- A Less-Invasive Approach to Breast Augmentation — Designed for Rapid Recovery
- What Is Motiva Preservé™?
- Why Is Recovery With Preservé Different?
- Preserving the Pectoralis Muscle
- What Are the Benefits of Motiva Preservé?
- Preservé vs. Traditional Breast Augmentation
- What Is Recovery Like After Motiva Preservé?
- Is Motiva Preservé Right for Me?
- Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery Reviews
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Get In Touch
A Less-Invasive Approach to Breast Augmentation — Designed for Rapid Recovery
Breast augmentation is evolving.
At Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery, we are proud to offer Motiva Preservé™, an innovative breast augmentation technique designed to enhance breast volume while preserving as much of the breast's natural anatomy as possible.
Unlike traditional breast augmentation techniques that may require more extensive surgical dissection or disruption of the pectoralis muscle, Preservé uses specialized technology to create the implant pocket while minimizing trauma to the surrounding tissues.
This tissue-preserving approach is one of the reasons Preservé patients can experience a remarkably streamlined recovery.
At our practice, Preservé breast augmentation is performed using a rapid-recovery protocol that does not routinely include narcotic pain medication. Patients are encouraged to begin moving immediately after surgery and often return to normal daily activities much sooner than they expect which is usually within a week.
For appropriately selected patients, Preservé offers a different philosophy of breast augmentation: beautiful, natural enhancement with less disruption to get you back to your life faster.
What Is Motiva Preservé™?
Motiva Preservé is a specialized breast augmentation technique that combines tissue-preserving surgical technology with Motiva Ergonomix® breast implants.
The difference begins with how the implant pocket is created.
During traditional breast augmentation, surgical dissection is used to create space for the breast implant. In many traditional augmentations, the pectoralis muscle may also be elevated or manipulated to accommodate the implant.
Preservé takes a different approach.
Using specialized instruments developed specifically for the procedure, the breast tissues are gently separated and elongated to create a controlled space for the implant while minimizing unnecessary tissue disruption.
The implant is positioned without cutting or elevating the pectoralis muscle, allowing the muscle to remain intact.
Preserving the muscle and minimizing surgical trauma are important components of the Preservé rapid-recovery experience.
Why Is Recovery With Preservé Different?
One of the most exciting aspects of Motiva Preservé is not simply how the breasts look after surgery — it is how patients can feel during recovery.
Traditional submuscular breast augmentation involves creating an implant pocket partially or completely beneath the pectoralis muscle. Manipulation of this large chest muscle can contribute to postoperative tightness, muscle spasms, discomfort, and limitations during the early recovery period.
Preservé avoids this muscle disruption.
Because the implant is placed while preserving the pectoralis muscle and the pocket is created using a tissue-preserving technique, there is generally less surgical trauma for the body to recover from.
Our Rapid-Recovery Preservé Protocol
At Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery, Preservé patients follow a recovery protocol designed to encourage early movement and a comfortable return to everyday life.
No routine narcotic pain medication
We do not routinely prescribe opioid or narcotic pain medication following Preservé breast augmentation. Postoperative discomfort is managed using a multimodal, non-narcotic pain-management protocol.
Walking immediately
Patients are encouraged to walk and move their arms normally beginning shortly after surgery.
Return to everyday activities
Many patients are able to resume routine daily activities relatively quickly, depending on their occupation and individual recovery.
Light exercise after approximately one week
Patients may gradually resume light exercise once cleared by their surgical team.
No prolonged downtime
Rather than treating recovery as weeks of inactivity, our goal is to safely return patients to normal movement and everyday life as their bodies heal.
Every patient and every recovery is different. Individual restrictions and return-to-activity recommendations will be discussed with you throughout the postoperative period.
Preserving the Pectoralis Muscle
For many active women, this is one of the most appealing aspects of Preservé.
The pectoralis major is a large muscle of the chest involved in pushing, pressing, lifting, and many upper-body movements.
With traditional submuscular or dual-plane breast augmentation, a portion of this muscle is elevated to accommodate the breast implant. While this remains an excellent technique for many patients, muscle involvement can contribute to postoperative discomfort and may cause visible implant movement when the chest muscles contract, known as animation deformity.
