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Would Moderate or High Profile Saline Implants Be Better for my Deflated Breasts?

asked 1 year ago by Natee_007 in Ft Campbell, KY
Latest answer by Rian Maercks, MD
Question viewed 2,790 times
Tags: age 18-24, 130-149 lbs, 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in, saline implants, 350-399cc, deflation, high profile, moderate profile

I am a 21 y/o mother of 2. I am 5'7 and 132 lbs. I've breastfed both of my children and now I am getting a breast augmentation to get the volume back in my breasts. My PS told me he wanted to use high profile 375 cc saline implants and told me it would give me good projection yet a natural look with natural slope. I told him I didn't want them to look extremely fake and he said he uses HP on 90% of his patients. Since I do have extra skin would the HP implant be better?

26 answers to Would Moderate or High Profile Saline Implants Be Better for my Deflated Breasts?

+1

Extra Breast Skin

Hi Natee, High profile implants have proportionately more projection than a comparable moderately profiled implant, which gives them a more spherical or ball-like shape; not good for a natural appearance.  Moreover, it is well known fact by experienced and carefull surgeons who do a lot of breast augmentations that high profile implants cause permenant changes to the skin (stretching), breast tissue (thinning), and even rib cage (depressions)!  Therefore, high profile... more
Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

drminniti.com

+3

High profile implants and low, deflated breasts

I strongly disagree with the answers that suggest that you can judge this issue with external bra stuffing. I also disagree that a higher profile or higher volume implant will lift the breast more. Also, if implants are sized properly (to the width of the breast), a high profile implant will also have more volume and will make the breast look about a half cup larger than a moderate profile implant even though they have the same base diameter and fill to the same height.  Breast... more
Scott L. Replogle, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+3

High profile breast implants

Natee, The "deflated" look that you refer to is called ptosis or sagging of your breasts due to the excess stretched out skin.  Implants can refill the lost volume of your breasts, but cannot fix the sagging skin unless a very large implant is placed.  High profile implants tend to "lift" the breasts better than moderate or moderate plus profile implants as well.  So, some times you can get enough lift with a large, high profile implant to correct a... more
Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

www.francisnyplasticsurgery.com

+3

Implant profile

Good question.  I prefer High profile implant to moderate or low profile ones for the reason your plastic surgeon gave:  More projection, less width.  Some mistakenly believe that high profile implants lead to a "fake look."  What really matters are your breast measurements.  Based upon the photos you provided, your breasts have a narrow base.  You certainly would not want an implant that is wider than your breast.  And A high profile implant will... more
Jason R. Hess, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+2

HP vs MP

A high profile implant will lift the breast slightly.  A moderate profile will give you a little more upper pole fullness.  No matter which you select will both will give you a very nice result since you are not going with too large an implant. I would recommend a dual plane approach ie the upper half of the implant under the muscle and the lower half under the breast tissue.  This approach will fill out your tissues more satisfactorily and help prevent the breast tissue from... more
Todd B. Koch, MD

Buffalo Plastic Surgeon

www.toddbkochmd.com

+2

Sounds like a reasonable option

A high profile implant will give more projection with the same volume than a lower profile implant.  The decision depends on your measurements and how much skin laxity you have.  What your surgeon is recommending is quite reasonable,  judging solely from the photos.
Dev Wali, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast contouring, #BreastAugmentation, #Breastlift, #mastopexy, #highprofilebreastimplants

Dear Natee_007 in Ft Campbell, KY, Thank you for your question.  If you like results in the photos of the plastic surgeon you have seen, then GO FOR IT!  As you can see there are a lot of biased opinions about implants.  One consideration is the amount your skin stretches when there is tension placed on it.  Another, is that the breast tissue will shrink a little- due to the pressure of the implant in the first year after surgery. With Warm Regards, Trevor M... more
Trevor M. Born, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+2

Moderate profile breast implants

High profile breasts implants generally look very exaggerated. Unless, you want the exaggerated look then I would recommend moderate profile.
S. Sean Younai, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Low profile implants for high profile natural appearing breasts

Unfortunately the most commonly used type of implants (high profile) and the most common type of placement ( submuscular/dual plane) cannot deliver the natural 'tear drop' effect that you desire. There are also big problems associated with anatomic implants placed in conventional planes( they work well in subfascial carefully designed pockets). This is why I use a very unique methof of breast augmentation that I call 'cold-subfascial augmantation.' the... more
Rian Maercks, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

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
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

High vs Moderate profile implants

You can choose either implant depending on the look you desire, how much fullness and cleavage. It's very important to pick the appropriate base diameter of the implant for your body, regardless on the projection. After an exam you may also need a breast lift. This can also be done at the same time as the augmentation or as a second procedure.
Irvin M. Wiesman, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

High profile better?

