Introduction
Breast augmentation is a highly sought - after plastic surgery procedure in Albany. Whether it's to enhance one's appearance, boost self - confidence, or restore breast volume after pregnancy or weight loss, many women are considering this option. With numerous plastic surgery hospitals in Albany, finding the best Class - Three Grade - A hospital for breast augmentation injection can be a daunting task. In this article, we will explore various aspects of breast augmentation, the top plastic surgeons in Albany, and factors to consider when choosing a hospital for this 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. It can use breast implants (either saline or silicone) or fat transfer from other parts of the body. 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% and saline implants in 23% of all breast augmentations.
Candidates for Breast Augmentation
Good candidates for breast augmentation include women who want to increase the size of their breasts, fix asymmetrical breasts, or restore lost volume due to factors such as pregnancy, weight loss, or the natural aging process. They should have fully developed breasts, be in good physical health, and have realistic expectations about the outcome of the surgery. Some specific situations where breast augmentation may be appropriate are:
- Underdeveloped natural breast tissue
- Disproportionately small breasts compared to the lower body
- Asymmetrical or oddly - shaped breasts
- Deflation and lost volume due to weight loss or after pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Loss of firmness, loose skin, and sagging breasts (often paired with a breast lift)
Types of Breast Augmentation Procedures
Breast Augmentation with Implants
This is the most common type of breast augmentation. Implants can be either saline or silicone.
Saline Implants
Saline implants have silicone shells filled with a salt - water (saline) solution directly from a sterile IV bag. They are filled after they are inserted into the breast pocket, which allows for a smaller incision and less visible scarring. If a rupture occurs, the salt water can be safely and easily absorbed by the body. Saline implants are FDA - approved for patients 18 years and older and may be used in younger women to balance asymmetry or correct congenital breast shape or size problems.
Silicone Implants
Silicone gel - filled implants have cohesive silicone shells and are filled with a softer silicone gel material with the consistency of honey. They tend to provide a very natural - looking appearance and feel more like natural breast tissue compared to saline implants. There is a lower risk of rippling, especially in thinner women. Silicone implants are FDA - approved for women over age 21 and may also be used for younger women in certain circumstances.
Cohesive Gel or “Gummy Bear” Implants
“Gummy bear” implants, also known as “form - stable” implants, are firmer and maintain their shape better. The silicone within these implants is a thicker consistency. If the shell of the implant breaks, the implant maintains its shape and does not leak gel into the body. Sientra® offers opus™ “gummy bear” implants which are available in textured and smooth surface options, round or shaped, and multiple projection levels. These implants are covered by a comprehensive warranty program.
Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer
Breast augmentation with fat transfer uses liposuction to harvest excess fat from other parts of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks. The harvested fat is then processed and refined and carefully injected into the breasts to improve volume and shape. This procedure is appropriate for women who are not looking for a dramatic increase in breast size and want breasts that look and feel as natural as possible. However, not all of the transferred fat will survive; typically, about 50 - 70% of the fat grafted to the breasts remains permanently.
Top Plastic Surgeons and Their Practices in Albany for Breast Augmentation
The Plastic Surgery Group
The Plastic Surgery Group is conveniently located to serve Albany, Schenectady, Latham, and Troy. Their plastic surgeons perform breast augmentation surgery at a nearby outpatient surgical center using general anesthesia administered by a board - certified anesthesiologist. They offer a variety of types of breast implants and discuss options for incision and implant placement with patients. The cost for breast augmentation is typically $6,000 to $7,000, and they offer patient financing. They also provide detailed instructions for preoperative preparation and postoperative care. The recovery time generally follows a timeline where most patients can return to work within a week, and scars gradually fade over several months.
K Plastic Surgery
Dr. Sanjiv Kayastha at K Plastic Surgery is a board - certified plastic surgeon who has advanced training and experience in plastic surgery, microsurgery, and hand surgery. He serves Albany and the entire capital region. The practice offers a range of breast procedures, including breast augmentation, breast lift, and breast reduction. The recovery time and cost for each procedure vary. For example, breast augmentation takes 1 - 2 weeks for initial recovery and 6 months for full results, with a cost ranging from $6,400 - $7,500. Before the surgery, patients have a consultation with Dr. Kayastha to discuss their goals, and he creates a unique plan for the surgery.
