Breast Augmentation New York City
Introduction to Breast Augmentation
Restoration & Rejuvenation
Although there are plenty of women who are satisfied with the appearance of their natural breasts, there are an equal amount of women who feel very self-conscious about them. Whether you’ve had medical conditions that have affected the appearance of your breasts, genetics giving you smaller breasts than you’d like, or even just a desire to increase their size, women all around the world have utilized Breast Augmentation to achieve their desired appearance.
Dr. William Samson strives to provide his patients with some of the best Breast Augmentation results in New York City, while always practicing patient safety. If you are interested in this procedure and would like to learn more about it, we have provided our guide to the procedure below:
Let’s start with the basics
What is Breast Augmentation?
The Breast Augmentation procedure (sometimes referred to as augmentation mammoplasty) is a surgery that increases breast size by placing breast implants under the breast tissue or chest muscles. Dr. Samson also offers a Natural Tissue or fat transfer augmentation that uses your own body tissue to provide a more natural appearance.
Many women elect to get a breast augmentation in order to feel more confident, while others use the procedure as a way to rebuild their breasts after various conditions.
Breast Augmentation Basics
The Breast Augmentation procedure (sometimes referred to as augmentation mammoplasty) is a surgery that increases breast size by placing breast implants under the breast tissue or chest muscles. Dr. Samson also offers a Natural Tissue or fat transfer augmentation that uses your own body tissue to provide a more natural appearance.
- Surgery Time: Breast augmentation in New York City can take between two and three hours, but will be determined by the specifics of your surgery.
- Recovery Time: As an outpatient procedure, Breast Enhancement in NYC allows patients to recover comfortably at home immediately after being released by our team. Swelling and bruising are to be expected for about three to six weeks post-surgery. After about two months, most patients are fully cleared to resume all normal activities.
- Results: While you can expect to enjoy your results for a very long time, the average life span of an implant is about 10 years. Dr. Samson will let you know when you’re ready for a Breast Implant Revision.
- Cost: The average cost for Breast Augmentation in the state of New York is between $8,000 – $15,500. This cost is highly impacted by factors such as the surgeon, anesthesia, and facility fees, any required medical tests, and the specifics of your implants. To get the most accurate cost from Dr. Samson, you’ll need to book a consultation.
Dr. Samson’s Breast Augmentation Expertise in New York City
The Breast Augmentation procedure (sometimes referred to as augmentation mammoplasty) is a surgery that increases breast size by placing breast implants under the breast tissue or chest muscles. Dr. Samson also offers a Natural Tissue or fat transfer augmentation that uses your own body tissue to provide a more natural appearance.
- Dr. William Samson is a board-certified plastic surgeon: This means he’s expertly trained in breast augmentation surgery and has successfully met specific criteria to achieve board-certified status.
- Dr. Samson is a Fellow of ACS and a member of ABPS and ASPS: The American College of Surgeons (FACS), the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) are some of the most prestigious societies in plastic surgery. Only plastic surgeons who have achieved certain criteria are allowed to join these groups.
- Dr. Samson is a recipient of Castle Connolly’s Prestigious Top Doc Award 5 years in a row: The Castle Connoly Top Doctor award is peer-nominated and thoroughly vetted by a physician-led research team for doctors who are considered the best-in-class healthcare providers and presented to those who embody excellence in clinical care and interpersonal skills.
- Dr. Samson has nearly 20 years of experience: With nearly 20 years of experience practicing in New York City, Dr. Samson performs a wide variety of services, with a particular interest in breast reconstruction and aesthetic breast surgery.
- Dr. Samson acted as the Associate Chief of Plastic Surgery and Director of the Plastic Surgery Academic Program at Mount Sinai West: This nationally ranked hospital is recognized for having a rich history in medical innovation and is renowned for specializing in numerous clinical services, including breast surgery.
- Dr. William Samson has been awarded an NY Top Doc by the popular publication – NY TOP Docs.
Five Factors to consider when choosing your Breast Implants
As you plan for your surgery and select a breast implant size, consider your age, lifestyle, career, physique, and body proportions to develop realistic expectations.
Dr. Samson can significantly improve your breasts using the latest and most advanced saline and silicone implant devices. Goals for your breast enhancement surgery typically include the enlargement of breast size and the restoration of cleavage volume. This creates a natural appearance while maintaining a balanced body proportion to improve your self-confidence and body image.
We’ve broken the process of deciding the right implant for you in just a few easy steps!