In my opinion, you choose the profile based on the kind of breast shape you want, not because it might fill up loose skin better.  The high profile implant gives a very round, more obvious look....and not everybody likes that.   In our practice, where we give women this choice, only 25% of women choose the HP implant.
Thomas Fiala, MD

Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast implant : high vs moderate profile

A high profile implant always looks more fake then a lower profile implant.  Because you have such significant deflation (I would love to see your old pictures for comparison), I would also consider a lift.  Without a lift you may find that you have saggy breasts.  Sincerely, Martin Jugenburg, MD
Martin Jugenburg, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon

www.torontosurgery.ca

+1

High Profile vs Moderate Profile Implant

When patients ask this question (very common), I let them decide with the implant sizing process preoperatively in the office.   With the sizing process, you'll get a glimpse (or preview) of the type of result you will likely see. I consider two factors when selecting implants for my patients: 1.Dimensional planning 2.Gel Implant Sizing system Dimensional planning – The measurements of your chest wall are taken. Also, the breast dimensions including the height,... more
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

+1

High profile saline breast implant

My vote is for a moderate profile saline breast implant in a submuscular location. The high profile implant in saline behaves like an early capsular contracture with a rounded appearance. Imagine the high profile implant when you are on you back, perhaps by the pool. The issue comes down to aesthetics, what you like. Many surgeons like high profile implants, more projecting. We prefer the implant to project and flow more naturally within the breast, not less width more projection. Especially... more
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

+1

High Profile Implants To Correct Drooping?

I have to agree with most of what has already been said. Higher profile implants do tend to look more round and more fake. If you want to be much larger, then you would probably need a high profile implant to get a large volume implant to fit on your chest, but to use one only for the purpose of lifting would not be my recommendation. I have seen many patients who have had excessively large implants placed at the recommendation of their surgeon to try to correct drooping and avoid scars.... more
Daniel P. Markmann, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

DiscoverTheBeauty.com

+1

Question on Hi Pro implants and ptosis

If you wanted a fake look then hipro implants would suit you. This is not an excuse for a consultation but I feel that a more mod plus implant plus a periareolar lift would give you a much more natural and esthetic result. Discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Good luck from Dr. Schuster in Boca Raton.
Steven Schuster, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.schusterplasticsurgery.com

+1

For deflated (drooping) breasts, high profile implants are usually NOT best.

But, more importantly, with ptosis (droop or sagging) such as yours, your surgeon must take into account the degree of skin laxity and the amount of breast implant volume needed to "fill" your exact degree of skin excess. If, for example, you only want to be "a little bigger" but have more youthful "perky" breasts, you don't require large implants, and must have a breast lift to reduce your skin envelope to correspond to your size wishes (or else you get the... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

+1

Breast Implants in Deflated Breasts

From your pictures, it appears that you have moderate ptosis, which is common in someone with your history. It also appears as if the person you consulted is trying to correct this with a large, projecting implant. If this is so, it will not work. I would suggest a second consult with another Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has significant experience with ptosis (breast droop) as well as enlargement.  
Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implant choices

I prefer High profile implants in about 90% myself, because most of the women I treat are narrow and want a fairly decent volume. But,  based on your photos, I think you would need a lift as well.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

High Profile Implants Better for Deflated Breasts?

Although it is difficult to make a full assessment based on pictures, it appears that you have thin tissues and some sagging, with your nipple position probably below the level of the fold and at the lower edge of the breasts visually. This makes me think that some type of a "lift", possibly just a "nipple lift', may help give you optimal correction. Combining a lift with augmentation requires a greater level of surgical skill and experience. Restoring volume... more
Fouad J. Samaha, MD

Quincy Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implants - High Profile or Moderate Profile

HI Natee_007, As always, there are no absolute answers, and this needs to be discussed in person with your own plastic surgeon. However, as soon as I hear the word "deflated" I start to think about adding a breast lift to the implants. It's not that I prefer that procedure - in fact, I feel it's one of the more complicated procedures [implants with a lift] and should be chosen only as a last resort - but if you need one, you need one. Sometimes you can... more
Alan Engler, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Would Moderate or High Profile Saline Implants Be Better for my Deflated Breasts?

Thanks for the posted photos. After reading your text many times i feel only in person evaluation can determine the exact surgery you would be best with. My guess is a lift + HP implants in the 300 to 350 cc range. The implant alone would most likely give a low riding effect. Be careful. from MIAMI 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implant profile

Your tissue looks rather thin so I hope you are prepared to feel the ripples in the saline implant and, quite possibly, see them thru the skin. High profile silicone gel implants provide a good volume/diameter ratio and give wonderfully natural results. The so-called health risks of gel implants are horribly exaggerated so don't let fear deter you from the most natural looking/feeling breast!
Marcel Daniels, MD

Long Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast implant choice

There is not easy answer. You first have to define what you mean by natural. What you have is natural, but you don't like it. Once you have a picture of what natural is, your plastic surgeon can choose an appropriate implant ri mimic it. In general, the smaller and the less projecting, the more natural. But you might have to reduce the skin to achieve that. If you don't reduce the skin, then just filling it up with an implant will require a more unnatural look since more of your... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implant profile depends on desired size and other factors

There are different ways to appraoch the question, but I think most would agree that one of the most important factors is to match the base diameter of the implant to the patient's pre-existing breast diameter. If the implant is too wide it will be squeezed in and ripple more, too small and there will be a gap between the breasts. The next factor to consider is the desired size, and I believe the patient should have some meaningful input into this decision. Once you know the size you... more
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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