Whats the difference between high, mod, mod plus, low profile?

Profile refers to how much projection the implant has (how much it sticks out). A moderate plus profile implant with the same width as a high profile implant will be flatter (less projection), and will have a smaller volume.  

Each implant manufacturer offers a variety of implant shapes (round or more anatomical) as well as different implant profiles. Selection involves choosing an implant base diameter as well as an implant projection. Projection refers to the how far the maximum projecting point of the implant extends off the table for an implant set onto a flat surface. For round implants, each incremental implant diameter has choices for more projection (ultra high, high, xtra-full or full), average projection (moderate, moderate plus) and less projection (low, low plus). After an assessment of your tissues and goals a recommendation for implant diameter and projection can be made. A review of many questions about breast implants is available at the link below.

A very simple difference between the implants.  If one looks at similar volumes, the low profile implants are widest, the moderate plus if less wide with more projection, and the high profile is the narrowest with the most projection.

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. 

The profile of the breast implant is the projection of the implant. Implants may be the same # off cc's, but can be shaped very differently. Some women are better off with more projection, other do better with a wider base diameter. Sientra, Allergan (Natrelle) and mentor all have many different breast implants of shapes and sizes. The impost important decision is not the implant, but the plastic surgeon you choose. An experienced plastic surgeon with expertise in performing breast augmentation can help you determine the appropriate breast implant size, style, profile and implant position to give you the best, most natural-looking  result possible. A good way to start your search for a plastic surgeon is to check their training and credentials, and then look at many, many before and after photos of the procedure of interest. Michael Law MD

Member, Alpha Omega Alpha

Member, American Society Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society Plastic Surgeons

Member, Royal Society of Medicine (England)

Member Phi Beta Kappa

In my opinion and experience, round breast implants should be sized by their diameter (which equals their height) and their forward dimension (profile) rather than by cc's of volume. What the surgeon needs to know is that the implant will fit properly behind the breast and what effect it will have in terms of that breast looking undistorted but bigger. The number of cc's is relative and not what you start with. In other words, for the same patient's breast you would look up the same diameter implant but decide on the different profile options based on whether a 1, 1 1/2, or 2 cup size increase is desired (assuming the patient has a reasonably average breast width for her chest circumference). In saline-filled implants, the profile choices of low, medium, and high are called Low, Medium, and High by Allergan but Mentor doesn't have a low profile saline-filled implant. It's Medium is the same as Allergan but it doesn't have a high profile implant that is scaled for the same width. It does have a Moderate Plus that is between the Medium and Allergan's High profile. In silicone gel-filled implants, the profile options of the two manufacturers are similar but they are called confusing things with the lowest profile called a moderate, the medium called a moderate plus, and only the high profile called a High. Allergan numbers these as Style 10, 15, and 20. In general, though, the lowest profile in saline-filled or silicone gel-filled results in about one cup size increase and this goes up roughly a half cup in size effect for the middle profile and the highest profile. The exception is in saline-filled round implants where the Mentor Moderate Plus is half way between the middle and highest profile. I haven't heard that this is changed in the last six months.