Preservé by Motiva® is a minimally invasive breast augmentation technique developed by Establishment Labs, the company that makes Motiva® implants. Through a small incision in the breast crease, the surgeon uses Motiva’s channel separator and inflatable balloon to open space for the implant by gently moving tissue aside instead of cutting through it. The goal is to preserve your natural breast tissue, nipple sensation and chest muscle, which is designed to support a quicker, more comfortable recovery.
Preservé is performed only by surgeons who complete Motiva’s specialized training and certification. Dr. Salama is Preservé-certified, is listed with the Preservé badge on Motiva’s surgeon locator, and performs Preservé at our office in Hollywood, FL, between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. He was also among the first surgeons in South Florida to offer Motiva® breast implants.
The FDA approved Motiva® SmoothSilk® Round and Round Ergonomix® silicone gel implants on September 26, 2024, for primary and revision breast augmentation in women 22 and older. In the U.S. clinical study, women having first-time augmentation had a 0.5% capsular contracture rate and a 0.6% rupture rate at three years. In the U.S., Preservé is performed with the FDA-approved Motiva® Ergonomix® implant.
Both procedures place an implant to add volume. The difference is how the space for the implant is made, and what that means for the tissue around it.
| Traditional augmentation | Preservé by Motiva® | |
|---|---|---|
| Incision | Breast crease, around the areola, or armpit | Small incision in the breast crease |
| Making the pocket | Tissue is cut and released with surgical instruments | Tissue is gently separated with a channel separator and balloon |
| Chest muscle | Partly released when the implant goes under the muscle | Left intact |
| Implant placement | Varies by surgeon | No-touch placement with a Keller Funnel® |
| Implants | Any FDA-approved implant | Motiva® SmoothSilk® Ergonomix® |
| Implant size | Wide range, including larger sizes | Typically up to 315 cc |
| Recovery | Standard surgical recovery | Designed for a faster, more comfortable recovery |
| Best suited for | Most goals, including larger sizes and revisions | First-time augmentation with a natural, proportionate size |
| Starting price at EPS | $6,500 with Motiva® implants | $9,999 ($9,249 under local) |
Breast tissue and supporting structures are moved aside rather than cut, so more of your own anatomy stays as it was.
The muscle isn’t cut or lifted, which avoids the implant movement when you flex that can happen with under-the-muscle placement.
One small incision sits in the crease under the breast, where it is hard to see in clothing or a swimsuit.
Less disruption to the tissue around the nerves is designed to help preserve nipple sensation. No surgery can guarantee it.
Preservé is designed for a faster, more comfortable recovery than traditional augmentation. Your timeline depends on your body and Dr. Salama’s guidance.
Dr. Salama places the implant with a Keller Funnel®, which limits handling of the implant and its contact with the skin.
Preservé implants typically don’t exceed 315 cc. In Dr. Salama’s experience, Motiva’s gel gives more projection for a given volume, so a moderate implant can still give a noticeable result. If you want a larger size, Dr. Salama will tell you whether traditional augmentation with Motiva® implants fits your goal better.
Everyone heals differently. This is a general guide; Dr. Salama gives you your own plan and clears each step. Because Preservé is designed to disrupt less tissue, many patients find recovery easier than after traditional augmentation.
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| First days | Rest at home, short walks, and mild tightness and swelling. Wear your support garment day and night. |
| Week 1 | First follow-up visit. Many patients return to desk work and light daily routines. |
| Weeks 2–6 | Swelling eases. Exercise and lifting resume gradually as Dr. Salama clears you. |
| Months 2–3 | The implants settle into their final, natural shape. |
Traveling for surgery? See our guide for out-of-town patients.
The Ergonomix® implant is filled with ProgressiveGel Ultima®, the softest Motiva® gel available in the U.S. It is designed to be inserted through a small incision and to change shape with your body: a natural slope when you stand, rounder when you lie down. That softness and flexibility are what make a small-incision, tissue-preserving technique possible.
Like all Motiva® implants in the U.S., Ergonomix® has the SmoothSilk® surface, a smooth shell designed to reduce inflammation and the risk of capsular contracture. It is covered by the Motiva Health Program, including lifetime implant replacement for rupture. See the full details on our Motiva® implants page.
Preservé changes how the implant is placed, not the implant itself, so the same FDA safety information applies as with any silicone breast implant:
| Preservé by Motiva® | Starting price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Under general anesthesia | $9,999 | Motiva® implants, Preservé kit, anesthesia and surgical fee |
| Under local anesthesia | $9,249 | Same as above, $750 less |
Your final price depends on your plan, for example whether you add a breast lift. You’ll get a written quote at your consultation. For payment plans, see forms and financing. Traditional augmentation with Motiva® implants starts at $6,500.
See results in our breast augmentation gallery and read patient reviews. Individual results vary.
Preservé is a surgical technique that uses FDA-approved Motiva® breast implants. The FDA approved Motiva® implants in September 2024 for primary and revision breast augmentation. In the U.S., Preservé is offered for first-time augmentation.
Preservé uses Motiva® SmoothSilk® Ergonomix® implants, which are designed to move and shape with your body. Learn more about Motiva® implants.
It is a small incision in the crease under the breast, so the scar sits where it is hard to see. Dr. Salama will show you its exact length for your implant at your consultation.
Yes. Dr. Salama performs Preservé under general or local anesthesia. You decide together at your consultation, based on your health and comfort. Preservé under local anesthesia is $750 less.
Preservé at Elite Plastic Surgery starts at $9,999 under general anesthesia, including Motiva® implants, the Preservé kit, anesthesia and the surgical fee. Under local anesthesia it starts at $9,249.
Preservé implants typically don’t exceed 315 cc. Motiva’s gel gives good projection for its volume, so many patients get a noticeable, natural result in this range. For a larger size, Dr. Salama may recommend traditional augmentation with Motiva® implants.
Preservé is designed for a faster recovery than traditional augmentation. Many patients return to desk work and light routines within about a week, and to exercise once Dr. Salama clears them, usually within several weeks.
It is a sterile, single-use funnel that lets the surgeon place the implant through a small incision without touching it by hand, limiting the implant’s contact with the skin.
Yes, for a first-time augmentation, depending on your anatomy. Learn about breast lift with implants.
Preservé is offered for first-time augmentation. If you have implants now, ask about implant exchange with Motiva® implants.
The technique is designed to preserve the tissue around the nerves that supply the nipple, which helps protect sensation. No breast surgery can guarantee it.
The breast-crease incision avoids the milk ducts, and many women breastfeed after augmentation. It can’t be guaranteed, so discuss future pregnancy plans at your consultation.
Motiva lists trained surgeons on its surgeon locator. Dr. Salama is listed there with the Preservé badge.
Yes. Ofrecemos consultas en español. Visite nuestro sitio en español.