Preservé does not require the pectoralis muscle to be cut or elevated.
Keeping the muscle intact may provide several advantages:
- Less muscle-related postoperative discomfort
- No implant animation caused by pectoralis contraction
- Earlier return to comfortable everyday movement
- Preservation of normal pectoralis muscle function
- A more streamlined early recovery
- Natural movement of the breast during activity
For active patients — particularly those who regularly strength train, practice Pilates or yoga, play sports, or simply want to minimize disruption to their normal lifestyle — preserving the pectoralis muscle can be an important consideration when choosing a breast augmentation technique.
What Are the Benefits of Motiva Preservé?
Rapid Recovery
Preservé is designed around minimizing surgical trauma. By avoiding disruption of the pectoralis muscle and minimizing tissue dissection, patients may experience less discomfort and a faster return to normal daily activities than with more invasive augmentation techniques.
No Routine Narcotic Pain Medication
Our Preservé rapid-recovery protocol does not routinely utilize narcotic pain medication after surgery.
Instead, postoperative discomfort is managed using a multimodal, non-opioid approach. This allows patients to avoid many of the unwanted effects associated with narcotic medications while maintaining appropriate postoperative pain control.
Muscle Preservation
The pectoralis muscle is not cut or elevated during the Preservé procedure. This helps preserve normal muscle function and eliminates the implant animation that can occur with submuscular implant placement.
Smaller Incision
The specialized Preservé technique allows implant placement through a relatively small incision in appropriately selected patients. Final incision length depends on the patient's anatomy and implant selection.
Less Tissue Disruption
Specialized Preservé instrumentation is used to create the implant pocket while minimizing traditional surgical dissection.
Natural Movement
Motiva Ergonomix® implants are designed to create soft, natural-looking breast enhancement with movement that complements the patient's anatomy.
A More Tissue-Conscious Approach
The philosophy behind Preservé is simple: change what is necessary while preserving what is not.
Rather than extensively altering the natural breast anatomy to accommodate an implant, Preservé is designed to work with the patient's existing tissues whenever possible.
Preservé vs. Traditional Breast Augmentation
Both procedures can produce beautiful breast augmentation results. The best technique depends on your anatomy, goals, tissue characteristics, and desired implant size.
Motiva Preservé
Pocket creation: Tissue-preserving technique with specialized instrumentation
Pectoralis muscle: Preserved; not cut or elevated
Implant: Motiva Ergonomix®
Implant sizing: Best suited for petite to moderate augmentation
Incision: Smaller incision possible in appropriately selected patients
Postoperative pain protocol: No routine narcotic pain medication at our practice
Recovery: Designed for rapid return to normal daily activity
Animation deformity: Avoided because the implant is not placed beneath the pectoralis muscle
Best suited for: Patients seeking a natural, proportional enhancement while prioritizing tissue preservation and rapid recovery
Traditional Breast Augmentation
Pocket creation: Traditional surgical dissection
Pectoralis muscle: May or may not be involved depending on implant placement
Implant options: Broader range of implant types, profiles, and sizes
Implant sizing: Allows greater flexibility for larger augmentations
Incision: Varies based on technique and implant
Postoperative pain protocol: Depends on surgical technique and individual patient needs
Recovery: Varies based on pocket placement and surgical technique
Animation deformity: Can occur with submuscular or dual-plane implant placement
Best suited for: Patients requiring greater implant-size flexibility, different pocket options, or more extensive breast reshaping
What Is Recovery Like After Motiva Preservé?
When patients hear the words "breast augmentation," they often expect a painful recovery with significant restrictions.
Preservé challenges that expectation.
Because the procedure minimizes tissue disruption and preserves the pectoralis muscle, our postoperative protocol focuses on early mobility rather than prolonged inactivity.
Patients are encouraged to begin walking immediately after surgery and use their arms comfortably for normal everyday activities.
Most patients should expect some swelling, pressure, tightness, and soreness during the first several days. However, we do not routinely prescribe narcotic pain medication following Preservé breast augmentation.
Instead, discomfort is managed with our non-narcotic rapid-recovery protocol.
