April 2023

5 Tips For Choosing The Perfect Breast Implants:
Part IV: Implant Profiles 

Implant Profiles

Recapping Key Breast Augmentation Tips 

What Is Breast Implant Profile?

Profile measures the height of an implant when it is resting on a flat surface. Most manufacturers offer 5 types of implant profiles with slight differences in the nomenclature:

-low-profile, and low-plus (minimal projection)
-moderate profile
-full (high) profile, and
-extra-full (high) profile (maximum projection)

You can imagine that a woman's body type (petite women with narrow chest wall, narrow base; average body type with wider base, etc.) will impact the sizes and projections available to them.For a given base diameter (width of the natural breast from side-to-side and top-to-bottom), the volume (cc’s) of an implant would increase with an increasing profile. In your augmentation consultation with your board-certified plastic surgeon, measurements will be taken to determine the height and width available in your natural breast anatomy so that you can be assigned a range of implants that will "fit" your figure. The width of your chest is called the base diameter. Generally speaking, women with a wider base diameter typically require more volume to create beautiful projection with their implants.

Keep in mind, in most cases, your implants will be either completely (submuscular) or partially (dual-plane) underneath your pectoralis muscles, not on top of your breast tissue. I like to mention this because using breast implant sizers and try-on bras doesn't always give you an accurate representation of what your breast augmentation results will look like.

Before & After Breast Augmentation by Dr. John Burns

Types of Breast Implant Profiles

Low Profile Implants

Low profile implants are the most conservative and enhance the breast the least for a given base diameter. When viewing these implants, they appear flat and provide a very minimal amount of projection. These profiles generally give a cup size or less volume increase.

Low-Plus Profile: Low-plus profile falls within the conservative range, producing a cup or slightly more volume increase at a given base diameter.

Moderate Profile Implants

Moderate projection implants typically the most frequently selected profile. They help to shape moderate cleavage while still maintaining a natural appearance. Moderate profile implants give about a cup-and-a-half volume increase for a given base diameter.

Full (High) Profile Implants

Full or high profile implants hold a generous amount of gel for their given base diameter. This is seen visually with more upper pole fullness, roundness, and cleavage with less of a tear-drop or natural shape. Women who desire an augmented look typically choose full-profile implants. They generally give about 2 cup size increases or more for a given base diameter.

Extra Full, High, Ultra-High Profile Implants

These  implants hold the most gel for a given base diameter and give a very augmented look with maximum upper pole fill, roundness, and cleavage. Women who want the most volume choose extra full-profile implants. High profile implants and ultra-high profile implants generally produce about a 3-cup size increase for a given base diameter. Another way to think about this profile is that it keeps the volume of the implant centered on the chest, resulting in a more dramatic transformation.

Visit Implant Manufacturers for More: Allergan, Mentor, & Sientra.

READ DR. BURNS' BLOG ON

Athletic Breast Augmentation

Profile Takeaways

In simple terms, to remember why implant profile should matter to you:

The higher the profile, the:
-More projection
-Less lateral fullness or "side boob"
-More upper pole fullness
-More cleavage

Lower profiles give a softer, less augmented look with:
-Less upper pole fullness, more "teardrop"
-More lateral fullness for a given volume
-Less upper pole fill
-Less cleavage

When choosing an implant, make sure to understand both the volume and the profile.

Envisioning Profiles On Your Body Type

Most women want their breast enhancement to look natural, so taking detailed measurements of the breast anatomy and having a thorough discussion with your plastic surgeon about your natural breast tissue and breast size will ensure you have an aesthetic that matches your body shape. When consulting at my plastic surgery practice for breast augmentation surgery, patients have an opportunity to virtually "try on" implants in their initial consultation. Our technology called Crisalix, helps women envision the variations in profiles, sizes, and styles before having surgery.

Whether you're considering saline implants or silicone gel implants, your breast appearance will be affected by a range of breast implant options. If you're wanting a subtle look, prominent cleavage, or even somewhere in between, be sure to have clear conversation about your cosmetic goals with your board-certified plastic surgeon so you get the perfect pair of implants for you.

Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation

If you're ready to find your perfect pair, you can schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Burns here. During your time with Dr. Burns, you will review your goals and receive a personalized treatment plan so you can make a rapid recovery to enjoy the breasts you've been dreaming of. 

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