Breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure that increases breast volume and enhances natural breast shape with implants or fat transfer. This popular cosmetic surgery helps women achieve their desired breast size and enhances their overall appearance.
Gartner Plastic Surgery performs breast augmentation at our Paramus, NJ office on Winslow Place, serving patients from across Bergen County and northern New Jersey, including Ridgewood, Hackensack, Fair Lawn, and Englewood.
Dr. Michael Gartner, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, offers several types of breast augmentation to help you achieve the body you have always wanted. He is one of the few surgeons to offer awake breast augmentation and was instrumental in the development of the procedure. Awake breast augmentation does not require general anesthesia and is an effective way to achieve your goals with a shorter recovery process.
Dr. Gartner uses his extensive expertise to help thousands of patients achieve spectacular results. His awake breast augmentation procedures mean patients can have their procedure done in about an hour.
Contact our office or call to schedule an appointment at one of the following locations:
New Jersey
About Breast Augmentation in New Jersey
Breast augmentation has been one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries in the United States for more than a decade, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ annual procedural statistics. (1) Breast augmentation can restore volume that may have been lost over time or enhance the size of naturally small breasts to achieve a fuller and more proportionate breast appearance.
Dr. Gartner provides several augmentation options to help you achieve your dream figure. This customizable procedure is very personal because everyone has a different perception of beauty. Dr. Gartner will work with you to help you decide how to achieve the results you are looking for.
Breast Implant Options
Silicone Gel Implants
Modern silicone implants contain a cohesive silicone gel that closely mimics the feel of natural breast tissue. These implants are the most popular choice among Dr. Gartner's patients due to their natural look and feel. The latest generation of silicone implants, often called "gummy bear" implants, maintain their shape even if the outer shell is compromised, providing an additional layer of safety. Silicone implants are FDA-approved for women 22 years and older. Dr. Gartner works with implants from Mentor, Allergan Natrelle, and Sientra, each of which offers its own range of profiles and dimensions.
Saline Implants
Saline implants consist of a silicone shell filled with sterile saltwater solution. One significant advantage of saline implants is that they can be inserted through smaller incisions since they're filled after placement, allowing Dr. Gartner to fine-tune the volume during surgery for optimal symmetry. In the rare event of a rupture, the saline is safely absorbed by the body. Saline implants are FDA-approved for women 18 years and older. Our comparison of silicone vs saline implants covers the trade-offs side by side.
Implant Profiles and Shapes
Beyond the fill material, implants come in various profiles (low, moderate, moderate-plus, high, and ultra-high) that determine how far the implant projects from the chest wall. Dr. Gartner uses smooth round implants for cosmetic breast augmentation. Anatomical, or teardrop, implants all have a textured shell, and textured implants have been associated with a rare immune system cancer, which is why most surgeons in the United States no longer use them for cosmetic cases. We explain that decision in full in round vs teardrop breast implants. During your consultation, Dr. Gartner takes your chest and breast width measurements and uses sizers so you can see how different options look before deciding. Learn more in our guide to breast implant profiles.
Fat Transfer
For patients seeking a more natural approach to breast enhancement, Dr. Gartner offers fat transfer breast augmentation. During this procedure, Dr. Gartner uses advanced liposuction techniques to extract fat from areas such as the thighs, hips, or abdomen. The harvested fat is then carefully purified and strategically injected into the breasts to add volume and improve shape. Fat transfer breast augmentation offers several unique advantages: it uses your own natural tissue (eliminating concerns about implant-related complications), provides the added benefit of body contouring in the donor area, and creates soft, natural-feeling results. This technique is ideal for patients seeking a modest size increase of approximately one cup size. Fat transfer can also be combined with breast implants for patients who want enhanced volume along with improved breast shape and contour. During your consultation, Dr. Gartner will evaluate whether you have sufficient donor fat and discuss whether fat transfer alone or in combination with implants is the best option for achieving your goals.