Patients can typically expect to:
- Walk immediately after surgery
- Perform light everyday activities as tolerated
- Return to many normal daily activities within several days
- Gradually resume light exercise after approximately one week when cleared
- Progressively return to more strenuous activity as healing continues
The breasts initially appear fuller, firmer, and higher than their final result. As swelling resolves and the tissues relax, the implants gradually settle and the breasts become softer and more natural.
While Preservé is designed to facilitate rapid recovery, it is still surgery. Healing varies between patients, and your surgical team will guide your return to work, exercise, lifting, and other activities.
Is Motiva Preservé Right for Me?
Preservé may be an excellent option if you want breast augmentation but have hesitated because of concerns about pain, downtime, muscle disruption, or an overly augmented appearance.
Ideal candidates are generally healthy women age 22 or older who:
- Want a small to moderate increase in breast volume
- Prefer a natural-looking result
- Want to preserve their pectoralis muscle
- Have an active lifestyle
- Want to minimize postoperative downtime
- Prefer to avoid routine narcotic pain medication after surgery
- Have minimal breast sagging
- Have appropriate breast tissue and skin quality
- Understand the implant-size limitations of the Preservé technique
- Have realistic expectations about their results
Preservé is intentionally not a one-size-fits-all breast augmentation technique.
Patients who desire significantly larger implants, require substantial breast reshaping, have significant breast ptosis, or need a breast lift may achieve a better result with another breast surgery technique.
At Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery, we offer multiple approaches to breast augmentation. Your anatomy and goals — not a particular surgical technique — determine our recommendation.
Breast Augmentation Without Putting Your Life on Hold
For many women, the hesitation surrounding breast augmentation is not the surgery itself. It is everything that comes afterward: pain, medications, downtime, limitations, and time away from work, family, fitness, and everyday life.
Motiva Preservé offers another option.
By preserving the pectoralis muscle and minimizing unnecessary tissue disruption, Preservé allows us to approach breast augmentation with a different goal:
Create the enhancement you want while disrupting as little as possible to get there.
For appropriately selected patients, that can mean a smaller incision, natural-looking enhancement, no routine narcotic pain medication, and a remarkably streamlined return to everyday life.
Schedule your consultation with Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery in Chicago to learn whether Motiva Preservé is right for you.
Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery Reviews
Dr. Simon Moradian is amazing! I had been considering chin liposuction for several years, but I am so happy that I finally went in for a consultation. Dr. Moradian and his team made me feel completely at ease, and they very professionally and kindly answered all my questions. I left the consultation ready to book the procedure. The procedure itself was a breeze, it took maybe an hour and half and we talked and listened to music the entire time. I left with minimal bruising and clear results day 1. The results just keep getting better, thank you Dr. Moradian!
Dr. Moradian is a caring and conscientious surgeon with world class results and Chicago is lucky to have him. Would recommend him to anybody
I had such an amazing experience with Dr. Simon Moradian at NSPS. From my first consultation, he was so warm, informative, and thoughtful, and I immediately felt comfortable with him. After talking to him, I pretty much knew right away that he was who I wanted to choose.Something he said that really stuck with me was that he doesn’t take the same approach with every nose, he looks at the individual person and tailors everything to their face and what they want. He listened to me while also being really thoughtful about what would look natural and suit me best.My results are honestly better than I imagined. My nose still looks like me, just better, which is exactly what I wanted. He is incredibly talented and the craftsmanship of his work really shows, but he also genuinely cares about his patients and is very communicative throughout the whole process.It’s scary trusting someone to change something so central to your face, and I’m just so grateful I chose him. I truly couldn’t be happier with my results and would recommend him to anyone considering rhinoplasty.
I chose Dr. Moradian for my abdominal liposuction, and I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. From my very first consultation, I felt completely at ease. Dr. Moradian took the time to thoroughly explain the procedure, answer every question I had, and make sure I felt confident and informed every step of the way. His professionalism, knowledge, and genuine care for his patients immediately stood out.The procedure itself went incredibly smoothly, and throughout my recovery, Dr. Moradian and his team were consistently supportive, attentive, and reassuring. Every post-op appointment made me feel like I was in the best hands. He is incredibly detail-oriented and truly strives for the best possible outcome for each patient.Most importantly, I am beyond thrilled with my results. They exceeded my expectations and have given me so much more confidence. It’s clear that Dr. Moradian takes great pride in his work, and it absolutely shows in the quality of his results.If you’re considering any cosmetic procedure, I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Moradian. His expertise, compassion, attention to detail, and exceptional team make the entire experience outstanding. I am so grateful I trusted him with my procedure and would recommend him without hesitation.
