Understanding Breast Implant Profile and Projection

Breaking Down Breast Implant Profiles and Projection

When you think about breast implants, it’s not just about size. It’s about shape, proportion, and how it’ll fit and look on your unique body. Let’s get into the specifics:

What is a Breast Implant Profile?

Imagine a plate and a bowl. Both might have the same diameter (or base), but they differ in height and how much they can hold. The breast implant profile is somewhat like that. It gives you a full picture of the implant’s three dimensions. This includes:

• The base diameter (like the plate or bowl’s rim)
• The volume (how much it can hold or the amount of fill, whether saline or silicone)
• The projection (how much it stands out)

So, when we talk about the ‘profile’, we’re referring to the overall dimensional arrangement of the implant.

Diving Deeper into Projection:

The term ‘projection’ zooms in on one specific aspect of the implant: the distance from the chest wall to the outermost point of the implant. Think of it like the height of the bowl if you kept it on a table. It tells you how much the implant will ‘stick out’ from the chest.

Different projections can result in varied looks. For instance, a higher projection can provide a more prominent or rounded appearance to the breasts, while a lower projection might offer a subtler enhancement.

Understanding breast implant profile and projection is key to choosing the right type of implant to achieve the optimal breast shape. Centre for Surgery in London is renowned for its expertise in breast augmentation with implants. Our expert plastic surgeons have years of experience with Mentor implants and spend time with each patient to explain the wide variety of breast implant options available.

RELATED: How to choose the best breast implant size

Here at Centre for Surgery, our practice philosophy is aimed at achieving natural-looking breast augmentation results to help women achieve a boost in self-confidence. Other women may prefer to have oversized implants to achieve a ‘fake look’, and our surgeons work closely with each patient to help them achieve their treatment goals. Breast augmentation can now be carried out using your own fat with breast fat transfer and may even be combined with breast implants as part of hybrid breast augmentation.

RELATED: Breast Augmentation Before And After Photos

Understanding breast implant profile

Breast implant profile is a three-dimensional concept used to describe the degree of implant protrusion in relation to the diameter of its base. Breast implant profile differs from breast implant projection which is used to describe one particular measurement. Breast implant projection is the distance measured from the back of the implant to its front.

RELATED: Round vs teardrop implants – choosing the best breast implant shape

More about breast implant projection

Implant projection is a simplified measurement of the distance from the innermost aspect to the outermost part of an implant. Compared with the breast implant profile, implant projection is just a single measurement, whereas the breast implant profile gives a three-dimensional construct of an implant by describing the degree of implant projection relative to the diameter of the implant base or base diameter (BD). Breast implant profile is a more useful descriptor when describing how far an implant protrudes forward from the chest.

Does breast implant profile matter?

A breast implant profile gives an accurate idea of how far an implant projects forward from the level of the chest wall. The width of the implant determines the amount of projection. Breast implants with a narrow base width are more likely to project farther from the chest.

RELATED: How to Choose the Right Breast Implant Profile

Choosing the best type of breast implant can be challenging due to the many considerations. However, an experienced surgeon will help you to understand how breast implant profiles can impact your results. Breast implant profile  is determined by several factors, including:

• Base diameter (BD)
• Degree of projection
• The volume of the implant.

Different types of breast implant profile

The most popular breast implants used at Centre for Surgery are Mentor MemoryGel Xtra implants, although implants from Motiva are also a highly popular option. Mentor implants come in Moderate, Moderate plus, high profile, and ultra-high profile variants.

Moderate profile implant

A low-profile implant has a wide base width and the lowest amount of projection. Low-profile implants appear flattened when viewed from the side but can help to produce natural-looking results with enhanced cleavage. Low-profile implants are ideal for women with a very wide chest with a naturally large gap between the breasts.

Moderate plus profile implant

Moderate-profile implants provide a greater degree of projection than low-profile implants, although there is often a minimal difference in the width of the base. The moderate profile is a popular type of implant as it can produce fuller breasts with natural results and is ideal for women with a wide gap between the breasts and a moderately wide ribcage.

High profile implant

High-profile implants project a greater distance compared with moderate-profile implants and help to enhance upper pole fullness due to the narrow base diameter. High-profile implants have more of a spherical or rounded shape and are suitable for women with narrow chests and who would like to have very large breasts.

