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Will High Profile Implants Give "Natural-looking" Breasts?

asked 3 years ago by masterfenrir in San Marcos, TX, US
Latest answer by Raj S. Ambay, MD
Question viewed 61,704 times
Tags: 110-129 lbs, 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in, 500-549cc, C cup, high profile, natural

I am 5'4" 125lbs, 31" ribcage, 34C (wanting atleast a DD) and my breast measures 13cm wide. I told my PS I wanted large, very nice looking (not high and ball-looking) breasts. He told me he will use a smooth, round, high profile, 500cc silicone implant and it will look "very nice" with a "nice downward slope". Everywhere on the internet says that high profiles don't give a really nice natural look, and that moderate profiles do. Will high profiles give me large, full, and natural-looking breasts with nice cleavage?

40 answers to Will High Profile Implants Give "Natural-looking" Breasts?

+6

Natural-looking Breast Augmentation

What one person might describe as a natural-looking breast augmentation might be described by another as very artificial-looking. My breast implant rep jokes that I am the biggest user of the smallest implants. In my opinion, high profile implants generally look 'done" and 500 plus cc's, particularly on a woman with a small frame would appear to be an obvious breast augmentation. However, I would never try to convince a woman to go smaller than she wants to be. I would simply suggest... more
Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

+5

High profile implants look better in larger sizes

It all depends on the size.  High profile implants look better in the larger sizes and moderate profile implants look better in smaller sizes.  I usually reccomend high profile starting around 400 to 420cc.  In a 500cc implant, I would almost certainly go with high profile.  Otherwise, they look too wide and flat.
Daryl K. Hoffman, MD

Los Gatos Plastic Surgeon
+5

Unlikely a natural breast augmentation result

I don't want to disappoint you but I would argue that at your relatively small frame you will not look natural with a 500 cc implant. My decision of implant profile is simple. The appropriate implant diameter for your body/ chest is chosen and the profile depends on the desired implant volume. Assuming the appropriate implant diameter is 13 cm for you (which would be wide for most 5'4"/ 125 lb patients) then at 500 cc you will be in a high profile implant. However, you will not... more
York Jay Yates, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+5

Depends where you live...

Practicing in Southern California, many of my patients desire the look of high profile implants. The response to your question depends significantly on what you consider "natural". Many would argue that a DD cup size on a 125lb patient can not be "natural". In my office we consider this look the "California Natural". "Natural" is when their is not a sharply defined, round appearance to the upper breast (It does not look like two balls). Given your... more
Joseph Thomas Cruise, MD

California Plastic Surgeon
+4

High Profile Implants

High Prrofile Implants can help provide natural looking results depending on the patient's anaomy. The key is for the board certified plastic surgeon to fully understand during the consultation process your needs, preferences, objectives, anatomy, and lifestyle to ensure that the breast implants chosen are appropriate for you.
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
+4

Natural Breast Augmentation

Not to sound like a broken record as it looks like a majority of the surgeons answering this question I agree with...namely, High profile implants were manufactured for one reason, to provide projection off the chest wall....therefore a more unnatural or "fake" look. Many patients desire this type of result (see answer from Southern Cal MD), however, your measurements and a request for a more natural look are pretty much what I see in my practice everyday. I use Moderate Profile... more
John Philip Connors III, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+4

Try sizers and review your surgeon's results

Having trained in Chicago and practiced in Toronto and now Southern California, I've realized people's views on what looks natural vary geographically. The average implant size patients want increases as you move to the south or southwest. Sit down with your surgeon and try different sizers in a flexible 34D bra (jogging bras often work well and will stretch to a DD). Wear a t-shirt over the bra, and see what size looks good to you. Remeber that sizers look a little bigger in your bra than... more
M. Hugh Bailey, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+4

You want to be too big!

