Breast Implant Profile and Projection

Guide to Breast Implant Profile and Projection

When you’re considering breast augmentation – augmentation mammoplasty, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the choices available. One of the most important decisions you’ll make is selecting the right implant profile and projection. These factors influence your final breast shape and appearance.

Sydney Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Jake Lim has a lot of experience performing breast implant surgery and other breast procedures.

Download Dr Lim’s Ultimate Breast Surgery Guide

What Are Breast Implant Profiles?

When you’re exploring your options for breast augmentation, you’ll quickly encounter the term “implant profile”. But what does this really mean for you and your results? Implant profile refers to how much the implant projects forward from your chest wall when viewed from the side. It’s essentially the silhouette of your new breast. The profile you choose will impact your overall appearance, affecting not just the size but also the shape and naturalness of your augmented breasts.

Typically, there are four main implant profiles available, each offering a distinct look:

Low Profile: These implants have the widest base and the least projection. They sit closer to your chest wall, creating a subtler enhancement. If you’re looking for a more natural look or have a wider chest, low profile implants might be your right choice. They’re recommended for adding volume without dramatically changing your silhouette.
Moderate Profile: Often considered the “standard” profile, moderate implants offer a balance between width and projection. They’re versatile and suitable for many body types and desired outcomes. Moderate profile implants can provide a noticeable increase while maintaining a natural-looking slope to the breast.
High Profile: These implants have a narrower base and project further from the chest wall. They can create a more noticeable augmentation and are often favoured by those seeking a more considerable change. High profile implants are particularly useful for creating upper pole fullness – that rounded look in the upper part of the breast.
Ultra-High Profile: The most projecting option, these implants offer maximum fullness and can create a very bold, rounded look. They’re a good option if you’re after a very pronounced appearance. Ultra-high profile implants can be beneficial for women with a narrow chest wall who desire significant change.

To help you visualise these differences, imagine four identical water balloons. If you gently press down on one, it will spread out wider (like a low profile implant). If you let another stand freely, it represents a moderate profile. Now, if you squeeze two balloons from the sides, they’ll project more (similar to high and ultra-high profiles).

You should know that there’s no universally “best” profile. The right choice for you depends on many factors, including your body type, existing breast tissue, and personal goals. During your consultation with Dr Lim, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss these options in detail and even see and feel sample implants to better understand how they differ.

What Is Breast Implant Projection?

While profile gives you an overall idea of the implant’s shape, projection specifically refers to how far the implant extends forward from your chest wall at its apex (the most protruding point). This characteristic influences the final shape and appearance of your breasts.

Here is how different projections can affect your appearance:

Low Projection: These implants create a gentler slope and a more natural-looking breast shape. They’re a good option if you’re seeking a subtle alteration or have more existing breast tissue. Low projection implants can be recommended for adding volume to the lower pole of the breast without creating an overly round look. They’re often favoured by women who want to maintain an athletic or understated appearance.
Moderate Projection: Offering a balance between a natural look and noticeable enhancement, moderate projection implants are versatile and suit a wide range of body types. They provide a bit more fullness in the upper pole compared to low projection implants, but still maintain a relatively natural-looking slope. Many women find that moderate projection implants give them the “best of both worlds” – a noticeable increase in size with a shape that doesn’t immediately scream “breast implants”.
High Projection: These implants provide more fullness in the upper pole of the breast (the area above the nipple). This can create a more rounded appearance that some women desire. High projection implants are particularly useful for creating cleavage and can be the recommended choice if you’re looking for a more dramatic alteration. They’re also often recommended for women with a narrow chest wall who want to achieve significant volume without the implants extending too far to the sides.
Ultra-High Projection: Maximising the forward projection, these implants create a very full, dramatic look. They’re the go-to choice for women desiring a considerable change in their breast appearance. Ultra-high projection implants can create a very round, high-profile look. However, it’s important to note that this level of projection may not suit everyone’s body type or lifestyle.

Breast Augmentation Patient 68 – 390cc Round Implants Under Muscle

The Relationship between Profile and Projection

Profile and projection are closely interrelated concepts. While they’re often discussed separately, in reality, they work together to create the final shape and appearance of your augmented breasts.

Profile, as we’ve discussed, refers to the overall silhouette of the implant, while projection specifically describes how far the implant extends forward at its most prominent point. Generally speaking, higher profile implants offer more projection, while lower profile implants provide less. However, this relationship isn’t always straightforward.

Imagine two implants with the same volume. A high-profile implant will have a narrower base and more projection, creating a more pronounced “forward thrust” from the chest wall. In contrast, a low-profile implant of the same volume will have a wider base and less projection, resulting in a gentler slope and a more subtle enhancement.