Benefits of Breast Augmentation
- Enhanced Bustline and Improved Body Proportions: Breast augmentation can help balance your figure by increasing breast size and projection, creating a more proportionate silhouette that complements your natural body shape.
- Boost in Confidence and Self-Esteem: Many women experience increased self-confidence and improved body image after achieving their desired breast size. This enhanced confidence often extends to both personal and professional aspects of life.
- Restoring Volume After Pregnancy or Weight Loss: Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and significant weight loss can lead to changes in breast volume and shape. Breast augmentation can restore lost volume and improve breast appearance, helping you feel like yourself again.
- Correcting Asymmetry: Most women have some degree of natural breast asymmetry. Breast augmentation can achieve better symmetry, balancing differences in size, shape, or positioning for a more harmonious appearance.
- Expanded Clothing Options: With enhanced breast size and shape, many patients find they can wear styles they previously avoided, including swimwear, low-cut tops, and form-fitting dresses with greater confidence.
The Breast Augmentation Procedure
Breast augmentation is performed either under general anesthesia or awake, using local anesthesia with light oral sedation. Which one suits you is decided together at your consultation. The sections below cover the two choices that shape your result most: where the incision goes and where the implant sits.
Incision Options
Inframammary Incision: Made in the natural crease beneath the breast, this is the most common approach and provides Dr. Gartner with excellent visibility and control during implant placement. The resulting scar is well-hidden in the breast fold.
Periareolar Incision: Made along the lower edge of the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple), this incision heals with minimal visible scarring due to the natural color transition.
Transaxillary Incision: Some surgeons place implants through the armpit to keep the scar off the breast. It is not an approach Dr. Gartner uses.
The two approaches carry different trade-offs in scarring, surgical access, and long-term risk. Our guide to breast augmentation incision options explains how the decision is made and how each scar behaves over the first year.
Implant Placement Options
Submuscular (Under the Muscle): The implant is placed beneath the pectoralis major muscle. This placement provides additional tissue coverage, reducing the risk of visible rippling and creating a more natural appearance, especially in patients with minimal natural breast tissue.
Subglandular (Over the Muscle): The implant is placed behind the breast tissue but in front of the chest muscle. This placement may be appropriate for patients with adequate natural breast tissue and can result in a shorter recovery time.
Placement also changes how visible implant rippling is likely to be and how soon you can return to chest exercises. Our guide to under the muscle vs over the muscle implants explains who suits each.
Candidates
- Desire fuller or larger breasts
- Have naturally smaller breasts
- Experience loss of breast volume due to pregnancy, weight loss, or aging
- Desire improved breast symmetry
- Have realistic expectations and understand the potential risks and limitations of the procedure
- Are physically healthy and do not have any underlying medical conditions that may impair healing or increase risks during surgery
- Do not smoke or are willing to quit smoking before and after surgery, as smoking can compromise healing
Your Personal Consultation in Paramus
Your breast augmentation journey begins with a comprehensive personal consultation with Dr. Gartner at our Paramus office. During this appointment, Dr. Gartner will take the time to understand your aesthetic goals, discuss your medical history, and perform a thorough physical examination to determine the best approach for your unique anatomy.
Dr. Gartner will explain all available options, including implant types (silicone vs. saline), sizes, profiles, incision locations, and placement techniques. He will help you decide whether traditional breast augmentation under general anesthesia or awake breast augmentation is the better choice for your needs and lifestyle.
Dr. Gartner will help you visualize potential outcomes so you can make a confident, informed decision. He encourages patients to bring photos of their desired results and ask questions. This consultation is your opportunity to ensure you and Dr. Gartner share the same vision for your outcome.
At the end of your consultation, you will receive a customized treatment plan and transparent pricing information. Our patient coordinators are available to discuss financing options and help you schedule your procedure at a time that works best for you. The $200 consultation fee is credited toward the cost of your surgery.
Preparing for Surgery
Before your procedure, you will need to:
- Arrange for a trusted adult to drive you home after your procedure and stay with you for the first 24-48 hours
- Stop taking blood thinners, aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs at least two weeks before surgery (or as directed by Dr. Gartner)
- Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours before your procedure
- Stop smoking at least 4-6 weeks before surgery, as smoking significantly impairs healing
- Purchase loose, comfortable clothing that buttons or zips in the front (you’ll want to avoid pulling shirts over your head during recovery)
- Prepare your recovery area at home with pillows, medications, water, and entertainment within easy reach
- Fill any prescriptions Dr. Gartner provides before your surgery date
Breast Augmentation Recovery: What to Expect
- Days 1-3: Expect mild to moderate discomfort, swelling, and tightness. Pain medication will be prescribed to keep you comfortable. Most patients feel well enough to move around the house and perform light activities. Awake breast augmentation patients often report minimal discomfort during this period.
- Week 1: An ace wrap is worn the first night and removed the next day, and there is no compression bra to wear around the clock. Many patients return to desk jobs and light daily activities by the end of the first week. Avoid lifting anything heavier than 5 pounds.
- Weeks 2-4: Swelling continues to decrease, and your breasts begin to settle into a more natural position. Light exercise such as walking is encouraged. Avoid upper body workouts, heavy lifting, and strenuous activities.
- Weeks 4-6: Most patients can gradually return to exercise and more strenuous activities. If your implants sit under the muscle, chest exercises such as push-ups and bench press wait until six to eight weeks. Your implants continue to "drop and fluff" as they settle into a softer, more natural position. Our exercise after breast augmentation timeline breaks this down by activity.
- 3-6 Months: Final results are typically visible by this time. Swelling has fully resolved, scars continue to fade, and your implants have settled into their permanent position. Most patients report feeling completely healed and thrilled with their results.
Why Choose Dr. Gartner for Your Breast Augmentation
Double Board-Certified Expertise
Dr. Gartner holds dual board certifications, demonstrating his commitment to the highest standards of surgical excellence and patient safety. His extensive training includes specialized fellowship experience in aesthetic breast surgery.
Pioneer in Awake Breast Augmentation
Dr. Gartner was instrumental in developing the awake breast augmentation technique, which eliminates the need for general anesthesia. This innovative approach offers faster recovery, reduced risks, and allows patients to participate in real-time sizing decisions during the procedure.
National and Regional Recognition
Dr. Gartner was named to Newsweek's America's Best Plastic Surgeons 2026 for Breast Augmentation, a list compiled from peer recommendations and patient survey data. He was also named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor and a 2026 Select Surgeon by New Jersey Monthly.
Thousands of Successful Procedures
With thousands of breast augmentation procedures performed, Dr. Gartner has the experience and refined technique to deliver consistently exceptional results across all breast types and body frames.
A Strict Infection Control Protocol
Current evidence points to bacterial contamination of the implant surface during placement as a leading contributor to capsular contracture. Dr. Gartner cleans the nipples with gauze and applies nipple shields for the duration of surgery, since ductal bacteria are a known source of contamination. Handling of the implant is kept to a minimum with a no-touch approach, and sizers are used during the procedure to shape the pocket precisely and reduce the risk of implants drifting laterally.
Preserving the Inframammary Fold
Some surgeons lower the inframammary fold to accommodate a larger implant. Dr. Gartner does not. Lowering the fold divides the ligaments that support the breast from below, raising the risk of bottoming out, where the implant gradually settles too low and requires revision surgery. It is one of the more common problems he is asked to repair in patients whose original surgery was performed elsewhere. Keeping the fold intact also means no compression bra around the clock: an ace wrap is worn overnight and removed the next day.
Personalized Treatment Approach
Every patient receives a customized surgical plan based on their unique anatomy, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals. Dr. Gartner spends extensive time during consultations to understand your vision and set realistic expectations.
