The Top 3 Hospitals for Prosthetic Breast Implant Removal in New York City
Deciding to remove prosthetic breast implants is a significant choice that many women in New York City face. Whether it's due to medical concerns, changes in aesthetic preferences, or other reasons, finding the right hospital and surgeon is crucial for a successful procedure. In this article, we will explore the top 3 hospitals for prosthetic breast implant removal in New York City, along with the key surgeons, procedures, and considerations.
1. Hospital and Surgeon Profile: Dr. Darrick Antell's Practice
About Dr. Darrick Antell
Dr. Darrick Antell is widely regarded as one of the most experienced breast surgeons both in the New York area and worldwide. He has over twenty years of experience and has performed more than ten thousand procedures. He repeatedly appears on the best doctors lists for Town and Country, Vogue, and New York Magazine. He is an official spokesperson for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and has memberships in many regional and national medical societies, including the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and has won numerous awards.
Procedures Offered
- Custom Breast Implant Removal (Explant): He performs explant surgery to remove existing silicone or saline implants from the body. Women may choose this for lifestyle, cosmetic, or medical reasons.
- En Bloc Capsulectomy: When indicated, he performs an en bloc capsulectomy to remove the tissue that has grown around the breast implant. This is particularly important in cases where there are concerns such as capsular contracture or a heightened risk of breast implant - associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA - ALCL).
- Removal of Recalled Allergan Textured Breast Implants: Dr. Antell also performs the removal of the Allergan textured breast implants recently recalled by the FDA due to their association with a heightened risk of BIA - ALCL.
Consultation Process
During the initial consultation, Dr. Antell will thoroughly evaluate the patient's general health and medical history, as well as assess the current condition of the breasts. It is important for patients to discuss any symptoms they may be experiencing, especially if the implant removal is due to medical complications. Patients are advised to bring any information they have about their existing implants and their previous breast augmentation surgery. By having an open and honest conversation about the desired outcome, Dr. Antell and the patient can work together to create the proper surgical plan. He may recommend pairing the explant surgery with another procedure, such as a breast lift (mastopexy), to produce a more plump, rounded appearance. He will also go through the procedure, the risks, and the recovery in detail.
Surgery Location and Facilities
Dr. Antell has privileges in numerous hospitals throughout New York City. Most patients prefer for the procedure to take place in his discreet, private operating room located just across the street from world - renowned Lenox Hill Hospital. His facility has a private back entrance to ensure total discretion, and all members of his staff have been thoroughly trained to offer personalized care. The state - of - the - art outpatient surgery center is fully accredited, designed for patient comfort, and equipped with the latest technology.
Preparation for Surgery
Based on numerous factors, such as age and implant condition, Dr. Antell may send patients for imaging, such as an ultrasound, mammogram, or MRI, prior to the Manhattan breast implant removal procedure. Ahead of the surgery day, patients will be given guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, iron tablets, and specific medications. They may be given prescriptions that should be filled prior to the surgery. Depending on their history, patients may be asked to provide pre - operative clearance from another doctor. As the procedure is performed under “twilight” sedation, patients should arrange for someone to drive them home after the surgery and ensure they have someone to assist them in the first few days of recovery.
Risks and Anesthesia
Breast implant removal surgery is typically a safe procedure when performed by an experienced, board - certified plastic surgeon. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there is always a possibility of complications, including bleeding, infection, numbness at the incision site, or an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Dr. Antell will provide a thorough discussion of all risks during the initial consultation. Breast implant removal is typically performed with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation or with another type of “twilight” anesthesia. A board - certified anesthesiologist will be monitoring the patient throughout the procedure. In some rare cases, implants can be removed with only local anesthesia.
