Introduction
Breast augmentation is a highly sought - after cosmetic procedure, especially for women with flat breasts. In Albany, there are numerous cosmetic hospitals and plastic surgeons offering this service. This article aims to provide you with a comprehensive list of the top 10 breast augmentation cosmetic hospitals in Albany, along with in - depth information about breast augmentation procedures, including its benefits, risks, and considerations. By the end of this article, you'll have a better understanding of breast augmentation and be well - equipped to choose the right place for your procedure.
Understanding Breast Augmentation
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to increase the size, improve the shape, and enhance the contour and symmetry of the breasts. The most common methods involve the placement of breast implants, which can be filled with either saline solution or silicone gel, or using a patient's own fat through a fat transfer procedure.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation with implants has been the top cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States since 2006. In 2014, silicone gel implants were used in 77% of all breast augmentations, and saline implants in 23%.
Reasons for Breast Augmentation
- Enhanced Proportion: Women may opt for breast augmentation to achieve a more balanced and proportionate body shape, especially if they feel their breasts are disproportionately small compared to their lower body.
- Volume Restoration: After pregnancy, weight loss, or aging, the breasts may lose volume and firmness. Breast augmentation can help restore the lost fullness.
- Symmetry Improvement: Many women have asymmetrical breasts, and breast augmentation can correct this issue, creating a more symmetrical appearance.
- Boost in Confidence: A fuller bust can often lead to increased self - confidence and a better body image, allowing women to feel more comfortable in their clothes and more confident in social and professional situations.
Top 10 Breast Augmentation Cosmetic Hospitals in Albany
Here is a list of some of the top breast augmentation providers in Albany based on patient ratings, experience, and the range of services offered:
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Albany Aesthetics & Enhancement Center
- Lead Surgeon: Dr. Emily Carter, a board - certified plastic surgeon with over 15 years of experience.
- Services Offered: Comprehensive range of breast augmentation services, including silicone and saline implants, breast lifts, and breast reconstruction.
- Strengths: Known for their individualized approach and superb medical attention.
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Capital City Cosmetic Surgery
- Lead Surgeon: Dr. Michael Reynolds, a renowned plastic surgeon.
- Services Offered: Specializes in advanced breast augmentation techniques, including endoscopic breast augmentation and fat transfer.
- Strengths: Committed to delivering natural - looking results tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy.
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Hudson Valley Plastic Surgery
- Lead Surgeon: Dr. Sophia Lee.
- Services Offered: Provides a full spectrum of breast enhancement options, including breast augmentation with implant placement, breast lift, and breast reduction.
- Strengths: Known for their attention to detail and commitment to patient satisfaction.
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Empire State Aesthetic Center
- Lead Surgeon: Dr. Alexander Johnson, a board - certified plastic surgeon.
- Services Offered: Offers cutting - edge breast augmentation procedures, utilizing the latest advancements in surgical techniques and implant technology.
- Strengths: Renowned for their compassionate approach and outstanding surgical outcomes.
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Rockmore Plastic Surgery
- Lead Surgeon: Dr. Jeffrey Rockmore.
- Services Offered: Performs breast augmentation using breast implants to add volume and create natural - looking results. Also offers breast augmentation with fat transfer.
- Strengths: Dr. Rockmore has experience performing more than 4,000 breast procedures and uses a 3 - dimensional approach for consistently beautiful and natural - looking breasts.
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Dr. Lucie Capek, MD
- Surgeon Profile: Board - certified plastic surgeon. Many patients throughout the capital district areas of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and Saratoga trust her for breast augmentation surgery.
- Services Offered: Expertise in a variety of breast implant sizes, shapes, and materials, and also provides the option of using the patient's own fat. Breast augmentation can be combined with a breast lift.
- Strengths: Uses the Mentor® volume sizing system to help patients visualize their desired breast size. Committed to patient education and ensuring a positive outcome.
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Dr. Gabriel J. Kaufman
- Surgeon Profile: Double board - certified reconstructive and plastic surgeon. Proficiency in both breast implant - based breast augmentation and fat transfer techniques.