1. Breast Implant Filler
The first step is to discuss your options for implant filler and there are typically two breast implant types available – saline solution implants and silicone gel implants.
Breast implants have an exterior silicone shell, filled with either saline or silicone, and both have their pros and cons. For example, saline breast implants will tend to ripple, have the potential to leak, and can have a different feel to both the patient wearing them and the person touching them.
Silicone gel breast implants are usually softer to the touch and tend to have a more natural feel. While all implants have the potential to ripple, silicone breast implants will ripple less. Silicone implants can also last longer since the new silicone gel filler is semi-solid, making the danger of breast implant rupture or leakage pretty much non-existent.
Some patients will even be able to go a more natural route with fat transfer or fat grafting. This technique uses purified fat removed from other parts of your body with Liposuction. While this can create a more natural appearance and feel, it often lacks the increased breast volume that you would get from silicone or saline filler.
The final choice of implant type will be selected based on your personal preferences and consultation with Dr. Samson.
2. Breast Implant Sizes
Once the filler type to use is decided, the next step is to determine the size of your implants. Dr. Samson will offer his professional recommendations based on your body type and proportions, however, he also understands that patients have their own opinions on what size they think would be best. Most of our patients find this to be the most fun part of the experience. Please keep in mind that breast implant sizes and bra cup sizes are not always the same, so rather than being focused on a number, you should be more concerned about how it will look on your frame.
3. Breast Implant Shape
Implant shape is not often considered when discussing breast enhancement, but is a very important factor to think about. We offer several different options for implant shapes that alter the resting position and overall appearance. Round implants are usually the most popular, but teardrop-shaped implants are becoming more used due to their more natural feel.
The next step, implant placement, can also affect the resting shape. During the consultation, Dr. Samson will be able to go over the differences and make his recommendation based on your personal preferences.
4. Placement of your Implants
Next, you and Dr. Samson will decide the placement and whether your implants should go above or beneath the muscle, which is largely determined by the amount of natural breast tissue you have. For those who lack excess tissue, Dr. Samson will place the implants below the muscle for a more natural look, but if there is a sufficient amount of tissue, placing them on top of the chest can provide more definitive cleavage.
5. Incision Placement
Finally, Dr. Samson will determine the most discreet locations to place the breast augmentation incisions, which are influenced by your implant placement and shape. The primary types of incisions are inframammary or periareolar, and transaxillary or umbilical which are not as frequently used.
Inframammary placement is done below the breast crease, while periareolar goes around the nipple. Transaxillary requires making an incision through the armpit and umbilical which goes through the belly button.
It’s important to keep in mind that no matter which incision technique is used, there will be some scarring, however, Dr. Samson has the skillset and provides sufficient post-treatment instructions to leave behind more discreet scars. Once you are healed, you will be able to discuss the different scar treatment options that can minimize their appearance even more.
Main Advantages
What are the Benefits of Breast Augmentation?
Our New York City Breast Augmentation patients have discovered the following benefits from their surgery:
- Adds volume and curves
- Better fitting clothing
- Evens out asymmetrical breasts
- Increases self-confidence
- Long-lasting results
- More attractive cleavage
- Quick recovery
- Rebuilds breasts after a mastectomy
- Can correct a congenital breast defect
- Restores breasts after pregnancy or aging
What to Expect on the Day of Breast Augmentation Surgery?
On the day of your Breast Augmentation, you will begin by having medications administered to you for comfort, as well as the anesthesia (either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia) that you and Dr. Samson discussed during your breast augmentation consultation.
Once under sedation, Dr. Samson will make incisions in predetermined locations that will minimize any visible scarring. Depending on what was discussed, these incision options include a peri-areolar incision (along the areolar edge), the inframammary fold (the fold under the breast), or an axillary incision (in the armpit). There is also the option for a belly-button incision, however, it is associated with a higher complication rate and is not something Dr. Samson advises. The availability of these incisions will vary based on the type of breast implant, the degree of breast enlargement desired in your particular anatomy, and the preference of you and Dr. Samson.
After the incision is made, your breast implant is inserted into a pocket either under the pectoral muscle (a submuscular placement) or directly behind the breast tissue and over the pectoral muscle (a submammary/ subglandular placement). Just like the incision placement, the insertion method and breast implant position will depend on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your body type, and Dr. Samson’s recommendations.
If you are getting a Natural Augmentation (a.k.a. Fat Grafting), a color-coded blueprint is used to mark strategic areas of your body that indicate where the fat will be harvested and placed. This procedure begins by harvesting fat from your body, either from one location or multiple. If one area has a particularly large amount of excess fat, that might serve as the only harvest site.
