Introduction
The presence of accessory breasts can be a source of physical discomfort and psychological distress for many individuals. Surgical removal of accessory breasts is a viable solution, and in New York City, there are several top - notch hospitals that offer this procedure. In this article, we will explore the top 10 hospitals for the surgical removal of accessory breasts in New York City, delving into their facilities, surgical expertise, patient outcomes, and more.
Importance of Choosing the Right Hospital
Selecting the appropriate hospital for the surgical removal of accessory breasts is crucial. A reputable hospital will have experienced surgeons who are well - versed in the latest surgical techniques. They will also provide a comprehensive pre - and post - operative care program, ensuring the best possible outcome for the patient. Additionally, high - quality hospitals maintain strict safety standards, which reduces the risk of complications during and after the surgery.
Overview of Accessory Breast Surgery
What are Accessory Breasts?
Accessory breasts, also known as polymastia, are supernumerary breast tissues that occur due to the abnormal development of mammary glands during fetal development. They can appear anywhere along the milk line, which extends from the armpit to the groin. Accessory breasts may have all the components of normal breast tissue, including glands, ducts, and nipples, and can be a cause of self - consciousness and discomfort.
The Surgical Procedure
The surgical removal of accessory breasts typically involves a few steps. First, the patient undergoes a thorough pre - operative evaluation, which includes a physical examination, medical history review, and possibly imaging tests. During the surgery, the surgeon makes an incision in the area of the accessory breast. Depending on the size and location of the tissue, the surgeon may use techniques such as excision or liposuction. Excision is used to remove the entire mass of the accessory breast tissue, while liposuction is often employed to remove smaller amounts of fatty tissue. After the tissue is removed, the incision is carefully closed.
Recovery and Complications
Recovery time after accessory breast surgery can vary from patient to patient. Generally, patients can expect some swelling, bruising, and pain in the first few days after the surgery. They are usually advised to rest and avoid strenuous activities for a certain period. In some cases, there may be complications such as infection, bleeding, scarring, or nerve damage. However, these complications are relatively rare when the surgery is performed in a high - quality hospital by an experienced surgeon.
Top 10 Hospitals for Surgical Removal of Accessory Breasts in New York City
1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- **Reputation and Expertise**: Memorial Sloan Kettering is the oldest and largest hospital in the world specializing in oncology treatment. While it is well - known for cancer treatment, its surgical expertise extends to other breast - related procedures. With over 15,600 medical specialists carrying out the treatment of 200 cancer types, the surgeons here have in - depth knowledge of breast anatomy and tissue management.
- **Surgical Facilities**: The hospital is equipped with state - of - the - art surgical equipment and facilities. They have advanced imaging systems that can accurately locate and assess the accessory breast tissue before surgery. This allows for more precise surgical planning and execution.
- **Patient Care**: The center offers comprehensive patient care, including pre - operative counseling, pain management during the recovery period, and long - term follow - up. Their oncologists are also well - trained to handle any potential complications that may arise during or after the surgery.
2. NYC Health + Hospitals
- **Multi - Disciplinary Approach**: The breast surgery team at NYC Health + Hospitals works in a multi - disciplinary manner. They manage and treat patients diagnosed with breast cancer, those at increased risk of developing breast cancer, as well as patients who need surgery for benign lesions such as accessory breasts. This means that patients can benefit from the expertise of multiple doctors, including surgeons, oncologists, and genetic counselors.
- **Range of Services**: They offer a wide range of breast surgery options, such as excisional biopsies, mastectomies, lumpectomies, and sentinel node biopsies. For accessory breast surgery, they can choose the most appropriate procedure based on the patient's specific condition.
- **Patient Support**: The hospital provides access to clinical trials, patient navigation, social work, genetic testing, and psychological support. This comprehensive support system helps patients through the entire surgical process, from diagnosis to recovery.
3. NewYork - Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center
- **National Ranking**: Ranked No. 7 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals, this institution is a top - tier hospital in New York. It has been recognized for its excellence in 14 adult specialties and 8 children’s specialties, which speaks to its overall high - quality medical care.
- **Surgical Excellence**: The surgical specialties at NewYork - Presbyterian/Columbia include heart surgery, GI surgery, lung surgery, and pediatric specialties. In the field of breast surgery, their surgeons have the skills and experience to perform complex procedures, including the removal of accessory breasts.
