Introduction
After breastfeeding, many women face the issue of sagging and flabby breasts. This not only affects their physical appearance but can also have an impact on their self - confidence. Fortunately, New York City is home to some of the world's leading hospitals and clinics that specialize in treating these problems. In this article, we will introduce the top 5 hospitals for treating sagging and flabby breasts after breastfeeding in New York City.
Factors Affecting Breast Sagging after Breastfeeding
Before diving into the top hospitals, it's essential to understand the factors that lead to breast sagging after breastfeeding. According to the research in Best Breast Lift NYC | Dr. John E. Sherman, several elements contribute to this issue:
- Aging: As women age, the natural production of collagen and elastin in the breasts reduces. This results in a loss of firmness and elasticity in the skin tissues, leading to drooping breasts.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: During pregnancy, the breasts become heavier and fuller, stretching the skin. After breastfeeding, the breasts may lose volume, but the stretched skin remains, causing sagging and excess skin.
- Weight changes: Significant weight gain can stretch the skin. After weight loss, the skin may not shrink back, leaving excess, sagging skin.
- Gravity: Over time, the consistent downward pull of gravity contributes to the sagging of breast tissues.
The Top 5 Hospitals in New York City for Treating Sagging Breasts
1. Dr. Antell's Practice
Dr. Darrick Antell is a well - respected breast surgeon in New York. His clinic offers breast lift (mastopexy) procedures, which are designed to tighten, raise, and reshape sagging breasts.
Advantages
- Skilled Surgeon: Dr. Antell is board - certified and has been named a “top plastic surgeon” by Town and Country, Vogue, and New York Magazine. He is also recognized by Harper's Bazaar as one of the best breast plastic surgeons in the country.
- Positive Patient Reviews: Many patients have left positive reviews about Dr. Antell, praising his work, care, and bedside manner. For example, one patient said, “I give 100 stars to this doctor. He's an amazing doctor, surgeon, artist, and human being.”
- Customized Approach: During the consultation, Dr. Antell evaluates the patient's general health, medical history, and breast condition. He then creates a customized surgical plan based on the patient's desired results. This may include pairing the breast lift with another procedure, such as breast augmentation for a fuller appearance or breast reduction for reduced volume.
Procedures Offered
- Breast Lift: This procedure tightens and raises the breasts, and can also reduce the size of the areola. The surgery typically takes around two to three hours, and is performed under “twilight” sedation.
Cost and Recovery
The cost of a breast lift varies depending on factors such as the base operating room fee, anesthesia cost, and the surgeon's fee. The recovery time typically allows patients to return home within a few hours. They need to rest for the first few days, and it may take one to two weeks to return to normal routine. Swelling and bruising may subside in three to six weeks, and full healing may take up to one year.
2. Dr. John E. Sherman's Clinic
Dr. John E. Sherman is a skilled and board - certified plastic surgeon in New York City. His clinic focuses on breast lift procedures, helping women lift their sagging breasts to a more aesthetically - pleasing and youthful position.
Advantages
- Expertise in Breast Lift: Dr. Sherman has extensive expertise and specialization in breast lift procedures, ensuring that patients receive exceptional outcomes.
- Patient - Centered Care: The dedicated staff provides a first - class experience from start to finish. They thoroughly discuss all aspects of the procedure during the consultation, ensuring that patients are well - informed.
- Multiple Surgical Options: Dr. Sherman offers different surgical techniques for breast lift, including full mastopexy and periareolar mastopexy, which can be tailored to the patient's specific needs.
Procedures Offered
- Full Mastopexy: This technique allows for significant lifting and reshaping of the breasts. An incision is made around the areola, extending vertically downward from the areola to the breast crease, and sometimes horizontally along the breast crease. It resembles an anchor shape.
- Periareolar Mastopexy: Also known as a “donut” or “circumareolar” mastopexy, it is suitable for individuals with mild to moderate breast sagging or ptosis, with minimal scarring.
