
Introduction
Prosthetic breast augmentation is a popular cosmetic procedure that can enhance a woman's appearance and self - confidence. In New York City, there are several public hospitals known for their excellence in long - term prosthetic breast augmentation. This article will explore the top 5 public hospitals in NYC for this procedure, discussing their services, expertise, and patient - centric approaches.
What is Prosthetic Breast Augmentation?
Prosthetic breast augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to increase the size, change the shape, or improve the symmetry of a woman's breasts. It involves the placement of breast implants, which can be filled with either silicone gel or saline solution. There is also a non - implant option called natural fill, which uses a fat transfer technique.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2020 alone, nearly 200,000 women in the United States underwent breast augmentation.
Types of Breast Implants
| Type of Implant | Description | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| Silicone Breast Implants | A curved silicone shell filled with silicone gel. | Look and feel natural in the breasts. | Slightly more expensive than saline implants. |
| Saline Breast Implants | A curved silicone shell filled with a saline solution (salt and water). | Firmer, rounder implant. If a rupture occurs, the saline is absorbed by the body. | Can sometimes have a less natural feel. |
The Top 5 Public Hospitals in New York City for Long - Term Prosthetic Breast Augmentation
Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai is a well - known public hospital in New York City with a highly experienced team of plastic surgeons. Their plastic surgeons have extensive experience in performing breast augmentation to enlarge breasts.
- **Advanced Technology**: They use the latest technologies to help patients visualize how their larger breasts will look. The advanced 3D imaging technology can actually demonstrate what the larger breasts will look like on a patient's unique body. By showing various options on a computer monitor, patients can virtually try on different sizes of breasts.
- **Treatment Options**: They offer two types of implants (silicone and saline) and a non - implant option called natural fill. The natural fill technique, pioneered and perfected by Mount Sinai surgeons, involves removing fat from the buttocks or abdomen with liposuction and then inserting that fat into the breasts.
- **Patient - Centric Approach**: The surgeons consult with patients, listen carefully to their desires for enhancing breast size, and help them decide on the size and shape that will look best for their body. Before the procedure, they also perform a physical exam and ask a series of health - related questions to confirm that the patient is a candidate for breast augmentation.
Weill Cornell Medicine
Weill Cornell Medicine partners with New York - Presbyterian, one of the top hospital systems in New York City and the U.S.
- **Exemplary Surgeons**: Their plastic and reconstructive surgeons are leaders in the field. The care team is equipped to promote comfort throughout the process.
- **Individualized Care**: The surgeons are highly skilled and can help patients of all races, ethnicities, genders, and gender identities achieve the natural look they want. They provide the full range of cosmetic breast surgery options, including breast reduction surgery, breast lift surgery, breast augmentation with implants, and DIEP flap surgery.
- **Focus on Comfort**: The team prioritizes patient comfort at every step. Before surgery, patients have time to ask questions to feel comfortable with the procedure. In state - of - the - art surgical suites, the surgeons use the latest anesthetics and medications that help patients recover more quickly and heal faster. After the surgery, the care team manages pain with medication and teaches patients how to care for themselves during recovery.
NewYork - Presbyterian
NewYork - Presbyterian's plastic surgeons are passionate about helping patients feel their best.
- **Full Range of Services**: They provide the full spectrum of cosmetic breast surgery options. This includes breast reduction surgery, breast lift surgery (mastopexy), breast augmentation with implants, and DIEP flap surgery.
- **Patient - Centered Consultation**: Starting with the initial consultation, the plastic and reconstructive surgeons work closely with patients to understand their goals and discuss the best options for their needs.
- **Safety and Compassion**: Whether patients visit the hospital virtually or in person, they can be assured of the highest standards of care with compassion. The hospital team has taken every step to keep the facilities safe for patients to continue their care.
Columbia University
As one of New York's best hospitals and a world - class medical center, Columbia University has a remarkable plastic surgery department.
- **Expertise in Multiple Areas**: The plastic surgeons on the clinical staff are proficient in multiple areas of specialization, ranging from routine non - surgical cosmetic procedures to complex reconstructive operations and body contouring surgery after significant weight loss.
- **Research - Driven Approach**: The division is at the forefront of clinical and laboratory research in plastic surgery. Their plastic surgery research laboratory is currently conducting numerous research studies related to stem cells, tissue engineering, and the study of bone substitutes. A major focus is on the applications of gene therapy to wound healing.
- **Comprehensive Care**: For breast augmentation, they offer personalized treatment options. Their cosmetic care program provides surgical and non - surgical options to improve a patient's cosmetic health, including breast augmentation.