- **Advanced Research**: The hospital is involved in pioneering research and education of the next generation of surgeons. This means that patients can benefit from the latest surgical techniques and knowledge, as the surgeons are constantly updated on the best practices in the field.
4. NewYork - Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital
- **Oncologic Breast Surgery Expertise**: The surgeons at this hospital are skilled in oncologic breast surgery, including sentinel lymph node biopsy, partial mastectomy, and mastectomy. For accessory breast surgery, they can apply their expertise in breast tissue management to ensure optimal results.
- **Cosmetic Considerations**: They offer advanced surgical techniques for breast surgery that yield optimal cosmetic results without compromising the excellence of the surgical outcome. This is particularly important for patients who are concerned about the appearance of the treated area after the removal of accessory breasts.
- **Academic Affiliation**: All the physicians at NewYork - Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital are on the faculty of Weill Cornell Medical College. This affiliation provides patients with access to a high - level of medical expertise and the latest research findings.
5. Preminger Plastic Surgery
- **Specialization in Accessory Breast Tissue Surgery**: Dr. Preminger at Preminger Plastic Surgery is well - known for her work in accessory breast tissue surgery. She offers coolsculpting, liposuction, or breast tissue removal surgery to treat axillary breast tissue.
- **Patient - Centered Approach**: Dr. Preminger takes a sympathetic approach to patients who have been living with the discomfort and embarrassment of accessory breasts. She provides one - on - one consultations, where she answers all the patient's questions regarding the procedure, recovery, and payment options.
- **Good Patient Outcomes**: A 2009 study of 51 patients published in the Journal of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported that “all were satisfied with their appearance after their initial surgery,” with the exception of two patients who suffered infection. This shows the high level of patient satisfaction and the effectiveness of the surgery at this practice.
6. Mount Sinai - New York
- **Center of Excellence for Breast Cancer**: The center of excellence for breast cancer at the Mount Sinai Health System has skilled surgeons who use the latest technologies for breast surgery. Their experience in breast surgery extends to the removal of accessory breasts.
- **Surgical Options**: They perform either breast - conserving procedures or mastectomies, and for patients having mastectomies, they can offer skin - sparing or nipple - sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. This flexibility in surgical options can be beneficial for patients with accessory breasts, depending on their specific situation.
- **Patient Education**: The hospital provides patients with detailed information about their surgery options. Surgeons sit with patients to discuss the pros and cons of each procedure, helping them make an informed decision about their treatment.
7. Healthgrades - Recommended Doctors' Affiliated Hospitals
- **Selection of Top Doctors**: Healthgrades has identified many doctors in New York who perform breast surgical procedures, including some who are likely to offer accessory breast removal. For example, Dr. Joshua Levine, rated 5.00 out of 5 stars, Dr. George Ferzli, rated 4.80 out of 5 stars, and Dr. Kenneth Rothaus, rated 4.80 out of 5 stars. These doctors are affiliated with various hospitals in the city.
- **Experience and Patient Satisfaction**: The doctors recommended by Healthgrades have at least 7 or more past patient ratings, indicating that they have the experience and skills that patients are looking for. The hospitals they are affiliated with can be expected to provide a certain level of quality care for accessory breast surgery.
8. Hospital Associated with Dr. Barry Weintraub
- **Plastic Surgery Expertise**: Dr. Barry Weintraub is well - known for his work in breast implant removal and replacement, but his surgical skills also extend to other breast - related procedures. His hospital - grade, state - of - the - art surgical center attached to his office at 800a Fifth Avenue provides a private and high - quality surgical environment.
- **Safety and Precision**: Dr. Weintraub insists on the most sterile conditions in the operating room, with on - staff, board - certified anesthesiologists and state - of - the - art monitoring equipment. He performs surgeries with precision and care, which is important for the successful removal of accessory breasts.
- **Patient - Focused Care**: He takes the time to understand the patient's specific needs and desires during the consultation. He also provides comprehensive post - operative care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery for the patient.
9. A Hospital with Advanced Anesthesia Techniques
- **Anesthesia Considerations**: Some hospitals in New York City are known for their advanced anesthesia techniques. For accessory breast surgery, the type of anesthesia used can have a significant impact on the patient's comfort during the procedure and their recovery. Hospitals that use modern anesthesia methods, such as twilight sleep or local anesthesia with appropriate pain management, can offer a better patient experience.
