5'8, 120lbs, stuck between mod/mod+ & high profile due to BWD & surgeon's recommendations (Photos)

Hello and thank you for your question. Honestly, a formal in-person evaluation would be needed to determine the best treatment. There are several reasons for this:
1) Bra sizes vary based on the clothing store (for example, Victoria's Secret tends to upsize everyone by a whole cup size)
2) Most women do not wear the proper exact fitting bra size for their bodies
3) The exact volume (in cc) needed to change cup size is different for different body types (e.g. 32A to 32D requires a different implant size than 38A to 38D)
4) Be careful NOT to fall into the trap most women do- they see a certain implant size (e.g. 285 cc) or perhaps their friend had a certain size, and they want or request this or another size based on that. Everyone's body is different- 285 cc implants on your friend might look VERY different than they would on you. Be very careful not to make this mistake, because the goal is to find the right size and shape for YOU- for your particular body and your breasts.

Because of those multiple factors, and because it is KEY to fully evaluate your breasts in person to make a full set of precise measurements to select the proper implant for you (incorporating factors like amount of breast tissue, implant type, base width, projection, etc), answering your question really would need a formal personalized consultation- to say anything before that would simply be guessing, which would be both unfair and unhelpful to you.

Your breasts are such a KEY area of your body and your femininity- therefore, you should ONLY trust an experienced aesthetic plastic surgeon. As such an expert, I have had extensive training and experience with complex aesthetic surgeries under a multiple world-renowned experts in the field. I’d recommend for you to setup a formal consultation with me (or another plastic surgeon who is extremely comfortable with aesthetic plastic surgery procedures) for a formal consultation to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate all your options (surgical and nonsurgical), and decide on the best procedure(s) and type of anesthesia for your specific case. I hope this helps!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Selecting an implant as one of the most important parts of breast augmentation. The importance of using your tissue based measurements cannot be highlighted enough. This is much like sizing a shoe, you have to buy the correct sized shoe in length/width/depth to prevent potential injury to the foot. Much like buying a shoe, selecting breast implants is critically dependent upon your breast measurements (breast base width, nipple to fold max stretch); this is utilized in combination with 3D breast simulation (Vectra, Crisalix, etc) to help the patient understand the outcome. High profile implants are NOT ideal for breast augmentation; they were created for breast reconstruction. I always recommend using a moderate profile implant in general to limit a "bowling ball stuck on look". You need to see a plastic surgeon with actual plastic surgery training (6 years of residency in plastic surgery, ideally followed by an aesthetic fellowship accredited by The Aesthetic Society).

Dear Calm431827,
breast implant type and sizing selection is a complicated process and requires a detailed consultation that includes a discussion of your goals, a detailed examination, and a lengthy discussion. But the decision will always start and end with the patient. When it comes to sizing, we have all of our patients find 3 photos of their desired breast size. We ask for naked breast photos because clothing can obscure the true size (push up bras). Next, we consult with patients and go over the photos and take detailed breast measurements during a physical exam. Next, we using a sizing algorithm to determine a range of implants that will work based on the exam and the measurements.Lastly, during the operation, we use silicone sizers in the operating room to see how the size actually looks in the breast. We sit the patient up in the operating room, while asleep of course, and compare the sizer result with their desired look photos. If it is too small, we start the process over with a slightly larger implant. We don't stop until we get the perfect match.Of all of my breast augmentation patients, every one of them has been happy with their size due to this detailed and meticulous process. You don't want to invest time and money into a result that is either too big or too small.You should discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon and make sure that your surgeon understands your goals.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon' s experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

The difference between mod and high profile is not as dramatic as one might think. For a given BWD, the difference in projection is only a few mm. That said, a high profile implant will give more projection and thus, a more augmented look. As long as the implant matches your base width, I see no reason why you cant use a moderate profile, especially if you want a more subtle augmentation.
I recommend revisiting your goals with your surgeon to determine if moderate can give you the results you are wanting.
Best wishes!
Justin Booth, MD FACSAustin Plastic Surgery Institute

The profile that works best is based on your measurements, your base, and the volume or size you want. going up in volume will need an implant with a smaller base, higher profile, to fit your base best.
First, determine what size you want, and your surgeon can then pick the proper profile.

If you are hoping for a more natural look with gentle sloping, the moderate or moderate plus is more in line with these goals. The high profile implant will give more upper pole fullness and project the breast more than the lower profile implants. I've included a video on implant selection that I hope you find helpful.

Thank you for sharing. A high profile, means that the implant comes off your chest more as opposed to being taller and wider. The BWD is more of a guideline than a hard rule or measurement to follow. A 300cc mod plus will easily fit on your chest as will the high profile. The high profile will be more noticeable from the side whereas the mod plus will be a little more round and not as prominent from the side. At that volume, the mod+ is often a good balance of width and projection. Good luck!

Based on your goal photos I would use the moderate plus profile implants. You prefer a wider and not quite a projecting implant based on your goal photos. A high profile implant it's a little bit more narrow and projects, more from the chest than a moderate plus profile implant for the same amount of volume.

Quite often, there's some confusion and patience think that a high profile implant will make the chest Fuller up high, but that's not really the case, as a high profile implant means that the implant projects from behind the nipple in the areola more than a lower profile implant.

I put a link to a video explain the different types of profiles.

Based on your photos, I think Moderate + is a good option, especially if you want a more natural slope. High profile will give you more projection, and that may not be the look you want. The base of the high profile implant is slightly smaller, so plastic surgeons sometimes recommend them for patients with a smaller or more narrow frame. In the end, it's your decision.
Best of luck!