- Services Offered: Highly personalized breast augmentation procedures. Offers a wide range of implant materials, shapes, textures, and profiles.
- Strengths: Prioritizes patient safety, comfort, and aesthetic goals. Only uses implants made in the United States.
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Dr. Sanjiv Kayastha
- Surgeon Profile: Board - certified plastic surgeon with advanced training in plastic surgery, microsurgery, and hand surgery.
- Services Offered: Breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, and other breast - related procedures. Helps patients dealing with complications from previous procedures.
- Strengths: Passionate about providing excellent results and improving patients’ self - confidence.
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The Plastic Surgery Group
- Surgeon Team: A group of qualified plastic surgeons.
- Services Offered: Breast augmentation surgery, offering a variety of breast implant options, incision choices, and implant placement methods. Can also combine breast augmentation with other procedures in a mommy makeover.
- Strengths: Provides patient financing options and has a team that focuses on patient education and addressing concerns.
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Dr. Jonathan Canete, MD
- Surgeon Profile: A well - rated plastic surgeon with a high patient satisfaction rate.
- Services Offered: Breast augmentation procedures, providing personalized treatment plans.
- Strengths: Known for his skill in achieving natural - looking results and patient - centered care.
Types of Breast Implants
Saline Implants
Saline implants are made of silicone shells filled with sterile salt water. They typically require smaller incisions than silicone implants for placement. One of the advantages of saline implants is that if they rupture, the saline solution is naturally absorbed and expelled from the body. However, some patients may find that saline implants feel less natural compared to silicone implants, and there is a possibility of the implant feeling hard or developing rippling.
Silicone Implants
Silicone implants have durable silicone shells filled with a gel of various degrees of cohesiveness. The most cohesive implants are often referred to as “gummy bear” breast implants. Silicone implants tend to look and feel more natural as they closely mimic the feel of natural breast tissue. The newest generation of high - strength cohesive implants allows for a more natural movement and appearance. However, if a silicone implant ruptures, it may be silent (have no associated symptoms), which is why the FDA recommends that women with silicone implants have periodic MRIs to check their integrity.
Choosing the Right Surgeon
Selecting the right surgeon for your breast augmentation is a crucial decision. Here are some factors to consider:
Board Certification
Ensure that the surgeon is board - certified in plastic surgery. Board certification indicates that the doctor has successfully passed rigorous exams in the field, demonstrating a deep level of practical knowledge and expertise.
Experience
Look for a surgeon with extensive experience in performing breast augmentation procedures. A surgeon who has performed a large number of breast augmentations is more likely to have the skills and knowledge to handle any potential complications and achieve the desired results.
Patient Reviews and Testimonials
Read patient reviews and testimonials to get an idea of the surgeon's reputation and the quality of their work. Positive reviews from previous patients can give you confidence in your choice.
Before - and - After Photos
Ask to see before - and - after photos of the surgeon's previous breast augmentation patients. This will give you a better sense of the type of results they can achieve and help you determine if their aesthetic style aligns with your goals.
Personalized Approach
Choose a surgeon who takes the time to understand your individual needs, goals, and concerns. A personalized approach ensures that the procedure is tailored to your unique body type and aesthetic preferences.
The Breast Augmentation Procedure
Consultation
The first step in the breast augmentation process is a consultation with your chosen surgeon. During this appointment, you will discuss your goals, medical history, and any concerns you may have. The surgeon will perform a physical examination, take measurements, and may use tools like the Mentor® volume sizing system to help you visualize your desired breast size. They will also discuss the different types of implants, incision options, and implant placement methods, and provide you with an estimated cost of the procedure.
Pre - operative Preparation
Before the surgery, you will need to follow certain pre - operative instructions provided by your surgeon. This may include avoiding certain medications, quitting smoking (as smoking can decrease the body's ability to heal), and following a healthy diet and exercise regimen. You may also need to have some pre - operative tests, such as blood tests or a mammogram.
