Breast augmentation surgery through the use of implants naturally increases one’s breast size. And while all breast augmentation patients have great concerns about the final size they want to be, they also are often concerned about the final shape as well. While breast implants, whether they are saline or silicone, come in a wide variety of sizes they also come with different projections or profiles. The concept of breast implant profiling is relatively new and is an additional consideration that prospective patients needs to consider.
Profiling of a breast implant is a method of altering the shape of the implant, changing the height and width ratio. That may sound like geometry but what it does is allow more of the implant volume to create a ‘higher mountain’. This is real apparent when looking at to two different profiles of the same size implant when sitting on a table. The higher profile one will be slightly narrower (decreased diameter) but will sit up higher. When sitting on a woman’s chest that means the top side of the implant will be more full, creating a rounder breast shape. Lower profile implants will create more of a natural or teardrop shape. Every breast implant size comes in different profiles as well.
What I have found about breast implant shape is that women prefer one of two types. The teardrop or natural shape or the more full and rounder (some call this unnatural) breast shape. The profile of the breast implant will make a contribution to this final shape, a high profile implant for a round shape and a low or moderate profile for more of a teardrop shape.
I caution all patients, however, that the profile of a breast implant is but one contributing factor to the final breast shape. In reality, it may not even be the most important. The tightness or looseness of the existing breast size and the size of the implant may be more important. For example, small tight A or B cup breasts with a large implant will end up looking round no matter what the profile is used. Conversely, loose saggy breast skin that is implanted will almost always have a final teardrop shape unless a very large implant is used.
When considering breast augmentation, breast implant options include filler material (saline vs silicone), size in ccs, and height of profile. The concept of breast implant profile is relatively new and what its impact may be on the final shape of the breast should be gone over carefully with your plastic surgeon.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana