Do Ideal Implants look fake because they are high profile?

Question

I feel 95% ready to proceed with breast augmentation now that I am done having children and have exhausted my research. I am very petite - 28A, 115 pounds, and 5’7”. I do not want to get silicone filled implants because I am afraid of rupture and do not want to get an MRI every 2 years. The Ideal Implant seems like the perfect option, except they only come in high profile, if I’m correct. I want them to look very natural and really want that tear drop shape. Will this be possible with saline? Thank you.

Jonathan Hall, MD · Answer

Your question is an excellent one and deserves a little explanation. A breast implant looks “fake” or unnatural when it is too wide or too projecting for your breast. As an implant becomes wider and more projecting in relation to breast it pushes out the side or top of your existing breast more, and gives more of an “implant look”.  Think the actress Pamela Anderson for the look of an implant that is clearly too wide for the breast. So the art is to properly size someone based on the existing dimensions and tissue characteristics of the breast. There is therefore a range of sizes that are possible for any given breast, but as the implant approaches or exceeds the existing breast dimensions it can begin to appear unnatural. The trade off then is too get a fuller and fuller look in clothing the breast will start to have more of an implant look. And conversely, a smaller implant adds fullness but does not give an implant look. So the sweet spot is to fill the breast but not overly stretch the breast. 
In terms of profile, the Ideal implant has two chambers. The posterior chamber is always set at a standard volume. The anterior chamber has a lower and a higher range of fill. The lowest range is more similar to a “moderate plus” implant profile and the higher range is more similar to a high profile. 
In a “tight” breast, that has never been stretched by pregnancy or weight gain and loss, then a high profile implant can tend to look unnatural. It can give  too much “superior pole convexity” or bulging of the top of the breast. The “push-up bra” look.  But in a “ looser” breast after pregnancy or weight gain and loss, the top of the breast can look deflated and a moderate profile implant may not give enough fullness in the upper breast- the high profile implant can look more natural here. 
If you are interested in having a natural look with breast augmentation , which I personally think is the goal to have with any plastic surgery, then it is important to find an experienced plastic surgeon who measures your breast carefully ( the breast width and nipple to breast fold distance with and without stretch are the most important) and has some experience with the Ideal implant. I would review a variety of photos with your surgeon so that you both are on the same page as to how much or little  of an implant look that you personally find desirable/ acceptable and then a careful sizing  appointment to get an idea of how this implant will look in clothing. In general this is the largest implant that still looks natural,  but a critical evaluation of what your definition of natural is. 
Finally, I find that the Ideal implant needs to be sized even more carefully to achieve a natural look. It is not quite as forgiving as a silicone gel implant. It is slightly firmer and stiffer and needs to be sized just a little more conservatively  to keep a natural look. My patients do like the Ideal implant and find it much more natural in the feel than a traditional saline implant. I have a number of patients now who we have replaced their traditional saline implants with the Ideal implant, and they are quite pleased with the improved look and feel. But for the patient that really wants to “push the envelope” so to speak and use the largest possible breast implant then they are better off, in my opinion with a silicone gel. 
So absolutely you can have a natural look with Ideal breast implants. A “fake” look comes from not sizing  them artistically and using an implant that is too large for your tissues. Ask your surgeon to see some photos of his/her patients after Ideal breast implants to see if you can find the look that you want, and take some time to understand the nuances and trade offs of different implant sizes and profiles.

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

The Ideal Implants most closely resemble high profile implants. They will not give you that gently upper breast slope (teardrop) unless you already have an ample amount of breast tissue. Avoiding high fill volumes will also help to reduce extreme roundness but if you have very little breast tissue there is a bit more chance of feeling some lower breast ripples with lower volumes. Good luck.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Good day! For your guidance, the Ideal Implant was created for women who desire a more natural feeling implant than traditional saline implants but are not comfortable having silicone implants in their body. The unique structure of the Ideal Implant allows for a similar look and feel as silicone with the safety of saline. It's not exactly the same as saline implant because the inner shells gives a thicker feel and it avoids the "sloshing" movement of typical saline implants. It may be a bit high profile but if you look at the long term benefits, this implant requires no monitoring, has no known association with any health conditions and has the lowest rate of rupture of any implant.
Find a board-certified plastic surgeon that has extensive experience on Ideal Implant and discuss realistic goals and expectations. Best of luck! #RealSelf100

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

There is a larger fill volume range with the ideal implant making it very versatile.  The profile tends to be more high profile.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

IdealImplants come in only one profile, which is something between moderate and high.  Although high profile implants tend to look rounder and faker than moderate profile, what ultimately determines the final 'look' is your pre-existing anatomy and the placement of implants.  Thus the best way for you to find out is to see a Plastic Surgeon who can assess you.  On my snapchat/IG stories (realdrsix) I often try to point this out, showing how patients can look natural even with high profile implants, which is what some people want.  Some people want the fake look and because of their pre-existing anatomy, it is impossible to achieve even when using high profile implants.Hope this helps,

Do Ideal Implants look fake because they are high profile?

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Answer: Ideal implant

Answer: Ideal implant

Answer: Ideal implants have a profile somewhere between moderate and high profile

Answer: Ideal implants have a profile somewhere between moderate and high profile

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Do Ideal Implants look fake because they are high profile?

Answers (6)

Answer: Ideal implant

Answer: Ideal implant

Answer: Ideal implants have a profile somewhere between moderate and high profile

Answer: Ideal implants have a profile somewhere between moderate and high profile

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Everything you need to know about Ideal Implant

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