Introduction

Breast implant removal has become an increasingly sought - after procedure in New York City. There are various reasons why women opt for this surgery, including medical complications, dissatisfaction with the appearance, or simply a change in lifestyle preferences. Selecting the right hospital and surgeon is crucial for a successful and safe breast implant removal. In this article, we'll introduce you to the top 5 selected hospitals for breast implant removal in New York City.

1. Antell Plastic Surgery

Renowned Surgeon: Dr. Darrick Antell

Dr. Darrick Antell is a premier breast surgeon in NYC and is widely regarded as one of the most experienced breast surgeons both in the New York area and worldwide. He has been listed in Harper’s Bazaar and other magazines as being among the best breast plastic surgeons in the country. His long - standing career, spanning over twenty years and more than ten thousand procedures, showcases his meticulous surgical skills, use of the latest and safest medical technologies, and an artistic eye for achieving beautiful results.

Services Offered

• Custom Breast Implant Removal: Dr. Antell performs custom breast implant removal (explant) surgery, which involves removing existing silicone or saline implants from the body. He can tailor the procedure based on the patient's specific needs, such as when a patient experiences medical complications or wants to return to their natural breast size.
• En Bloc Capsulectomy: When indicated, he also performs en bloc capsulectomy to remove the tissue that has grown around the breast implant. This is particularly important in cases where there are concerns like capsular contracture or when removing allergan textured breast implants recalled by the FDA due to the association with breast implant - associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA - ALCL).

Patient Experience

Many of Dr. Antell's breast implant removal patients are referred by former patients, which is a testament to the positive patient experience and satisfactory results. He has an impeccable reputation for his exceptional surgical results, performed with total discretion, and has even worked on many celebrities and well - known persons in New York and beyond.

Facility

Dr. Antell has privileges in numerous hospitals throughout New York City. Most patients prefer for the procedure to take place in his discreet, private operating room located just across the street from world - renowned Lenox Hill Hospital. The state - of - the - art outpatient surgery center is fully accredited, designed for patient comfort, and equipped with the latest technology. It also has a private back entrance to ensure total discretion, and all members of his staff are thoroughly trained to offer personalized care.

Pre - operative and Post - operative Care

Before the surgery, Dr. Antell will thoroughly evaluate the patient's general health and medical history, as well as assess the current condition of the breasts. Based on factors such as age and implant condition, he may send the patient for imaging, such as an ultrasound, mammogram, or MRI. Patients are also given detailed guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, iron tablets, and specific medications. After the surgery, patients recover in his state - of - the - art recovery suite while being monitored by a registered nurse. Dr. Antell and his staff will be available to answer any questions throughout the entire recovery process.

2. Dr. Olivia Hutchinson's Practice

Expert Surgeon: Dr. Olivia Hutchinson

Dr. Olivia Hutchinson is a board - certified, Harvard and Columbia - educated female aesthetic plastic surgeon. She is considered to be one of the top breast implant removal surgeons on the upper east side in NYC. Her main area of focus is cosmetic breast surgery, and she is known for her desire to ensure the finest surgical results for her patients.

Reasons for Breast Implant Removal

Dr. Hutchinson has over 20 years of experience evaluating patients with breast implant - related concerns. Women may come to her for breast implant removal due to a variety of reasons. These can be aesthetic issues, such as the breast implant becoming palpable or visible (folded, rippled, or wrinkled), implant rupture, leakage, or deflation, capsular contracture, breast asymmetry, unsightly or widened scars, nipple or areola enlargement, distortion, asymmetry, and implant malposition. There are also medical issues, including severe capsular contracture, chronic pain with breast implants, BIA - ALCL, breast implant illness (BII), infection, and/or bleeding.

