Breast Implant Options
Your Complete Guide to Implants, Placement, and Personalized Results
Choosing breast implants is one of the most personal and impactful steps in your journey. At our New York and New Jersey practices, we believe your results should be as unique as you are—elegant, natural, and perfectly proportioned to your frame.
As leading experts in cosmetic breast surgery, we guide you through every critical decision, ensuring precision and safety from consultation to final result. This page details the major choices you will make, from implant type to placement, helping you understand how our specialized approach delivers the aesthetic goals you envision.
Breast Implant Options
Understanding Your Implant Options: Saline vs. Silicone
The two main types of FDA-approved breast implants, Saline and Silicone, both feature a durable silicone outer shell but differ in their internal filler.
Saline Implants
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water (saline solution) after the shell has been inserted.
Pros | Cons |
Safety: If a leak occurs, the saline is harmlessly absorbed and naturally expelled by the body. | Feel: May feel firmer and less natural than silicone, especially in women with minimal native breast tissue. |
Incision Size: Requires a smaller incision, as the shell is inserted empty and then filled. | Rippling: Can sometimes show visible rippling or wrinkling, particularly along the edges. |
Detection: Ruptures are immediately noticeable as the implant collapses. | Volume: Provides a uniform shape but may lack the subtle contour of gel. |
Silicone Gel Implants
Silicone implants come pre-filled with a highly cohesive, medical-grade silicone gel. They are FDA-approved for augmentation in women age 22 or older.
Pros | Cons |
Feel: Closely mimics the look and consistency of natural breast tissue, offering a very soft, natural feel. | Detection: A “silent rupture” (where the shell breaks but the cohesive gel remains within the pocket) may not be immediately noticeable, requiring MRI or Ultrasound screening. |
Aesthetics: Less likely to ripple or wrinkle compared to saline due to the viscous nature of the gel filler. | Incision Size: Requires a slightly larger incision to accommodate the pre-filled shell. |
Breast Implant Options
The Gold Standard: Cohesive Gel Implants ("Gummy Bear")
The modern standard in silicone is the highly cohesive silicone gel implant, often referred to as “Gummy Bear” implants. These are a type of form-stable implant that holds its shape even if the shell is compromised. They offer:
- Shape Retention: They are firmer and maintain their shape, minimizing concerns about migration.
- Natural Slope (Anatomical Options): Available in teardrop (anatomical) shapes, which mimic the natural slope of the breast—flatter at the top, fuller at the bottom.
- Safety: The gel consistency is thicker, preventing it from migrating into surrounding tissue should a leak occur.
Breast Implants Options
Placement Options
Submuscular vs. Subglandular
The placement of the implant profoundly impacts the recovery, final appearance, and feel of your augmentation. Our surgeon will thoroughly discuss which of the two primary positions is best for your anatomy, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals.
A. Subglandular Placement (Over the Muscle)
The implant is placed directly behind the breast gland tissue, but in front of the pectoral chest muscle
Benefits | Drawbacks |
Shorter Recovery: Generally less complex surgery, leading to reduced initial pain and a faster return to daily activities, as the muscle is undisturbed. | Less Coverage: In women with minimal native breast tissue, the edges of the implant are more easily felt or seen (rippling). |
No Animation Deformity: The implant does not move or distort when the pectoral muscles are flexed (ideal for bodybuilders or competitive athletes). | Higher Capsular Contracture Risk: Some studies suggest a slightly higher risk of the scar tissue hardening around the implant. |
B. Submuscular Placement (Under the Muscle)
The implant is placed partially or fully behind the pectoralis major chest muscle.
Benefits | Drawbacks |
Most Natural Look: The muscle and existing breast tissue provide an additional layer of cushioning, creating a softer, more gradual slope, especially in the upper pole. | Longer Recovery: Involves stretching the muscle, leading to more post-operative discomfort and a longer initial recovery period. |
Lower Capsular Contracture Risk: The muscle coverage is associated with a lower risk of hardening of the scar tissue. | Animation Deformity: The implant may temporarily distort or move slightly when the pectoral muscle is flexed. |
Mammography: May allow for better visualization of breast tissue during mammograms. |
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Choosing the Right Placement
The decision is dictated by anatomy and desire:
- Submuscular is often preferred for patients with little existing breast tissue who want the most natural, undetectable result and added protection against rippling.
