A Quick Guide to Breast Implant Shapes

Women who are considering Chicago breast augmentation generally have three main considerations when it comes to choosing the right procedure. While size is often at the forefront of breast augmentation candidates’ minds, the right implant placement can go a long way toward helping you reach your goal appearance. Additionally, implant profile, which is another way of saying it’s shaped, has just as significant an effect on your overall results. Here is a quick guide to breast implant profiles/shapes and the ideal candidates for each.

Moderate Profile

Moderate profile implants have a wider base and less projection from the chest wall. In general, they are flatter and wider.  Women with wider chests seeking a natural appearance may benefit most from moderate profile implants, which can boost their breast size without appearing obviously augmented, especially when placed under the muscle. Additionally, some women choose moderate profile implants because they can help create the desired ‘side boob’ look.

Moderate Plus Profile

Moderate plus profile implants are popular because they offer a happy medium between moderate and high profile. Moderate plus implants have a moderately sized base with a little more projection from the chest wall. Moderate plus profile implants can be an excellent option for creating enhanced cleavage and greater projection in women with average chest width who may not be candidates for high profile implants.

High Profile

High profile implants have a narrow base and greater projection from the chest wall. Candidates for high profile implants are usually narrow-chested and want a significant boost to their figure rather than a subtle enhancement. Women with moderate skin laxity may also benefit from the added tension created by high profile implants, as the increased tautness may help decrease the chance of rippling.

Ultra-High Profile

Mentor has recently introduced the ultra-high profile implant. This implant is typically best used for women requesting larger breast augmentations accompanied with a prior history of marked volume loss and/or breasts with a small base diameter. This is not a subtle breast augmentation and creates a breast with a pronounced, dome-like shape.

With the help of your surgeon, the right implant profile can help create the best breast augmentation results for all figures.  The location of the implant placement, over or under the muscle, will also affect the projection and profile of the implant. On rare occasions, patients with rib cage or chest wall abnormalities that occur with conditions such as pectus excavatum or scoliosis may benefit from the use of different profile implants on one breast versus the other in order to compensate for breast asymmetry.

Author: Dr. Otto Placik

Dr. Otto Placik is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Chicago, a leader in the field of body sculpting, and is recognized for his artistry in a wide range of modern cosmetic enhancements. View all posts by