I had such a pleasant experience with Dr. Simon and the whole team! He’s very knowledgeable, kind, and meticulous. He educated me on why I should or shouldn’t do certain procedures (example - I don’t love my neck but it’s due to my tongue placement and there’s no surgical procedure that can be done. I did joke that we should just remove my tongue). He was realistic and answered all my questions. I also had to text him a question and he answered while on vacation and was incredibly responsive and reassuring.Everything looks great and I’m so happy I went with Dr. Simon. Highly recommend.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Motiva Preservé?
Motiva Preservé is a tissue-preserving approach to breast augmentation designed to create beautiful, natural-looking breast enhancement while minimizing disruption to the breast's native anatomy. Rather than creating the implant pocket through traditional surgical dissection, Preservé uses specialized instrumentation and controlled tissue elongation to gently create space for the implant. At Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery, Preservé is performed using Motiva Ergonomix® implants for appropriately selected patients.
How is Preservé different from traditional breast augmentation?
The biggest difference is how the implant pocket is created. Traditional breast augmentation typically involves surgical dissection to create an implant pocket and may involve elevating or manipulating the pectoralis muscle depending on the chosen pocket. Preservé takes a tissue-preserving approach. Specialized instruments are used to create a pathway and gently elongate the breast tissues to accommodate the implant while minimizing disruption to the surrounding anatomy. This less-invasive pocket creation is a major reason Preservé can offer a more streamlined early recovery.
Are Preservé implants placed under the muscle?
No. Preservé is designed to preserve the pectoralis muscle rather than elevate or disrupt it. This is especially appealing to active patients because it avoids the muscle-related discomfort and implant animation that can occur when an implant is placed beneath the pectoralis muscle.
Why does Preservé have a faster recovery?
Recovery is one of the biggest advantages of the Preservé technique. Because the implant pocket is created using controlled tissue elongation while minimizing traditional surgical dissection and preserving the pectoralis muscle, there is generally less surgical trauma for the body to recover from. Motiva specifically describes the technique as less invasive than traditional breast augmentation and designed to allow a quick recovery. At our practice, we combine the Preservé technique with a rapid-recovery postoperative protocol focused on early movement and returning patients safely to their normal routines. Individual recovery varies, and Preservé is still a surgical procedure, so patients should always follow their individualized postoperative restrictions.
Will I need narcotic pain medication after Preservé?
We do not routinely prescribe narcotic or opioid pain medication following Motiva Preservé breast augmentation. Instead, our Preservé patients follow a multimodal, non-narcotic postoperative pain-management protocol. Patients should still expect some pressure, tightness, swelling, and soreness after surgery, but minimizing tissue and muscle disruption is an important part of making the early recovery experience more comfortable.
How soon can I return to work?
Many Preservé patients can return to non-strenuous work and normal daily activities relatively quickly, although the exact timeline depends on your occupation, individual recovery, and extent of surgery. Patients with physically demanding jobs may require additional time before returning to unrestricted activity.
When can I exercise after Preservé?
Walking and normal movement are encouraged early in recovery. At our practice, patients may generally begin light exercise after approximately one week when cleared by the surgical team, with a gradual return to more strenuous exercise as healing progresses. Even if you feel great early on, the internal tissues are still healing. Your surgical team will guide you on when it is safe to resume running, heavy lifting, chest exercises, and high-impact activity.
Is Preservé a good option if I work out or lift weights?
It can be an especially attractive option for active patients. Because Preservé does not require elevation of the pectoralis muscle, the procedure preserves normal pectoralis function and avoids implant animation related to contraction of the chest muscle. For women who regularly strength train, practice Pilates or yoga, run, or participate in sports, muscle preservation and rapid recovery may be important considerations when choosing an augmentation technique.