Malcolm Z. Roth, MD, FACS
Dr. Malcolm Roth offers breast augmentation with a variety of implant options, including silicone and saline implants. He discusses implant placement, either over or under the muscle, based on the patient's anatomy. His practice also offers breast augmentation with fat transfer. The operation usually takes one to two hours and is performed as an outpatient procedure. He warns patients about the risks associated with both implant - based and fat - transfer breast augmentation, such as capsular contracture, implant leaks, and risks related to liposuction in fat transfer cases. He also provides detailed information about recovery for both procedures.
Dr. Lucie Capek, MD
Board - certified plastic surgeon Dr. Lucie Capek is trusted by patients in the capital district areas of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and Saratoga, as well as those traveling from New York City, Vermont, Massachusetts, and beyond. She uses the Mentor® volume sizing system to help patients visualize their desired breast size. Her breast augmentation procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, and she makes a small incision either under the breast or around the areola. She uses a harmonic scalpel to minimize bleeding and muscle twitching during the surgery. After the surgery, patients are advised on proper aftercare, including wearing a sports bra and following a restricted activity schedule for a certain period.
Rockmore Plastic Surgery
Dr. Jeffrey Rockmore at Rockmore Plastic Surgery performs breast augmentation using breast implants to add volume and create natural - looking results. He uses a 3 - dimensional approach for personalized breast augmentation. He offers a variety of implant sizes, shapes, materials, and profiles. He also has experience with breast augmentation with fat transfer. He carefully discusses all aspects of the procedure with patients during the consultation, including incision location, implant placement, and expected recovery. His patients can expect to feel some discomfort immediately after the surgery, but most can return to light activities within a week.
Dr. Steven Yarinsky
Dr. Steven Yarinsky is considered one of the best plastic surgeons in Saratoga Springs and the Albany/capital district region. He has extensive experience in breast augmentation, especially with Sientra® “gummy bear” gel implants. He offers a wide range of implant options from different brands and has a high - level of expertise in choosing the right implants for each patient based on their goals, body type, and breast tissue characteristics. His office facility is joint commission accredited, and the breast augmentation procedure is usually done as an outpatient procedure using general anesthesia or IV sedation. He provides detailed information about recovery, risks, and scar management to his patients.
Dr. Gabriel J. Kaufman
Dr. Gabriel J. Kaufman is a double - board - certified reconstructive and plastic surgeon. He offers both breast implant - based breast augmentation and fat transfer techniques. He uses only 5th - generation silicone implants made in the United States and offers a variety of implant shapes, textures, and profiles. He has a personalized approach to breast augmentation, starting with a detailed consultation to understand the patient's goals and medical history. He also provides pre - operative and post - operative advice to ensure a smooth recovery process.
Deluca Plastic Surgery
Deluca Plastic Surgery offers breast augmentation with saline or silicone implants, as well as breast augmentation using fat harvested from other parts of the body (Brazilian breast augmentation). They discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different implant types, implant placement (over or under the muscle), and incision options with patients. They also use in - office sizing and digital three - dimensional computer simulations to help patients choose the right implants. After the surgery, they explain the “drop and fluff” process, where the breasts gradually settle into their final shape over a few months.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Plastic Surgery Hospital for Breast Augmentation
Surgeon's Credentials
It is crucial to choose a board - certified plastic surgeon. Board certification indicates that the doctor has successfully passed rigorous exams in the field of plastic surgery, demonstrating a deep level of practical knowledge. For example, Dr. Sanjiv Kayastha, Dr. Lucie Capek, and Dr. Gabriel J. Kaufman are all board - certified plastic surgeons, which gives patients confidence in their skills and expertise.
Experience
Surgeons with more experience in breast augmentation are likely to produce better results. Dr. Steven Yarinsky has been helping women enhance their figures with breast augmentation since 1989 and has more experience than any other plastic surgeon in the Albany and upstate New York area with Sientra® “gummy bear” gel implants. This extensive experience can lead to more consistent and successful surgeries.
Before - and - After Photos
Reviewing before - and - after photos of the surgeon's previous patients can give you a good sense of the type of results they can achieve. Practices like The Plastic Surgery Group, K Plastic Surgery, and Rockmore Plastic Surgery offer before - and - after galleries on their websites, allowing patients to see the real - life outcomes of the breast augmentation procedures.
Patient Reviews and Testimonials
Reading patient reviews and testimonials can provide insights into the quality of care, the patient experience, and the overall satisfaction with the surgery. For instance, patients of Dr. Steven Yarinsky have expressed their high satisfaction with the treatment they received before, during, and after the procedure, highlighting the kind and supportive nature of the staff.
