Moderate plus versus moderate plus extra?

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  The size, profile, and shape of the
implant is based on your desired breast size/shape, your chest wall
measurements, and soft tissue quality.  This decision should
be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you
and your surgeon.   Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most
important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend
that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Hello and thank you for your question.  All implant manufacturers offer a low, medium and high profile option and these can be in subtle degrees of projection.  They can be in smooth or textured surfaces. Currently, we recommend smooth surface round prostheses, which can provide natural augmentation particularly when placed behind the muscle. If the upper pole of the breast is flat or sunken, the higher profile implant design is selected.. When you conduct the double bra simulation test in the office, where  a B cup bra is placed over a CD bra, and then you insert breast sizers on the inside, this gives the surgeon an idea of your visual perception of how much volume and projection that pleases you.  If you have a narrow chest and wish more cup enhancement, then a higher profile moderate plus or higher device is selected. If you have a broader chest and need to fill the more expansive chest configuration, then a lower or more moderate projecting device is selected.   We tend to use the higher profile implants these days as they solve two issues, upper pole fill and modest skin tightening. Best wishes.

Yes, MP Extra will give a little bit of projection for the same base width.  Cup sizes are not standard across bra makers, and implant sizing is NOT based on height, weight, BMI, or desired cup size.  This is something you will need to do IN PERSON with an experienced surgeon to determine what works well for you, and to get advice about if what you like is possible and what to expect with regards to results.  Be sure to discuss your goals and concerns with your board certified plastic surgeon and consider the pros and the cons. Be certain your surgeon is properly certified.  I've attached a link where you can start your search.  

The best way to pick implant size is based on your breast and chest width and not the volume. As the implants get bigger, they get wider. When the width of the implant fits the width of your chest, it will look nice and fit your frame. If the implants are too small, you will have a gap between them and they may look too far apart. If they are too wide, they will make you look top heavy as they may be too wide and stick well out past the sides of your chest. There are ways to get a bigger or smaller look. This can be done by picking a different implant profile. The higher the profile, the narrower the base width of the implant. If someone has a very narrow chest and wants to be big, they should consider a higher profile implant. If someone has a broad chest and they do not want to be too big but want to avoid the gap and still have cleavage without projection, they should consider a lower profile implant such as a moderate. There are options in between these such as the moderate plus.  A consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who takes careful measurements and talks to you about your cup size goals will be able to assist you in your decision. I prefer the underarm incision so there is no scar on the breast. Good luck!
Dr Ennis Destin and Miami Fl

Thank you for the question.  All of the FDA approved breast implant manufacturers provide good products.  The specific breast implant (Mentor's "extra") you are referring to as a higher "fill volume" of cohesive silicone gel within each implant.   For some patients, depending on how much soft tissue "coverage" they possess, this extra fill volume may help prevent problems with breast implant contour depressions and breast implant rippling/palpability…  For many patients, who do have a moderate amount of soft tissue breast coverage, the two breast implants you mentioned do not make a "big difference" in my opinion.

Personally, I think that careful selection of plastic surgeon and careful communication goals are  the two most important "factors" when it comes to achieving the desired outcome with breast augmentation surgery.   The specific breast implant manufacturer and even type of breast implant are far less important factors, in my opinion.   

 Generally speaking, the best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering breast augmentation surgery (regarding breast implant size/profile selection) is:

1. Concentrate on choosing your plastic surgeon carefully. Concentrate on appropriate training, certification, and the ability of the plastic surgeon to achieve the results you are looking for. ***Ask to see lots of examples of his/her work. Sometimes, it is necessary to seek several consultations before you feel comfortable about your choice.

2. Have a full discussion and communication regarding your desired goals with your plastic surgeon. This communication will be critical in determining breast implant size/type/profile will most likely help achieve your goals. 
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 or D cup” etc may mean different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on him who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup size may also be inaccurate. Again, best not to discuss your goals and/or judge the outcome of the procedure performed based on achieving a specific cup size. The use of computer imaging may be very helpful during the communication process. The use of in bra sizers may also be helpful. In other words, use as many “visual aids” as possible during the communication process. I encourage patients to meet with me as my times as necessary, to feel comfortable that we are both on the “same page”.

3. Once you feel you have communicated your goals clearly, allow your plastic surgeon to use his/her years of experience/judgment to choose the breast implant size/profile that will best meet your goals. Again, in my practice, this decision is usually made during surgery. I generally select appropriate breast implant size/profile after the use of temporary intraoperative sizers and viewing the patient's chest in the upright and supine positions.

I hope this helps. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.