Convenient NJ & NY Locations
With offices in Paramus, New Jersey and New York City, Dr. Gartner serves patients throughout the tri-state area. For patients traveling from farther locations, his team assists with accommodation arrangements.
Breast Augmentation Results
The final shape usually shows at three to six months, once swelling has gone and the implants have settled into position. Implants don't need replacing on a schedule, and it is common for women to keep the same pair for more than ten years. If you later want a different size, or an implant has to be changed, that is handled as a revision procedure. The cases below show breast augmentation results from Dr. Gartner's practice.
PATIENT #
3603
Gender:
Female
Ethnicity:
Caucasian
Age:
31 - 35
Procedure:
PATIENT #
3603
Gender:
Female
Ethnicity:
Caucasian
Age:
31 - 35
Procedure:
PATIENT #
3602
Gender:
Female
Ethnicity:
Caucasian
Age:
31 - 35
Procedure:
PATIENT #
3601
Gender:
Female
Ethnicity:
Caucasian
Age:
31 - 35
Procedure:
Corresponding Procedures
Breast Lift
Although a breast augmentation procedure can increase the size of your breasts, it cannot correct drooping breasts or significant sagging. If your breasts noticeably sag, you will likely need a breast lift, also known as a mastopexy. There are many types of incision options for a breast lift, and Dr. Gartner will choose the right one depending on your unique anatomy and degree of breast sagging. Our guide to breast lift vs breast augmentation explains how to tell which one you need.
Breast Revision
If you received implants in the past and are unhappy with your results, a breast revision procedure can correct mistakes. If your implant is ruptured or needs to be changed for another reason like rippling or capsular contracture, we will place a new implant to have you looking and feeling back to your old self.
Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is a highly customizable procedure that reduces excess fat and skin after pregnancy and is the perfect addition to breast augmentation surgery. Pregnancy can lead to sagging breasts and lost volume. If you have a mommy makeover, Dr. Gartner can contour the abdomen with a tummy tuck or liposuction, lift the breasts, and increase your breast volume to help you get your old body back.
Cost of Breast Augmentation in New Jersey
The cost of breast augmentation in New Jersey depends on the implant type, whether the procedure is done awake under local anesthesia or under general anesthesia, and whether anything else is combined with it. Average fees at our Paramus practice are:
- Saline implants, awake (local anesthesia): avg. $8,500
- Silicone implants, awake (local anesthesia): avg. $9,500
- Saline implants, general anesthesia: avg. $9,500
- Silicone implants, general anesthesia: avg. $10,500
- Fat transfer breast augmentation: avg. $10,500
- Breast augmentation with a lift: avg. $12,000 to $15,000
These averages include the surgeon’s fee, facility fee, anesthesia, garments, and your pre- and post-operative visits with Dr. Gartner. Your exact quote is confirmed at your consultation. The full list is on our pricing page, and our breast augmentation cost guide explains why quotes vary between NJ practices.
Financing is available through Cherry, CareCredit and other providers, and our patient coordinators can walk you through the options.
To schedule your consultation, contact our office or call (201) 546-1890. Patients traveling from farther away are welcome, and our team will help with accommodation, since Dr. Gartner is one of the few double board-certified plastic surgeons performing awake breast augmentation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We believe informed patients make confident decisions. Explore answers to common questions about plastic surgery, recovery, and what to expect from your consultation with Dr. Gartner.
How long does breast augmentation surgery take?
What type of anesthesia is used for breast augmentation surgery?
How much does breast augmentation cost in New Jersey?
How long do breast implants last?
What is the difference between awake and traditional breast augmentation?
Will breast implants look natural?
Can I combine breast augmentation with other procedures?
What size implants should I get?
Are there any risks or complications with breast augmentation?
When can I return to work after breast augmentation?
Do breast implants affect breastfeeding?
Can breast augmentation correct sagging breasts?
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. Published annually.
- Fardo D, Sequeira Campos M, Pensler JM. Breast Augmentation. StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482206/