The Secrets Behind Dr. Stein’s Quiet Ascent in New York City’s Breast Surgery Market
Photos by Mark Elzey
Dr. Michael Stein might just be New York City’s best breast surgeon you’ve never heard of. This Canadian-born surgeon’s Park Avenue practice is quietly thriving, caring for plenty of Manhattan’s VIP and celebrity clientele, but it’s his comforting demeanor and humble talent for which he has developed such a reputation.
Dr. Stein’s approach is taking the Big Apple by storm. He has a primarily word-of-mouth practice specializing in breast surgery that has grown steadily and organically. Don’t be fooled by this surgeon’s lowkey and kind bedside manner; his results speak, or rather show, for themselves.
A mind boggling 16 years of training was required for this surgeon to hone his craft. He is one of few cosmetic plastic surgeons double board-certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgery, he completed a master’s degree at Johns Hopkins specializing in patient safety, and has published over 60 journal articles and textbook chapters on plastic surgery.
In an age where social media accounts vie for the attention of followers with splashy, high-volume content, most of Dr. Stein’s clients refreshingly find out about him by word of mouth, from real people speaking out about their results. You won’t see this surgeon dancing on TikTok or competing for social media engagement. Instead, he employs a consistent and methodical focus on surgical results and patient education.
Stein’s breast surgery focus stems from unique and specialized fellowship training in both breast cancer reconstruction and cosmetic breast surgery. While most fellowships either focus on one or the other, his training allowed him to work with the best in the field of both disciplines. He speaks of this broad experience as the fuel behind developing his niche in New York City’s breast surgery market – one the most competitive in the world.
“What was unique in my training is that I learned about breast surgery from different perspectives. I learned how to reconstruct a breast in patients undergoing mastectomies for breast cancer. I learned how to correct complex problems when patients have a complication after breast surgery. And I was also trained by the best in aesthetic breast surgery, learning the most innovative techniques for breast augmentation, breast lift and breast revision surgery. Truthfully, these areas are not mutually exclusive. I think to be an excellent cosmetic breast surgeon you need to know the complex reconstructive techniques to deal with the specific anatomical variations patients have. And to be an excellent reconstructive surgeon you need to have an eye for making a beautiful breast.”
Perhaps the procedure Dr. Stein has become most well-known for is complex breast revision surgery. These are patients who had 2, 3 or even more breast surgeries done elsewhere but are unhappy with their result or have persistent problems – either functional or aesthetic. He has patients fly from all over the U.S. and Canada for him to correct such problems. These include explant surgery for those no longer wanting their implants (or who have problems with their implants), patients with implant malposition (where implants have shifted and need to be repositioned or exchanged), patients with aging skin that require both tightening and reshaping of the breast, and patients with breast or nipple asymmetry after their initial surgery. He also corrects a condition called capsular contracture, where excessive scar tissue that develops around the implant causes pain or breast distortion.
Stein notes that one of the most common problems he sees is patients undergoing breast augmentation with implants too big or small for their frame. He tells us he is astounded by how many people think it’s routine to get breasts “adjusted” every few years.
“Inappropriate implant sizing leads to downstream problems. I keep seeing women who come in for breast revision saying their breasts “re dropped” after their original lift or augmentation a couple years prior. Some of these women present after undergoing 4 or 5 breast surgeries done elsewhere. Breast surgery should be done right the first time. These cases are quite complicated to fix and usually require a combination of reconstructive and aesthetic techniques to get the ideal shape and size. I want to be their last stop.”
When he first embarked on a path in plastic surgery, he admitted that he didn’t realize just how much skill and knowledge went into cosmetic breast surgery. His fascination was only elevated by all of the variables that went into achieving what he refers to as “a beautiful long-term result.” A successful surgery, he says, is “not just a beautiful result on the operating room table – or even for one year after surgery for that matter. A successful result is a beautiful long-term breast aesthetic, proportional to the patient’s body shape, and which ages gracefully with the patient.”
“There are many nuances in cosmetic breast surgery,” he says. “Take breast augmentation- you have to consider the rib cage as the platform of the breast, and it can be asymmetric in many people. That means you don’t just make a pocket and put in an implant. You have to do completely different procedures on both sides of the chest so that the end result is symmetric. This may mean dissecting the pockets differently, elevating one muscle more than the other, using different sized implants, and using additional material to act as an internal bra. The skin integrity is another factor. If the skin is elastic, you have to over-tighten the tissue in anticipation for a predictable amount of stretch after surgery. Sometimes this means the breast will look strange for a period of time but will ultimately settle into a beautiful long-term result.”
Determined to help women get their bodies and confidence back, Dr. Stein’s patient reviews clearly reveal someone who is not just satisfied with a beautiful result but rather a long-term relationship with patients that promote a healthier and happier lifestyle. His commitment to the patient experience is what sets him apart. Despite his busy schedule, his down-to-earth and methodical approach to surgery is immediately evident and much appreciated by his patients.
“It’s not just about surgery. It’s about taking care of patients. There is nothing more rewarding than following your patients over years and seeing how your result empowers confidence and happiness. My work acts as a catalyst for an improved lifestyle. Patients start to eat better, exercise more, they have less social anxiety, better relationships. It’s really amazing and such a privilege for me to oversee this transformation.”
In addition to his aesthetic practice Dr. Stein also is committed to teaching the next generation of surgeons. He regularly mentors surgical residents, teaching them surgical technique and leading research projects with them. When asked about his views on mentorship in the industry he had the following to say:
“A mentor once told me – and what I now tell the residents I mentor – is that, especially at the start of your plastic surgery career you have to be 100% focused on creating an exceptional product before anything else – and people will come. The ‘product’ is exceptional patient care and surgical results – not a social media following or fancy office.”
These sentiments resonate strongly in Dr. Stein’s practice and the future continues to look bright for this talented plastic surgeon.
drmichaeljstein.com
Instagram: @dr.michaelstein
