Introduction
Breast augmentation has become a popular cosmetic surgery option, not only among the general public but also attracting the attention of internet celebrities like Abbily. In New York City, there are numerous hospitals and plastic surgeons offering high - quality breast augmentation services. This article will present the top 5 regular hospitals for breast augmentation in New York City, based on various factors such as doctor expertise, patient reviews, and hospital facilities.
Understanding Breast Augmentation
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that enhances the volume and shape of the breasts. It involves inserting implants, either silicone or saline, into the breasts to increase their size by one or more bra cup sizes. This procedure has long been one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgeries in the United States. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2020 alone, nearly 200,000 women underwent breast augmentation.
Benefits of Breast Augmentation
- Enhanced Confidence: Many women experience a renewed sense of self - confidence and empowerment after achieving their desired breast size and shape. It can boost their self - esteem and how they perceive themselves in the world.
- Improved Proportions: Breast augmentation can enhance overall body proportions, helping create a balanced silhouette that aligns with aesthetic goals. It can make the body look more harmonious.
- Customized Volume and Shape: With options for both saline and silicone implants in various shapes and sizes, surgeons can tailor each breast augmentation to achieve the look patients desire.
- Rejuvenated Appearance: For women who’ve experienced volume loss due to aging, pregnancy, or weight changes, breast augmentation offers a way to restore fullness and create a youthful contour.
- Corrected Asymmetry: It can help address natural asymmetry, creating a more symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing breast shape.
- Broader Wardrobe Options: Many women find that achieving their ideal breast size opens up more choices in clothing, providing a comfortable and flattering fit in a wider variety of styles.
Types of Breast Implants
Implant Type | Description | Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|---|---|
Silicone | Pre - filled with silicone gel. The gel closely mimics the texture and feel of natural breast tissue. There are different types, such as soft silicone gel and semi - solid cohesive silicone gel (gummy bear implants) | More natural - looking and feeling. Gummy bear implants have a lower risk of leakage and can provide a more stable shape | More expensive. In case of rupture, it may be less obvious as the gel may stay within the implant or the body |
Saline | Placed in the breast pocket and filled with sterile salt water (saline) during the procedure | Less expensive. In case of rupture, the saline is harmlessly absorbed by the body, and the breast will deflate. May require a smaller incision for placement | More likely to create a rippling effect under the skin. Tend to feel firmer and less fixed to the chest |
The Top 5 Regular Hospitals for Breast Augmentation in New York City
1. Dr. Adam R. Kolker's Practice
Dr. Adam R. Kolker is a double - board certified plastic surgeon in New York City. His education and training span some of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world, including Harvard Medical School, New York University, and the University of Melbourne in Australia. He is an associate clinical professor of surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, keeping him at the forefront of plastic surgery advancements.
Credentials and Recognition
- Featured as a top plastic surgeon in New York Magazine's Best Doctors issues from 2008 - 2024.
- One of America's Best Plastic Surgeons in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 by Newsweek, listed in multiple categories including breast augmentation.
- Distinguished in Castle Connolly's America's Top Doctors from 2016 - 2025 and Top Doctors: New York Metro Area from 2008 - 2025.
Breast Augmentation Approach
Dr. Kolker believes that true artistry in breast augmentation is based on the concept that "beautiful" should be more important than "size". He establishes each individual woman's aesthetic goals, distinct to her body type, to attain a proportionate outcome and the most natural results. He offers comprehensive consultations, both virtually and in person, to understand the patient's needs and desires.
2. Dr. Darrick Antell's Practice
Dr. Darrick Antell is a board - certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He has focused his professional career on aesthetic procedures and has performed more than ten thousand plastic surgery procedures, including thousands of breast augmentation surgeries. Trained at Stanford and Cornell, he has exhibited extraordinary skill and talent throughout his education.
Credentials and Recognition
- Listed in multiple magazines, including Harper’s Bazaar and Town and Country, as one of the best breast plastic surgeons in the country.
