Implant Revision - Smaller CCs w/ High Profile Implant?

I am 5'5" and 100 pounds. I currently have 325 cc moderate profile saline implants but have rippling and bottoming out. I am having surgery again and my surgeon wants to use internal stitches and lift as well as go to a high profile gel implant. I would like to stay close to the same size. Do I need to go to a smaller cc if I am switching to a high profile implant?

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by haleysmith in santa cruz,ca

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High profile implants

The profile of the implant has no basis in regards to size, but has significant implications as to shape. You do not need to go smaller just because a high profile implant is being used, but larger implants will increase the risk of a recurrence of bottoming out. I have developed a shape classification from natural 1/5 up to very round 5/5 which is being published next month. If you are going to have a smaller implant placed then it is important to make the pocket smaller by using... more

Breast implant sizing

It is very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon. In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or “C cup” or "fake looking" means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful. Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired... more

It sounds like a good plan

Rippling is more common with saline implants rather than silicone so this may resolve your problem. You do not need more or less cc's with a higher profile implant. The difference between a high profile and moderate profile implant is the base width to projection ratio (moderate profile gets wider as the cc's go higher than the high profile implant). Good luck!

Recurring themes with implants - use the solution to the treat the problem

The problem is often not the device. Rupture, leakage are device failures that must be distinguished from bottoming out and rippling, which are placement and overlying soft tissue problems.

Implant revision

The internal sutures will only help the bottoming out and will not help the ripplng. Depending upon where the rippling is, will determine what could help. Sometimes strattice or alloderm can help with the rippling. As for the implant selection, anh exam is critical.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift with sutures

Breast lift with internal sutures is only effective for minimal breast sagging. A high profile implant will provide increased projection of your nipple areoala complex but provide a narrower base. So you really have to acknowledge what you are trying to achieve with your breasts in terms of breast mound size, shape, etc. A photograph would be very helpful.

Implant Revision - Smaller CCs w/ High Profile Implant?

You state that you want to be the same size, but that leaves alot for interpretation. Go over exactly what your expectations and desires are with your surgeon. Silicone gel behind the muscle with an implant that is within the diameter of your natural breast width will give you the least likely risks of rippling. If your current implants have a large diameter that exceeds your breasts natural width, this increases the liklihood of rippling. If you change to the same... more

Moderate to high profile breast implants

Given the same volume, a high profile breast implant will have a smaller diameter and a fuller projection. If you want an implant of the same diameter the high profile implant will have more 'ccs', and therefore be larger. If you like the current size it seems sensible to stick with a moderate profile gel of the same size as the saline implant you are now wearing. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Moderate vs high profile: deciding size

The appearance between the moderate and high profile will be a little bit different with more projection and less width from the latter. This is also impacted by whether or not the implants are behind or in front of the muscle (which you did not specifically mention). You need to more specifically inform your plastic surgeon on the specific look that you want. A 325cc moderate profile is the same size as a 325cc high profile. If you like the width but want more projection, then the high... more

Implant profile determined by base diameter and desired size

The most important factor in determining the proper implant is the anatomic diameter of the breast, which is called the base diameter. If the implant is too wide relative to the breast, it can get squeezed causing ripples. It sounds like your surgeon has determined that is what has happened in your case, so going to a smaller diameter implant but staying approximately the same size (volume) means high profile.

Volume Changes with Breast Revision

Any time a patient changes implant profiles, there is going to be a change in the way the breast appears. When going from a moderate implant to a HP implant, there is a big change in the width of the implants. This means that the breast will appear narrower and not be as full in the superior pole regions. In your case, if you went with the HP implant of the same size, technically your breast will be the same size, but it will look smaller dueto the shape. Without... more

High Profile implants

If you want to stay the same size, your new implants should stay the same volume. Your surgeon may be opting for the higher profile implants to better fit the base diameter of your breasts after the lift and pocket adjustments. I like to select the implant based on the base diameter of the breast (matching the implant diameter to this) and then select the profile (high, moderate, low) based on the implant volume desired.