Cost and Recovery
The price of the breast lift procedure in New York City can vary depending on the specific techniques employed and the extent of work needed. Patients usually return home after being monitored. The pain on the first night is generally mild and can be managed with prescribed medication. It takes about a week or two to resume most normal activities, and more strenuous physical activities should be avoided for a few additional weeks.
3. William Lao, MD's Practice
Dr. William Lao is a double - board - certified plastic surgeon with over 10 years of experience in performing breast plastic surgeries. His clinic offers a variety of breast lift options.
Advantages
- Rich Experience: Dr. Lao has performed over 500 successful breast plastic surgeries in the last 10 years. He is also a founding member of the Asian Society for Breast Plastic Reconstructive Surgery.
- Multiple Technique Options: He offers different types of breast lifts, such as augmentation mastopexy, circumareolar mastopexy, circumvertical mastopexy, and wise - pattern mastopexy, allowing patients to choose the most suitable option for their aesthetic goals.
- Patient - Oriented Service: During the consultation, Dr. Lao examines the patient's breasts, goes over their medical history, and determines the right technique and treatment plan. He also provides personalized advice on preoperative and postoperative care.
Procedures Offered
- Augmentation Mastopexy: Combines breast lift with breast augmentation using implants to increase the size, shape, and position of the breasts.
- Circumareolar Mastopexy: The incision is made around the areola only, which can address mild sagging and reduce the size of the areola.
- Circumvertical Mastopexy: A short - scar breast lift with an incision made around the areola and a vertical line heading downwards, looking like a lollipop. It allows for more skin and tissue removal than circumareolar mastopexy with less scarring than a full breast lift.
- Wise - Pattern Mastopexy: Also known as the “inverted - t,” the incision is made around the areola, a vertical line down the bottom of the breast, and a horizontal line, allowing for additional skin removal and tightening of the deeper layer of breast tissue.
Cost and Recovery
The average cost of breast lift surgery in New York City at Dr. Lao's practice typically starts at $8,000 and can range up to $20,000 or more, depending on factors such as the complexity of the procedure. Patients can return home on the day of surgery and return to routine within 1 - 2 weeks. They may experience bruising and swelling for one to two weeks, and strenuous activities should be avoided for at least two weeks.
4. Dimitri, J. Koumanis MD's Clinic
Dr. Dimitri J. Koumanis is a board - certified cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon. His clinic offers breast lift procedures to address sagging breasts caused by breastfeeding, age, or weight loss.
Advantages
- Board Certification: Being board - certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Koumanis has the professional credentials to perform breast surgeries safely and effectively.
- Comprehensive Approach: Dr. Koumanis discusses all aspects of the breast lift procedure with patients, including incision options, expected results, and potential complications. He also provides information on how to optimize health before surgery and proper after - care.
- Low Complication Rates: The clinic prides itself on low complication rates, and Dr. Koumanis will discuss all possible issues during the consultation to ensure that patients are well - informed.
Procedures Offered
- Breast Lift: A circular incision around the nipple is carried out along with different patterns to lift the nipple - areola complex, skin, and breast tissue up. The incision patterns depend on the degree of breast sagging.
Cost and Recovery
In Dr. Koumanis's practice, breast lift surgery costs approximately $6500 - $7500. If combined with breast augmentation using an implant, it can cost between $8200 - $10,200. Most candidates will experience some discomfort for the first few days to about a week, which can be managed with pain medication. Patients can start some activities within 48 hours, light exercise at around four weeks, and unrestricted activities at six weeks.
5. Dr. David Cangello's Practice
Dr. David Cangello is one of the top board - certified plastic surgeons in New York City. His clinic offers breast lift procedures to restore a more lifted, youthful appearance to sagging breasts.
Advantages
- Artistic Approach: Dr. Cangello treats plastic surgery with an artistic eye, aiming to achieve the best aesthetic results for his patients. He cares about the outcome as much as the patients do.
