Breast Implants: Q&A

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

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?

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C cup 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in 500-549cc 110-129 lbs high profile natural

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51 Doctor Answers | Asked by masterfenrir in San Marcos, TX, US

Doctor Answers (51)
Community Comments (1)

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

17 reviews

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

"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

High Profile Implants Are Not Typically Natural-Looking

This is a difficult question to answer without a consultation and physical examination. Unfortunately, it seems as if your aesthetic goals of large breasts and natural looking breasts may be mutually exclusive. If natural looking breasts are your primary concern, then breast implants that fit your body are more important than an absolute size. The goal of natural looking breasts is obtained when harmony, balance, and proportion with the surrounding structures are achieved... more

There is a lot of confusion about implant profiles.

Great question. There is a lot of confusion about implant profiles. They are not chosen in order to create a certain look, natural or otherwise. According to your measurements, your chest is relatively narrow. With a breast width of 13 cm, it could be a mistake to use moderate-plus or moderate profile 500 cc implants. I suspect they would be too wide for your frame. That could put you at risk of symmastia (aka “Uniboob”). So it sounds to me like your... more

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

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

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!

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.

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

High profile implants are just that - high profile

High profile means that the implant is narrower on its base and higher in its projection height. In other words, it is more spherical in shape than a moderate or moderate plus implant. I personally think that more often than not a high profile implant projects more than a natural breast and gives a rounder appearance, especially at the top of the breast. This is not necessarily bad, and some girls want this look. We just have to be objective about what the device will... more

Natural looking implants

I believe that a lot of focus is placed on the implant that will make someone look natural. No doubt there are benefits to different styles. However, selecting the correct size is probably even more important. I think that 500 cc implants on your frame would be difficult to make look "natural" no matter which style you choose. If you do not want people to recognize that you have implants a smaller size may be beneficial for you. I have a bias towards... more

For many patients, a medium profile is a good compromise

High profile implants have a smaller base diameter and a rounder appearance than moderate or medium profile implants. They can be very good choices for a narrow chest since they will not appear too wide or interfere with arm motion. The tradeoff is that they will appear rounder in the upper part of the breast. With your height and weight, 500cc implants will give you very large breasts, and in general, there is a tradeoff between having a large breast size and a natural appearance. For... more

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

Much of your appearance depends on what you have and what you are trying to achieve. If you are a large person then 500cc High Profile may be just right for your goals. See a board certified Plastic surgeon for his evaluation and opinion.

HP implants

The answer to your question is that it is complicated. Sizing an implant depends on the discussion as well as measurments. In general, if you have very little breast tissue, a moderate profile implant will give you a more natural appearance and high profile will give a bustier look. If you already have breast tissue, even a moderate profile implant will look busty.

Will High Profile Implants Give "Natural-Looking Breasts?

No, but then a natural-looking breast is not what some patients want, and this is not to say they want to look abnormal, just full. They want a certain volume, and their breast diameter is too narrow if they stick to moderate profile implants. There has been some concern that the use of large, HP implants will lead to premature skin-stretching and drooping. Certainly, in a thin woman, without a lot of inter-breast subcutaneous fat, they can look quite un-natural, in the sense that the... more

Natural look with high profile implants?

Thank you for your question. I think the answer really depends on what you consider "natural." In breasts without implants, there is typically some element of concavity in the upper breast vs. an augmented breast which is more convex or round. This rounded look or "upper pole fullness" is not necessarily anatomically "natural" but is considered desirable by most patients seeking breast augmentation. Given your current size, breast width, and size desire, you may... more

High Profile Implants and a Natural Look

Sorry, high profile implants and a natural look just dont go together. High Profile implants by their name and nature have a narrow base and more projection. They are very round and globular. Natural breasts dont look like this unless you are very young and not fully developed. The most natural look in saline implants is with the moderate profile implants that are over inflated to the manufacturers specifications which increases their projection. The moderate plus profile implants are... more

Will 500cc Full Profile Implants Look Natural

Dear Masterfenrir, What people consider "natural" varies immensely. It depends not only on your personal sense of aesthetics, but also on where you live. In Miami, a 500cc High Profile implant on a 125lb woman may be considered the norm or "natural". The honest answer is that that is not natural. The breasts you have are natural. Depending on how your surgery is performed, the implants can be made to be more or less obvious. If you want full... more

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.

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.

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

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

48 reviews

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

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

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

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!

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

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

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.

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

11 reviews

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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

10 reviews

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

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.

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