Implant Shape
Breast Augmentation Dallas – Breast Augmentation Plano
Many patients have engaged me in conversations about breast implant shapes and sizes. Many patients have seen pictures on the Internet of patients with breast augmentation results they liked and wanted the same style implants as in the pictures. Implants essentially fall into one of two categories: anatomic implants and smooth round implants. Anatomic implants have a specific orientation, in that they are designed to be narrower in the upper pole of the breast and fatter in the lower pole. Because of this, they are textured, which allows the breast to stick to the implant more. For this reason, the implants tend to be immobile. Most board-certified plastic surgeons tend to use anatomic implants more for breast reconstruction (i.e after cancer surgery0 and less for cosmetic breast augmentation. One reason for this has already been mentioned; the implants don’t move and tend to be more rigid. The other is that most women want more fullness over the upper poles of the breast than anatomic implants can provide.
Smooth round implants tend to be used much more commonly for cosmetic breast augmentation. These come in a variety of “profiles”, which can be a big source of confusion for patients. The two major breast implant manufactures have different names for their implants. Allergan refers to its saline implants as low, moderate, and high profile and its silicone implants as moderate, midrange and high profile. Mentor has similar names, but also has a moderate profile plus implant, which is between its moderate and high profile implants.
The profile of an implant equates to the projection of that implant. For a given volume, the higher the profile, the fatter and narrower an implant is. As a result, higher profile implants tend to provide more fullness and a rounder appearance to the upper portions of the breast. Higher profile implants tend to be really useful in women with relatively narrow breasts who want significant enlargement of the breasts; in these women, if a low or moderate profile implant were selected, to achieve the desired volume may entail the implant riding into the underarm region. In contrast, a patient with a wider build or wider breasts may find that high profile implants may fail to adequately fill their entire breast; they often times benefit from implants with lesser projection. Higher profile implants also tend to be useful in women who desire a small breast lift without the incisions associated with a formal lift.
Almost no patients choose low profile implants for aesthetic breast augmentation; the limited amount of projection provided with these implants does not coincide with their aesthetic goals. Generally speaking, women looking to maximize their cleavage and perkiness often times opt for high profile implants. Ultimately, though, the best implant profile for a patient can only be determined after a careful examination by a board certified plastic surgeon, taking into account the specifics of a patient’s breast anatomy, as well as their desired appearance.
If you’d like to learn more, please do not hesitate to contact our office for a consultation today!