Recovery Process
After undergoing the surgery, patients will recover in Dr. Antell’s state - of - the - art recovery suite while being monitored by one of his registered nurses until they feel well enough to be discharged. A specialized, long - lasting local anesthesia will be used to reduce discomfort. The procedure is an outpatient one, meaning patients can return home the same day. Patients should be prepared to have an escort to bring them home, as they will not be able to drive for 24 hours after the administration of anesthesia. Upon leaving the facility, patients will be provided thorough discharge instructions. After surgery, the breasts may be covered in a layer of gauze or a bandage. Patients may feel tired or sore, but many are able to return to most daily activities within days. It is best to refrain from vigorous exercise for around two weeks, and Dr. Antell will provide an individualized recovery plan. Some loss of feeling in the breast area and around the incisions is expected, and this numbness typically fades over time. Patients may also notice some fluid drainage from the incision site. Most patients do not require a breast lift after surgery, as their breasts generally return to their pre - operative shape naturally. Patients will typically return to the office the day after the surgery so that Dr. Antell can monitor the healing process. If external sutures are used during surgery, they are usually removed around 7 - 10 days following the procedure. Although much of the swelling and bruising will fade in the first few weeks, it may take several months before the final results are visible. Scars will likely be firm and pink for at least six weeks before beginning to fade.
2. Hospital and Surgeon Profile: Dr. Olivia Hutchinson's Practice
About Dr. Olivia Hutchinson
Dr. Olivia Hutchinson is recognized as a top breast implant removal surgeon in NYC. She is a board - certified, Harvard and Columbia - educated female aesthetic plastic surgeon. Cosmetic breast surgery is one of her main areas of focus, and she is considered to be one of the top breast implant removal surgeons on the Upper East Side in NYC. She has over 20 years of experience evaluating patients with breast implant - related concerns and performing breast implant removal.
Reasons for Breast Implant Removal
Patients may choose to have their breast implants removed for various reasons. These include aesthetic issues such as the implant becoming palpable or visible (folded, rippled, or wrinkled), implant rupture, leakage, or deflation, the implant moving from its original position, capsular contracture, breast asymmetry, unsightly or widened scars, nipple or areola enlargement, distortion, asymmetry, and implant malposition. Medical issues can also prompt removal, such as severe capsular contracture, chronic pain with breast implants, breast implant - associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA - ALCL), breast implant illness (BII), infection, and/or bleeding.
Handling of BIA - ALCL and BII
Over the last few years, a rare cancer related to breast implants, BIA - ALCL, has been identified. Some women who have had textured implants made by Allergan inserted may wish to have their implants removed or replaced due to the recall of these implants. Although removal of all textured breast implants in NYC is not currently recommended or standard treatment, each patient should make an informed decision after discussion with their plastic surgeon. BII refers to a wide variety of symptoms that patients may report after undergoing breast augmentation or reconstruction with implants. These symptoms include fatigue, fever, gastrointestinal complaints, migraines, breathing difficulties, depression or anxiety, rashes, pain and discomfort, brain fog, and other non - specific complaints. It is believed to be associated with pre - existing autoimmune problems.
Consultation and Surgical Planning
Dr. Hutchinson will advise patients on the various surgical options available and the best course of action to help them achieve their goals. In some cases, a secondary procedure such as a breast lift may be necessary to achieve the best aesthetic results. During the consultation, she will carefully evaluate the patient's concerns and physical condition to create a personalized surgical plan.
3. Hospital and Surgeon Profile: Dr. Steven Wallach's Practice
About Dr. Steven Wallach
Dr. Steven Wallach is a well - known plastic surgeon performing breast implant removal procedures in New York. His practice conveniently serves the areas of New York, NY. He is experienced in handling both the medical and cosmetic aspects of breast implant removal.
Procedures and Candidate Considerations
Breast implant surgery removal is performed when a patient wants their implants taken out. A good candidate is someone who is healthy and desires that their implants be removed. Candidates with medical issues may require medical clearance from their primary care physician prior to the procedure. As with all procedures, candidates should be non - smokers or stop smoking prior to the procedure and stop taking blood - thinning medications. Dr. Wallach usually makes an incision using the previous breast implant surgical approach to access the pocket created for the implants and removes them before sealing the incision site with sutures. This may be through an incision along the breast fold, the periareola region, or through a transaxillary incision in the armpit. During the procedure, he will also remove implant filler material from ruptured silicone implants if necessary.
Benefits of the Procedure
Sometimes the procedure is medically necessary, such as when an implant ruptures or when a capsular contracture occurs. A capsular contracture is the hardening of scar tissue that forms around an implant after it is placed in the body, which can cause pain and distort the appearance of the breasts. Non - medical reasons to have breast implants removed include changes in personal preferences and desired appearance.