Ultra high-profile implant

Ultra high profile implants have a very narrow base diameter and are designed to achieve significant fullness of the breasts and are preferred by women who would like to achieve the ‘fake look’. Implant profile has no direct relationship to implant projection. Implant projection is determined by base width, although the size of an implant can determine both implant profile and projection.

What are my breast implant options?

There are several different considerations when it comes to breast implant options, and your surgeon will discuss all aspects of the selection of the best breast implants at your consultation. The following factors should be kept in mind when choosing implants:

• Type of implant filler material – silicone or saline
• Shape of implant – round or anatomical (teardrop)
• Size of the implant – measured in cc’s
• Implant profile and projection – low, moderate or high profile
• Implant surface – smooth or textured
• Breast implant placement – above the muscle, subfascial, dual plane or below the muscle
• Breast implant incisions – under the breast, around the nipple or in the armpit.

RELATED: Breast Implant Options

Choosing Centre for Surgery for your breast augmentation will allow you to achieve beautiful enhanced results.

Breast Implant Profiles: Understanding Your Options

When it comes to breast augmentation, the profile and projection of the implant play a crucial role in determining the final aesthetic outcome. Different implant profiles offer varying degrees of forward projection and base width, enabling a tailored approach to suit individual body types and aesthetic desires. Let’s delve into the profiles offered by two renowned implant brands: Mentor and Motiva.

Mentor Breast Implant Profiles

Mentor, a trusted name in the breast implant industry, provides a comprehensive assortment of implant profiles to cater to diverse aesthetic preferences:

1. Moderate Profile: Offers a balanced projection that looks natural and is suited for those looking for subtle enhancement.
2. Moderate Plus Profile: Provides a bit more forward projection than the moderate profile while maintaining a natural look.
3. Moderate Plus Profile XTRA: A variation on the moderate plus, this offers an added boost in projection while still maintaining a wider base.
4. High Profile: As the name suggests, these implants have a higher forward projection, creating a more noticeable bust enhancement while having a narrower base.
5. High Profile XTRA: Enhancing the high profile further, this offers even more pronounced projection, making the breasts appear fuller.
6. Ultra High Profile: This profile provides the maximum forward projection, best suited for those desiring a very prominent and voluptuous look.

Motiva Breast Implant Profiles

Motiva is another leading name in breast implant manufacturing, offering a series of implant profiles with varying projections:

1. Mini Profile: Ideal for those seeking minimal enhancement with a very natural and subtle look.
2. Demi Profile: Offers a moderate level of projection that’s a balance between mini and full, suited for those who want a noticeable, yet not overly pronounced look.
3. Full Profile: This profile provides a fuller and more pronounced breast projection, giving the breasts a more rounded and fuller appearance.
4. Corse Profile: The most robust profile in Motiva’s range, Corse offers the maximum projection, resulting in a very voluminous and prominent breast enhancement.

Breast Implant and Surgery Choices

Breast augmentation is a highly personalised procedure. When deciding to enhance your breasts, you’re not just choosing an implant – you’re deciding on a complete aesthetic transformation tailored to your body and preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the multifaceted decisions involved in breast augmentation:

1. Implant Filling Type: Your choice here can affect the look and feel of the implant.

• Saline: These are filled with sterile salt water. If the implant shell leaks, the saline will be absorbed by the body. They can be filled during the surgery, allowing for minor size adjustments.
• Silicone: Filled with a gel-like substance, they often provide a more natural feel compared to saline implants. Regular check-ups are recommended to ensure they’re functioning correctly.

2. Implant Size: Measured in millilitres (ml), this determines the volume of the implant. The right size should align with your desired outcome and body proportions.

3. Implant Texture: Texture can play a role in how the implant sits and moves in the breast pocket.

• Smooth: These implants move more naturally in the breast pocket and might have a softer feel.
• Textured: These have a rougher surface which helps keep the implant in place, reducing the risk of the implant repositioning.

4. Implant Shape:

• Round: These implants are the same shape all over and tend to provide more fullness to the top of the breast.
• Teardrop (Anatomical): These mimic the natural shape of a breast, fuller at the bottom and tapered towards the top. They require a textured surface to prevent rotation.