Range of Services and Customization
A good plastic surgery hospital should offer a variety of breast augmentation options, including different types of implants, fat transfer, and the possibility of combining with other procedures like breast lift. Dr. Jeffrey Rockmore at Rockmore Plastic Surgery uses a 3 - dimensional approach to customize each breast augmentation procedure, ensuring that the results are tailored to the patient's unique needs and aesthetic goals.
Facility Accreditation
The hospital or surgical facility should be accredited by a recognized organization. For example, Dr. Steven Yarinsky's office facility is joint commission accredited, which ensures that it meets high standards of safety and quality in surgical care.
Cost and Financing Options
The cost of breast augmentation can vary depending on factors such as the type of implants, the complexity of the procedure, and whether it is combined with other procedures. Most practices offer patient financing options to help patients afford the surgery. For example, The Plastic Surgery Group offers up to 100% financing for breast augmentation and other elective cosmetic surgery procedures.
Procedure - Related Considerations
Incision Placement
There are several options for incision placement in breast augmentation:
- Along the breast fold (inframammary incision): This is a common choice as it can result in relatively discreet scars. Many surgeons, such as Dr. Lucie Capek, often recommend this incision as recent studies suggest it has a lower risk of associated complications like capsular contracture.
- In the underarm (transaxillary incision): The scar is hidden in the armpit, but the procedure may be more technically challenging, and there may be limitations in terms of implant placement and size.
- Around the areola (periareolar incision): This option can result in scars that are somewhat less visible, especially as the areola has a natural pigmentation difference. However, there may be a slightly higher risk of affecting nipple sensation.
Implant Placement
Implants can be placed in two main areas:
- Beneath the muscle of the chest wall (submuscular placement): This placement is usually a good choice for women with little of their own breast tissue as the chest muscle helps cover the implant. It also reduces the possibility of capsular contracture and interferes less with mammograms compared to subglandular placement. However, it may cause more initial discomfort and a longer recovery period.
- Directly behind the tissue of the breast (subglandular placement): The breasts may move more naturally as the patient uses her chest muscles, and slight breast sagging may be corrected. But there is a higher risk of rippling, especially in thinner women, and a higher chance of capsular contracture.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery from breast augmentation varies from person to person. Generally, patients can expect some discomfort and swelling immediately after the surgery. They are usually advised to wear a surgical bra for a certain period, avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks, and follow the surgeon's instructions regarding wound care, pain management, and follow - up appointments. Most patients can return to work within a week, but it may take several months for the breasts to fully settle and for scars to fade.
Potential Risks and Complications
Although breast augmentation is generally considered a safe procedure when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, there are some potential risks and complications:
Capsular Contracture
This condition involves the tightening of the scar or capsule around the implant, which makes the breast feel hard. It may require additional surgery to remove the scar tissue and, in some cases, replace the implant.
Infection
There is a small chance that an infection may occur around the area of the implant. In rare cases, the implant might have to be taken out for a few months, and a new implant will be placed once the infection is gone.
Impact to Nipple Sensation
Some women may experience hypersensitive nipples, a loss of sensitivity, or slight numbness around the area where the incisions were made. In most cases, these symptoms disappear over time.
Implant Leak/Rupture
If a saline implant breaks, the saltwater will be absorbed by the body over a short period. In the case of gel - filled implants, a rupture may not be immediately noticeable. In most cases, these situations will be corrected through another breast augmentation operation to replace the implants.
Other Risks
There are also risks such as irregularities in breast contour/shape, asymmetry, partial or total loss of nipple/areola, and in fat - transfer breast augmentation, risks related to liposuction such as calcification, fat embolism, fat necrosis, oil cysts, and loss of volume.
Conclusion
Choosing the best Class - Three Grade - A plastic surgery hospital for breast augmentation injection in Albany in 2025 requires careful consideration of multiple factors. You need to look at the surgeon's credentials, experience, patient reviews, range of services, facility accreditation, and cost. By doing thorough research and having in - depth consultations with different surgeons, you can make an informed decision that suits your needs and expectations. Remember, breast augmentation is a significant personal decision, and your safety and satisfaction should be the top priorities.
Are you considering breast augmentation in Albany? Take the next step and schedule a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. Ask all your questions, review before - and - after photos, and get a feel for the practice. Share this article with others who might be interested in learning more about breast augmentation in Albany!