To masterfenrir, You probably don't want to hear this,but with the anatomy that you describe, there is no way that you are going to look natural with 500 cc implants. High profile implants have a narrower base, and this is why your surgeon wants to use them, because they are the only 500 cc implants that will fit at all on your chest. They do say things are different in Texas, but I think you can trust me: you can be a double D or you can look natural, but not both. High profile implants... more
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+4

It needs to match your body

There are a number of factors that sometimes are mutually exclusive when choosing the right profile. The first thing to consider is what the base diamter of the breast is, because the implant has to fit inside without being squeezed in. The second decision is volume, in other words how large do you want the implants to be? Combining these two considerations is what gives you the correct profile type. The high-profile designs will not have as "natural" of a slope as moderate profile... more
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+3

Can High Profile Implants Give A "Natural Look"?

It depends! Almost everyone requesting breast augmentation wants a "natural look," yet different women have very different ideas and mean very different things when they use the term "natural." High profile implants may be the best fit for a large augmentation to avoid excessive lateral fullness. The implants do produce a rounder fuller breast shape as the name suggests and as a picture of the implant clearly shows. You will not get as gradual... more
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.pzwiebel.com

+3

"Natural" means what could have been made by nature

To me the word "natural" means what could have been made by nature...pure and simple. Only the moderate profile implants can give a "natural" result according to that definition because the upper pole of the breast cannot buldge out above a straight line down to the nipple areola and be "natural." The most unnatural results are from the high profile implants so you need to decide what it is you want and make the "look" you would like very clear to... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

High profile implants

Based upon the measurements you have provided, I would agree with your plastic surgeon in that high profile implants are a good choice.  High profile implants do not necessarily give you a result that looks unnatural.  Really, these implants provide more projection and less width than the moderate profile implants.  A 500 cc high profile implant is 13.0 cm wide.  A moderate profile implant (492cc) is 14 cm wide.  If you used this moderate profile implant, it is... more
Jason R. Hess, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+2

High profile implants and the natural look

 The answer depends on 2 things: Your chest shape and what type of breast you have. If you have a bird like chest (see video below for explanation) you will need high profile no matter what. If you have a droopy breast you will also need High profile (see link below) see video
Ricardo Rodriguez, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+2

High profile implants are very nice for the right patient

High profile implants are very nice for the right patient. High profile implants have a narrower base with more forward projection. Depending on the body dimensions of my patient, I may elect to use a high profile implant. Realize, high profile, does not necessarily mean big and fake. High profile implants come as small as 120 cc's or as large as 800 cc's. Many factors determine whether someone may have a fake or natural look.
Sanjay Grover MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+2

Everything is bigger in Texas

Dear Master, You may not require 500cc to get to a double D size with your frame if you are starting from a full C cup natural breast. The moderate profile 400cc implant with a 13cm base diameter should be enough to get you "large, nice looking breasts" without the upper fill of a high profile implant. Good luck!
Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

www.francisnyplasticsurgery.com

+2

Natural vs. Supernatural

There is no way to second-guess an opinion based on an in-person assessment, but your concerns seem well founded.  Paricularly if you want to avoid a 'ball' look, you should use an anatomic shaped implant and not a round implant.  Make sure you get a second consultation before you proceed with surgery.
Michael Kreidstein, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+2

It may look great!

Saline and silicone implants have differing profiles even amongst product lines. For example, with a base width like you have of 13, the projection of a high profile silicone implant is about 5.3 cm, but with a high profile saline implant overfilled to create a base width of 13, the fill would be aroudn 600 with a projection of nearly 7 cm. So you'll see, high profile saline implants generally have more projection than their silicone counterpart. High profile implants are great for women... more
David L. Kaufman, MD

Folsom Plastic Surgeon
+1

Natural Breast Augmentation

I am not sure a moderate profile implant that fits the breast width you described will achieve the size you desire. That said, you will look "done" and only you can decide if thats what you want. If you decide on that size, then high profile will be the only implant that will fit your chest width and achieve your size.
Raj S. Ambay, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

High Profile vs Moderate+ Implants for "Natural Looking" Breasts

Although I use Moderate+ or Moderate profile prosthesis in the vast majority of cases, given your base width dimension of 13.0cm and your wanting a 500cc implant, a high profile implant would probably be appropriate. That said, without any photos of yourself and the look you desire, it's impossible to say for certain. While the size of the prosthesis does play a role in whether or not you achieve a ‘natural’ or ‘unnatural’ look, the surgical technique... more
William F. DeLuca Jr, MD

Albany Plastic Surgeon

www.delucaplasticsurgery.com

+1

Answer to: Will High Profile Implants Give "Natural-looking" Breasts?

