointments, guidance on self - care practices, and emotional support to help patients cope with the psychological aspects of recovery.

4. Aristocrat Plastic Surgery

Breast Fat Injection Specialization

Aristocrat Plastic Surgery, under the expertise of Dr. Kevin Tehrani, is well - known for breast fat injection procedures. This minimally invasive technique is ideal for women who have excess fat on their body and wish to increase breast fullness using natural tissue rather than implants.

The breast fat injection procedure at Aristocrat Plastic Surgery includes:

1. Consultation: Dr. Tehrani discusses the patient's goals, assesses candidacy for the procedure, and explains the risks and benefits. He also reviews the patient's medical history and performs a physical examination.
2. Pre - operative preparations: If the patient is deemed a suitable candidate, they are given pre - operative instructions regarding diet, exercise, and medications to avoid.
3. Liposuction: On the day of the procedure, the patient is placed under local or general anesthesia. Dr. Tehrani performs liposuction to harvest excess fat from donor areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks.
4. Fat processing: The collected fat is processed to separate impurities, excess fluids, and damaged fat cells from the healthy fat cells.
5. Injection into the breasts: Using small, carefully placed incisions, Dr. Tehrani injects the purified fat into various areas of the breasts to achieve the desired size and shape.
6. Recovery: After the fat injections are complete, the patient may be fitted with a compression garment. Most patients can return home the same day, and they need to follow post - operative care instructions.

Patient - Centric Approach

Aristocrat Plastic Surgery takes a patient - centric approach. Dr. Tehrani ensures that patients have a clear understanding of the procedure and its outcomes. The clinic provides personalized aftercare plans to support patients during their recovery, and they are available to answer any questions or concerns that patients may have.

5. Dr. Frank LaLezar's Practice

Breast Fat Grafting Expertise

Dr. Frank LaLezar is a board - certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast fat grafting in NYC. Breast fat grafting, also known as autologous fat transfer, is a cosmetic surgery that involves transferring fat from one part of the body to the breasts.

During the procedure, Dr. LaLezar makes small incisions in the donor area, removes excess fat using liposuction, purifies and prepares the fat for injection, and then carefully injects it into the breasts. He uses a highly - specialized technique to ensure the fat is evenly distributed and that the results are natural - looking.

The goals of breast fat grafting at Dr. LaLezar's practice include increasing the size of the breasts, improving their shape, correcting asymmetry, restoring volume lost due to age, weight loss, or childbirth, and enhancing the overall shape and size of breasts without implants.

Recovery and Aftercare

Dr. LaLezar provides comprehensive aftercare to his patients. Patients can expect mild swelling and bruising in the treated areas, which should resolve within a few weeks. He may prescribe pain medication to manage discomfort and requires patients to wear a surgical bra or support garment to minimize swelling and improve healing. Most patients can return to work and light activities within a week, but they should avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for several weeks.

Comparing the Top 5 Hospitals

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hospital

Surgeon Expertise

The expertise of the surgeon is one of the most important factors. Look for surgeons who are board - certified and have extensive experience in autologous fat filling of the breast. Check their track record, patient reviews, and the number of successful procedures they have performed.

Techniques and Technology

Advanced techniques and cutting - edge technology can improve the results and safety of the procedure. Hospitals that use the latest methods, such as tissue expansion systems or specialized fat purification techniques, may offer better outcomes.

Patient Care

Comprehensive patient care is essential. This includes detailed pre - operative consultations, personalized treatment plans, and excellent post - operative care. A hospital that provides emotional support during the recovery process can also make a significant difference in the patient's experience.

Cost and Financing

The cost of autologous fat filling of the breast can vary depending on the hospital, the complexity of the procedure, and other factors. It is important to understand the total cost, including any additional fees for anesthesia, facility use, and post - operative care. Many hospitals offer financing options to help patients afford the procedure.

Conclusion

In New York City, these top 5 hospitals - Mount Sinai Hospital, Murray Hill Plastic Surgery & Vein Center, New York Group for Plastic Surgery, Aristocrat Plastic Surgery, and Dr. Frank LaLezar's Practice - offer excellent options for autologous fat filling of the breast. Each hospital has its own strengths, whether it's expertise in a particular technique, advanced technology, or comprehensive patient care. When considering this procedure, it is crucial to research and compare these hospitals based on the factors mentioned above to make an informed decision.

If you are interested in autologous fat filling of the breast, we encourage you to schedule consultations with surgeons at these hospitals. During these consultations, you can ask questions, discuss your goals, and learn more about the procedure. By taking the time to find the right hospital and surgeon, you can increase your chances of achieving the desired results and having a positive experience.