What's the difference between low, medium, & high profile implants?

Thank you for your excellent question.  Breast implant profiles refer to the amount of projection any given cc size implants would give to a breast.  For example, a woman desiring the same 350cc volume implants will have the height of the implant increase, and its width decrease for increasing profiles.   It is important to match the implant width to a woman's breast width.  As a result, for a higher profile implant, the total volume may need to be larger to fit a patient appropriately.   

As a rule of thumb: For the same amount of cc's, the higher the profile the less the width (diameter) and greater the projection.

Thanks for your question.  Breast implant manufacturers provide implants of different shapes for the same volume, so patients can choose implants that best fit their body type and breast dimensions.  For example, an implant in the 300cc size range can either be relatively flat like a pancake, or perky like a ball cut in half.  This variety of implant shapes for a given implant size allows the patient and surgeon to select not just the best size of implant, but also the appropriate shape to fill out the breasts.

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  The implant profile is a matter of the projection that the implant has, which gives the anterior projection of the breast from the breast prosthesis.  The base width of the implant narrows as the projection increases in comparative size by providing the additional volume in the anterior projection of the implant.  Good communication between you and your surgeon of your expectations is warranted - choosing your surgeon wisely is the first step. Discussion of your wishes and having an honest and open dialog of your procedure is mandatory (e.g, implant type/projection, incision, placement, lift, etc). I have found that photographs brought by the patient is helpful to get a visualization of the appearance you wish for in terms of size, shape, fullness, etc. In addition, your surgeon's pre and postoperative photographs should demonstrate a realistic goal for you. Preoperative sizing and sizer options is sometimes helpful, if you are able. Once this has been accomplished, allow your surgeon to utilize his/her best medical judgment during the procedure to finesse the best possible result for you after preoperative biodimensional planning and fitting the right implant for your breast width. Hope me that this helps! Best wishes for a wonderful result!

With higher profile implants the projection of the prosthesis will be greater relative to the increase in the diameter of the base with size. Choice of projection is made by the surgeon based on the anatomy of your chest.

Basically, the profile is how tall the implant is. A low profile is a fairly short implant, whereas a high profile is a tall implant. For the same volume, as the profile or height increases, the width or base decreases.

Hello. The different profiles relate to the amount of projection that the implant will impose on your "new breast". Go for high profile if you seek a fuller voluptuous look. Dr. Burnett

Thank you for the question. The difference between these implants have to do with the dimensions ( diameter and height) of the implants. For example, the high-profile implant has a greater projection and a smaller diameter compared to the moderate profile implant. The moderate plus profile implant as projection and diameter characteristics that fall between the moderate profile and high profile implants.I prefer to have a wide selection of implants ( all profiles) available in the operating room. I use intraoperative sizers and place the patient in the upright position to evaluate breast size. Use of these sizers also allow me to select the breast implant profile (low, moderate, moderate plus, high-profile) that would most likely achieve the patient's goals. 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, and the attached link, helps.

Differece is in all three dimensions.  As implants go from low profile to high profile they get smaller in diameter and taller in projection.  Surgeons take advantage of difference to fit implants according to chest wall dimensions and patient desires.

Hello! Thanks for your question.Implant style (low, moderate, moderate plus, high profile) is merely a relationship between the volume of the implant, the width of the implant, and the projection of the implant.For example, you can compare the dimensions of the following two implants:350cc Mentor high profile silicone gel - Width 11.7cm; Projection 4.8cm350cc Mentor moderate-plus silicone gel implant - Width 12.5cm; Projection 3.9cmImplant style is selected based on what fits the patient the best (the width), and what will give the desired size and look (volume and projection).A general rule of thumb is that more petite patients will need a high profile implant whereas patients that are a bit larger in chest width will require a moderate-plus.Hope this helps.