5. Implant Projection: This refers to how far the implant protrudes from the chest.

• Low Profile: Flatter and wider, suitable for wider chests.
• High Profile: More forward projection, making the breast appear fuller. Suitable for narrower chests.

6. Placement of the Breast Implant: The location can affect the look and feel of the augmented breast.

• Above the Muscle (Subglandular): Implants are placed between the breast tissue and chest muscle. This might be suitable for women with a reasonable amount of natural breast tissue.
• Below the Muscle (Submuscular): Implants are positioned under the pectoral muscle. This offers a more natural look and feel, especially for women with little natural breast tissue.
• Dual Plane: A combination approach, where the implant is partly under the glandular tissue and partly under the muscle.

7. Incision Site for Surgery: This dictates where scars might be located post-surgery.

• Under Breast (Inframammary Fold or IMF): The most common approach, where incisions are made in the fold under the breast.
• Armpit (Transaxillary): Incisions are made in the natural folds of the armpit, ensuring no scars on the breast itself.
• Others: Other less common options include the periareolar (around the nipple) and transumbilical (belly button) methods.

What factors determine the best implant profile?

Choosing the best implant profile will be determined by what you would like to achieve from breast augmentation surgery. We would recommend thinking about the following factors:

Amount of breast tissue

The amount of breast tissue naturally present is a key factor when choosing the right implant profile. If you have minimal breast tissue, higher profile implants can better achieve an enhanced look with improved cleavage. Lower profile implants may be better for those who already have a sufficient amount of native breast tissue to prevent an exaggerated appearance with too much protection.

Position of breasts

The position of the breasts on the chest wall will also determine the type of breast profile. Women who have naturally wide breasts are recommended to have lower-profile implants to maintain a natural-looking appearance. High-profile implants may cause a “stuck-on” appearance in those with wide breasts. For breasts that are close together, higher-profile implants would be more appropriate.

Width of chest wall

The width of the chest wall should be considered when selecting an implant profile. Women with naturally wider chests will require implants with a wide base width to ensure a natural look. Low-profile implants would be ideal in this situation. Choosing high-profile implants in women with wide chests creates an excessively large distance between the breasts. It may lead to an unnatural appearance, especially when high-profile implants project outwards excessively. Low-profile implants would not be suitable for women with a narrow chest wall as projection could be very limited with an excessively widened appearance of the breasts. This could lead to a poor cosmetic outcome.

Size and shape of implants

The size and shape of implants will affect the implant profile. Implants with a high profile and large volume are not necessarily needed to achieve significant breast enhancement. Many women can achieve significant projection with medium to large implants with a moderate profile for excellent results. Some women simply want to achieve large breasts with a maximum projection, and in this case, choosing implants 400cc or greater and in high profile or ultra high profile will help to achieve this.

High-profile implants vs low profile implants

Benefits of high-profile implants

High-profile implants can achieve significant upper pole fullness with a perkier appearance. The breast has more of a rounded appearance and appears firmer to the touch. They can also be beneficial in correcting mild degrees of breast sagging.

Although the size of breast implants plays a key role in the final postoperative appearance, breast implant profile plays a big part in determining the overall shape of the breast. In some cases, it may be better to choose a different implant profile rather than simply choosing a bigger size of breast implant.

Benefits of low-profile implants

Low-profile implants can help to achieve increased fullness of the breasts laterally. They may also help to enhance fullness in the upper part of the breasts. Low-profile implants generally give a softer breast feel.

How to choose the best implant profile and projection?

The profile of an implant should be given due attention when planning to have breast implant surgery. Different profiles are better suited to certain types of body shapes. Your surgeon will examine you to determine your body shape and provide recommendations on the most appropriate breast implant profile.

Your surgeon will carefully measure your breast dimensions to help provide customised recommendations on the best implant profile suited to your body shape. Most patients want to achieve natural-looking results with breast implants that appear in balance in harmony with their chest and torso. Your surgeon will also want to learn about your treatment goals. Some women would like to achieve subtle improvements in the size, shape or fullness of their breasts, while others will be looking to achieve significant enhancement with maximum projection and enhanced cleavage. Whatever your needs and desires, you can be assured of receiving a high standard of medical care here at Centre for Surgery.

