Moderate Vs High Profile Breast Implants to Retain Cup Size?

You are comparing a high profile and a medium profile implant.  While the two implants have similar overall volumes, with about the same number of cc's, they will have different shapes. The high profile one will be somewhat narrower from side to side, but rounder.  It will give you more fullness and roundness in the upper part of the breast, but possibly less cleavage/ more of a gap.  It will tend to look more like "the push up bra" look than the medium... more

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

Once a patient has decided on a breast implant size, or a small range of sizes, by trying on implant sizers in a stretch bra, we generally decide on profiles (high vs. moderate plus vs. moderate) by determining which implant diameter (for that chosen size) best matches the patient's own breast diameter and the diameter or width of her chest wall. There are times that either of two profiles (for example, moderate plus and high profile) would work...then, it would be a matter of... more

The difference between high profile and medium or moderate plus implants of the same volume is their shape. The highprofile is narrower withmore projection. It really depends upon your anatomy and whether or not you want more "side boob."

Both companies that make breast implants, Allergan and Mentor, have three styles of implants, low, moderate and high profile. High profile implants have a relatively small diameter with a greater projection to diameter ratio than the other implants. Low profile implants have a much lower projection to diameter ratio. Moderate are in between. For a majority of patients the moderate profile implants look the most natural. High profile implants can work well in women with a narrow breast... more

Hello, I agree that this is a decision you should make with your surgeon before surgery. Sizers can help at times. Silicone gel implants come in fixed volumes and do not allow adjustment. Also, high profile implants look less natural in general. Talk with your surgeon at pre-op and get this sorted out before your surgery.

Dear Doody, The volume and profile is just part of the equation. Your surgeon needs to pick an implant that is appropriate for your proportions. The diameter of your breast, distance from nipple to infra mammary fold, and skin envelop characteristics are all important factors in deciding what implant would give you a natural appearance. There is only a 4cc difference in volume between your two implant choices but there is almost 1.5 cm difference in diameter and a 1cm difference in... more

Hi! This is a technical choice that should be made by your plastic surgeon, based on the measurements of your chest and your breasts. In Manhattan, we make the final choice during the actual breast augmentation operation. We put disposable implant SIZERS inside your breasts, to really see which profile looks best on you. Then we discard the sizers, and open the permanent implants that we have selected, from our inventory. So there is no guess work.

In my opinion, a breast appears "natural" if it is mobile, soft, appears size appropriate to a woman's chest and the nipple is appropriately positioned. You currently have subpectoral moderate profile saline implants, which have become encapsulated, resulting in deformation of the shape of the breast, thus making them more narrow and rising upwards. After your surgeon modifies the scar capsule, the space will be more flexible so if you don't want to change your cup size, I would... more

It's not really possible to answer your question, however, I will tell you that in general I prefer moderate profile implants for most women. I would prefer to use an appropriate sized implant based on tissue parameters in a moderate profile. Many patients however will want a larger implant, in which case I will switch to a high profile implant to stay within that patient's base diameter. This is far too simplified an explanation of how to choose an implant however, and I'm curious as... more

Dear Doody, Every answer preceding mine was truthful and yet together they reflects the wide spectrum of approaches to your problem. Bra cup sizes are NOTORIOUSLY inaccurate and a poor measurement of breast shape and volume. Each manufacturer has different proprietary cup sizes. But - we use them because it is the only way we as Plastic surgeon can communicate with non-Plastic surgeons. Assuming no major correction in your implant pockets are required, I totally support the use of temporary... more