It’s important to note that the same profile can have different levels of projection depending on the implant’s size. For instance, a large moderate-profile implant might have more projection than a small high-profile implant, despite the difference in their profile categories.

Your body type affects how this relationship manifests. On a narrow chest, a high-profile, highly projecting implant might create a balanced, proportional look. The same implant on a wider chest might appear overly projected and less natural.

Choosing the Right Profile and Projection

Selecting the right implant profile and projection is a highly personalised process. It’s not just about choosing the biggest or most projecting option – it’s about finding the right match for your body and your goals. Here are some factors to consider:

Body Type and Frame: Your overall body proportions are decisive in settling the most flattering implant choice. If you have a wider chest, you might find that moderate or low profile implants create a more balanced look. Conversely, if you have a narrower frame, higher profile implants might be more suitable.
Existing Breast Tissue: The amount and distribution of your natural breast tissue will influence how the implants sit and project. If you have more existing tissue, you might achieve your desired look with a lower profile implant. Those with less tissue might prefer a higher profile to create more upper pole fullness.
Desired Outcome: Perhaps the most crucial factor is your personal goal. Are you looking for a subtle alteration that looks very natural, or do you prefer a more noticeable, rounded appearance? Your desired outcome will guide the choice between different profiles and projections.
Lifestyle Considerations: Think about your daily activities and style preferences. Higher profile implants might be more noticeable in certain clothing styles or during physical activities. If you lead a very active lifestyle or prefer a more understated look, this might influence your choice.
Skin Elasticity: The condition of your breast skin can affect how well it accommodates different implant profiles. Dr Lim will assess this during your consultation to ensure your chosen implants will be well-supported.
Long-term Satisfaction: Consider how you want your results to look not just immediately after surgery, but in the years to come. Some women prefer a more projected look initially, knowing that settling and natural changes over time might reduce the projection slightly.

When you come in for your consultation with Dr Lim, he’ll take all these factors into account. Using his extensive experience and keen aesthetic eye, he’ll guide you towards the options that are most likely to achieve your outcome while complementing your natural anatomy.

Keep in mind that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution in breast augmentation – augmentation mammoplasty. What works beautifully for your friend might not be the right choice for you. That’s why it’s important to have an open, honest discussion about your goals and concerns during your consultation.

FAQs about Breast Implant Profile and Projection

Will higher profile implants always give me more upper pole fullness?

While higher profile implants generally provide more upper pole fullness, the final result depends on various factors, including your existing breast tissue and skin elasticity. Dr Lim will help you understand how different implants might look on your unique anatomy.

Can I change my implant profile in the future if I’m not satisfied?

Yes, it’s possible to change your implant profile through revision surgery. However, it’s best to aim for your desired result in the initial surgery. Dr Lim will work closely with you to ensure you’re confident in your choice before proceeding.

Do higher profile implants feel less natural than lower profile ones?

Not necessarily. The “natural feel” depends on many factors, including the implant material, your existing breast tissue, and surgical technique. In some cases, even high profile implants can feel very natural when properly sized and placed.

Will my choice of profile affect the longevity of my results?

The longevity of your results depends more on factors like implant quality, surgical technique, and how you care for your implants post-surgery. The profile itself doesn’t typically affect longevity.

Can I mix different profiles, using a higher profile implant on one side to correct asymmetry?

Yes, using different profiles to address asymmetry is a technique Dr Lim might recommend if appropriate for your case. This approach can help achieve more balanced, natural-looking results.

How does implant profile affect cleavage?

Higher profile implants often create more noticeable cleavage due to their increased projection. However, cleavage also depends on factors like your natural breast position and the surgical technique used.

Will a higher profile implant be more likely to show rippling?

Rippling can occur with any implant type, but it’s generally less noticeable with higher profile implants because they’re usually firmer. Factors like implant placement (over or under the muscle) and your existing breast tissue also play significant roles in visible rippling.

How does profile choice affect my risk of complications?

When performed by an experienced surgeon, the complication rates are similar across different implant profiles. The most important factors for reducing complications are choosing the right implant size for your body and following all post-operative care instructions. Read about Potential Complications after Breast Implants Surgery (Breast Augmentation) and How to Avoid Them.

Will my choice of profile affect how my breasts move?

To some degree, yes. Higher profile implants might have slightly less natural movement than lower profile ones, but this difference is often subtle. The implant’s placement (over or under the muscle) typically has a more considerable impact on breast movement.