Preservé by Motiva is an advanced, tissue-preserving breast augmentation system that combines specialized surgical instruments with the SmoothSilk® Ergonomix2® implant to deliver natural, beautiful results with smaller incisions and faster recovery.
A Less Invasive Standard, Delivered With Surgical Precision
Dr. Sugene Kim, MD, FACS, is among a select group of board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States trained in the Preservé by Motiva technique. Double board-certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Kim offers this advanced system within her AAAASF-accredited private surgical suite, giving patients throughout The Woodlands and greater Houston access to one of breast augmentation's most innovative approaches in a safe, medically rigorous, and serene environment.
What Is Preservé by Motiva?
Preservé by Motiva is a specialized breast augmentation system developed by Establishment Labs that pairs the Motiva SmoothSilk® Ergonomix2® implant with a series of proprietary, purpose-built surgical instruments. Together, these elements form a less invasive approach designed to preserve the breast's natural tissue, support structures, nipple sensation, and pectoral muscle function throughout the procedure.
Traditional breast augmentation requires cutting through tissue to create a pocket for the implant. Preservé works differently. Purpose-built tools gently separate and expand the tissue without cutting it, reducing trauma to the surrounding structures. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, how tissue is handled during breast augmentation directly influences recovery, complication rates, and long-term results, and the Preservé system is designed on that principle.
The procedure follows four key steps:
- Precise breast measurements are taken to customize the approach to your unique anatomy.
- A small incision, typically 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters, is made in the natural fold beneath the breast.
- The Motiva® Channel Separator creates a tissue tunnel without cutting, followed by the Motiva® Inflatable Balloon, which gently expands the pocket to match the exact implant size.
- The SmoothSilk® Ergonomix2® implant is placed using a no-touch technique through an Insertion Sleeve, maximizing sterility and precision.
The implant sits above the chest muscle in the subfascial or prepectoral plane, which supports muscle preservation and is associated with reduced discomfort during recovery compared to submuscular placement.
Benefits of Preservé by Motiva
Preservé offers several meaningful advantages for appropriate candidates:
- Smaller incision and less visible scarring compared to traditional breast augmentation.
- Tissue-preserving technique designed to protect natural breast support structures and ligaments.
- Preservation of nipple sensation and pectoral muscle function.
- No-touch implant delivery is designed to reduce the risk of contamination and capsular contracture.
- SmoothSilk® Ergonomix2® implants that move and feel like natural breast tissue.
- Potential to perform the procedure with minimal sedation rather than full general anesthesia, which varies by patient and surgical plan.
- Clinical data reporting a 0% rate of inferior malposition, meaning downward implant shifting, at three years.
- Faster, more comfortable recovery compared to traditional approaches.
Preservé may not be the ideal approach for patients requiring implant revision, significant tissue correction, or those whose anatomy is better suited to a different placement plane. Dr. Kim evaluates each patient individually to determine which approach will deliver the best, most lasting result.
Are You a Candidate for Preservé by Motiva?
Preservé by Motiva in The Woodlands may be the right choice if you:
- Are seeking a primary, first-time breast augmentation.
- Are considering a primary augmentation combined with a breast lift (mastopexy-augmentation).
- Want to increase volume or restore fullness while maintaining a soft, natural-looking result.
- Prefer a less invasive technique with a potentially shorter, more comfortable recovery.
- Are in good overall health with no uncontrolled medical conditions or active infections.
- Are a non-smoker, or are committed to stopping smoking well before surgery and through recovery.
- Are at a stable weight with no significant changes planned in the near future.
- Want to protect your natural breast tissues, nipple sensation, and muscle function.
Why Choose Dr. Kim for Preservé in The Woodlands?
Dr. Kim is one of a limited number of plastic surgeons in the United States trained in the Preservé technique, a system that demands specialized expertise and refined surgical skill. Her training under some of Park Avenue's most respected cosmetic surgeons in New York City, combined with her clinical fellowship in breast reconstruction at MD Anderson Cancer Center, gives her the surgical foundation that this procedure requires.
SGK Plastic Surgery has earned Allergan Black Diamond status for five consecutive years, placing the practice among the top 1% of aesthetic practices nationwide. That recognition reflects the volume, consistency, and quality of outcomes Dr. Kim and her team deliver for patients throughout The Woodlands, Spring, and Conroe.