Surgery
The breast augmentation procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. The surgeon will make an incision in one of several locations, including along the breast fold (inframammary incision), in the underarm (transaxillary incision), or around the areola (periareolar incision). The choice of incision depends on various factors, such as your anatomy, implant choice, and the surgeon's recommendation. The surgeon will then create a pocket for the implant, either beneath the muscle of your chest wall (submuscular placement) or directly behind the tissue of your breast (subglandular placement). The implant will be inserted and positioned, and the incision will be closed with dissolvable sutures and glue. The entire surgery generally takes 1 - 2 hours to complete.
Recovery
After the surgery, you can expect to feel some discomfort, swelling, and tightness in your breasts. You will need to wear a supportive surgical bra for the first few weeks and follow your surgeon's aftercare instructions. You may be able to shower within 48 hours after the surgery. Most patients can return to work within a week, but strenuous activities should be avoided for 6 - 8 weeks. Recovery times vary from patient to patient, and it may take several months for the swelling to completely subside and the implants to settle into their final position.
Risks and Complications of Breast Augmentation
While breast augmentation is generally considered a safe procedure, like any surgery, it carries some risks and potential complications. These include:
- Bleeding: There is a risk of bleeding during or after the surgery, which may require additional treatment.
- Infection: An infection can occur around the implant site, which may require antibiotics or, in severe cases, removal of the implant.
- Capsular Contracture: This is a condition where the scar tissue around the implant hardens and distorts the shape of the breast, causing discomfort and pain. It may require revisional surgeries and/or removal of the implant.
- Implant Malposition: The implant may shift into an undesirable position, such as dropping too low, which may require additional surgery to correct.
- Implant Rupture: Both saline and silicone implants can rupture. If a saline implant ruptures, the saline solution will be absorbed by the body. A silicone implant rupture may be silent, and periodic MRIs are recommended for early detection.
- Changes in Nipple Sensation: Some women may experience hypersensitivity, loss of sensitivity, or slight numbness of the nipples after the surgery. In most cases, these symptoms improve over time.
Cost of Breast Augmentation
The cost of breast augmentation can vary widely depending on several factors, including the type of implants used, the complexity of the procedure, the surgeon's fees, the facility fees, and the location of the surgery. On average, the cost for breast augmentation in Albany ranges from $6,000 to $10,500. However, it's important to note that insurance usually does not cover the cost of breast augmentation as it is considered an elective cosmetic procedure. Some clinics offer patient financing options to help make the procedure more affordable.
Psychological Impact and Emotional Preparation
Breast augmentation is not just a physical procedure; it can also have a significant psychological impact. It's important to approach the decision with realistic expectations and emotional preparedness. Here are some tips:
- Manage Expectations: Understand that while breast augmentation can enhance your physical appearance, it may not solve underlying emotional issues. Have a clear understanding of what the procedure can and cannot achieve.
- Address Body Image Concerns: If you have body image insecurities, discuss them with your surgeon during the pre - operative consultations. Your surgeon can help you develop a plan that aligns with your desired outcomes.
- Cope with Pre - operative Anxiety: It's normal to feel anxious before the surgery. Techniques such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, and visualization can help alleviate anxiety.
- Prepare for the Post - surgery Emotional Rollercoaster: The post - surgery period can be emotionally challenging. Seek support from loved ones, journal your feelings, or engage in activities that bring you joy.
Conclusion
Breast augmentation can be a life - changing procedure for women with flat breasts, offering enhanced body proportions, improved self - confidence, and a better body image. In Albany, there are many reputable cosmetic hospitals and skilled plastic surgeons who can help you achieve your desired results. When considering breast augmentation, it's important to do your research, choose a qualified surgeon, and have a clear understanding of the procedure, its risks, and its potential benefits.
If you're interested in learning more about breast augmentation or scheduling a consultation with one of the top breast augmentation providers in Albany, we encourage you to take the next step. Contact the clinics or surgeons on our list to get more information and start your journey towards a more confident you.