These are actually the top three hospitals for nipple protective resection and reconstruction in New York City!

Introduction

Importance of Nipple Protective Resection and Reconstruction

Top Three Hospitals in New York City for Nipple Protective Resection and Reconstruction

Weill Cornell Medicine

1. Location and Contact Information: Weill Cornell Medicine has multiple locations for its breast reconstruction services. One is at 525 East 68th Street, Starr 8, New York, NY 10065, and another is at 425 East 61st Street, 10th floor, New York, NY 10065. The contact number is (646) 962 - 4210.
2. Expertise and Experience:
   • The plastic and reconstructive surgeons at Weill Cornell Medicine are leaders in the field. They have been performing nipple - sparing mastectomies with concurrent reconstruction for the past 20 years, which has positioned them as leaders for this technique.
   • The hospital's care team is equipped to promote patient comfort throughout the process. The surgeons are not only skilled but also prioritize individualized breast reconstruction based on each patient's unique body.
   • Weill Cornell Medicine's plastic and reproductive surgeons are part of the Weill Cornell Medicine Breast Center, a multidisciplinary group that includes oncologists, geneticists, and nurses who specialize in breast cancer care. This team approach helps patients achieve optimal health and well - being.
3. Breast Reconstruction Options:
   • Autologous Reconstruction: This type of reconstruction uses the patient's own tissue from different areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks, to make the breast. Nerves can be reconstructed during this process to increase sensory recovery in the breasts, which may be numb after the mastectomy.
   • Breast Innervation: During autologous reconstruction, a novel reinnervation procedure can be performed, which takes about 20 minutes. It involves reconnecting a nerve in the abdominal flap to a nerve in the chest. For implant reconstruction, the surgeons have developed a new technique for breast reinnervation, where the nerves that supply the skin and nipple are preserved and reconnected.
   • Diep Flap Reconstruction: This is an innovative breast reconstruction technique that uses a flap of complete tissue from the abdomen to reconstruct the breast. It creates a slimmer abdomen and breasts that look and feel natural.
   • Implant - Based Reconstruction: Weill Cornell Medicine performs breast reconstruction using tissue expanders and implants based on the patient's unique needs. They utilize both saline and silicone breast implants from all implant manufacturers and have pioneered techniques such as direct - to - implant reconstruction and tissue expander reconstruction without the use of drains.
4. Patient - Centered Care:
   • The team at Weill Cornell Medicine prioritizes patient comfort at every step. Before surgery, patients have time to ask questions to fully understand the procedure.
   • In state - of - the - art surgical suites, the latest anesthetics and medications are used to help patients recover more quickly and heal faster. After surgery, the care team manages pain with medication and teaches patients how to care for themselves during the healing and recovery process.

New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai

1. Accreditations and Reputation: The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai has been ranked among “America’s best hospitals” for nine years straight since 2006. It has also achieved Magnet® status by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® for excellence in nursing services.
2. Expert Surgeon Affiliation: Dr. Joshua L. Levine, a world - renowned surgeon, has developed a dedicated natural tissue breast reconstruction center at this hospital. Many patients come from across the U.S. and around the world to seek his highly sophisticated, advanced microsurgical procedures and unique patient - centered care.
3. Breast Reconstruction Services:
   • They offer advanced natural tissue breast reconstruction procedures, which are highly sought after for their ability to provide more natural - looking results.
   • The hospital also provides support for patients traveling for surgery. They help with logistics and planning, including providing travel and accommodation choices that work best for the patient and their family.

