Preservé by Motiva: A Smarter Approach to Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation has been one of the most commonly performed aesthetic procedures in the world for decades. But the way it’s done has largely stayed the same — until now.
Preservé is a new, less invasive breast augmentation technique developed by Establishment Labs, the company behind Motiva Implants. The technique aims to increase breast volume while preserving the natural tissue, softness, and stability of the breast. It represents a meaningful shift in how surgeons approach the procedure — one that works with the body’s anatomy rather than disrupting it.
Dr. Bloom recently completed specialized training in Costa Rica with the creators of this technique and is now among a select group of surgeons in the United States offering Preservé.
How Preservé Differs from Traditional Breast Augmentation
To understand why Preservé matters, it helps to understand what traditional breast augmentation actually does. In conventional techniques, the surgeon cuts through breast tissue — and often part of the pectoral muscle — to create a pocket for the implant. This approach, while effective, results in more trauma to surrounding structures, a longer recovery, and a higher likelihood of complications like capsular contracture over time.
Preservé takes a fundamentally different approach by creating a pocket for the implant with minimal tissue trauma. The implant is “nested” within the breast’s natural support system, which minimizes the risk of future sagging or malposition.
Rather than cutting and dissecting, Preservé utilizes Motiva technology to stretch, elongate, and reshape breast tissue in a less traumatic fashion so the implant settles naturally into place. Think of it as sculpting a space rather than carving one.
The Three-Step Procedure
The entire procedure is typically completed within 45 minutes, and patients return home the same day. It is generally performed under twilight sedation or local anesthesia, rather than general anesthesia — an important distinction for patients who prefer to avoid going fully under.
The technique relies on three proprietary instruments developed by Establishment Labs:
Step 1: Tunneling with the Motiva Channel Separator
The surgeon creates a tunnel through the incision using the Motiva Channel Separator, a single-use instrument that gently pushes breast tissue with its blunt tip through circular twisting motions until it reaches the opposite edge of the breast pocket. This is how tissue trauma is minimized and the breast’s natural structure is preserved.
Step 2: Pocket Formation with the Motiva Inflatable Balloon
A small inflatable balloon is then inserted through the created tunnel and inflated to form the breast pocket. Breast tissue is gently displaced and ligaments stretched — a technique that maintains the breast’s ligamentous and neurovascular integrity.
Step 3: No-Touch Implant Insertion
The Motiva implant is placed using a no-touch method via the Motiva Insertion Sleeve, which helps minimize the risk of contamination and improve long-term safety. The incision is then closed and surgical glue is applied to support healing.
If you’re more of a visual learner, this video is an excellent resource.
Key Benefits of the Preservé Technique
Faster, More Comfortable Recovery
Most patients are back to light activities within a day, with significantly less discomfort and swelling compared to traditional breast augmentation. During the first few days after surgery, many patients notice only mild soreness and swelling, which can be managed comfortably with medication and simple at-home care.
Smaller, More Discreet Scars
The incision is only 2–3 cm and hidden in the breast crease, resulting in less noticeable scarring. Because the technique avoids cutting the pectoral muscle, there is inherently less surface disruption overall.
Long-Term Implant Stability
Clinical study data has reported a 0% rate of inferior malposition — meaning implants slipping downward — at three years. By preserving the breast’s natural support structures, the implant maintains its optimal position over time.
Preserved Sensation and Natural Function
The procedure carefully preserves the breast’s nerves and structure, improving the likelihood of maintaining natural nipple sensation. Preservé also avoids cutting major breast structures like milk ducts and glandular tissue, keeping the internal breast system largely intact and increasing the likelihood of being able to breastfeed in the future.
Natural-Looking, Natural-Feeling Results
Because the implant is nestled within the breast’s existing framework rather than forced into a surgically carved pocket, the results tend to move and feel more like natural tissue. This is further supported by the implant technology used.
Safety
On the safety front, the data for Motiva implants is encouraging. A systematic review and meta-analysis examining 4,784 patients with Motiva SilkSurface implants found a capsular contracture incidence of 0.54% — notably lower than rates reported with other implant types. There are also no reported cases of BIA-ALCL associated with Motiva implants.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Preservé is not for everyone, but it is a compelling option for many patients. For those who engage in upper-body sports or strength training, avoiding disruption to the chest muscle can be a particular advantage.
You may be a strong candidate if you:
- Are pursuing breast augmentation for the first time
- Want a natural result without a “done” appearance
- Prefer minimal downtime and a faster return to daily life
- Value preserving nipple sensitivity and breast function
- May want to breastfeed in the future
- Prefer local or twilight sedation over general anesthesia
Candidates who desire a mini breast augmentation or “ballerina” aesthetic — subtle, refined, and anatomically proportional — tend to be particularly well-suited to this technique.
A Note on Surgical Candidacy
As with any surgical procedure, Preservé carries risks and is not appropriate for all patients. General surgical risks include bleeding, infection, delayed healing, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. Implant-specific risks include capsular contracture, implant rupture, displacement, changes in sensation, and dissatisfaction with aesthetic results. The best way to determine whether Preservé is the right fit is through a thorough consultation with a trained, board-certified surgeon.
Ready to Learn More?
Dr. Bloom is committed to staying at the forefront of emerging techniques in aesthetic surgery — and Preservé by Motiva represents exactly the kind of advancement worth pursuing. If you’re considering breast augmentation and want to explore whether this approach is right for you, we invite you to schedule a consultation.
Sources
- Motiva US Patient Information – Preservé. motivausa.com/patient/preserve
- Motiva Health – Preservé for Surgeons. motiva.health/surgeons-preserve
- Miami Plastic Surgery – A Patient’s Guide to Preservé Breast Augmentations. miamiplasticsurgery.com (January 2026)
- Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group – Preservation Breast Augmentation (Preservé by Motiva). beverlyhillsplasticsurgerygroup.com (December 2025)
- Somenek + Pittman MD – Preservé by Motiva Washington, DC. somenekpittmanmd.com (October 2025)
- Tannan Plastic Surgery – Preservé by Motiva in Raleigh, NC. tannanplasticsurgery.com (January 2026)
- Grover Aesthetics – Preservé by Motiva, Newport Beach. drgrover.com (2025)
- PlasticSurgeryHub – What Is Preservé? Motiva’s Breast Implant Explained. plasticsurgeryhub.com (November 2025)
- Glicksman C, et al. “Study of the Safety and Effectiveness of Motiva SmoothSilk Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants: Three-Year Clinical Data.” Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Oxford Academic, 2024. academic.oup.com/asj
- Krastev TK, et al. “Complication Rates after Breast Surgery with the Motiva Smooth Silk Surface Silicone Gel Implants — A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Clinical Medicine, MDPI, 2023. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine whether Preservé by Motiva is appropriate for your individual anatomy and goals.