Breast Implant Options
Breast Implant Options NJ & NYC
Breast implants are medical-grade devices used to increase breast size, improve symmetry, and refine overall breast shape. Whether you are looking to restore volume lost after pregnancy or simply achieve a more balanced silhouette, breast implants provide a proven, customizable solution.
At Dr. Joseph A. Racanelli Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, patients throughout New York and New Jersey trust Dr. Racanelli for his artistic approach, surgical expertise, and natural-looking outcomes. Implant choices are tailored to fit your anatomy, lifestyle, and long-term goals.
Implant choices
Silicone • Saline • Gummy Bear
Custom approach
Type, size, profile, and placement tailored to you
Tri-state locations
New York City • Newark • Morristown
About Breast Implant Options
A fully customizable path to shape, symmetry, and volume
Breast implants are available from several FDA-approved manufacturers — including Mentor, Allergan/AbbVie, and Sientra, each offering distinct lines of silicone, saline, and highly cohesive gel devices. The range of sizes, profiles, and shapes available today makes it possible to customize not just the volume of the result, but the exact look and feel, from a subtle, natural enhancement to a more dramatic change in projection and fullness.
There are multiple implant types, each with unique benefits. Dr. Racanelli’s experience with different forms of implant-based breast augmentation allows him to guide each patient toward the option best suited for their anatomy and aesthetic goals.
Implant Types
Silicone, saline, and gummy bear implants
Silicone Gel Implants
Filled with a cohesive silicone gel that closely mimics the feel of natural breast tissue. These are often chosen by patients who value softness and subtlety, and they are available in different shapes, sizes, and projection levels. Silicone implants are FDA-approved for patients 22 years of age and older.
Saline Implants
Filled with a sterile saltwater solution after placement, allowing for smaller incisions and fine-tuned symmetry adjustments. In the rare event of rupture, the saline is harmlessly absorbed and deflation is immediately noticeable. Saline implants are FDA-approved for patients 18 years of age and older, making them an option for younger patients who do not yet qualify for silicone.
Gummy Bear Implants
Highly cohesive silicone gel implants that hold their shape and offer a balance between durability and a natural feel. Their teardrop form closely mimics the natural slope of the breast.
Round vs. Contoured
Implants may be round or anatomically contoured depending on the desired final look. During consultation, Dr. Racanelli helps determine which profile, projection, and shape best fit your body and goals.
Placement Options
Implants can be placed either under the chest muscle (submuscular) or above it (subglandular). Submuscular placement often creates a more natural slope and helps reduce rippling, while subglandular placement may be appropriate for patients with sufficient existing breast tissue.
Dr. Racanelli's Approach to Implant Selection
Choosing the right breast implant is not a decision I make for patients, it is a decision I help them make for themselves. The consultation for breast augmentation involves reviewing actual implant samples, looking at before and after photos of patients with similar anatomy, and talking through what "natural" means to each individual patient. Those conversations are different every time.
What I find most patients want is not the largest possible result, but the most balanced one, a size that looks proportionate to their frame and does not read as obviously augmented unless they choose otherwise. Implant selection is as much about profile and projection as it is about volume, and those details only become clear once we have had a chance to look at the body together and understand the starting point.
I work with both silicone and saline implants and will recommend the option that best suits the patient's anatomy, age, and goals. I am happy to discuss the specific reasons for any recommendation during your consultation.
Candidates
Who is a good candidate for breast implants?
Most patients seeking breast implants fall into one of several groups: they may have naturally small breasts, experienced volume loss after pregnancy or weight fluctuations, or simply want a more curvaceous silhouette.
Ideal candidates are in good general health and have realistic expectations. During consultation, Dr. Racanelli will assess your medical history, breast anatomy, and personal goals to determine whether implants are right for you and which option best supports your desired outcome.
Breast implants are FDA-approved for patients 18 years of age and older for saline, and 22 and older for silicone. Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have active breast conditions are not candidates for elective augmentation. Patients who smoke are asked to stop at least 4–6 weeks before and after surgery.
Benefits
More than size — harmony, confidence, and customization
Enhanced volume & shape
Improve breast fullness and create a more refined silhouette.
Restored fullness
Rebuild volume lost after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss.
