Moderate Profile Plus OR High Profile?

Dear Betterbreast in Calgary:

Thanks for the question. Videos and links are provided below under "more". The choices that you list above are not radically different. Both sets of implants are approximately the same size and shape, so don't beat yourself up too much trying to decide. Choices are good.

The implants options you list are 380cc for the left and 420cc for the right breast in high profile, or 350cc and 375cc slightly inflated in the moderate plus profile.

Size: The difference in size is 30 to 45 cc's or 2 to 3 tablespoons, so the size difference will not make a huge difference.

Shape: The difference in shape will be more noticeable, especially to you when looking down at your own breasts. The high profile implants will look larger, because they will project forwards more. The moderate plus will still project forwards, but will tend to give a bit more side boob, as they are wider than your chest.

Normally, I trend toward the high profile implants for the narrow chest. The just fit better for the volumes you are considering. As far as natural goes, going behind the muscle helps more with achieving a natural shape than changing implant profiles. Either way, unless you are pretty flat to start with, the volume you are choosing are larger than average.

 

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.

It is in my practice to decide the profile of implant used based on patient goals, measurements, and use of sizers intra-operatively. In general, i think it is too much responsibility for the patient to decide on implants pre-operatively. Communicate your goals with your plastic surgeon and let him/her use their best judgment to reach your goals as much as possible.