When it comes to breast augmentation with implants, the surgery isn’t a “one size fits all” procedure. Our patients from Denver, Ft. Collins, Colorado Springs, and beyond often ask what goes into choosing the best breast implants for their goals. Two of the main implant considerations are profile and shape. Depending on the look of your desired silhouette, changing these details can completely change your look.
Breast Implant Profile
Implant profile refers to the relationship between the projection of the implant and base width of the implant. The profiles allow for the best match between a woman’s desired size and natural breast dimensions. There are low, moderate, and high profile breast implants. For a given fill volume, low profile implants have the widest base width, high profile implants have the narrowest base width, and moderate profile implants are between low and high. Generally, the larger enhancement that a woman wants, the higher profile the implant needed to match breast dimensions.
Conversely, when a smaller enlargement is desired, lower implant profiles are appropriate. Again, the goal is to match the implant diameter with the base width of the breast and vary projection to accommodate the patient’s volume goals. For example: If a woman with a 12 cm breast width wants a large enhancement (>450cc), she would require a high profile implant in order to avoid the implant extending too far to the side of her chest as it would with a moderate or low profile. But if that same woman wanted a small enhancement (<250cc), she would need a low profile implant to avoid the implant from being too narrow. A volume in between 250cc and 450cc would call for a moderate profile implant.
Breast Implant Shape
There are essentially two implant shapes available in Denver for breast augmentation: round and contoured (teardrop). Round implants are most popular; however, contoured implants may be a good option for some women.
When upright, round implants take on a natural teardrop breast contour and their shape changes with positional movement as natural breast tissue would. When they rotate, there is no problem with distorting the breast shape.
Contoured implants were created in an attempt to provide a more natural-looking option to round implants but most evidence does not support this assertion. These implants can be helpful for women with small breasts and very tight skin. Contoured implants are manufactured with a textured surface to help resist rotation. Nonetheless, these implants can spin causing breast distortion and occasionally the need for surgical correction.
Ready to Learn More About Breast Implants?
The Center for Cosmetic Surgery has two offices conveniently located in the Denver metropolitan area. One is located just outside of Denver in lovely Golden, Colorado immediately off 6th Ave West and the other is located downtown in Cherry Creek, Denver.
Please schedule a personal consultation to learn what plastic surgery can do for you. Simply call (303) 278-2600 or request your consultation online.
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