The average areas that fat is removed from are from:
- Abdomen
- Arms
- Calves
- Flank
- Inner thighs
- Knees
- Love handles
- Outer thighs
Dr. Samson uses manual liposuction to harvest the fat and remove it by hand. Once harvested, a machine called a centrifuge is used to refine and concentrate the tissue by rapidly spinning and using centrifugal force to separate it from blood, oil, and water. This refined tissue is then used to carefully sculpt each breast, creating a very natural look. Tiny amounts of fat are placed at a time, making thousands of passes through small entrances in the lower fold of the breast and areola.
Finally, the incisions are closed using layered sutures in the breast tissue and closing the skin with sutures, skin adhesive, or surgical tape. Dr. Samson will also wrap your breasts with a gauze dressing and elastic bandage (called a bandeau) to minimize swelling and provide additional support to your breasts as they heal. With his permission, you can also switch to a support bra rather than the compression bandage.
Depending on the technique performed, your surgery could take anywhere from one to five hours, with a Natural Tissue augmentation requiring the most amount of time.
What’s the First Step?
The first step in getting Breast Augmentation in NYC is to contact the office of William Samson, MD, and request a consultation. When you come in for your appointment, you will get to meet with Dr. Samson and discuss your goals for the operation. He will be able to answer any questions you may have, ask you his own questions regarding your medical history, and examine your breasts and body type. When discussing your medical history, it is very important to be open and honest with Dr. Samson, as this information helps him make the best decisions to avoid any unnecessary risks and provide you with optimal results.
After you get through this portion of your consultation and you are determined to be a viable candidate for breast augmentation, you will then move on to what many of our patients consider to be the fun part! You and Dr. Samson will decide which form of implant is best for you, the size you would like, and even the shape you’d prefer. Once you have made your selections, a surgical plan will be crafted just for you.
If you agree with the plan, you will then get with our Patient Coordinator and schedule your surgical date. Before you leave, you will also be given important directions to follow before your operation that will aid in an effective, safe, and comfortable procedure.
Who are the Best Candidates for Breast Augmentation?
The Best Candidates for Breast Augmentation in NYC are any women who:
- Are physically healthy
- Breasts are fully developed
- Have realistic expectations for the results of their procedure
- Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- Breasts are asymmetrical
- Bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
- Dissatisfied with your breasts losing shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or with aging
- One or both breasts failed to develop normally or have an elongated shape
- Unhappy with the upper part of your breast appearing “empty”
We recommend that patients with a family history of breast cancer should speak with an Oncologist and Dr. Samson before undergoing this procedure.
Breast Augmentation Recovery
Following your Breast Augmentation surgery, you will be taken into a recovery area for close monitoring, and after an hour or so when you are stable, you will be discharged to go home and recover comfortably. You should arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home. You will also be given specific postoperative instructions for your recovery and a follow-up appointment.
You will receive medications or a prescription, which may include pain pills and an antibiotic to prevent infection. You will also need to continue wearing the gauze dressings and elastic bandage (or support bra) around the clock as you heal; Dr. Samson will inform you how long you will need to wear it. You may also be asked to cleanse the incision sites and apply ointment for a healthy recovery.
It is possible to bleed into the pockets around the breast implants for the first several days, so you should take it easy until you have permission to increase your activity level. Most acute pain will typically subside after 1 – 5 days, but you can expect to experience soreness and swelling for up to a few weeks. Over time the incision lines will fade, with the quality of the scar depending on several things, including your genetics, exposure of your body to nicotine, and infection.
Dr. Samson will inform you as to when you can resume exercise and normal activity.
Breast Augmentation Recovery Tips
- Avoid strenuous activity
- Eat nutritious food and stay hydrated
- Avoid alcoholic beverages
- Get plenty of rest
- Surround yourself with pillows to keep you from rolling over in your sleep
- Wear your surgical bra and compression garments as long as Dr. Samson recommends
- Apply a cold compress to minimize swelling and bruising
- Keep a positive mindset and be patient
- Meal prep so you have less to worry about during recovery
- Take care of your surgical site and be gentle with your incisions
- Take your prescribed medication
How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost in New York City?
The cost of Breast Augmentation in New York City will vary on a multitude of factors, such as the choice of implant type and size of your augmentation. After you meet with Dr. Samson and discuss your options, he will create your surgical plan which will provide our Patient Coordinator with the information needed to give you a breakdown of the total price.
