Introduction
Breast implant removal is a significant decision for many women, whether for medical, cosmetic, or lifestyle reasons. In New York City, there are several top - notch hospitals and surgeons specializing in this procedure. This article will introduce you to the top 5 hospitals and the associated surgeons for breast implant removal for augmentation in New York City, based on their expertise, patient reviews, and advanced surgical techniques.
1. Facilities associated with Dr. Darrick E. Antell
Surgeon Overview
Dr. Darrick E. Antell is a premier breast surgeon in NYC. He has been listed in magazines like Harper’s Bazaar as one of the best breast plastic surgeons in the country. With over twenty years of experience and more than ten thousand procedures under his belt, he combines meticulous surgical skills, the latest medical technologies, and an artistic eye. He is an official spokesperson for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and holds 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.
Services Offered
- Custom Breast Implant Removal (Explant): Dr. Antell performs custom explant surgery to remove existing silicone or saline implants. He can also conduct an en bloc capsulectomy to remove the tissue around the implant when necessary. He also removes the recalled Allergan textured breast implants due to the risk of Breast Implant - Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA - ALCL).
- Combined Procedures: If desired by the patient, he may recommend pairing the explant surgery with a breast lift (mastopexy) to achieve a more plump and rounded appearance.
Patient Experience
Many of his patients are referred by former ones, which speaks to their satisfaction with the results. He has also performed surgeries on many celebrities and well - known persons. His facility, located across the street from Lenox Hill Hospital, offers a discreet, private operating room. The state - of - the - art outpatient surgery center is fully accredited, with a private back entrance for discretion, and the staff is thoroughly trained to offer personalized care.
Pre - and Post - operative Care
During the consultation, Dr. Antell thoroughly evaluates the patient's general health, medical history, and the current condition of the breasts. He discusses the procedure, risks, and recovery in detail. Before the surgery, he may send the patient for imaging such as an ultrasound, mammogram, or MRI. After the surgery, patients recover in his state - of - the - art recovery suite, and he provides individualized recovery plans. Most patients can return to most daily activities within days, but vigorous exercise should be avoided for around two weeks.
2. Dr. Barry Weintraub's Practice
Surgeon Overview
Dr. Barry Weintraub is a well - regarded plastic surgeon in New York. He studied medicine at Cornell and bases his practice on core values such as humility and respect for patients. He has a unique blend of medical science and artistry, which is evident in his surgical results. Over 60% of his practice involves complex redo surgeries, and he takes pride in getting the best results for his patients.
Services Offered
- Breast Implant Removal and Replacement: He performs breast implant removal, sometimes followed by replacement. Patients may choose to change the size, location, or type of implants. Some may opt for autologous fat to replace lost volume, and in cases of drooping breasts, a lift may be done in conjunction with removal and replacement.
- Advanced Anesthesia: He prefers his patients to be in a comfortable state of twilight sleep during the procedure. Thanks to advancements in anesthesia and new medications, patients experience minimal nausea, vomiting, or grogginess.
Patient Experience
Dr. Weintraub's office environment is comforting, personable, and inviting. He and his staff truly care about each patient and are available to help at every step of the process. His hospital - grade, state - of - the - art surgical center at 800a Fifth Avenue offers a private entrance and the highest - quality standards of care.
Pre - and Post - operative Care
Patients need to obtain medical clearance from their family physician before the surgery. They are given instructions on how to prepare, including prescriptions to be filled in advance. A custom - made post - surgical garment is ordered. After the surgery, patients may experience minimal swelling and bruising, and Dr. Weintraub provides instructions on how to achieve the best results, including advice on showering and returning to normal activities and exercise routines.
3. New York Group for Plastic Surgery
Surgeon Overview
The New York Group for Plastic Surgery has experienced plastic surgeons, including Dr. Andrew Salzberg and Dr. Jordan Jacobs. They provide effective solutions for various breast - related concerns, including breast implant removal.
Services Offered
- Breast Explant Procedure: They perform breast explant surgery to remove breast implants and some or all of the surrounding scar capsules. They also remove silicone from the implant shell and clean the breast pocket.
- Anesthesia Options: Patients can choose between local or general anesthesia, depending on factors such as their overall health, personal desires, and the location and size of the breast implants to be removed.
Patient Experience
The group provides patients with solid information to make an educated choice about their bodies. They ensure that the surgical area is clean and the equipment is ready. After the surgery, patients are awakened in the recovery room and provided with pain relief medication and post - procedure instructions.
Pre - and Post - operative Care
Patients should avoid certain medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and anti - inflammatory medications, for one week before the procedure. Blood - thinning medications should be stopped for up to six weeks prior. Arrangements should be made for someone to drive the patient home and stay with them for at least 24 hours. Recovery is similar to that after breast augmentation, with three days of downtime being the most difficult. Most patients can resume light activities within one week and more vigorous activities in about six weeks.
4. Dr. Olivia Hutchinson's Practice
Surgeon Overview
Dr. Olivia Hutchinson is a board - certified, Harvard and Columbia - educated female aesthetic plastic surgeon. She is considered one of the top breast implant removal surgeons on the Upper East Side in NYC. With over 20 years of experience, she is highly skilled in evaluating patients with breast implant - related concerns.
Services Offered
- Comprehensive Breast Implant Removal: She addresses both aesthetic and medical issues related to breast implants. Aesthetic issues include implant palpability, rupture, malposition, and capsular contracture. Medical issues include BIA - ALCL, breast implant illness (BII), and severe capsular contracture. She advises patients on the best surgical options and may recommend a secondary procedure like a breast lift for better aesthetic results.