Improved symmetry
Address size or shape differences between the breasts.
Balanced proportions
Create better harmony between the upper and lower body.
Better clothing fit
Enjoy increased options and improved fit in bras, swimwear, and clothing.
Long-lasting results
Implants offer durable, highly customizable enhancement with the potential for results to last well over a decade.
Personal Consultation
Choosing the ideal implant type, size, and placement
What happens during consultation
- Review of your goals, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences
- Examination of breast anatomy, skin quality, and body frame
- Discussion of implant type, size, and placement options
- Review of sample implants and before-and-after imagery
- Explanation of risks, benefits, and likely results
Personalized planning
By the end of your consultation, you should feel informed and empowered to make decisions about your treatment. If you choose to proceed, Dr. Racanelli will create a personalized surgical plan based on the goals and findings discussed during this appointment.
Preparation & Procedure
A complete patient journey from planning to results
Preparation
Preoperative instructions may include stopping blood-thinning medications or supplements, avoiding nicotine, and arranging time off work plus help at home during the first phase of recovery.
Procedure
The procedure is performed under anesthesia. Incisions are typically made in the inframammary fold. After a pocket is created, the implants are inserted and positioned for symmetry before the incisions are closed using fine sutures.
Recovery & Results
Supportive healing and long-lasting improvement
Recovery
Swelling, bruising, and tightness are normal in the early recovery period. Most patients return to non-strenuous work within about a week, resume light exercise after two to three weeks, and avoid chest-focused strenuous activity for four to six weeks.
Results
You will notice an immediate change in breast size and shape after surgery, although the final result continues to refine as swelling resolves and the implants settle. As healing progresses, the breasts typically feel more natural and appear more symmetrical. With proper care and maintenance, modern breast implants can last 10 to 15 years or more, and revision options are available if your needs change over time.
Cost
Cost of Procedures in New Jersey & New York
At the practice of Dr. Racanelli, we prioritize transparency in our pricing structure to ensure our patients are well-informed about the factors influencing costs for procedures. Our key pricing determinants are surgical duration, operational complexity, implant type, and hospital/anesthesia billing.
For detailed information tailored to your specific goals and preferences, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our experienced team. We also offer convenient financing options through Cherry. Call (888) 409-0801 to reach one of Dr. Racanelli’s locations in Morristown, Newark, or New York City. We hope to hear from you soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Breast Procedure Questions
How long do breast implants last?
Do breast implants feel natural?
Will I have visible scars?
Can I breastfeed after implants?
What if I want to remove or change my implants later?
Which implant is best for me?
What is the difference between silicone and saline implants?
Silicone implants are pre-filled with a cohesive gel and tend to feel softer and more natural, most patients choose silicone for this reason. Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water after insertion, allowing for a slightly smaller incision and immediate detection of any rupture, since the body safely absorbs the saline. Both are safe and FDA-approved. Dr. Racanelli will help you decide which is the right fit based on your anatomy and goals.
Are gummy bear implants better than regular silicone?
Gummy bear implants use a more highly cohesive gel that holds its shape even if the shell is compromised, there is no gel migration. They tend to maintain their form well over time and are a good option for patients seeking a specific teardrop shape. Standard silicone gel implants offer a slightly softer, more fluid feel that many patients prefer. Neither is universally better, the right choice depends on your anatomy, desired outcome, and Dr. Racanelli's recommendation based on your consultation.
What is the recovery like after breast augmentation?
Why Patients Choose Dr. Racanelli for Breast Implant Surgery
As a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Racanelli brings formal training in breast surgery to every consultation, including the ability to evaluate breast anatomy, skin quality, and tissue characteristics that inform which implant type, size, and placement will produce the most balanced result for each patient.
Patients do not work with a coordinator or physician assistant on the day of surgery, Dr. Racanelli personally performs every procedure. All implant-based breast surgeries are performed in an accredited hospital setting with a board-certified anesthesiologist.
Breast implant consultations are available at Dr. Racanelli's offices in Newark, Morristown, and New York City. Patients travel from throughout New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area, including Summit, Short Hills, Montclair, Hoboken, Jersey City, and Manhattan.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph Racanelli
Discuss your goals and personalized treatment plan with a surgeon who is directly involved every step of the way.