Dear patient, What may be natural for one patient, may look artificial for another. Generally speaking if a patient chooses a high profile implant it is because a moderate profile of the same volume would be too wide for her breasts, and therefore appear overly wide for her chest girth. The fact that the implants are silicone gel would give them a more natural look compared to if they were saline implants.
Teanoosh Zadeh, MD

Montreal Plastic Surgeon
+1

High profile usually means more fake

I strongly disagree with your surgeon. You have a fairly good sized rib cage for your height and weight and you should do very well with a moderate profile implant. High profile implants start out like more of a round ball and tend to look that way over time, particularly if they are large and on top of the muscle. High profile implants are best for those with a small rib cage but who want a lot of projection. Obtaining more projection with a smaller based implant (high profile)... more
James McMahan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

High Profile Implants; Natural Look

Given your height and weight, I think it is unlikely that you could achieve a truly natural look with 500 cc implants. However, that isn't to say you won't be happy with the result. in order to determine if this is an appropriate implant size, your PS most likely measured the base diameter of your breasts, the distance from the nipple to the inframammary fold and the skin tissue characteristics of your breasts (how much the breast skin stretches). As for high... more
Laurence Weider, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Are hi profile implants natural looking

High profile implants in selected patients can provide a natural appearance.  Generally, moderate profile implants provide a more natural appearance, because  the non enhanced  breast with a C cup or higher tends to have less projection than that created with the high profile implant.  The 500CC implant has a width of 13.2 cm. A natural DD tends to have a width wider than the chest width, and therefore to create a more natural appearance one would select an... more
Beverly Friedlander, MD

Short Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Natural is in the eye of the beholder

Dear masterfenrir, I guess the best answer is that 'natural' is in the eye of the beholder. In my opinion, very few patients have natural breasts that look like the typical 'high profile implant look'. That being said, the high profile implants do not look 'high or ball-looking' as you indicated you wanted to avoid. Based on your measurements alone, a 500cc implant is pretty big, considering you are already a c cup, you are... more
Lawrence Tong, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+1

High profile implants can give natural looking breasts

There is a dynamic interaction between your hard tissue, soft tissues and the implants themselves.  This has more influence on how "natural" your breast will look.  If you have the body habitus, and appropriate soft tissue coverage then you can achieve the look you are looking for.  Best to bring in photos so that all can be on the same page. Always good to speak again with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.  Good luck!
Jeffrey Roth, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Augmentation

  When you  have breast augmentation surgery in my opinion what it look natural or not is not the size, is the thighs appearance in your chest, so to keep your breast soft is the key for your natural appearance
Alejandro J. Quiroz, M.D.

Mexico Plastic Surgeon
+1

Natural looking breasts with high profile implants

It is first most important to pick the type of implant that has the correct base dimension for your breasts.  I have the patient then pick the size by trying on implants.  If the size means that a high profile implant is needed then we go with that.  The other important thing to consider is the amount  and tightness of the soft tissue coverage over the implant.  Those with a generous amount of coverage and not too tight of tissue will have a more natural result.... more
Michael Philbin, MD

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

High vs. low profile implants

Achieving the perfect size and look for your is very specific. Your surgeon is taking into consideration your requests and giving his opinion. Talk with your surgeon so you know what to expect and so he knows exactly what you want. The important thing about the profile of your implant is that it will achieve what you want. High profile and low profile implants are chosen based on the patient’s proportions.
Joseph G. Bauer, MD

Alpharetta Plastic Surgeon
+1

High Profile implants can certainly give natural results--but choose wisely

The profile of the implant is most important for fitting the desired volume into the given chest width.  To me, it has nothing to do with the final "appearance" of the breast--it just means getting the right volume in the right width.  This is one area where the internet has done us no favors--women ask me your same question very often because of what they've read online.  Your surgeon should help you choose an implant size that fits your chest width, gives... more
Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Selecting the right implant style