Handling BIA - ALCL and BII

With the identification of a rare cancer, BIA - ALCL, specifically related to breast implants, especially allergan textured implants, Dr. Hutchinson can advise patients on whether they should have their implants removed or replaced. She also helps patients dealing with breast implant illness, which refers to a wide variety of symptoms that patients may report after undergoing breast augmentation or reconstruction with implants, such as fatigue, fever, gastrointestinal complaints, migraines, breathing difficulties, depression or anxiety, rashes, pain and discomfort, and brain fog.

Patient Testimonials

Patients have given rave reviews about their experience with Dr. Hutchinson and her staff. One patient stated that “every single detail of my experience with dr. hutchinson and her amazing staff was exceptional. the atmosphere is calming, everything is super clean, and all i encountered were super professional and nice. dr. hutchinson made me feel so comfortable and the results are amazing. i could not be happier.”

3. Steven Wallach MD, FACS

Skilled Surgeon: Dr. Steven Wallach

Dr. Steven Wallach is a plastic surgeon who conveniently serves the areas of New York. He has significant experience in breast implant removal surgery, which is the inverse of breast augmentation. He can perform this procedure to help women who want or need their breast implants removed for either cosmetic or medical reasons, and the procedure may be combined with other breast procedures.

Candidates for Breast Implant Removal

A good candidate for breast implant removal with Dr. Wallach is someone who is healthy and desires that their implants be removed. Generally, healthy patients usually heal without complications. However, candidates with medical issues may require medical clearance from their primary care physician prior to the procedure. It is also essential for candidates to be non - smokers or stop smoking prior to the procedure and to stop taking blood - thinning medications.

Procedure and Risks

Dr. Wallach usually makes an incision using the previous breast implant surgical approach to access the pocket created for the implants and removes them before sealing the incision site with sutures. This may be through an incision along the breast fold, the periareola region, or through a transaxillary incision in the armpit. He will also remove implant filler material from ruptured silicone implants if necessary. The main risks of breast implant removal surgery with Dr. Wallach include unfavorable scarring, asymmetry, infection, bleeding, nipple loss, skin loss, fat necrosis, fluid collections, dysesthesias, and the need for revision surgery.

Consultation and Cost

During the consultation, Dr. Wallach will walk the patient through the options and techniques available for the procedure, as well as which will provide the best results with the least amount of scarring. The cost of the procedure will increase if breast implant replacement is desired, or a lift or more complex procedure is required. The fee may start out at $5000, and it can vary depending upon the extent of the work to be performed.

4. New York Group for Plastic Surgery

Surgeons: Dr. Andrew Salzberg and Dr. Jordan Jacobs

The New York Group for Plastic Surgery offers breast implant removal services by either Dr. Andrew Salzberg or Dr. Jordan Jacobs. They understand that getting breast implants was a major decision, and having them removed is also a big one. Their goal is to provide patients with solid information so that they can make an educated choice about their own bodies.

Reasons for Explant Surgery

Common reasons for a patient to need an explant surgery in NYC with this group include the removal of breast implants that are leaking silicone gel or have ruptured, to remove breast implants causing pain or other types of complications, for the replacement of damaged implants, to improve the aesthetics and feel of the breasts, and for the removal of capsular contracture (tight scar tissue around an implant).

Procedure Steps

The surgery starts with the patient undergoing anesthesia, either local or general, depending on what was agreed upon at the consultation. Once the patient is under the effects of the anesthesia, the surgeon will prepare the surgical area and ensure that all needed equipment is on hand. Incisions can be formed in one of three locations: the crease under the breast, around the areola, or vertically placed in the armpit. The surgeon will then remove the implants, which can be done using methods like prying out implants from beneath breast tissue, cutting through the shell of the implant if it is sticking to nearby tissues, or using instruments attached to the breast implant for slow removal. After implant removal, any excess skin or scar tissue around the nipples is removed, the area is cauterized, and then the area is reconstructed for a more natural appearance. Finally, the incisions are re - attached, stitched, and dressed.

