The best breast reconstruction surgeons in NYC will offer a strong patient experience, meaning they take the time to get to know you, your medical history, and your goals to ensure you’re getting the most out of your surgery.
There are different ways to do breast reconstruction, so it’s important to find an experienced and skilled plastic surgeon who not only knows what they’re doing but also cares about your overall well-being. That way, you’ll have the best chance of getting the results you want.
How to Find the Best Breast Reconstruction Surgeons in NYC
What makes someone the best breast reconstruction surgeon in NYC? There are many board-certified professionals available, and most, if not all, of them will say that they offer breast reconstruction surgeries. However, they may not be specialized in this area.
Breast reconstructive surgery is different because it requires knowledge of a wide range of procedures and approaches. It’s also one of the rare plastic surgeries your insurance may cover. Finally, it’s a surgery that may require revision later.
Depending on your circumstances, you should also look for a plastic surgeon with expertise in both reconstructions after a cancer diagnosis and mastectomy and prophylactic mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. While some may consider the procedures the same, the timing and coordination of each will differ, and an expert breast reconstruction plastic surgeon can help you plan for either.
Here are some things to look for to find the best option for your care.
Years Practicing
Breast reconstructive surgery is a more complex plastic surgery procedure that can take years to learn and hundreds of procedures to master. Ideally, your doctor will have decades of experience. The longer they’ve been practicing, the more well-versed they are in these procedures.
Tissue-Based and Implant-Based Procedures
The best plastic surgeons will have two types of breast reconstruction procedures available to recreate your breasts.
Tissue-based procedures make use of the tissue and fat you already have to reshape a breast mound. Some patients prefer this approach, believing that it looks more natural. It also eliminates the risk of complications from implants, which is why some doctors opt to specialize in tissue-based reconstruction only.
However, implant-based reconstruction is often necessary when the patient doesn’t have the tissue needed to recreate the breast mound. Choosing a doctor who performs tissue- and implant-based reconstructions will give you more options.
Revision Reconstructive Surgery
It’s very common for complications such as breast deformities, implant ruptures, and nipple displacement to develop years after a breast reconstruction surgery. Unfortunately, not all doctor’s offices are prepared to deal with revision reconstructive surgery.
Some plastic surgeons offer breast augmentation revision, but that’s different. That’s a revision of a cosmetic procedure; you’re not dealing with the complications resulting from a mastectomy or cancer treatment. That’s why you should specifically look for a doctor who offers revision reconstructive surgery related to mastectomies.
Insurance Liaison Services
The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 mandates insurance coverage for breast reconstructive surgery. However, that mandate just means that the insurance company is required to offer coverage—it doesn’t mean that your doctor’s office will provide comprehensive assistance.
While most reconstructive surgeons are happy to provide the basic paperwork and pre-certifications needed, they won’t be deeply involved in the process and won’t offer an experienced insurance liaison to help you navigate the complexities of your policy.
When you’re dealing with something as serious as breast reconstruction surgery, you likely don’t want the added hassle of lists, forms, and phone calls with insurance examiners. Choosing a plastic surgeon who offers insurance liaison services will make life much easier for you.
Conducting Your Online Due Diligence
If you’ve reached this page, you’ve already started using the internet to explore your options and find the best breast reconstruction surgeons in NYC. Here are some tips for other places you can look to gauge the quality of the doctor you’re considering:
Remember, conducting online due diligence is just the initial step for finding the best breast reconstruction surgeons in NYC. It’s crucial to meet the surgeon in person, discuss your specific case, and have a thorough consultation before making a final decision.
Your comfort, trust, and confidence in your surgeon are paramount to achieving the best possible outcome for your breast reconstruction.
Bringing Patient Advocacy to Breast Reduction and Reconstruction
Harris Plastic Surgery stands out as one of the best breast reconstruction surgeons in NYC due to our experience, insurance coordination, and total approach to patient wellness.
To learn more, call or text the experts at Harris Plastic Surgery to schedule your consultation.
Stephen U. Harris, MD FACS
Dr. Stephen U. Harris is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon and recognized expert in breast reduction and reconstruction surgeries, having performed thousands in his career. When it comes to patient care, his philosophy is that every surgery should improve his patient’s overall quality of life, not just their appearance. Dr. Harris stays up-to-date on all the latest advancements in breast augmentation, reconstruction, and reduction and is a recognized innovator in the field. In fact, he was the first surgeon at Good Samaritan Hospital to offer primary prepectoral implant breast reconstruction, as well as secondary prepectoral revision surgery.
Dr. Harris also serves as Chief of Plastic Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, New York and is an active staff surgeon (and former Chief of Plastic Surgery) at South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, New York.