A Personalised Approach to Breast Augmentation:

At the heart of a successful breast augmentation is understanding and clarity about what you envision for yourself. Here’s how you can navigate the process with Centre for Surgery:

1. Setting Clear Goals: It’s essential to have a clear picture in mind. Think about:

• Desired breast size: Do you want a subtle increase, a dramatic change, or somewhere in between?
• Projection: How far out from the chest wall would you like your breasts to project?
• Shape & Cleavage: Do you lean towards a more natural teardrop shape or a fuller round appearance? How close do you want the breasts to be?
• Feel: Would you prefer them to be soft and natural-feeling, or firmer?
• Proportions: How do you want your new breasts to balance with the rest of your body?

2. The Importance of Implant Profile: The profile of the implant is integral to achieving your envisioned look. It determines how much the implant projects based on its size. Whether you lean towards a low-profile for a more natural look or a high-profile for pronounced projection, it’s a choice that shapes the outcome.

3. Expert Guidance: While personal preferences are paramount, the expertise of a seasoned surgeon is invaluable. The team at Centre for Surgery excels in lending their expertise, ensuring that your choices are tailored to your body type and aesthetic goals. They can offer insights, drawing from extensive experience, about how each profile might look and feel on you.

Breast implant profile FAQs

How can I choose the best breast implant profile?

Breast implant profile plays a significant part in determining the appearance of the breast after breast augmentation. Choosing the best implants is, therefore, crucial. A low-profile implant may be appropriate for women who would like to achieve a natural appearance with more subtle degrees of enhancement. High-profile implants are better for women who want to achieve more projected and fuller-looking breasts. The consultation is the ideal opportunity to discuss your needs and desires with your Plastic Surgeon to help you achieve the best results.

What are the benefits of low-profile implants?

Low-profile implants have the lowest amount of projection from the chest and have a wide base diameter which gives them a flattened look. Low-profile implants can create more cleavage compared with high-profile implants. Women who have naturally wider chests and are keen to achieve a natural result can achieve excellent results with low-profile implants.

Can ultra-high-profile implants still give a natural look?

When you hear “ultra-high-profile”, you might imagine something very dramatic. However, whether or not these implants look natural isn’t just about their profile. It’s about how they fit with the rest of you. Everyone’s body is unique. The shape of your body, the elasticity of your skin, the amount of breast tissue you already have, and what you want to achieve with the surgery – all these things come into play. So, while ultra-high-profile implants do have a distinctive look, they can still blend harmoniously with certain body types and meet specific aesthetic goals.

What is the most popular type of implant profile?

Moderate profile implants are most commonly chosen by the majority of women considering breast implant surgery. Moderate profile implants take on a teardrop shape when standing up as the silicone settles in the lower part of the implant. This helps to impart a natural appearance to the breast.

What are the differences between high-profile and low-profile implants?

High-profile implants provide the most projection, which gives dramatic results for rounder and fuller breasts. Low-profile implants have a low degree of projection but can provide a greater degree of cleavage compared with high-profile implants.

How does age influence the choice of breast implant profile?

Deciding on the size of breast implants, like choosing a bra, often revolves around cup size. However, there’s another essential element to consider, and that’s the profile of the implant. Now, you might wonder, does age matter when picking the profile? Well, both surgeons and patients have noticed a pattern over the years. Younger women tend to lean towards higher profile implants. They often want a more pronounced look. On the other hand, older patients often go for a more understated, subtle enhancement. That said, age is just one factor. The key is to find the profile that matches your personal vision and body shape.

Breast augmentation with implants at Centre for Surgery in London

An in-person consultation is an ideal opportunity to help plan your breast augmentation procedure. Understanding breast implant profile is critical to helping you achieve the best possible results. You can be assured of receiving expert recommendations from an experienced Plastic Surgeon at our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in London. We would recommend having some idea of your goals for treatment in advance of surgery which you should discuss with your surgeon. Selection of an appropriate implant profile matched to your body frame will help to achieve balance and harmony for natural-looking results.

RELATED: How to Prepare For Your Breast Augmentation Consultation