Will I have animation deformity?
Animation deformity occurs when a breast implant moves or changes shape as the pectoralis muscle contracts. It is associated with implants positioned partially or completely beneath the muscle. Because Preservé does not rely on submuscular implant placement, pectoralis-related animation deformity is avoided.
How big is the incision?
One of the advantages of the Preservé technique is the ability to place the implant through a relatively small incision in appropriately selected patients. The exact incision length varies based on your anatomy, implant size, tissue characteristics, and surgical plan. We would avoid promising a specific scar length because every patient's anatomy is different, but minimizing the incision while maintaining safe implant placement is an important component of the technique.
Where is the incision located?
The incision is typically placed within the inframammary fold, where the breast meets the chest wall. This allows the resulting scar to be naturally concealed beneath the breast. Scar appearance continues to improve over time as it softens, flattens, and fades.
What type of implant is used with Preservé?
At our practice, Preservé breast augmentation is performed using Motiva Ergonomix® silicone breast implants. Motiva describes Ergonomix as designed to provide a soft, adaptable gel-shell combination that responds naturally to movement and body position.
Can I choose any implant size with Preservé?
No. Preservé is not intended to accommodate every breast implant size or every augmentation goal. It is particularly well suited for patients seeking a petite to moderate increase in breast volume with a soft, proportional result. Patients seeking a substantially larger augmentation may be better candidates for a traditional breast augmentation technique, which allows greater flexibility in implant size and pocket creation. During your consultation, your surgeon will take measurements and help determine whether your desired size can be safely achieved using Preservé.
Will Preservé give me a natural-looking result?
Natural-looking enhancement is one of the primary reasons patients are drawn to Preservé. Rather than dramatically altering the breast anatomy, the technique is designed to work with and preserve the patient's existing tissues. Motiva Ergonomix® implants are also designed with a soft, adaptable gel intended to create natural-looking movement and feel. However, “natural” means something different to every patient. Implant dimensions and volume are selected based on your anatomy and aesthetic goals.
Can Preservé give me upper-pole fullness?
Yes, but the amount of upper-pole fullness depends on your existing anatomy, implant selection, skin envelope, and desired result. Some patients want an extremely subtle augmentation, while others want more visible fullness. Your consultation allows us to determine whether Preservé can create the look you want or whether another augmentation technique would provide better control over your desired shape.
Can Preservé correct sagging breasts?
Preservé increases breast volume but does not replace a breast lift. Patients with mild volume loss but good nipple position may be excellent candidates. Patients with significant breast ptosis, excess skin, or low nipple position may require a mastopexy (breast lift), either alone or in combination with an implant.
Can I have Preservé after pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Potentially, yes. Many women seek breast augmentation after pregnancy or breastfeeding because of volume loss or changes in breast shape. Whether Preservé is appropriate depends on the amount of skin laxity, breast tissue, nipple position, and degree of volume loss. Some patients may benefit from augmentation alone, while others require a breast lift to adequately address postpartum changes.
Will Preservé affect my ability to breastfeed?
Any breast surgery has the potential to affect breastfeeding and nipple sensation, and no technique can guarantee the ability to breastfeed afterward. However, Preservé was developed around the concept of minimizing disruption to native breast tissues. Motiva specifically describes the technique as intended to preserve breast anatomy and sensation over time compared with traditional breast augmentation. If future breastfeeding is important to you, discuss this during your consultation so it can be considered in your surgical planning.
Is Preservé safer than traditional breast augmentation?
Preservé is designed to minimize tissue disruption, but it is still breast implant surgery and carries potential risks. These include infection, bleeding, changes in sensation, scarring, capsular contracture, implant rupture, malposition, asymmetry, need for revision surgery, and other implant-related complications. Rather than calling one technique universally “safer,” we believe the better question is which technique is safest and most appropriate for your anatomy and goals.
Are Motiva implants FDA approved?
Yes. In the United States, Motiva SmoothSilk® Round and Motiva SmoothSilk Ergonomix® implants have FDA Premarket Approval for breast augmentation. Preservé refers to the specialized surgical approach and instrumentation used to perform the breast augmentation.