A Patient Guide to Breast Augmentation
Lesson Three:
Implant Profile & Projection
Implant profile & projection.
​​​
​
Profile is how far an implant projects forward for a given width. For two implants of the same volume, it's one of the biggest influences on your final look — and every manufacturer names it a little differently.
What it is
Projection, not volume
Profile describes how far an implant sits forward relative to how wide it is. It's a separate choice from how many cc's an implant holds — and it changes the shape of your result more than the number does.
Higher profile
Narrower base, more forward projection — a rounder, fuller push, especially in the upper breast. Reads more augmented.
Lower Profile
Wider base, less projection — a softer, more sloped, more natural-looking contour.
Same volume, different profile
At the same volume/ number of cc's, a higher profile looks narrower and more projected; a lower profile looks wider and flatter.
Projection Continued
Every Implant Company has different names for their implant projections, so it can get confusing
In general, profiles run low, medium, medium-to-high, high, and extra-high. Each manufacturer — Mentor, Allergan Natrelle, and Motiva — uses its own terms for these steps, which is where a lot of patient confusion comes from. The chart above shows how the names line up; your surgeon translates between them for you.
The amount of pre operative natural breast tissue you have affects which profile you choose to achieve a given look
Lower profiles tend toward the Athletic and Natural looks; higher profiles toward Balanced Full and Augmented Full — but remember, the amount of your own starting tissue can shifts this, so achieving the same look can need a different profile on a different body. More starting tissue means less projection is needed for a fuller look, and less starting tissue means you need more projection to achieve achieve a full look. For example, a patient who has DD cup sized breasts and wants a very full look may only require low or medium profile projection, but a patient with a B cup breast may require a High profile projection to achieve the same result!
Next Lesson
Keep it going
Explore More Breast Augmentation topics
Why "cc's" don't equal a cup size — and why your look matters more than a number.
How projection and width change the same volume's shape on your frame.
"Gummy bear" and beyond — how firm vs. soft gels feel and hold shape.
Search through before and after images organized by Category of what general "look" each patient has
To schedule an appointment to discuss achieving your breast goals, please click here to contact us, click the below link to schedule online, or call us at (469) 899-8758.
What financing options exist for treatments at Walker Plastic Surgery?
Walker Plastic Surgery has partnered with Care Credit to help our patients finance the costs of their procedures. The CareCredit card is North America’s leading patient payment program. The CareCredit card is easy to use, includes no hidden costs, and can be applied towards both surgical costs and follow-up appointments.
​
Through their website, you can access tools like the payment calculator and even find out if you qualify for a CareCredit card by starting a commitment free, instant application.