Introduction

Prosthetic breast augmentation is a popular cosmetic procedure that can enhance a woman's appearance and self - confidence. In Albany, there are several top - notch hospitals that offer long - term prosthetic breast augmentation services. This article will explore the top three hospitals in Albany for this procedure, delving into their services, expertise, and patient experiences.

Albany Med Health System

Overview of the Hospital

The Albany Med Health System is renowned for its tradition of surgical excellence in plastic and reconstructive surgery. It serves as an excellent choice for patients seeking long - term prosthetic breast augmentation. The hospital's plastic and reconstructive surgery team offers a comprehensive range of cosmetic and reconstructive options in the region. The physicians have trained and treated patients at some of the most prestigious centers globally, bringing with them a wealth of experience and knowledge.

Expertise in Breast Reconstruction

When it comes to breast reconstruction, which is closely related to prosthetic breast augmentation, the hospital's surgeons are highly skilled. They can perform various types of breast reconstruction procedures. For example, tissue expander reconstruction involves using a device to gradually stretch the skin and tissue to accommodate a breast implant. Free flap reconstruction, on the other hand, uses the patient's own tissues, typically from the abdomen, to recreate the breast. The combination approach combines the use of the patient's own tissue from the back, latissimus muscle, along with a tissue expander or implant underneath.

The surgeons also pay close attention to details such as nipple and areola reconstruction and tattooing, which are crucial for achieving a natural - looking breast appearance. They work closely with oncologists and other specialists to determine the most appropriate solutions for women interested in breast reconstruction after a mastectomy or other breast - related surgeries.

Comprehensive Services

In addition to breast - specific procedures, the Albany Med Health System offers a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries. Cosmetic procedures include arm lift (brachioplasty), body contouring after major weight loss, breast lift, breast reduction, buttock enhancement, and many others. Reconstructive procedures cover burn reconstruction, carpal tunnel syndrome surgery, hand reconstructive surgeries, complex abdominal reconstruction, facial fractures repair, scar revision, skin cancer treatment, upper and lower extremity reconstruction, and facial reconstruction. This comprehensive service portfolio allows patients to receive all - round care in one place.

Benefits for Long - Term Care

The hospital's fellowship - trained microsurgeons, the only ones in the region, offer the most advanced reconstructive options. This is beneficial for long - term prosthetic breast augmentation as they can provide innovative solutions to ensure the best long - term results. Also, the fact that plastic and reconstructive surgery is offered through both Albany Medical Center and Saratoga Hospital provides more accessibility and options for patients. The hospital also has a Cleft - Craniofacial Center at Albany Medical Center, which provides comprehensive care for various conditions from birth through adulthood, and cleft lip and palate reconstruction and repair are also done at Saratoga Hospital.

Dr. Lucie Capek's Practice

Reputation and Patient Trust

Dr. Lucie Capek is a board - certified plastic surgeon in Albany who is highly trusted by patients in the capital district areas of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and Saratoga. Many patients also travel from New York City, Vermont, Massachusetts, and beyond to receive her skilled and compassionate care. Her practice is well - known for breast augmentation, a procedure that has been the top cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States since 2006 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Personalized Approach

Dr. Capek takes a personalized approach to breast augmentation. During the consultation, she discusses the many options available for the procedure. From different breast implant sizes, shapes, and materials to the possibility of using the patient's own fat, she helps each patient achieve the figure they desire. She also uses the Mentor® volume sizing system to help patients visualize their desired breast size and how it will look on their body type. This allows patients to be more informed participants in the planning of their procedure and increases their comfort and satisfaction with the results.

Procedure and Recovery

The breast augmentation procedure at Dr. Capek's practice is usually performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. She makes a small incision either under the breast or around the areola to place the implant, with the inframammary fold incision (under the breast) being the most commonly recommended approach due to its lower risk of associated complications like capsular contracture. She creates the pocket for the implants using a harmonic scalpel to minimize bleeding and muscle twitching during the surgery. The implants are inserted and positioned in either a sub - muscular (below the pectoralis muscle) or sub - glandular position, depending on the patient's particular shape, natural anatomy, and lifestyle.

After the procedure, patients can expect to shower within 48 hours and wear a sports bra around the clock for the first 2 - 3 weeks. Most patients with sedentary jobs can return to work within a week, while strenuous or high - impact activities like running may be restricted for 6 - 8 weeks. Dr. Capek also provides long - term follow - up care to help patients navigate any questions that arise after their surgery.

Long - Term Considerations

Dr. Capek educates her patients about the long - term considerations of breast augmentation. Although breast implants are generally safe, there are potential long - term issues such as capsular contracture (increasing firmness and possible shape change of the breast), implant malposition (shifting of the implant into an undesirable position), and implant rupture. Patients with silicone implants are recommended to have periodic MRIs to screen for silent implant rupture. Dr. Capek's experience and ability to address these long - term concerns make her practice a top choice for long - term prosthetic breast augmentation.

Rockmore Plastic Surgery

Experience and Results

Dr. Jeffrey Rockmore at Rockmore Plastic Surgery has extensive experience, having performed more than 4,000 breast procedures. His practice in Latham serves Albany, Utica, Saratoga, and Troy, New York. He uses a 3 - dimensional approach for breast augmentation, which helps to achieve consistently beautiful and natural - looking breasts. The before - and - after photos on his website showcase the positive results he has achieved for many patients, which can give potential patients an idea of what to expect from the procedure.