- Subglandular is typically preferred for patients with more existing tissue who seek a more pronounced look, especially in the upper breast, and desire the fastest possible recovery.
The Advanced Technique: Dual Plane Implant Placement
What is the Dual Plane Method?
The Dual Plane method strategically places the breast implant into a pocket that is partially under the pectoral muscle and partially under the glandular tissue.
- Upper Portion: The top of the implant is covered by the pectoral muscle, which acts as a sling.
- Lower Portion: The bottom of the implant lies directly behind the breast gland (subglandular), free from the muscle.
This hybrid approach allows the implant to have superior coverage in the upper breast while permitting the lower pole to drop and settle more naturally, creating an ideal, teardrop-like shape.
Dual Plane: Benefits Over Traditional Placement
The decision to use the Dual Plane technique is driven by its ability to resolve the common issues associated with single-plane placement, offering a “best of both worlds” result:
Feature | Dual Plane Advantage | Comparison |
Natural Contour | The muscle covers the upper pole, concealing the implant edge and creating a smooth, natural slope from the collarbone down. | Superior to Subglandular, where the implant edge may be visible. |
Reduced Rippling | The muscle coverage helps buffer the appearance of implant ripples, which is essential for patients with minimal natural breast tissue. | Superior to Subglandular. |
Natural Movement | By dividing the lower attachment of the muscle, the implant can settle lower and move more naturally with the breast tissue over time. | Avoids the “too-high” appearance sometimes seen with fully Submuscular placement. |
Lower Risk Profile | Like the Submuscular technique, muscle coverage is associated with a lower rate of capsular contracture (scar tissue hardening). | Superior to Subglandular. |
Breast Implant Options
Who is the Ideal Candidate for the Dual Plane Technique?
The Dual Plane technique is often the optimal choice for patients who:
- Have minimal existing breast tissue and require maximum coverage for a natural look.
- Desire a soft, natural slope rather than extreme upper-pole fullness.
- Are seeking a result that minimizes implant visibility and rippling.
The ability to successfully and precisely perform the Dual Plane technique requires specialized skill and experience. During your consultation, our surgeon will use a detailed anatomical assessment to determine if this advanced method is the ideal approach for achieving your specific aesthetic goals.
Our expertise in techniques like Dual Plane placement is one of the key reasons patients in New York trust us to deliver customized, elegant breast augmentation results.
Breast Implant Options
The Power of Choice: Profiles, Shapes, and Premium Brands
Your final result is defined by the precise interaction of implant volume, profile (how far the implant projects forward), and shape (round vs. anatomical).
We proudly offer a comprehensive range of FDA-approved breast implants from leading manufacturers, including Mentor, Allergan, Sientra, and Motiva. This deliberate choice to partner with multiple premium providers is key to our expert approach:
It is not about the brand; it is about having every available profile, size, and shape to perfectly match your individual anatomy and aesthetic vision.
This wide variety allows our surgeon to select implants that feature:
- Low, Moderate, or High Profiles: To control how much the breast projects forward.
- Round or Teardrop Shapes: To determine the fullness of the upper breast vs. the natural slope.
- A Full Spectrum of Cohesive Gels: To customize the firmness and feel of the final result.
Through advanced 3D imaging and personalized surgical planning, we virtually “try on” different options until we select the exact dimensions that will deliver your ideal outcome.
Breast Implant Options
Why Patients Trust Our New York Practice
Board-Certified Expertise and Artistry:
Our surgeon is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This certification signifies years of specialized surgical training and a mastery of both the science and the artistry required to achieve beautiful, lasting results.
Commitment to Safety and Accreditation:
We uphold the highest standards for patient safety, performing procedures in accredited surgical facilities.
Bespoke Surgical Planning:
We never use a one-size-fits-all approach. Your consultation includes an in-depth analysis of your body structure, skin elasticity, and specific aesthetic desires, ensuring your chosen implant and placement are uniquely tailored to you.
A Natural, Elegant Result
Our reputation is built on delivering results that look and feel natural—aligning with your desire for an elegant, timeless appearance that enhances your figure discreetly and beautifully.
Breast Implant Options
Trust your transformation to the recognized experts.
We are ready to help you discover the options that will best fulfill your personal goals.
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