Has Breast Surgery Entered a Minimally Invasive Moment? – NewBeauty

Breast augmentation has long come with trade-offs: beautiful results, yes, but also muscle pain, weeks of modified movement and a taxing recovery that required considerable planning. That expectation is starting to shift—not because surgery has become casual, but because the way it’s being performed is changing.

A newer breast augmentation approach known as Preservé by Motiva is gaining attention for its focus on tissue preservation, lighter implants and a recovery that fits more realistically into modern life. Surgeons say the difference isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about cutting less, reducing disruption where possible and rethinking how much intervention is truly needed to achieve a natural result. Ahead, experts weigh in on how Preservé works, who it’s best for and why its recovery looks different from traditional breast augmentation.

Featured Experts

• Anna Steve, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York
• Sanjay Grover, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Newport Beach, CA
• Bradley Bengtson, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Grand Rapids, MI

A Different Philosophy Behind Augmentation

New York plastic surgeon Anna Steve, MD says Preservé represents a move away from techniques that dominated breast surgery for decades. “Preservé is a less invasive breast augmentation technique that uses Motiva Ergonomix implants to create natural-looking results with over-the-muscle implant placement,” she explains. “Traditional breast augmentation focused on below-the-muscle placement and was associated with longer downtimes, more discomfort and more restrictive recovery protocols.”

Over-the-muscle placement was once limited by older implant designs and higher complication rates, particularly in lean patients. According to Dr. Steve, newer implant surfaces and a more tissue-conscious surgical approach have expanded what’s possible. “This technique preserves the internal anatomy of the breast by using a selective balloon inflation method rather than cutting with surgical instruments,” she says. “By preserving tissue rather than disrupting it, we anticipate better longevity over time.”

The Recovery Factor

Downtime is where patients tend to notice the biggest contrast. According to Dr. Steve, most women return to daily activities the same day and resume exercise within one to three weeks, depending on activity level and surgeon protocols. “Patients are able to return to work, lift children and move through their daily routines much sooner compared to traditional methods,” she says.

Newport Beach plastic surgeon Sanjay Grover, MD has seen similar outcomes in his practice, particularly for patients undergoing primary augmentation. “Over the last three months, we have been performing Preservé minimally invasive breast augmentation procedures for most of our augmentation patients,” he says. “The procedure takes 45 to 60 minutes and is performed under twilight sedation with very little discomfort afterward.”

That shorter operative time and lighter anesthesia matter to many patients, especially those hoping to avoid full general anesthesia. Postoperative pain is typically managed with ibuprofen and Tylenol rather than narcotics.

“Patients can go out to dinner the night after surgery, drive within 48 hours and return to the gym in one week,” Dr. Grover adds, noting that yoga and Pilates are usually restricted for a full month.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Despite its benefits, Preservé may not be the best choice for everyone. Surgeons emphasize the importance of patient selection and realistic expectations. “The ideal candidate for a Preservé minimally invasive breast augmentation is someone who has not had a prior breast procedure,” says Dr. Grover. “This works best for patients who have at least some natural breast tissue, although we have performed it successfully on very thin patients without notable rippling or palpability.”

One common misconception, notes Dr. Steve, is that Preservé is only suitable for very small implants. “While Preservé is an excellent option for women seeking small-volume, natural-looking enhancement, the technique can also be used for larger volumes and fuller looks,” she says.

How the breast tissue itself behaves still plays an important role. Grand Rapids plastic surgeon Bradley Bengtson, MD says coverage and proportion are key considerations.“Patients need enough natural breast tissue to cover the implant and avoid visible rippling,” he says. “In my practice, Preservé often makes the most sense for women who care more about shape than dramatic volume.”

That often translates to implants in the 150 cc to 250 cc range—roughly a one cup size increase—with results that emphasize balance and movement. Even that framework is evolving. “We talk about total breast volume now,” Dr. Bengtson says. “It’s the breast someone starts with, plus the implant together—that’s what determines the final look.”

Where Technique Meets Lifestyle

For patients who choose it, Preservé offers a different way to think about breast augmentation, with more emphasis on preserving tissue and less on working through muscle. “This approach reflects a shift toward minimally invasive breast enhancement that prioritizes women’s health while preserving natural anatomy,” says Dr. Steve.

Surgeons are careful to note that Preservé is not meant to replace traditional breast augmentation. Under-the-muscle and dual-plane techniques remain important options, especially for patients whose anatomy, goals or surgical history call for them.

What Preservé offers is another option. For women who want breast enhancement that feels deliberate and measured, and a recovery that fits more easily into daily life, it represents a thoughtful alternative. Breast surgery is still surgery. But for the right patient, it can feel more manageable, more precise and easier to recover from than it once was.