Customized Breast Augmentation

Dr. Rockmore offers a highly customized breast augmentation experience. He helps patients choose the right breast implant size, shape, material, and profile based on their individual needs and goals. For implant size and shape, he focuses on matching the width of the implant to the width of the patient's chest and breasts, preventing excess space between the breasts for a full and natural - looking result. In terms of implant material, both saline and silicone implants are available. Saline implants are made of silicone shells filled with sterile salt water and typically require smaller incisions, while silicone implants have durable silicone shells filled with a gel of various degrees of cohesiveness, with the most cohesive ones often referred to as “gummy bear” breast implants. The choice of implant profile (the degree to which implants stick out or project from the chest) is also carefully determined based on the patient's existing anatomy and desired results.

Incisions and Implant Placement

During the surgery, Dr. Rockmore carefully selects the incision location based on the patient's specific needs and body. Common incision locations include inframammary (a thin line that traces the fold beneath the breast), periareolar (along the lower border of the areola), and transaxillary (hidden in the armpit). Each incision type has its advantages, and he helps patients decide the best option. For implant placement, he creates a pocket for the implant in one of three types of locations: subglandular (above the muscle), submuscular (behind the pectoralis muscle), or biplanar (a combination of each). For most women, a submuscular pocket is recommended as it provides a natural slope of the breast and additional coverage of the implant. If there is some slight sagging of the breast, a biplanar approach may avoid the need for a lift.

Recovery and Long - Term Care

The recovery process at Rockmore Plastic Surgery is well - managed. Patients can expect some discomfort and grogginess immediately after the surgery but can return home after a brief period of observation as it is an outpatient procedure. The initial recovery timeline is carefully outlined, with milestones such as being able to shower the day after surgery (with caution), resuming driving within 72 hours if comfortable and not on prescription medication, swelling and soreness peaking around days 3 - 5 but easily managed with over - the - counter medicine, and most patients being able to return to work and light activities by day 7. Strenuous activities can be gradually resumed over the next few weeks. Dr. Rockmore also schedules additional follow - up visits at 8 weeks and 6 months after the procedure, and he is available to answer questions and address concerns at any time during the recovery process. Regarding long - term care, he informs patients that it is likely they will need to replace their implants at some point in the future, typically after about 15 years, and provides guidance on breast augmentation revision.

Comparison of the Three Hospitals

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hospital

Surgeon's Expertise

The expertise of the surgeon is of utmost importance. Look for board - certified plastic surgeons with extensive experience in prosthetic breast augmentation. Surgeons who have trained at prestigious institutions and have a high volume of successful procedures are more likely to provide excellent results. For example, the surgeons at Albany Med Health System have trained and cared for patients at some of the most prestigious centers in the world, while Dr. Lucie Capek and Dr. Jeffrey Rockmore have significant experience in breast augmentation surgeries.

Range of Services

Consider the range of services offered by the hospital. A hospital that offers a comprehensive range of breast - related procedures, as well as other cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, can be beneficial. This is because it allows for more flexibility in case additional procedures are needed in the long term or if there are related concerns that need to be addressed. Albany Med Health System offers a wide variety of both cosmetic and reconstructive services, which can be an advantage for patients.

Personalization

Personalization is key in prosthetic breast augmentation. The hospital or surgeon should take the time to understand your goals, body type, and individual needs. They should offer a variety of options for implants, incisions, and placement, and help you make an informed decision. Dr. Lucie Capek uses the Mentor® volume sizing system and Dr. Jeffrey Rockmore offers a 3 - dimensional approach to customize the breast augmentation experience for each patient.

Recovery Support

Good recovery support is essential for a successful long - term outcome. This includes detailed post - operative instructions, access to pain management, and follow - up appointments to monitor healing and address any concerns. All three hospitals discussed provide various levels of recovery support, such as providing pain medication prescriptions, advising on activity restrictions, and scheduling follow - up visits.

Long - Term Considerations

Think about the long - term considerations of the procedure. This includes the potential for implant - related complications such as capsular contracture, implant rupture, and the need for future surgeries. A hospital or surgeon that educates you about these long - term issues and provides a plan for monitoring and addressing them is a better choice. For example, Dr. Lucie Capek advises patients with silicone implants to have periodic MRIs, and Dr. Jeffrey Rockmore informs patients about the likely need for implant replacement in the future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Albany offers several top - notch hospitals for long - term prosthetic breast augmentation. The Albany Med Health System stands out for its comprehensive services and the expertise of its fellowship - trained microsurgeons in breast reconstruction. Dr. Lucie Capek's practice is known for its personalized approach to breast augmentation and long - term patient care. Rockmore Plastic Surgery, with Dr. Jeffrey Rockmore's extensive experience and customized 3 - dimensional approach, also provides excellent options for patients. When choosing a hospital for prosthetic breast augmentation, patients should consider factors such as surgeon's expertise, range of services, personalization, recovery support, and long - term considerations.

If you are considering long - term prosthetic breast augmentation in Albany, we encourage you to further research these hospitals, schedule consultations with the surgeons, and speak with current or past patients to get a better understanding of what each hospital can offer. Make an informed decision that is right for your individual needs and goals.