- An official spokesperson for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and a member of many regional and national medical societies.
- Has won numerous awards, including fellow of the Jacques W. Maliniac Circle of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Breast Augmentation Approach
Dr. Antell tailors each breast augmentation to the patient's unique needs. He helps patients select the proper implant type, incision type, implant placement, and size. He is known for his expertise in addressing capsular contracture, one of the most common complications with breast implants. His facility is a state - of - the - art outpatient surgery facility that is fully accredited and offers personalized care.
3. Dr. Douglas Steinbrech's Practice
Dr. Douglas Steinbrech is a board - certified plastic surgeon and one of New York City’s top breast augmentation experts. He has the ability to increase breast size by one or more cups, enhance the look and feel of the breasts, and improve asymmetry while creating a natural appearance.
Credentials and Recognition
- Selected among America’s top plastic surgeons by the Consumers’ Research Council of America.
- Underwent eight years of surgical training at New York University in general surgery, plastic surgery, and reconstructive surgery.
- Has been awarded grants from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation.
Breast Augmentation Approach
Dr. Steinbrech provides personalized solutions for breast augmentation. He takes the patient's goals, preferences, and frame into account when making treatment recommendations. He offers options for implant type, size, surgical incisions, and implant placement. His practice is known for its focus on creating natural - looking breasts that are proportionate to a woman's frame.
4. Dr. Zuckerman's Practice
Dr. Zuckerman is an expert in breast augmentation and performs this procedure frequently in his midtown Manhattan practice. He trained at some of the most elite institutions in the world, including Brown University and NYU.
Credentials and Recognition
Dr. Zuckerman is dedicated to achieving breasts that are beautiful, both natural - looking and feeling, and symmetrical. He is committed to minimizing downtime for patients using a revolutionary long - acting pain management agent and to minimizing ultimate surgical scarring. He provides a comprehensive postoperative scar care regimen for up to one year after surgery.
Breast Augmentation Approach
He customizes each breast augmentation procedure to the individual patient. He offers multiple options for surgical incision locations (periareolar, inframammary, transaxillary) and implant placements (submuscular, subglandular, dual - plane). He uses a “no - touch” technique involving a specially coated plastic sleeve called the Keller funnel to maximize sterility during implant placement.
5. NewYork - Presbyterian Hospital
NewYork - Presbyterian Hospital, specifically its facilities associated with Columbia and Cornell, is a highly regarded medical institution. It is nationally ranked in 14 adult specialties and 10 pediatric specialties, and high - performing in 1 specialty and 20 procedures/conditions.
Facilities and Expertise
The hospital's plastic and reconstructive surgeons are passionate about helping patients feel their best. They work closely with patients from the initial consultation to understand their goals and discuss the best options for cosmetic breast surgery, including breast augmentation with implants. The hospital provides a full range of cosmetic breast surgery options, and patients can expect high - quality care and advanced surgical techniques.
Preparing for Breast Augmentation
Consultation
The consultation is a crucial step in the breast augmentation process. During the consultation, patients should have an open and honest conversation with the surgeon about their expectations, goals, and medical history. The surgeon will perform a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's general health and the current condition of the breasts. They will also guide the patient through selecting the proper implant type, incision type, implant placement, and size.
Medical Preparation
- Quit Smoking: Nicotine may significantly impact the ability to heal after the treatment. Patients should quit smoking or using any nicotine product well in advance of the surgery.
- Adjust Medications: Patients should taper off current medications or supplements that may increase bleeding, such as blood thinners, ibuprofen, vitamin E, and St. John’s wort.
- Pre - operative Clearance: Depending on the medical history, patients may be asked to provide pre - operative clearance from another doctor.
Lifestyle Preparation
- Arrange Transportation: Since breast augmentation is typically an outpatient procedure, patients should arrange for someone to drive them home after the surgery.
- Prepare a Recovery Space: Designate a comfortable space to recover at home and place necessary items within reach. Patients should also plan to rest and recuperate for 2 - 3 weeks.
