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What Are the Best Implants for Cleavage?
For many women interested in breast augmentation, achieving larger breasts is only part of what they want. They also desire cleavage. Cleavage is the space in between the breasts, and many women believe that the narrower this space is, the better. It is for this reason that push-up bras are so popular.
Many women think that breast augmentation will automatically give them the cleavage that they desire, but this is not always the case. While enlarging the breasts will partially narrow the gap between them, adding implants alone is not always enough. For that, specific and appropriate technique and implant choices need to be made in order to obtain the desired results.
Profile Over Size
Many women assume that the larger the implant, the more cleavage they will achieve. This is true but only to an extent. An example of this would be two implants that are exactly the same size in volume but one is narrower and projects more while the other is broader with less projection. Even though they are exactly the same volume (even if they are both very large), the narrower one will provide less cleavage in a woman whose chest is very broad.
These silicone implants are all virtually the same volume but are different in profile: moderate, high and ultra-high (from left to right)
This is the concept of implant “profile”, where the factors of implant width and projection need to be taken into consideration—in addition to volume—in order to obtain a more desirable, customized result. Implants of similar size can come in ultra-high, high, moderate, and low-profile configurations, allowing for greater control of the results. These different profiles affect how tall the implant is versus how wide it is, changing how the implant sits on your chest. An ultra-high-profile implant is more projecting and narrower whereas a low-profile implant is very wide but does not project very far from the chest.
Pocket Placement
Breast augmentation is never a one-size-fits-all procedure. Every woman that comes in for an augmentation consultation is looking for different results and is starting from a different place. Some women’s breasts are naturally close together, which means that gaining or significantly improving cleavage is easy. For those whose breasts are spaced far apart, pocket placement is even more essential. In this situation, the pockets made for the implants must be placed closer to the midline of the chest, if possible, so that the implant can reduce the widened cleavage to some extent. Unfortunately, this is often not possible for a few reasons, including that it could create a very unnatural appearance, such as the nipple being displaced off the most projecting part of the breast and situated laterally. Improving cleavage is not worth a very unnatural result.
Implant Placement
Implants are placed either above (submammary) or below (submuscular) the pectoralis muscle. In general and for many reasons, the submuscular placement is preferred. This approach allows for a more natural look and feel and is ideal if you are interested in improved cleavage. With the submammary pocket, the implants will typically shift away from the center of the body over time, resulting in an increased gap between the breasts.
To find out more about cleavage, breast implants and breast augmentation in general, contact Dr. Turkeltaub at the Arizona Center for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery by calling (480) 451-3000 or by filling out our online contact form to set up a consultation.