High profile implants can definitely create a nicely shaped breast in a select patient.  The choice of implant is dictated by the patients anatomy, such as how wide is the chest, how much skin is available, the degree of nipple droop, if any. The patient needs to be able explain to her surgeon how she wants her breasts to look, but then it is best to leave the choice of an implant to the surgeon.  In my practice we spend a lot of time communicating with the patient as to her... more
Boris M. Ackerman, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implants for a natural look

Usually, the implant needs to fill your breast width first, then additional volume is placed towards the front.  The high profile implants are narrower for the same volume, compared to the other shapes, and thus provide greater projection.  This allows a larger size implant to fit a narrower breast.  However, high profile implants will usually provide more upper fullness (more rounded) than the moderate profile implants.  Post operative cleavage is determined largely... more
Randy J. Buckspan, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Natural Breast Augmentation

A DD breast size does not commonly occur naturally. However, in a patient wanting large breasts with a narrow breast width, high profile silicone breast implants will likely provide you the look you desire. High profile implants project more than moderate profile breast implants. High profile saline implants tend to create the more unnatural shelf-like round look while silicone high profile breast implants can result in a more natural breast augmentation. To learn more about breast implant... more
Ankit Desai, MD

Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Natural looking high profile implants

You can definitely have "natural-appearing" breasts with high profile implants.  The real issue is the definition of "natural".  A DD on a patient that is 5'4'' and 125 lbs. does not occur frequently, naturally.  But if you mean that you want large, attractive breasts with some gentle slope, this can be accomplished.  Good luck.
Dustin L. Reid, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Natural Looking with HP implants

You can stil llook very natural with the HP silicone implants. It is a myth that the HP always look round and high. It all depends on your anatomy, but most women still look pretty natural even with the HP implants, as long as you have the tissue to support the implant and mask it a little.
Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD

Barrington Plastic Surgeon
+1

High Profile Breast Implants and Natural Looking Breasts

The profile of the breast implant does not necessarily dictate whether a breast augmentation looks natural or not.  Rather, the natural look will result from technique, submuscular implant, native upper pole fullness, volume of implants relative to native breast size and breast dimensions.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

High profile implants and "natural looking breasts"

I usually reserve high profile implants for patients with at least moderate skin laxity and those who want more projection. Of course, a determining factor also would be the base width or diameter of the breasts. Starting at a 34c and at 5'4, 125 lbs, one should ask - would it look natural to have a DD brassierre cup size? Another note on cup sizes: different brassiere manufacturers have a different measure for their cup sizes--just something to think about when you evaluate your... more
J. Vicente P. Poblete, MD

Cleveland Plastic Surgeon
+1

High profile implants frequently lead to "stripper boobs"

Hello, I rarely use high profile breast implants. They "stick out" too far and make many women look like strippers. If this is not what you want, be careful.
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implant profiles

Implants have different profiles only partially because of how they look. The volume of your implant is based on your chest diameter and skin tone, thickness and obviously your own desire. So if you desire a larger volume than your chest diameter can tolerate, then a high profile implant is beneficial. You have to keep the diameter of your implant at a size that matches your body - otherwise you will find your implant outside of your breast and it will appear less "natural". If you... more
Bahram Ghaderi, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

High Profile Breast Implants

I use High profile breast implants for women that want larger breasts and have a narrow frame.  Natural appearance is usually best for women with alot of native breast and smaller implants.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

High Profile Implants in Breast Augmentation

In general, I don’t believe that the use of high profile implants is indicated for many reasons. 1. There is no long term scientific studies to show that higher profile implants are better than conventional, moderate profile implants. 2. They may have detrimental effects on the breasts and increase breast ptosis in patients. They often have a very unnatural, comical (pointed) look which is unnatural and unappealing. I would not, except for in very rare instances, recommend the use of... more
Rod J. Rohrich, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

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