Why Choose Dr. Samson?
Breast Augmentation Expert
Dr. William Samson has been a board-certified plastic surgeon for over a decade and specializes in a variety of breast surgery, including Breast Augmentation. As a recipient of the NYC TopDoc award by Castle Connolly and a member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Dr. Samson is a New York top plastic surgeon who has dedicated his career to providing quality results in the aesthetic and reconstructive surgery community.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are looking into Breast Augmentation in New York City, Dr. Samson and his team are looking forward to meeting and educating you on the surgery. You can call us at (212) 590-5580 or simply request an initial consultation through our website and one of our team members will be in touch with you.
Breast Augmentation FAQs
Is Breast Augmentation painful?
Breast Enhancement procedures are performed under sedation, so you shouldn’t feel any pain or discomfort at that time. You can expect to have some tenderness and mild pain during the first 2 - 3 weeks after your surgery. Dr. Samson does prescribe a temporary pain medication to help alleviate these symptoms as well as instructions to make your recovery more tolerable with better results.
How many appointments will I need?
How long until I see results?
Can I combine Breast Augmentation with other procedures?
Many patients in New York City will frequently combine their Breast Augmentation with other body contouring procedures like Liposuction, Tummy Tuck, or even a Breast Lift. If you have any specific area that you are looking to enhance, please discuss your goals with Dr. Samson during your consultation. He will be able to make expert recommendations to give you your ideal body appearance.
What are the risks associated with Breast Augmentation?
Dr. Samson and his team take great pride in providing successful and safe surgical treatments, however, there are several risks and side effects associated with Breast Augmentation, such as:
Anesthesia risks
Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma or other very rare cancers in the capsule around the breast, such as breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma
Bleeding
Changes in nipple or breast sensation
Fluid accumulation (seroma)
Formation of tight scar tissue around the implant (capsular contracture)
Hematoma
Implant leakage or rupture
Infection
Persistent pain
Poor scarring
Possibility of breast implant revision surgery
Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
Wrong or faulty position of the implant
If you do have any long-lasting or concerning reactions during your recovery, please contact our office immediately at (212) 590-5580.
How many appointments will I need?
Most women can expect an average of 4 - 5 follow-up appointments. You will need to return to our office about a week following your procedure, where Dr. Samson will remove any bandages and possibly stitches if you are ready for it. After this initial check-up, you will be asked to return around 4 - 6 weeks after your initial surgery, followed by 3 months, 6 months, and anything needed after that.
How long until I see results?
While you notice an obvious size difference in your bust, you will still experience some bruising and swelling. The average time until you can start seeing results is around 3 - 4 months, as it takes time for your larger breasts to settle into their resting position.
Can Breast Augmentation prevent breast cancer?
There have been some studies that suggest that women who have undergone breast augmentation surgeries have a lower risk of breast cancer. There is a partial belief that the reason the risk is lower is not because of the surgery itself, but because of the type of women who choose to get breast augmentation surgery, such as thin patients, so the risk is already inherently low.
Although rare, there is a possible link to ALCL (Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma), which is a form of cancer of the cells of your immune system. While it's not "breast cancer", it will occur in the breast tissue, with the odds of affecting three in every 100 million women. This is why when you are looking into plastic surgeons, you choose a reputable board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Samson.
Is Breast Augmentation covered by insurance?
As with any elective cosmetic procedure, breast augmentation is not typically covered by healthcare insurance. There are some instances in which providers will at least partially cover breast augmentation when performed as part of breast reconstruction following a mastectomy or qualifying injury.
We encourage any potential candidate to review their insurance policy coverage before scheduling a consultation to avoid surprises.
How do I choose the best New York City Breast Augmentation surgeon?
Breast Augmentation is such a personal experience, but requires very important things to consider, particularly when choosing your plastic surgeon. While there are many options out there, the most important thing to consider is whether or not your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) with significant experience in breast augmentation surgery (both primary and secondary surgeries). When a surgeon is board-certified, you can rest assured that not only do they possess the necessary skill and knowledge to perform your Breast Augmentation safely and properly, but they have the experience required for invasive surgery.
Dr. William Samson has been board-certified by the ABPS for nearly two decades and has even helped train the next generation of plastic surgeons at Mount Sinai West in New York.
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Resources
We’re here to help, with a number of patient resources designed to make your experience as comfortable as possible. Read through the materials below, and don’t hesitate to reach out and set up your consultation to learn more about what we can do for you.