Making the decision to undergo a breast augmentation procedure is a difficult decision in itself, let alone selecting the implants that are best suited to you, especially with so many options to choose from.
Implants are selected based on different characteristics ranging from filler materials to the texture of the implant shell. Another important decision that you will have to make is deciding on the profile of the implant. Below is a small explanation of what profile exactly is, and why it so important.
What does profile mean?
The profile of a breast implant refers to the width of a implant’s base, and how much the implant will project forward because of it. As the size or volume of an implant increases, the dimensions will either get wider and have the same projection or have more projection while keeping the same width. These profiles come in four different variations: low, medium, high, and extra-high.
This means that low-implants will make breasts look wider and flatter, while an extra-high implants with the same volume would make them narrower and more projected.
Selecting between the different profiles
Selecting the right profile is based on the width of someone’s torso. When a person has a wide torso, a wider implant is needed so that the implants proportionately fill out the chest. In this situation, a low or mid-profile implant may be better, while a high-profile implant will be likely leave too much space in between the breasts.
A higher profile is better suited to someone with a narrow torso. Choosing implants that are too wide for your torso could result in implants being positioned too close in the centre or hanging off to the side.
While it is important that the implant is in accordance with the torso, the tightness of the tissue envelope should not be forgotten either. While an extra-high implant could fit the width of your torso, if your tissue envelope is too tight it will limit the amount of forward projection that you could have. This is likely to result in the atrophy of breast tissue or even a chest wall deformity.
Because selecting the right fit is so important, write down any wishes you might have for your look, and discuss it with your surgeon during your consultation.