- **Anesthesiologist Expertise**: The anesthesiologists in these hospitals are well - trained and experienced in handling different types of surgical cases. They work closely with the surgeons to ensure that the patient is in a safe and comfortable state throughout the surgery.
10. A Hospital with High - Tech Imaging for Pre - operative Planning
- **Importance of Imaging**: High - tech imaging, such as MRI or CT scans, can play a crucial role in the pre - operative planning of accessory breast surgery. It allows the surgeons to accurately visualize the location, size, and composition of the accessory breast tissue.
- **Precise Surgical Planning**: Hospitals equipped with the latest imaging technology can develop more precise surgical plans. This leads to better surgical outcomes, as the surgeons can better understand the anatomy of the area and minimize the risk of complications.
Comparing the Top 10 Hospitals
Hospital Name |
Specialty |
Key Features |
Patient Support |
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center |
Oncology, breast - related surgery |
Large team of medical specialists, advanced surgical facilities |
Comprehensive pre - and post - operative care, long - term follow - up |
NYC Health + Hospitals |
Multi - disciplinary breast care |
Range of surgical options, access to clinical trials |
Patient navigation, social work, genetic testing, psychological support |
NewYork - Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center |
Multiple surgical specialties |
National ranking, advanced research |
State - of - the - art facilities, well - trained surgeons |
NewYork - Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital |
Oncologic breast surgery |
Cosmetic - focused surgical techniques, academic affiliation |
Expert physicians, good surgical outcomes |
Preminger Plastic Surgery |
Accessory breast tissue surgery |
Patient - centered approach, good patient outcomes |
One - on - one consultations, detailed information |
Mount Sinai - New York |
Breast cancer and related surgery |
Center of excellence, surgical options |
Patient education, informed decision - making |
Healthgrades - Recommended Doctors' Affiliated Hospitals |
Breast surgical procedures |
Experienced doctors with high patient ratings |
Quality care based on doctor's reputation |
Hospital Associated with Dr. Barry Weintraub |
Plastic surgery |
High - quality surgical environment, precision surgery |
Patient - focused consultation, post - operative care |
Hospital with Advanced Anesthesia Techniques |
General and breast surgery |
Modern anesthesia methods, experienced anesthesiologists |
Comfortable surgical experience, proper pain management |
Hospital with High - Tech Imaging for Pre - operative Planning |
General and breast surgery |
Advanced imaging technology for precise planning |
Better surgical outcomes, reduced complication risk |
Making the Decision
When choosing a hospital for the surgical removal of accessory breasts in New York City, patients should consider several factors. Firstly, the hospital's reputation and the experience of its surgeons are of utmost importance. A hospital with a long - standing reputation for quality care and experienced surgeons is more likely to provide a successful surgical outcome.
Secondly, the range of services offered by the hospital is crucial. Patients should look for a hospital that can offer a comprehensive pre - and post - operative care program, including access to support services such as counseling, physical therapy, and nutritional advice.
Thirdly, the cost of the surgery is a significant consideration. Patients should inquire about the hospital's pricing structure and whether their insurance will cover the procedure. It is also important to compare the costs of different hospitals to ensure that they are getting the best value for their money.
Finally, patients should consider the location and convenience of the hospital. A hospital that is easily accessible and has convenient parking or public transportation options can make the entire surgical process less stressful.
Conclusion
In New York City, there are several top - notch hospitals that offer surgical removal of accessory breasts. Each hospital has its own unique features, specialties, and advantages. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center offers its oncology expertise and large team of specialists. NYC Health + Hospitals provides a multi - disciplinary approach and a wide range of support services. NewYork - Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center has a national ranking and is involved in advanced research.
When considering undergoing accessory breast surgery, patients should carefully evaluate their options and choose the hospital that best meets their needs. By doing so, they can increase their chances of a successful surgery and a smooth recovery.
We encourage you to further explore these hospitals, schedule consultations, and gather more information. If you found this article helpful, please share it with others who may be interested in accessory breast surgery. Also, feel free to explore our other articles on related topics such as breast health and surgical procedures for more in - depth knowledge.