What to Expect Before, During, and After Preservé
Consultation and Cost:
- Dr. Kim reviews your medical history, anatomy, and aesthetic goals in detail.
- Breast measurements and imaging guide implant selection and surgical planning.
- Candidacy for Preservé versus traditional breast augmentation is carefully assessed.
- Cost varies based on implant selection, surgical complexity, and individual factors; financing options are available.
- All pre-operative instructions and recovery expectations are reviewed before your procedure is scheduled.
Procedure Steps:
- Local numbing and mild sedation are administered; general anesthesia may be used depending on the patient and surgical plan.
- A small incision is made in the inframammary fold, the natural crease beneath the breast.
- The Motiva® Channel Separator creates a tunnel through tissue without cutting.
- The Motiva® Inflatable Balloon gradually expands the pocket to match the precise implant dimensions.
- The SmoothSilk® Ergonomix2® implant is delivered using a no-touch technique via the Insertion Sleeve.
- The incision is closed and dressings are applied.
Recovery and Results Timeline:
- Most patients return to light daily activity within approximately one week.
- A compression garment is worn during the early recovery period.
- Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for four to six weeks.
- Swelling and tenderness resolve gradually over the following weeks.
- Implants settle and final results, including natural movement, develop over two to three months.
Related Procedures at SGK Plastic Surgery
Patients considering Preservé may also want to explore:
Schedule Your Preservé Consultation in The Woodlands
Because the gel that is used to make the filling for silicone implants is cohesive, these breast implants do not deflate in the rare event of a rupture. This means that a breach in the implant shell is not always obviously detectable. The FDA recommends that women with silicone implants have an MRI every three years in order to detect any issues. However, most women with silicone implants can enjoy their breast augmentation results for many years without complications.
To schedule your consultation, call 281.315.3188 or request an appointment online.
Are the Motiva implants used in Preservé FDA-approved?
Yes, the Motiva SmoothSilk® Ergonomix2® implants used in the Preservé system received FDA approval for breast augmentation in the United States. The Preservé technique is a specialized surgical approach that utilizes these FDA-approved devices under the guidance of a trained, board-certified plastic surgeon.
How does Preservé compare to traditional breast augmentation in terms of post-surgical discomfort?
Because Preservé avoids cutting through breast tissue and places the implant above the chest muscle, many patients report a more comfortable recovery than those who undergo traditional submuscular augmentation. Individual experiences vary.
Can Preservé be combined with fat transfer to the breast?
Some patients choose to combine Preservé with autologous fat transfer to refine shape, soften the upper pole, or add subtle volume in targeted areas. Dr. Kim will evaluate whether a hybrid approach is appropriate for your anatomy and goals during your consultation.
Will health insurance cover Preservé breast augmentation?
Preservé breast augmentation is considered an elective cosmetic procedure and is not typically covered by health insurance. SGK Plastic Surgery offers financing options to help make the process more accessible for qualified patients.
How long do Motiva SmoothSilk® Ergonomix2® implants last?
Breast implants are not lifetime devices, and while many patients go years or decades without needing revision, they may eventually require replacement due to aging, lifestyle changes, or implant-related factors. Dr. Kim will discuss expected longevity and long-term follow-up care during your consultation.
Will Preservé affect my ability to breastfeed in the future?
The Preservé technique is designed to preserve natural breast structures, including the tissue involved in lactation; however, no breast augmentation technique can guarantee that breastfeeding will be unaffected. Patients planning future pregnancies are encouraged to discuss this in detail with Dr. Kim before moving forward.
What if I want to change my implant size or style later on?
Future implant exchange is possible and is one of the more common reasons patients return for revision over time. Dr. Kim performs implant exchange and revision procedures and will walk you through your long-term options at your initial consultation.
Does the Preservé incision leave a different scar than traditional breast augmentation?
The Preservé incision is placed in the inframammary fold and is typically smaller than a traditional breast augmentation incision, which may result in less visible scarring over time. Final scar appearance depends on individual healing, skin type, and post-operative care, and Dr. Kim's team provides detailed scar management guidance following every procedure.
