Implant Profile · 3 of 5
Moderate-plus profile implants
The most common implant profile in modern practice — approximately 35-40% of placements. Optimal balance of projection and width for average-to-narrower chest dimensions.
Clinical summary
Moderate-plus profile is the single most common implant profile in modern practice — approximately 35-40% of global placements. Suited to average-to-narrower chest widths (12-13 cm) and patients seeking clearly visible enhancement that remains natural-looking. The combination of moderate-plus + appropriate size + dual-plane placement is one of the most reliable choices in primary augmentation.
The five profiles at a glance
| Profile | Projection (height) | Base width (relative) | Best fit |
|---|
| Low | Lowest | Widest | Wide chest base, conservative aesthetic, athletic body |
| Moderate | Lower-mid | Wide | Average chest width, natural appearance preference |
| Moderate-plus | Mid-high | Mid | Most common — balanced projection and width |
| High | High | Narrower | Narrow chest base, fuller appearance preference |
| Extra-high | Highest | Narrowest | Very narrow chest, maximum projection priority |
For the same volume, different profiles produce different appearances. A 350 cc low-profile implant is wider and flatter; a 350 cc extra-high-profile implant is narrower and more projected. Volume alone does not describe an implant — profile is equally important.
Moderate-plus geometry
For an example 350 cc volume:
Approximate width
12.0-13.0 cm
Approximate projection
4.5-5.0 cm
Width:projection ratio
~2.6:1
Why moderate-plus dominates modern practice
Several factors converge to make moderate-plus the most common choice:
- Average chest width in adult women is approximately 12-13 cm — moderate-plus matches this anatomy well.
- Aesthetic preferences have shifted toward natural-but-clearly-enhanced — moderate-plus delivers exactly this profile.
- Volume range patients commonly request (250-400 cc) works well with moderate-plus geometry.
- Clinical predictability — surgeons have decades of experience with moderate-plus across all body types.
- Reduced revision risk compared to high or extra-high profile in patients without specifically narrow chests.
The aesthetic positioning
| Aesthetic goal | Best profile |
|---|
| Subtle natural enhancement | Low or moderate |
| Visible enhancement, natural-looking | Moderate-plus |
| Clearly enhanced with visible cleavage | Moderate-plus or high |
| Maximum upper pole fullness, dramatic | High or extra-high |
Combined with placement
The placement decision affects how moderate-plus profile appears:
- Submuscular + moderate-plus — most natural-looking; muscle coverage masks implant edge; cleavage modest.
- Dual-plane + moderate-plus — most common combination; balances coverage and natural drape; cleavage visible.
- Subglandular + moderate-plus — more visible projection and cleavage; less muscle coverage; suited to patients with adequate breast tissue.
Most surgeons recommend dual-plane + moderate-plus for primary augmentation in patients with thin-to-moderate overlying tissue — the combination producing the most reliable natural-enhanced results.
Frequently asked questions
Why is moderate-plus the most common profile?
Moderate-plus represents an optimal balance for the largest segment of patients. It provides visible projection (more than moderate, less than high), appropriate width matching for average-to-narrow-average chests (12-13 cm), and produces aesthetic results that most patients describe as 'enhanced but natural.' Approximately 35-40% of global placements are moderate-plus profile — making it the single most common implant profile category.
How is moderate-plus different from moderate?
Moderate-plus has slightly more projection (typically 3-5 mm more) and slightly less width (typically 5-8 mm less) for the same volume. The difference is subtle — most patients cannot distinguish them in side-by-side comparison without measurement. Functionally, moderate-plus produces slightly more visible upper pole fullness and slightly more projection forward from the chest wall. For patients with chest widths in the 12-13 cm range, moderate-plus often fits anatomy better than moderate.
Is moderate-plus appropriate for first-time augmentation?
Often yes — particularly for patients with average-to-narrower chest widths who want clearly visible enhancement. Moderate-plus produces results that are clearly augmented but not dramatic, suitable for most aesthetic goals. The combination of moderate-plus + appropriate size + dual-plane placement is one of the most common and reliable choices in modern primary augmentation.
Will moderate-plus give me visible cleavage?
Yes — moderate-plus typically produces visible cleavage in moderate-to-larger sizes, particularly with subglandular or dual-plane placement. Less cleavage than high profile, more than moderate. For patients prioritising cleavage as their primary aesthetic goal, high profile may produce more dramatic results; for patients wanting visible cleavage without dramatic prominence, moderate-plus is often the right answer.
How does moderate-plus compare to high profile?
Moderate-plus has less projection and more width than high profile. For the same volume, moderate-plus is wider and shorter; high profile is narrower and more projected. High profile produces more dramatic upper pole fullness and visible projection; moderate-plus produces visible enhancement that looks more natural. The choice between them depends on chest width (narrower chests favour high profile), aesthetic preference (more dramatic favours high profile), and patient priorities.
Are moderate-plus implants available across all brands?
Yes — Mentor, Allergan/Natrelle, Motiva, Polytech, Sebbin, and Nagor all offer moderate-plus or equivalent profile implants. Brand-specific naming may vary (Mentor 'Moderate Plus'; Allergan 'Style 20 / TruForm 3'; Motiva 'Demi+' or 'Mini+'). The clinical category is consistent across brands — projection between moderate and high.
Related references