Blog
Dr. Brooke R. Seckel
If you are considering having breast augmentation with implants there are many important decisions that you will have to make with the help of your plastic surgeon. In addition to choosing the type and size of your breast implants you will also have to choose a specific breast implant profile.
The breast implant profile refers to the forward projection or height of the implant on your chest. As you can see from the photograph above of various profiles of 300cc Mentor smooth round silicone breast implants, the same size or volume of breast implant in cc can come in a variety of profiles. The higher the breast implant profile, the narrower the width of the breast implant. Conversely, the lower the breast implant profile the wider the breast implant.
During your consultation for breast augmentation your plastic surgeon will measure the width of the base of your breast. This measurement is referred to as breast base width. It is very important that the breast implant you choose match or be close to the same width as the base of your breast.
For patients who have a narrow base width but want a larger sized implant, High Profile implants with a narrower base width can be used. Patients with a wide breast base will require Lower or Moderate profile breast implants.
Base width or diameter and projection of a breast implant are measured in centimeters (cm). There are 2.54 cm in an inch thus a cm is slightly less than ½ inch.
Below, are the common smooth round silicone gel breast implant profiles made by a manufacturer called Mentor:
The Moderate Profile smooth round breast implant is the lowest profile available in Mentor’s smooth silicone gel breast implant line. The 300cc moderate profile implant in the photo above has a base diameter or width of 13.5 cm. and a projection or height of 3.0 cm.
The Moderate Profile Plus smooth round Mentor breast implant projects more than the Moderate Profile but is narrower. The 300cc Moderate Profile Plus in the photo above has diameter or width of 12 cm and a projection or height of 3.6 cm which is higher than the moderate profile.
Below are before and after photos of a patient with 350cc Moderate Profile Plus Mentor breast implants:
The 300cc Mentor High Profile smooth round silicone gel breast implant pictured above has a base width of 11.1 cm and a projection or height of 4.5 cm.
Below are before and after photographs of a patient with 350cc High Profile Mentor Breast Implants. Notice the volume, 350cc, is the same as the patient pictured above, but the base of the implant is narrower and nipple projection is greater:
Mentor does not make a 300cc Ultra High Profile smooth round silicone gel breast implant. However the 295cc Mentor Ultra High Profile smooth round silicone gel breast implant pictured above has a diameter or base width of 9.7 cm and a projection or height of 5.0 cm a full 2 cm higher than the moderate profile.
Your board certified plastic surgeon will help you choose the proper implant for your unique breast shape and size. Your surgeon will take several measurements of your breasts.
Next a breast implant sizing evaluation will be done. Specially shaped breast implant sizers will be placed into a non-padded bra so you can see how you look with various sized implants. Once you have chosen an estimate of the size of breast implant that you want, your surgeon will use your breast base width measurement to choose the best breast implant profile for your breast in that size implant.
Be sure to consult an experienced plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The Smart Beauty Guide is a valuable source of information about plastic surgeons who are members of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and experienced in cosmetic breast surgery.