Recovery

After the procedure, the patient will be awakened from anesthesia and taken into a recovery room. Sensation may return with some discomfort, and pain relief medication will be provided. The patient is likely to spend about an hour in the recovery room before going home. Post - procedure instructions include how to wear a compression bra, take prescribed antibiotics, and apply a cold compress to the surgical site. The recovery process is similar to that of the initial breast augmentation surgery, with three days of downtime being the most difficult part. Swelling, bruising, soreness, and sensitivity may last for a few weeks, and patients can return to light activities within one week and more vigorous activity in about six weeks.

5. Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery

Surgeon: Dr. Brian Bassiri - Tehrani

Dr. Brian Bassiri - Tehrani at Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery provides breast enhancement tailored to each patient’s individual goals, and his focus also includes breast implant removal. He offers capsulectomy and capsulotomy procedures to remove implants and/or scar tissue surrounding them.

Treatable Conditions

Women may experience issues after breast augmentation, such as capsular contracture, scar tissue, mal - placed implants, or hard or sore implants. Dr. Bassiri - Tehrani can address these concerns through breast explant surgery. Capsular contracture, where scar tissue forms around the implant, is a relatively rare occurrence but can be effectively treated at this facility.

Procedure Process

Patients first have a confidential consultation with Dr. Bassiri - Tehrani at the New York City office. He will listen to the patient's individual concerns and goals for breast explant surgery and create an individualized treatment plan. This plan will determine if he will partially or fully remove the scar tissue and replace the breast implants. The surgery takes place at the in - office in Manhattan and can take between 2 to 3 hours, depending on the severity and Baker grade of the breast condition. The downtime after the procedure is 1 week, and patients cannot workout for 1 to 2 months as they heal. A follow - up appointment will be scheduled to assess the recovery and results.

Cost and Financing

The cost of implant removal at Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery may require some reconstruction or a lift because the skin may have been over - stretched. A range for implant removal is between $6,000 - $15,000. While the practice does not detail extensive financing options, patients can discuss the cost and possible payment plans during the consultation.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hospital for Breast Implant Removal

Surgeon's Experience and Reputation

The experience and reputation of the surgeon are of utmost importance. Surgeons like Dr. Darrick Antell, Dr. Olivia Hutchinson, Dr. Steven Wallach, and others mentioned have long - standing careers and a track record of successful procedures. You can look at patient testimonials, awards, and recognition in the medical community to gauge a surgeon's credibility.

Range of Services

Consider the range of services offered by the hospital. For example, some hospitals may offer not only basic breast implant removal but also en bloc capsulectomy, which is crucial in cases of BIA - ALCL. Others may be able to combine breast implant removal with a breast lift for better aesthetic results.

Facility and Equipment

A state - of - the - art facility with the latest equipment is essential for a safe and successful surgery. Facilities like Dr. Antell's private operating room near Lenox Hill Hospital are fully accredited and equipped to provide a high - quality surgical experience.

Pre - operative and Post - operative Care

Good pre - operative evaluation and post - operative care can significantly impact the recovery process. Surgeons should thoroughly evaluate the patient's health before the surgery and provide detailed instructions and support during the recovery period.

Cost and Insurance

The cost of the procedure can vary widely depending on factors such as the complexity of the surgery, additional procedures required, and the location. It's also important to check if insurance covers the breast implant removal, especially in cases where it is medically necessary.

Conclusion

Selecting the right hospital for breast implant removal in New York City is a crucial decision that can impact the outcome of the surgery and your overall well - being. The top 5 hospitals we've introduced - Antell Plastic Surgery, Dr. Olivia Hutchinson's Practice, Steven Wallach MD, FACS, New York Group for Plastic Surgery, and Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery - all offer high - quality services with experienced surgeons. Consider the factors such as surgeon's experience, range of services, facility, pre - and post - operative care, and cost when making your decision.

If you're considering breast implant removal, take the time to research these hospitals, schedule consultations, and ask as many questions as possible. Don't hesitate to reach out to the surgeons and their staff for more information. Make an informed choice and take the first step towards a more comfortable and confident you.