What are the different profiles for Allergan? What does SCX mean, is it a narrow implant?

SmoothCohesiveXtra projection has a high fill percentage and cohesiveness, so the implant is less likely to ripple. The SCX will really benefit thin women who might have a tendency to ripple, especially when they bend forward at the waist.  Five profiles are produced by Allergan:  (1) SRL (Smooth Round Low Profile), (2) SRLP (Smooth Round Low Plus Profile), (3) SRM (Smooth Round Medium Profile), (4) SRF (Smooth Round Full Profile), (5) SRX (Smooth Round Extra-Full Profile).Set up a consultation with an American Board of Plastic Surgery board certified plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of breast procedures annually.  The PS will help you select the right size/type breast implant for you based upon many individual factors.  Make sure you and the PS concur on expectations of results, recovery, and any risks and potential complications of surgery.

First I would say you should be looking for a surgeon, not a device.  Look at their photos, reviews and system.  Do they have their own AAAASF operating room?  How do you like the outcomes in their photos?  Are their reviews consistent and plentiful?  Do they specialize in breast augmentation?  Do they offer the most sophisticated approach the dual plane sub muscular transaxillary endoscopic breast augmentation (AKA rapid recovery or flash breast augmentation)? Have they performed 10,000 breast augmentations? Do they have a regenerative wound care center to integrate the biological aspects of your wound healing with the surgical aspects to give you less swelling, less pain, shorter healing times, better aesthetics, and better wounds? Will the wound be place off of the breast? Once you have found a surgeon with decades of experience and a specialty in breast augmentation you can talk to them about your desired goals with respect to look, which is related to implant choice.  In fact, in my opinion, Mentor makes better implants.The most sophisticated approach to breast augmentation is through the armpit with a surgical camera (transaxillary endoscopic). Using this modern approach the space can be crafted under direct vision, with virtually no bleeding and no postoperative bruising. Most importantly, the shape of the breast is meticulously created. The other, older methods of insertion are technologically less advanced. Both silicone and saline implants can be placed through the armpit by a surgeon with skill and experience using this approach. The incision in the crease is the oldest method of placing the implants and puts a scar directly on the breast.

A round implant would be a better choice because they move more like breasts. The anatomic implants have a textured surface which makes them feel very unnatural. In addition, there is no benefit to anatomical. There is an X-Ray study that shows the implants from the side at 6 months. Standing, the round and the antomical implants have the same profile. When you lie down however, the anatomical implants do not change, which is unnatural. A round implant will change when you lie down, like a natural breast would.

HP implants, which are a more modern shape than moderate profile implants, fit most women better. They have a more appropriate base diameter and can be made to look very natural or very augmented, depending on where in the range the implants are filled to achieve a particular volume. High profile implants are the first choice in my opinion. I rarely find an indication to use moderate or moderate plus implants. The subtlety in the final outcome is not achieved by which profile implant is used, it is determined by the skill in the creation of the pocket, the choice of volume, and where in the range the implant is filled.

There are many advantages to sub muscular dual plane placement and very many disadvantages to sub glandular placement.  I would see no indication to do anything but sub muscular dual plane.  Subglandular silicone implant placement is the historical approach to this surgery, and was widely used in the 1960's.  The implant edges are more visible, the risk of rippling is higher, the implant is in contact with the non-sterile breast tissue so the risk of infection and capsular contracture is higher.  The interface between the breast tissue and the muscle is blurred so the implant interferes with mammography more than sub muscular placement. Submuscular does not affect breast feeding. The blood supply surrounding the implant is worse so the risk of capsular contracture is higher.  The support for the implant is less so there is more long term shape abnormalities and sagging.  The look of a sub glandular implant is much less appealing than a sub muscular implant.  The placement of sub glandular implants makes any subsequent revision surgeries more complicated and less successful.  There are no advantages to sub glandular implant placement.

The choice between saline and silicone is one that requires a complex discussion of all of the advantages and disadvantages of both implants. The issues to be considered are safety, density, mobility, rippling, rupture rate, consequences of rupture, detection of rupture, need for follow-up care, cost of follow-up, appearance, feel, sensation of heaviness, radio-density, mammograms, and costs, among other things. There are advantages and disadvantages of both products. The decision will ultimately be up to you based on what is appropriate for your particular situation. Beautiful results can be obtained with either implant.