- Custom - Tailored Treatment: During the consultation, he assesses the patient's degree of sagging and loss of volume, and then creates a custom treatment plan. He also explores additional surgical options that may complement the breast lift, such as breast augmentation or fat transfer.
- Minimal Scarring: Dr. Cangello takes great care to make incisions as meticulously as possible to ensure minimal scarring. The scarring depends on the type of mastopexy performed, but most scars are easily concealed.
Procedures Offered
- Crescent Mastopexy: The least invasive technique, reserved for patients who need only a small amount of lifting or repositioning of the nipple - areolar complex. A small crescent shape of breast skin and tissue is removed from the top of the areola.
- Benelli Mastopexy: Also known as a “donut lift” or “circumareolar lift,” it is suitable for women who need a small degree of lift for the nipple - areolar complex. A donut - shaped incision is made around the areola, and excess tissue and skin are removed.
- Vertical Mastopexy: Recommended for women with a moderate level of breast sagging. The lollipop - shaped incision encircles the areola and runs vertically down the breast into the breast crease.
- Anchor Mastopexy: For women with significant breast sagging. The incision forms an anchor shape, allowing for extensive skin and tissue removal and breast tightening.
Cost and Recovery
The cost of the breast lift procedure is determined during the consultation. After treatment, patients wake up with a surgical dressing and a post - surgical bra. They may feel achy, swollen, or bruised, but appropriate pain medication is prescribed. Most patients can return to work after about a week, and exercise should be avoided for four - to - six weeks. A surgical support bra should be worn for six weeks after surgery.
Comparison of the Top 5 Hospitals
Hospital | Surgeon's Reputation | Procedures Offered | Cost Range | Recovery Time | Special Features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dr. Antell's Practice | Highly respected, multiple top - doctor recognitions | Breast lift, can be combined with augmentation or reduction | Varies, determined by multiple factors | Return home within a few hours, 1 - 2 weeks to normal routine, full healing up to 1 year | Customized approach, excellent patient reviews |
Dr. John E. Sherman's Clinic | Skilled and specialized in breast lift | Full mastopexy, periareolar mastopexy | Varies based on techniques and work needed | Return home after monitoring, 1 - 2 weeks for normal activities, avoid strenuous for a few more weeks | Patient - centered care, multiple surgical options |
William Lao, MD's Practice | Double - board - certified, rich experience | Augmentation mastopexy, circumareolar mastopexy, circumvertical mastopexy, wise - pattern mastopexy | $8,000 - $20,000 or more | Return home on surgery day, 1 - 2 weeks to routine, avoid strenuous for 2 weeks | Multiple technique options, personalized service |
Dimitri, J. Koumanis MD's Clinic | Board - certified, low complication rates | Breast lift with different incision patterns | $6500 - $7500 (breast lift only), $8200 - $10,200 (with implant) | Some discomfort for a few days to a week, start activities in 48 hours, light exercise at 4 weeks, unrestricted at 6 weeks | Comprehensive approach, clear information on surgery and after - care |
Dr. David Cangello's Practice | Top board - certified, artistic approach | Crescent mastopexy, benelli mastopexy, vertical mastopexy, anchor mastopexy | Determined during consultation | Return to work after about a week, avoid exercise for 4 - 6 weeks, wear support bra for 6 weeks | Custom - tailored treatment, minimal scarring |
Preparing for Breast Lift Surgery
Regardless of which hospital or surgeon you choose, proper preparation for breast lift surgery is crucial. Here are some general guidelines:
- Medical Consultation: Have a thorough consultation with your surgeon. Discuss your medical history, including any previous surgeries, current medications, and allergies. Be honest about your expectations for the surgery.
- Lifestyle Changes: Quit smoking at least one month before surgery, as nicotine can impede proper circulation to the nipple. Maintain a healthy, stable weight. Some surgeons may recommend a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to support the healing process.
- Medication Adjustment: