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Breast Implant Profiles Explained

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Breast augmentation is an excellent option for increasing the size of your breasts. In society, breasts are considered the most prominent characteristic of femininity. Many women come to Dr. Liland looking to add volume to their breasts because they want a curvier, more feminine silhouette. Others consider the procedure to restore the volume lost through weight loss or breastfeeding. If you’re interested in getting a breast augmentation to enhance the size of your breasts, you have probably started to consider which implant size suits both your body’s natural proportions and your goal. But have you considered which implant profile best complements your vision? Implant size and implant profile go hand-in-hand when deciding which implants are right for you.

During your breast augmentation consultation with a board-certified surgeon, they will aim to assess your body’s natural proportions, listen closely to your goals, and recommend which implant size and projection is practical and best suited to you. Implant size is measured in cubic centimeters as it is a standard unit of measurement, unlike cup sizes which vary based on brand. The implant profile is the extent to which the breasts project outward from the surface of the chest and is viewed laterally on a person’s body.

Two breast implants can have the same volume but differing widths, which causes them to project differently from the chest wall. Since no two women have the same body characteristics, using the same implants can result in a different look, even if the women are hoping for the same outcome.

What are the different types of breast implants profiles?

To determine the correct volume implant, you should liaise with a board-certified plastic surgeon to assess the projection that best suits your goals. Implant profile types include low, moderate, moderate plus, high, and ultra-high.

Types of breast implant profiles:

Low – Low-profile implants appear relatively flat with minimal projection but are usually wider at the base. Many women look to get moderate-profile implants and above, as low-profile implants are regularly said to have a “pancake” appearance. Low-profile implants are ideal, however, for women with broader chest frames and a full breast width looking for some natural enhancement.

Moderate – Moderate-profile implants provide standard projection with a wide-based width. They tend to promote the most natural-looking results on most body types. Providing more projection than low-profile implants but doesn’t project quite as dramatically as high-profile implants. Moderate implants are usually best for women with moderately narrow chests.

Moderate Plus – Moderate plus-profile implants have slightly higher projection than moderate-profile but lower projection than high-profile implants. The base diameter for this profile is narrower than that for a moderate profile. Moderate plus is an ideal implant profile option for women with a medium chest frame who want slightly more projection. This size tends to be the most popular implant profile as it achieves a “happy medium” in terms of width and projection for average body types.

High – High-profile implants are very narrow in base width for maximum projection, giving the breast a more rounded appearance and a more prominent silhouette. High-profile implants provide dramatic results which may look less natural on some patients. They often require implants to be 100% filled, making the breast much firmer, which some patients want to avoid as firmer breasts can feel uncomfortable and seem less natural. However, they are ideal for petite women with narrow chest walls who wish to increase their breast size significantly.

Ultra-high – Ultra-high profile implants provide the narrowest base width and promote the most dramatic projection and fullness to the breasts. This implant profile is ideal for women seeking an extremely voluminous appearance but can look unnatural on certain body types. For this reason, Dr. Liland is very honest with patients about whether this profile would suit their natural body proportions.

Does the implant profile differ between saline and silicone implants?

Choosing saline or silicone implants can also impact the type of implant profile. Regardless of profile type, saline implants have a firmer texture and a distinctly round and full appearance. Silicone implants feel more natural and closely resemble the shape and curves of natural breasts. Silicone implants are softer in texture, similar to breast tissue. Gummy bear implants are a specific type of silicone implant that is naturally softer and holds its shape better because the gel is thicker than traditional silicone implants. Both saline and silicone implants are available in the implant profiles mentioned: low, moderate, moderate plus, high, and ultra-high. During your consultation, Dr. Liland will discuss your implant options and recommend the type most suitable for your needs. If you want more dramatic results relating to implant size, Dr. Liland may recommend saline implants because they require a smaller incision and have a lower risk of rupturing.

What are the different types of implant shapes?

Once you’ve decided on your implant size and projection, the next step is to choose the shape. The two options for implant shape are round or teardrop, and round has historically been the most popular choice as implant rotation is rarely an issue with them. Round implants offer excellent fullness and lift and appear symmetrical, but teardrop implants are gaining popularity because some people believe round implants look too artificial.

How do I determine which implant profile is right for me?

To pick the most suitable implant type, size, and profile for you, your body, and your goals, you should schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic breast surgery, such as Dr. Liland in Dallas. Dr. Liland will assess your body shape and type and measure your breast width and height to determine what volume of breast implants would best suit your frame. Measuring your breast width is essential to finding the right implant size and profile, as this determines the maximum base diameter that can fit into your breasts to achieve your goal. Going too far above or below your breast’s natural width may cause risks such as implant rippling or a wide gap in the cleavage (Symmastia).

The volume of your natural breast tissue, the size of your rib cage, and your body type all impact the decision when determining the most suitable implants for you. To help you visualize what you would look like, Dr. Liland uses 3D software and specialized bras with “sizers” with different implant sizes and projections. Dr. Liland will suggest his recommendations and explain why, but deciding the look you want for your breasts is ultimately up to you. It will be a team effort to choose what size and profile suits your goals and still be practical with your natural breast tissue and volume.

What to consider when determining the correct implant profile

Natural body proportions

As Dr. Liland assesses you to help you choose the most suitable profile implants, he will consider your current figure. He will do a visual analysis and take measurements of your chest and natural breast volume to aid in estimating how different profile implants would fall into place for you following surgery.

Your goal result

Of course, Dr. Liland will recommend what breast implant profile he thinks would suit your frame best from an objective perspective, but he will then ask you whether you are going for a more natural look or a fuller, more dramatic look. He will listen to your goals, understand them, and suggest a profile that will best achieve them. If he is concerned that your goals are not safely attainable, he may discuss having more realistic expectations of your breast augmentation results.

What do I do if I’m considering breast augmentation surgery?

If you’re interested in enhancing the size of your breasts, the first step is to schedule a consultation to see if your goals are achievable based on the shape, width, and volume of your natural breasts. However, implants are not necessarily for everyone, and there are other methods of increasing breast size, such as fat transfer breast augmentation. Request a consultation with Dr. Liland, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Dallas, Texas, specializing in breast augmentation, to discuss your goals and receive a professional assessment.