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Preservé Breast Augmentation

A lighter touch. A beautifully considered shape.

Preservé breast augmentation offers Houston patients an advanced option designed around proportion, softness, and natural movement.

At Heights Plastic Surgery, Preservé by Motiva® minimizes disruption to natural breast tissue and the pectoral muscle. It can be performed without general anesthesia, an important distinction for women uneasy about being fully unconscious. The goal is proportional enhancement through a small incision, with a potentially smoother recovery than traditional breast augmentation.

Augmentation Mammoplasty

also known as: breast augmentation \ og-men-TAY-shun MA-moh-pla-stee \

Plastic surgery procedure that adds volume and symmetry to the breasts via breast implant or fat grafting

Procedure options: Breast Augmentation, Silicone Breast Implant Enhancement, Transaxillary Breast Augmentation, Peri-areolar Breast Augmentation, Breast Augmentation Lift

Procedure Overview

Addresses

Naturally small breasts

Mild breast asymmetry

Volume loss after pregnancy, aging, or weight fluctuations

Desire for subtle, proportional enhancement

Procedure Time

1–2 hours

Eligibility

Female

22+

Non-smoker

At least 6 months post-breastfeeding

Adequate natural breast tissue and skin quality

Possible Side Effects

Swelling

Bruising

Temporary tightness or discomfort

Temporary changes to breast or nipple sensation

Frequently Asked Questions

Jump to FAQs

What Is Preservé Breast Augmentation?

Preservé breast augmentation uses proprietary Motiva instruments to create an implant pocket while minimizing disruption of native support structures. A Motiva SmoothSilk® Ergonomix® implant is placed for soft, natural-looking outcomes.

Controlled tissue expansion forms space for the implant while preserving natural tissue, support structures, sensation, and the pectoral muscle when anatomy allows. Local anesthesia and light sedation let qualified patients avoid general anesthesia.

How Does the Preservé Technique Work?

Through a small incision, specialized instruments create a precise channel and gently expand the breast tissue. A dedicated sleeve supports controlled implant placement with limited handling.

Local anesthesia numbs the area while light sedation promotes relaxation. Preserving the pectoral muscle and using this lower-impact approach may mean less tissue trauma and an easier recovery. Experiences vary.

Preservé vs. Traditional Breast Augmentation

Traditional augmentation often uses general anesthesia and more extensive pocket dissection. It remains valuable for thin tissue coverage, significant asymmetry, prior surgery, or specific implant goals.

Preservé takes a more conservative approach. Breast tissue, desired size, skin quality, and lifestyle determine which technique offers the safest balance.

Why Avoiding General Anesthesia Matters

For some women, anesthesia is the concern. Preservé creates an option for qualified patients who prefer to avoid the loss of consciousness, airway support, and deeper medications associated with general anesthesia. Local anesthesia controls sensation at the surgical site, while light sedation supports calm and comfort. This approach may also reduce anesthesia-related concerns such as postoperative nausea, mental fogginess, or a sore throat. It does not remove the need for monitoring.

Benefits of Preservé Breast Augmentation

Potential benefits include:

  • Minimal disruption of natural breast tissue
  • Preservation of the pectoral muscle
  • A smaller, discreet incision
  • The ability to avoid general anesthesia when medically appropriate
  • Potentially less postoperative pain and swelling
  • A smoother or faster recovery
  • Soft contours and natural movement
  • Implant selection based on anatomy
  • Long-lasting results with appropriate monitoring

Am I a Candidate for Preservé Breast Augmentation?

Good candidates are healthy women seeking primary breast augmentation with enough tissue to support the implant. Preservé may appeal to patients whose concerns about general anesthesia have delayed surgery. They must still qualify for local anesthesia and sedation.

Significant loose skin, marked drooping, limited tissue coverage, or complex revision needs may require traditional augmentation, a breast lift, fat transfer, or combined surgery. Pregnancy, aging, and weight fluctuations can change the result.

Your Consultation at Heights Plastic Surgery

Dr. Cara Downey or Dr. Jamal Bullocks will evaluate breast width, tissue thickness, nipple position, chest-wall anatomy, asymmetry, history, and goals. You will discuss implant dimensions, local anesthesia, sedation, comfort, and safety.

How to Prepare for Surgery

Preparation may include testing, breast imaging, medication adjustments, stopping nicotine, and arranging transportation and help at home. Follow all eating, drinking, and prescription instructions.

The Preservé Breast Augmentation Procedure

Preservé is performed in an accredited surgical facility with continuous monitoring. Local anesthesia numbs the breast while light sedation supports relaxation. General anesthesia is not required for qualified patients. Your surgeon creates the channel, expands the space, inserts the implant, and closes the incision.

Recovery After Preservé Breast Augmentation

Expect tightness, swelling, bruising, and temporary soreness. Avoiding general anesthesia may mean less nausea, grogginess, or throat discomfort, although responses vary.

Many patients resume light activity relatively quickly. Driving, work, exercise, lifting, and upper-body movement restart with the surgeon’s approval. Recovery varies with anatomy, implant size, and additional procedures.

Contact Heights Plastic Surgery promptly for increasing pain, one-sided swelling, fever, drainage, shortness of breath, or another unexpected change.

Preservé Breast Augmentation Results

The breasts initially sit higher and feel firmer. Their final shape develops as swelling resolves and the implants settle.

Results can be long-lasting, but breast implants are not lifetime devices. Aging, pregnancy, gravity, and weight fluctuations continue to affect natural tissue. Future imaging, implant exchange, revision, or a breast lift may eventually be needed.

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Risks and Breast Implant Safety

Possible complications include bleeding, infection, delayed healing, scarring, asymmetry, sensation changes, malposition, rippling, rupture, capsular contracture, pain, and additional surgery. Local anesthesia and sedation also carry risks.

Motiva SmoothSilk Round and Round Ergonomix silicone implants are FDA-approved for breast augmentation in women age 22 and older. FDA approval applies to the implant; Preservé describes the specialized technique and instruments used to place it.

Review the manufacturer’s decision checklist before surgery. The FDA recommends ultrasound or MRI screening for silent rupture after five to six years and every two to three years afterward.

Cost of Preservé Breast Augmentation in Houston

Cost varies with implant selection, anesthesia, facility fees, complexity, and additional procedures. Your personalized quote explains surgeon, implant, anesthesia, facility, and follow-up costs.

Houston plastic surgeon

Heights Plastic Surgery

Why choose Heights Plastic Surgery?

Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks are board-certified plastic surgeons who collaborate on breast surgery planning with careful attention to natural proportion.

Our Houston, Texas practice offers private care and an accredited surgical facility. Dr. Downey can determine whether a no-general-anesthesia approach is appropriate without compromising surgical precision or patient safety.

Contact us today to book your appointment

Schedule a Consultation

If fear of general anesthesia has delayed breast augmentation, Preservé may offer another path. Meet with Heights Plastic Surgery to assess your candidacy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Preservé Breast Augmentation in Houston