- Special Attention to BIA - ALCL: With the recall of some textured implants due to the risk of BIA - ALCL, Dr. Hutchinson helps patients make informed decisions about implant removal or replacement.
Patient Experience
Patients have had exceptional experiences with Dr. Hutchinson and her staff. The atmosphere is calming, and the facilities are super clean. She makes patients feel comfortable, and the results are highly satisfactory.
Pre - and Post - operative Care
During the consultation, she assesses the patient's situation and explains the available surgical options. After the surgery, patients can expect follow - up care to monitor their recovery and ensure the best possible outcome.
5. Steven Wallach MD, FACS
Surgeon Overview
Dr. Steven Wallach is a board - certified plastic surgeon with expertise in breast implant removal. He has in - depth knowledge of breast augmentation and its inverse procedure, breast implant removal.
Services Offered
- Breast Implant Removal and Replacement: He performs breast implant removal and can also replace the implants if desired. He removes the implant filler material from ruptured silicone implants and may also remove the scar capsule.
- Customized Consultation: During the consultation, he assesses the patient's situation, whether it's a medical complication like capsular contracture or a cosmetic concern. He discusses the available options and techniques for the best results with minimal scarring.
Patient Experience
Dr. Wallach encourages patients to visit his before - and - after photo gallery to see the results he can achieve. His patients trust him to handle their breast implant - related issues, whether medical or aesthetic.
Pre - and Post - operative Care
Patients are advised to be familiar with terms related to breast implants before the consultation. They should stop smoking and taking blood - thinning medications before the surgery. After the procedure, patients experience swelling, bruising, and mild pain. Most can return to light activity within three to five days, but aerobic activity and heavy lifting should be avoided for a few weeks.
Comparison of the Top 5
| Surgeon | Specialty | Services Offered | Facility Location | Patient Experience Highlights | Pre - operative Requirements | Post - operative Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Darrick E. Antell | Custom breast implant removal, en bloc capsulectomy | Explant, breast lift (if needed) | Across from Lenox Hill Hospital | High - profile patients, private and discreet facility | Imaging (ultrasound, mammogram, MRI), lifestyle changes (smoking, diet) | Return to daily activities in days, avoid vigorous exercise for 2 weeks |
| Dr. Barry Weintraub | Breast implant removal and replacement | Removal, replacement, fat transfer, breast lift | 800a Fifth Avenue | Comforting office environment, high - quality surgical center | Medical clearance, prescriptions, custom post - surgical garment | Minimal swelling and bruising, follow post - op instructions for recovery |
| New York Group for Plastic Surgery (Dr. Andrew Salzberg and Dr. Jordan Jacobs) | Breast explant | Explant, silicone removal, breast pocket cleaning | NYC and Tarrytown | Educated patient choice, clean surgical environment | Avoid certain medications, arrange for a driver and caregiver | 3 - day downtime, resume light activities in 1 week, vigorous in 6 weeks |
| Dr. Olivia Hutchinson | Comprehensive breast implant removal (aesthetic and medical) | Explant, address BIA - ALCL and BII, breast lift (if needed) | Upper East Side | Exceptional patient experience, calming atmosphere | Consultation to assess situation | Follow - up care for monitoring |
| Dr. Steven Wallach | Breast implant removal and replacement | Explant, replacement, scar capsule removal | New York | Before - and - after photo gallery for patient confidence | Stop smoking and blood - thinning medications | Return to light activity in 3 - 5 days, avoid aerobic and heavy lifting for weeks |
Common Concerns and FAQs
What are the common reasons for breast implant removal?
Common reasons include medical complications such as implant rupture, capsular contracture, BIA - ALCL, and breast implant illness (BII). Cosmetic reasons may involve dissatisfaction with the size, shape, or appearance of the implants, or a desire to return to the natural breast size. Lifestyle factors, such as discomfort with larger breasts during physical activities, can also be a reason.
How painful is breast implant removal?
Anesthesia is used during the procedure to ensure that patients do not feel pain. After the surgery, there may be some discomfort, swelling, and bruising, but this can be managed with prescribed pain medication. The level of pain varies from person to person, and most patients find that the discomfort subsides over time during the recovery process.
How long is the recovery period?
The recovery period depends on several factors, including the extent of the procedure and the individual patient's health. Generally, patients can expect three days of significant downtime. Most can resume light activities within one week and more vigorous activities in about six weeks. However, strenuous activities and heavy lifting should be avoided for a few weeks to allow proper healing.
Will there be visible scarring?
Surgeons try to make incisions as small and unobtrusive as possible. They often reuse the original incision sites from breast augmentation to minimize scarring. Over time, with proper wound care and scar management techniques, scars typically fade and become less noticeable.
Can breast implant removal be combined with other procedures?
Yes, it can be combined with procedures such as a breast lift (mastopexy), capsulectomy (removal of scar tissue around the implant), or fat transfer. The decision to combine procedures depends on the patient's goals and the surgeon's recommendation.
Conclusion
Choosing the right hospital and surgeon for breast implant removal in New York City is crucial for a successful outcome. The top 5 hospitals and surgeons introduced in this article - Dr. Darrick E. Antell, Dr. Barry Weintraub, New York Group for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Olivia Hutchinson, and Dr. Steven Wallach - all have their unique strengths in terms of surgical expertise, patient care, and advanced techniques. Whether you are considering breast implant removal for medical, cosmetic, or lifestyle reasons, it is important to have in - depth consultations with these professionals to understand your options and make an informed decision.
If you are thinking about breast implant removal, don't hesitate to take the next step. Contact one of these top - rated surgeons to schedule a consultation and start your journey towards a more comfortable and confident you.