The best way to determine the size that fits your personal perception of the perfect breast is to try on sizers. This way you can see how they fit on you, how they add to your current volume, and whether they fit your frame. Although the surgeon can guide you, only you will be able to tell what is the right size. Try on sizers. Measuring a diameter and then telling the patient what volume they can have (in high, moderate or moderate plus implants) in my mind is backwards. The patients should be allowed to choose the volume. Then the surgeon carefully considers the base diameter, projection, profile, manufacturer, and fill material that will achieve the patients goals of size as well as qualitative look (natural, intermediate, or bold upper pole fullness or projection), all the while taking into consideration the patient's anatomic features that will affect the outcome. The experience of the surgeon and the degree to which they explain the options to you is of utmost importance. The subtlety in the final outcome is not achieved by which profile implant is used, it is determined by the skill in the creation of the pocket, the choice of implant. Don't let the doctor tell you what would look good on you. They cannot tell what you perceive to be the best size. There is no maximum. That is up to you.

hello thank you for your question and provided information as well.. based in your question its difficultd evaluted you if the case dont have a picture , its recommended get a consultation with a plastic surgeon to evaluate you.

Thank you for sharing your excellent question. For the same cc implant size the extra full (X in your SCX) projection implant will have a more narrow diameter than the full profile implant.  That said each profile comes with its own specific series of diameters to best match your chest dimensions.  Be sure to see an ASPS board certified plastic surgeon in consultation, they can choose the right style based on your desired outcome.  Hope this helps.

No.  We pick the width to match YOUR width.  So the difference between full and extra full would then be the projection, and correspondingly the volume.  It is a mistake to get an implant more narrow than you are.Recently Allergan changed their implants.  There are now 5 profiles, and 3 different gels.  The second letter is the gel, and the last letter is the profile.  So, There are SRX, SSX, and SCX, which would be different gels all in extra high profile.  Or, SCM, SCF, SCX, which would be cohesive gels in medium, full, or extra high.  (I left out low and low-plus).  I hope that helps!  Good luck!

Dear Boooobiiieeesss,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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

1. Find a board certified member of ASPS/ASAPS for an in personal consultation2. Have a sense of the look you are trying to achieve (bring pictures from the internet of women with similar body types and breasts you like the look of)3. Allergan has 3 lines of implants: SR, SS, and SC. Each line refers to how cohesive the implant material is and has nothing to do with narrow wide etc as each implant line comes in a variety of both widths and heights4. We use a 3D imaging system, VECTRA, to help our patients find the best implant for their goals but other doctors might use something different.Don’t make this too complicated!Good luck!

Thank you for your question! Allergan's Natrelle implants offer various cohesivities (aka gumminess), sizes, projections, shapes, and fill. "SCX" means highly cohesive silicone gel, and extra-full profile. Your chest width and goals will determine which implant is best for you! I recommend setting up a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Best of luck!

Thank you for your question. SCX refers to a Silicone Cohesive Extra full profile implant. For any given implant volume, these implants will be more narrow than their lower profile counterparts. If you are looking for a particular width implant based on your measurements, you would need to move to a larger volume implant in the SCX. 

Dear Booooobiieeeessss,Hello and thank you for your excellent question. An SCX implant is similar to a full profile implant, but with a higher volume.  Thus, it is has more projection, firmness, and less rippling than a standard full implant. It is best to answer your question during a face-to-face evaluation, when you can discuss your goals and expectations for the procedure, and you can have a physical examination to evaluate for that procedure. I recommend that you find a board-certified, or board-eligible plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable. Be sure to have all of your questions answered during a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, and review before and after pictures of similar patients whom have had this procedure. If you have any questions, call our office for assistance. Good luck!

Best,

Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS

Harvard educated plastic surgeon

Texas “Top Doc” 2017, 2018

RealSelf100

America’s Top Plastic Surgeons, Consumer’s Research Council, 2010 – 2018

BeautyAdvisor Top Contributor