Mount Sinai's Dubin Breast Center

1. Comprehensive Care Team: At the Dubin Breast Center, plastic surgeons work closely with breast surgeons and oncologists to offer seamless and advanced breast reconstruction. The team pays close attention to both medical and aesthetic outcomes.
2. Reconstruction Approaches:
   • Implant Reconstruction: At the time of mastectomy, a tissue expander is placed in the breast. The expander is a temporary inflatable implant that is inflated in the plastic surgeon’s office soon after surgery. Patients typically stay in the hospital for a day or two and may be able to return to work in two to three weeks. About three months after the initial surgery, a second ambulatory surgery is performed to remove the tissue expander and place a permanent implant, which can be filled with silicone or saline.
   • Autologous Reconstruction: The center performs several types of autologous reconstruction using the patient's own body tissue. For example, the DIEP flap uses skin and fat from the lower abdomen, similar to a “tummy - tuck,” to reconstruct the breast. The latissimus dorsi flap uses skin and muscle from the back. The initial surgery is generally longer than with an implant, but more is accomplished in the first procedure. The hospital stay is typically five days, and patients may be able to return to work four to six weeks later.
3. Nipple Reconstruction: Nipple reconstruction is performed at a later date, regardless of whether the initial reconstruction was with implants or autologous tissue.

Choosing the Right Hospital for Nipple Protective Resection and Reconstruction

1. Surgeon Expertise: Look for hospitals with surgeons who have extensive experience in nipple protective resection and reconstruction. Surgeons who are leaders in the field and have performed a large number of these procedures are more likely to achieve better results. Check the surgeon's credentials, training, and patient reviews.
2. Multidisciplinary Care: A hospital that offers a multidisciplinary approach is beneficial. This means having a team of oncologists, plastic surgeons, geneticists, and nurses who work together to provide comprehensive care. They can address all aspects of the patient's condition, from medical treatment to emotional support.
3. Reconstruction Options: Different patients may have different preferences and needs for reconstruction. A hospital that offers a wide range of reconstruction options, such as autologous reconstruction and implant - based reconstruction, allows patients to choose the method that is most suitable for them.
4. Patient - Centered Care: Consider hospitals that prioritize patient comfort and well - being. This includes providing pre - operative education, managing pain effectively after surgery, and offering support during the recovery process.
5. Reputation and Accreditation: Hospitals with a good reputation and accreditations, such as being ranked among the best or achieving recognition for nursing excellence, are generally more reliable and offer high - quality care.

Common Procedures in Nipple Protective Resection and Reconstruction

Nipple - Sparing Mastectomy

Nipple Reconstruction Techniques

1. Graft Nipple Reconstruction: In this technique, the plastic surgeon takes skin from a donor site and attaches it to the newly constructed breast. For a single - breast mastectomy, the donor site for the nipple can be the nipple of the other breast. For a double mastectomy, the donor site can be the earlobe or labia. The donor site for the areola can come from various areas, such as the scar from a flap reconstruction procedure, the crease of the buttock, or the inner thigh.
2. Flap Nipple Reconstruction: This involves creating the nipple from a skin flap taken from the area directly beside the region where the new nipple will be placed. It has the advantage of keeping the original blood supply flowing into the new nipple and providing a greater chance for successful acceptance of the graft. It also typically results in less scarring around the reconstructed nipple and areola.
3. Nipple Tattooing: This is the final step in the nipple reconstruction process. It involves using medical tattooing equipment to create a natural - looking nipple that complements the skin color and tone. However, patients should understand that tattooing alone may not create the same natural - looking appearance as a complete nipple reconstruction and may require multiple treatment sessions.

Recovery and Aftercare

1. Hospital Stay: The length of hospital stay varies depending on the type of reconstruction procedure. For implant - based reconstruction, most patients leave the hospital within 24 hours. For flap reconstruction, the hospital stay can be 48 to 72 hours or up to five days in some cases.
2. Return to Normal Activities: Returning to work and normal activities also depends on the procedure. For implant reconstruction, patients may be able to return to work in two to three weeks. For autologous reconstruction, it may take four to six weeks or more.
3. Managing Pain and Discomfort: After surgery, the care team will manage pain with medication. Patients may also experience swelling, soreness, and bruising for a few weeks. They may be asked to apply medications to the suture area or change bandages at home.
4. Long - Term Follow - up: Regular follow - up appointments with the surgeon are essential to monitor the healing process, check for any complications, and make any necessary adjustments to the reconstruction.

Insurance and Financial Considerations

Conclusion