Traditional Breast Augmentation vs. Preservé® by Motiva: What’s the Difference?
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A new technique is changing how we think about breast enhancement — here’s what every patient should know before their consultation.
If you’ve been researching breast augmentation, you may have come across the term Preservé® — and wondered how it differs from a traditional breast augmentation.
First, what is traditional breast augmentation?
Traditional breast augmentation has been the standard for decades. The procedure involves making an incision — typically at the inframammary fold (the crease beneath the breast), around the areola, or in the armpit — and then creating a pocket by cutting through breast tissue and muscle to place a silicone or saline implant.
It’s a highly effective procedure with a long safety track record. However, creating that pocket through tissue cutting does mean some disruption to the breast’s internal structures, which can affect sensation, recovery time, and long-term implant stability.
What is Preservé®?
Preservé® is an advanced, less invasive breast enhancement technique developed by Motiva that uses patented tools and a tissue-preservation approach. Rather than cutting through breast tissue to create a pocket, it uses specialized instruments to gently separate and elongate the tissue — preserving the breast’s natural structures throughout the process.
Preservé® breast augmentation can be done in conjunction with a breast lift (mastopexy).
The Art of Preservé®:
- Precise measurements — Your surgeon takes detailed measurements of your breast anatomy to customize the technique and select an implant tailored to your unique proportions.
- Small incision, no tissue cutting — A small incision is made at the inframammary fold. The Motiva® Channel Separator creates a tunnel without cutting through the tissue.
- Gentle tissue expansion — The Motiva® Inflatable Balloon gradually expands the tissue to create a precise implant pocket — no scalpel required.
- Implant placement — The Motiva SmoothSilk Ergonomix® implant is placed through the small incision, preserving nipple sensation and chest muscles.
The Preservé® procedure can be performed with minimal anesthesia, contributing to a faster, more comfortable recovery compared to traditional breast augmentation.*
Side-by-side comparison
| Traditional Breast Augmentation | Preservé® by Motiva |
| Pocket created by cutting tissue | Pocket created by tissue elongation, not cutting* |
| General anesthesia typically required | Can be performed with minimal anesthesia |
| Longer recovery period | Faster, more comfortable recovery* |
| Greater disruption to natural structures | Natural breast structures preserved* |
| Standard incision size | Smaller incision, minimal scarring* |
| Established long-term safety data | 0% inferior malposition at 3 years (clinical study) |
| Post-op activity restrictions | Nipple sensation and chest muscles preserved* |
*Compared to traditional breast augmentation. Individual results may vary.
Key benefits of Preservé® at a glance
- Natural look & feel — The Ergonomix® implant adapts shape with body position, round when lying down and teardrop when standing, realistically mimicking the look and movement of a natural breast.
- Preserved sensation — The tissue-preservation approach is designed to protect nipple sensation and chest muscle function.*
- Faster recovery — Less disruption to internal structures means many patients return to normal activities sooner.*
- Smaller scars — Smaller incisions mean less visible scarring over time.*
- Enhanced implant stability — Clinical data shows 0% inferior malposition rate at three years, meaning the implant stays exactly where it’s placed.
- Peace of mind — The Motiva SmoothSilk® surface is designed to minimize tissue disruption and promote a low inflammatory response.
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Breast Anatomy
Preservé® offers a less invasive* breast augmentation designed to preserve your natural breast tissue functionality, including nipple sensation and your chest muscles
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Breast Stability
Preservé® is designed to maintain the inner support structures of the breast, providing enhanced implant stability with 0% inferior malposition (lowering of the implant placement) as shown through a clinical study at three years
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Peace of Mind
When you choose Motiva Smoothsilk Ergonomix® implants with Preservé®, you can benefit from the low inflammatory response8 and low complication rates13 of the Ergonomix® implants and the innovative Preservé® technique that allows for smaller incisions10 and the ability to conserve your native breast tissues for a quick recovery1,2. The best of both worlds.
Who is a good candidate for Preservé®?
Preservé® is designed for women considering breast augmentation for the first time (primary augmentation), or those who want augmentation combined with a lift (augmentation mastopexy). During your consultation, we’ll review your anatomy, goals, and health history to determine which approach is right for you.
Not every patient is a candidate for every technique — that’s why a thorough, personalized consultation is so important.
My perspective as your surgeon
What excites me most about Preservé® is that it aligns with something I’ve always believed: the goal of breast augmentation should be to complement and enhance what you already have — not override it. By preserving your natural tissue, sensation, and structure, we can achieve results that look and feel genuinely like you.
That said, the best technique is always the one that’s right for your specific anatomy and goals. I’ll walk you through your options in detail during your consultation, and together we’ll decide on the approach that gives you the safest, most natural outcome.
Ready to explore your options?
At Leela Mundra MD in Denver, we offer both Preservé and a traditional breast augmentation.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Leela in Denver to discuss whether Preservé® or traditional breast augmentation is right for you.
Medical Disclaimer & References
*Compared to traditional breast augmentation. Individual results may vary. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine whether Preservé® or any breast augmentation procedure is appropriate for you.
Preservé® clinical outcome data is based on use of the Motiva Channel Separator, Motiva Inflatable Balloon, and Ergonomix2 implant in minimally invasive procedures. The Ergonomix2 implant is not yet FDA-approved in the US; however, the Motiva Inflatable Balloon and Channel Separator are FDA-registered and may be used with FDA-approved implants.
References: (1) Chacon-Quiros M, et al. Aesthet Surg J. 2025. (2) Establishment Labs, CLIN-001037. (3) Doloff JC, et al. Nature Biomedical Engineering. 2021. (4) Glicksman C, et al. Aesthet Surg J. 2025.