Consultation and Preparation
During the consultation, Dr. Wallach will assess the patient's situation. If the patient is experiencing complications such as the stiffening of breast tissue due to capsular contracture, he may perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and then schedule the explantation surgery. If the issue is cosmetic, he may discuss other options for breast implant replacement, such as switching to a different type or size of implant, or explore other breast enhancement options like a breast lift. In preparation for the implant removal consultation, it is helpful for patients to be familiar with terms related to breast implants, such as ptosis, deflation, capsulectomy, and explantation.
Surgery and Recovery
The surgery may be performed under intravenous (IV) sedation or general anesthesia. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, Dr. Wallach will make a predetermined incision to access the breast pocket and implant. He will then remove the implant and may remove the scar capsule surrounding it, taking extra care to remove any sterile silicone gel that may have seeped out in case of leakage or rupture. After the implants have been removed, if the patient has elected to get them replaced, he will insert the new implants according to the agreed - upon surgical plan, then close the incisions and bandage the incision sites. Immediately after the procedure, patients will have swelling and bruising around their breasts and may be in mild pain. They will need a caregiver to drive them from the surgery center and stay with them for about a day. Most patients can go back to light activity within three to five days. Dr. Wallach instructs patients to avoid aerobic activity for three to four weeks and avoid exertion of heavy lifting for about six to eight weeks.
Comparative Table of the Three Surgeons
| Surgeon | Experience | Procedures Offered | Special Considerations | Recovery Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Darrick Antell | Over twenty years, more than ten thousand procedures | Custom breast implant removal, en bloc capsulectomy, removal of recalled Allergan textured breast implants | High - profile cases, personalized care in private operating room | Return to daily activities within days, refrain from vigorous exercise for around two weeks, final results visible in several months |
| Dr. Olivia Hutchinson | Over 20 years | Breast implant removal, possible secondary procedures like breast lift | Expertise in handling BIA - ALCL and BII cases | Not explicitly stated in general, but patient - specific based on procedure complexity |
| Dr. Steven Wallach | Not specified | Breast implant removal, possible replacement | Convenient location, clear communication of procedure details | Go back to light activity within three to five days, avoid aerobic activity for three to four weeks, avoid heavy lifting for six to eight weeks |
General Considerations for Prosthetic Breast Implant Removal
Reasons for Removal
There are multiple reasons why a woman may choose to remove her breast implants. Medical reasons include implant rupture, leakage, capsular contracture, breast implant - associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA - ALCL), and breast implant illness (BII). Aesthetic reasons can be changes in personal taste, a desire to return to a more natural look, or dissatisfaction with the results of the initial breast augmentation. As women age, their bodies change, and the appearance and feel of the implants may no longer be desirable. Additionally, some women may experience discomfort or pain associated with the implants over time.
Pre - Surgery Considerations
Before undergoing breast implant removal, patients should thoroughly research and choose a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. They should schedule a consultation to discuss their concerns, goals, and medical history. It is important to disclose any medications, vitamins, or supplements they are taking, as well as any smoking habits. In some cases, patients may need to undergo pre - operative imaging, such as an ultrasound, mammogram, or MRI, to assess the condition of the implants and the surrounding tissue. Patients should also arrange for transportation to and from the surgery center and for someone to assist them during the initial days of recovery.
Post - Surgery Care
After the surgery, patients will need to follow the post - operative instructions provided by their surgeon carefully. This may include wearing a support bra, taking prescribed medications for pain and infection prevention, and avoiding strenuous activities. It is normal to experience swelling, bruising, and soreness in the breast area, which should gradually subside over time. Patients may also notice some changes in the appearance and sensation of their breasts. Most surgeons will schedule follow - up appointments to monitor the healing process and ensure that there are no complications. It may take several months for the final results to be visible, and patients should be patient during the recovery period.
Conclusion
When it comes to prosthetic breast implant removal in New York City, Dr. Darrick Antell, Dr. Olivia Hutchinson, and Dr. Steven Wallach are among the top surgeons offering high - quality services. Each surgeon has their own areas of expertise, experience, and approach to the procedure. By carefully considering the information provided about these surgeons, as well as the general considerations for breast implant removal, patients can make an informed decision about which surgeon and hospital are the best fit for their needs. If you are considering breast implant removal, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of these top surgeons to discuss your options further. Take the first step towards achieving your desired outcome and enhancing your well - being.