NYU Langone Health
NYU Langone's plastic surgeons are experts in breast reconstruction and cosmetic breast surgery.
- **Innovative Techniques**: They offer all of the latest reconstruction techniques, including breast reduction using the short - scar method, breast lift surgery, secondary breast reconstruction and augmentation surgery, and breast reconstruction using perforator flaps (such as DIEP and S - GAP).
- **Breast in a Day Program**: This is an innovative surgery for women diagnosed with breast cancer or at increased risk for cancer. It involves performing a nipple - sparing mastectomy and breast reconstruction using implants in one day. This approach requires fewer surgeries, less time in the hospital, and can play a significant role in physical and emotional recovery.
- **Multidisciplinary Approach**: NYU Langone seamlessly brings together the best in oncologic and reconstructive breast surgery. The breast surgical oncologists at the Perlmutter Cancer Center and the plastic surgeons maintain ongoing communication throughout the planning process and create a customized surgical plan for each patient.
Preparing for Prosthetic Breast Augmentation
Before undergoing prosthetic breast augmentation, patients need to make several preparations:
- **Medical Consultation**: Schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon. During this consultation, the surgeon will review the patient's medical history, perform a physical examination, and discuss the patient's goals and expectations for the procedure.
- **Lifestyle Changes**: Patients may be advised to quit smoking or using any nicotine product as nicotine can significantly impact the ability to heal after treatment. They may also need to taper off certain medications or supplements that can increase bleeding, such as blood thinners, ibuprofen, vitamin E, and St. John's wort.
- **Arrange for Support**: Patients should arrange to have a trusted family member or friend pick them up from the hospital after the procedure. They also need to designate a comfortable space at home to recover and place necessary items within reach.
- **Time for Rest**: Plan to take 2 - 3 weeks off work or other strenuous activities to rest and recuperate.
The Procedure
The prosthetic breast augmentation procedure generally includes the following steps:
- **Anesthesia**: The patient will receive either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation anesthesia, depending on their preferences and the surgeon's recommendation.
- **Incisions**: The surgeon will make small incisions to create a pocket for the implant. The incision options include an inframammary incision (under the breast), a periareolar incision (around the areola), or a transaxillary incision (under the armpit).
- **Implant Placement**: The implant can be placed either in the submuscular plane (under the pectoral muscles) or the subglandular plane (above the pectoral muscles). The placement depends on the patient's anatomy, age, and vocation.
- **Closing the Incisions**: Once the implant is in place, the surgeon will close the incisions with sutures and wrap the area with a compression garment to protect the results.
Recovery and Results
- **Initial Recovery**: In the initial days after surgery, it is normal to experience moderate symptoms of fatigue, discomfort, swelling, and bruising. Patients will be given a prescription for pain medication to help ease discomfort, which is usually most pronounced during the first few days. They will also be provided with a surgical compression bra to wear for the next few weeks as they heal.
- **Return to Activities**: Patients can typically return to light activities and work in 2 - 3 weeks. At 6 - 8 weeks, they can resume more strenuous activities, including going to the gym. By this point, swelling will have subsided significantly.
- **Final Results**: Although the breasts may still feel overly firm and tight initially, within a few months, the implants will have settled into place, and the patient will be able to see the final results.
Possible Complications
While breast augmentation is generally a safe procedure, there are some possible complications:
- **BIA - ALCL**: Breast implant - associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA - ALCL) is a rare type of non - Hodgkin's lymphoma that can occur in women with breast implants. It appears to be associated with textured implants and patients who develop a seroma (accumulation of fluid around the breast).
- **Breast Implant Illness (BII)**: BII is a term used to refer to a broad variety of symptoms that women report after having implants placed. These symptoms include memory loss, “brain fog,” joint pain, and fatigue. However, the cause of these symptoms and their link to synthetic implants is poorly understood and still being investigated.
- **Capsular Contracture**: This occurs when the capsule around the implant contracts and squeezes the implant. It can result in breasts that appear round and high and may feel very hard to touch.
Conclusion
New York City is home to several top - notch public hospitals that offer excellent long - term prosthetic breast augmentation services. Mount Sinai, Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork - Presbyterian, Columbia University, and NYU Langone Health all have experienced surgeons, advanced technologies, and patient - centric approaches. These hospitals are dedicated to helping patients achieve their desired breast appearance while ensuring their safety and comfort throughout the process.
If you are considering prosthetic breast augmentation, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon at one of these top hospitals. Discuss your goals, concerns, and expectations, and take the time to make an informed decision. You can also share this article with others who may be interested in learning more about prosthetic breast augmentation in New York City.