How Does Sizing Affect a Low Profile Implant?

The shore answer is: Find the best plastic surgeon available, let him know clearly what you want to achieve and let him/her make the decision on the best implant choice.It is very difficult to determine the exact size and shape implant you will require to best match your ideal breast image without an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon. Not just any board certified plastic surgeon, but one with many years of frequently performing breast augmentation surgery including different approaches, techniques and implant choices. This is because several measurements not to mention your breast characteristics are needed to determine the optimal implant size to obtain your goals. Without knowing these dimensions it would be difficult to make this determination. For example, the existing base width of your breast will determine, in many cases, the maximal volume per implant profile that you can accommodate. To illustrate; a 100 cc difference may make a significant difference with a narrow base width breast, but much less of a difference if you have a wide chest wall and wide breast “foot print”. Therefore, just because your friend may have a great result with let’s say a 350 cc implant to make her go from a “A” cup to a “C” cup size does not mean that you will have the same result with the same size implant. . Further simply placing implants in a bra to determine the size best for you is not always accurate as the bra often distorts the size, is dependent on the pressure the bra places plus the implant is outside your breast and not under it among other variables. Computer software morphing programs that automatically determine the best implant size can be helpful in some but not all cases (e.g. doesn’t work well in my experience with existing implants, sagging or asymmetric breasts). Using “want to be” photos however are useful if simply provided to the surgeon as I will further explain in the link below.

You should not choose implants that are much wider than your natural breast width.  Lower profile implants are flatter, while higher profile implants project further out.  Lower profile implants do provide more cleavage. 

I rarely use the lowest profile implants in silicone. You are right, that under the muscle you will loose some projection. Silicone implants in the appropriate size for your frame typically look natural. It is important to pick an implant diameter that fits within the width of the breast. If it is too wide (wider than your breast width), it could stick out a bit laterally. I would trust that your doctor is taking accurate measurements to assure that you are choosing an appropriate size. Sometimes the narrower, midrange profile implants do look more petite and suit patients who are narrower, while maintaining naturalness. 

The use of sizers in your bra  preoperatively does not accurately correlate with the size of breasts achieved with sub muscular implants. I think that it is very important that you communicate clearly with your surgeon to maximize the chances of achieving your desired breast size.

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” 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 cup  size may also be inaccurate.

I use  intraoperative sizers and place the patient in the upright position to evaluate breast size. The patient's goal pictures are hanging on the wall, and allow for direct comparison.

I have found that this system is very helpful in improving the chances of achieving the patient's goals as consistently as possible.

I hope this helps.

Low profile implants are best used in women who have a broad chest, and don't want a lot of projection or a fuller size . Lo profile implants tend to be wide and are uncommonly used. Without knowinf the specifics of your case, that is your height weight current bra size and chest dimensions, it is difficult to comment on your specific needs.