The Breast Augmentation Procedure
Anesthesia
Breast augmentation is typically performed with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation or with another form of “twilight” sedation. In either case, the patient will not experience any discomfort during the procedure. A board - certified anesthesiologist will monitor the patient throughout the procedure to ensure safety.
Incisions
- Inframammary Incision: Made in the fold beneath the breast. It is a commonly used incision that allows for good control of the breast pocket and is associated with less breast - feeding difficulties than the periareolar incision. However, it may be less concealed than the periareolar incision.
- Periareolar Incision: Made along the border of the areola. It is well - concealed but involves cutting through breast tissue, so it has a slightly higher risk of breast - feeding difficulties or changes in breast or nipple sensation.
- Transaxillary Incision: Hidden in a fold of the armpit. This approach is more difficult and allows the surgeon less control of the implant during insertion.
Implant Placement
- Submuscular Placement: The breast implant is inserted below the pectoralis major muscle. It is a common placement that provides good tissue coverage over the implant and may have a lower risk of capsular contracture. However, recovery may take a bit longer.
- Subglandular Placement: The implant is placed between the existing breast tissue and the muscle. It is a less invasive option, and recovery time may be shorter. But it may not be suitable for women with thin skin or insufficient breast tissue as it may lead to rippling or visible implants.
- Dual - Plane Placement: The breast pocket is created under the pectoralis major muscle, and then the interface between the breast gland and the muscle is freed up. This placement can give a small lift to the breasts but cannot replace a breast lift procedure.
Closure
After the implants are placed and centered beneath the nipples, the incisions are closed with multiple layers of internal, dissolving sutures. The surgeon may place a layer of gauze and a bandage over the breasts to speed healing.
Recovery and Aftercare
Immediate Post - operative Period
Patients can expect to be sore and swollen for the first couple of days after the surgery. Pain medication and ice packs will help manage the discomfort. They will need to wear a surgical compression bra for the next few weeks as they heal. Patients should also keep the upper body elevated while sitting or lying down to minimize swelling.
Short - term Recovery
Most patients can return to light activities and work within 2 - 3 weeks. However, they should refrain from vigorous exercise for around two weeks. Suture removal is usually one week after the breast augmentation.
Long - term Recovery
It may take several months for the swelling to fully dissipate, and the final result is typically visible around 6 months. Patients may need to massage their breasts regularly to promote a supple, natural feeling and prevent capsular contracture. Scars will gradually fade over time but will never disappear completely.
Potential Complications
Capsular Contracture
This is a condition in which the capsule surrounding the implant restricts the implant, resulting in a misshapen appearance, hardening of the area, and pain. It can be treated by removing the implant and scar tissue and, if desired, placing new implants. Some surgeons use an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) to help prevent capsular contracture.
Infection
Infection typically presents within a week after surgery and can usually be treated by antibiotics and, in some cases, removing the implant.
Implant Rupture or Leakage
Saline implants are less of a concern in case of rupture as the saline is harmlessly absorbed by the body. However, silicone implant rupture may require a revision surgery to replace the implant and remove any troublesome scar tissue.
Changes in Nipple Sensation
Some patients may experience temporary or permanent changes in nipple sensation after breast augmentation.
Asymmetry
Although surgeons try to achieve symmetry, there may still be some degree of asymmetry after the surgery. In some cases, revision surgery may be required.
Conclusion
Breast augmentation is a significant decision that can have a profound impact on a person's self - confidence and body image. In New York City, the top 5 hospitals and surgeons mentioned above offer high - quality breast augmentation services, with experienced doctors, advanced techniques, and a focus on patient safety and satisfaction. Before making a decision, it is essential to do thorough research, have detailed consultations with the surgeons, and carefully consider all aspects of the procedure, including the potential risks and benefits. If you are considering breast augmentation, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of these top providers to learn more about your options and make an informed choice for your aesthetic goals.