Preservé™ Breast Augmentation: A Minimal-Access Approach
Posted January 22, 2026 in Breast Augmentation
Preservé™—with a little flair on that final e—is a newer, elegant way to place breast implants using a truly minimal incision. As an innovative, cutting-edge technique for breast augmentation, Preserve™ was developed by establishment labs to deliver advanced, minimally invasive results. The incision is typically placed in the breast crease to conceal the scar and uses smaller incisions compared to traditional methods. This approach results in minimal scarring, offering fewer visible scars and a faster recovery than traditional breast augmentation. We are talking about an opening no wider than a thumb, roughly 2.5 centimeters. From a surgical standpoint, that is impressively small. From a patient’s standpoint, it changes the entire experience.
At its core, Preservé™ is about respecting tissue. This modern, tissue-preserving breast augmentation alternative prioritizes tissue preservation, resulting in less trauma to the breast tissue. Instead of blunt dissection or wide surgical exposure, this procedure relies on precision, controlled expansion, and careful planning.
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How the Preservé™ Minimally Invasive Breast Augmentation Works
Understanding individual breast anatomy is critical to achieving optimal, natural results with preservation breast augmentation. Here is how the Preservé™ procedure works in real terms.
The procedure is typically performed under mild sedation, which allows patients to remain comfortable and awake, and does not require general anesthesia—unlike traditional breast augmentation. The first step is numbing the skin where the small incision will be made. After that, the entire breast is gently infiltrated with a numbing solution, very similar to what is done during liposuction. This part is performed under ultrasound guidance, allowing real-time confirmation that the solution is being delivered into the correct anatomical space.
Once the area is fully anesthetized, the Preservé™ instrument is introduced through that small incision and carefully advanced to create a precise tunnel. The board-certified plastic surgeon gently creates the implant pocket, taking care to preserve the chest wall muscles, including the pectoralis muscle, and to minimize trauma to the connective tissue and surrounding tissues, such as the breast fascia. This preservation helps reduce complications, supports faster recovery, and maintains the breast’s natural support structures. After the pathway is established, the instrument is removed and replaced with a specialized balloon dissector. This balloon is not generic; rather, it is designed to match the exact dimensions of the implant being used. When inflated, it gently creates the breast pocket as part of this minimally invasive breast surgery technique, without aggressive cutting or tearing of tissue. The Preservé™ technique allows for breast implants to be placed over the chest muscle, which can lead to less soreness and a quicker recovery.
Once the space is confirmed to be the correct size, the balloon is removed, and the implant is placed using a funnel system, allowing the implant to be introduced smoothly through the same tiny incision while minimizing contact and tissue trauma. This step uses a no-touch technique, minimizing direct contact with the implant, reducing contamination risk, and enhancing safety for more natural-looking results with fewer complications. Motiva breast implants, which are specifically designed for use in Preservé breast augmentation, are used to enhance safety and provide a natural feel.
The surgical complexity of preservation breast augmentation is tailored to each patient, ensuring a personalized approach to breast surgery that optimizes both aesthetic results and recovery.
Preservé™ Recovery and Patient Experience
The advantages of the Preservé™ procedure are significant. The technique minimizes trauma to the surrounding breast tissue, which helps reduce post-operative discomfort and complications. Pain is minimal, and recovery is remarkably fast, leading to a smoother recovery and natural-looking results that blend seamlessly with your natural anatomy. The Preservé™ technique preserves natural tissue, allowing for natural movement and an appearance that closely resembles natural breasts.
Most patients are able to drive and return to work the very next day, with light activities typically resumed within one to three days, which is significantly faster than the one- to two-week recovery often associated with traditional breast augmentation techniques. Because the procedure is minimally invasive, preservation breast augmentation is well suited for athletes and active individuals who want to return to normal routines quickly. Many patients feel comfortable going out the same evening after breast surgery, and full exercise is commonly resumed within two weeks. In addition, the Preservé technique is designed to protect nerve pathways, which may help preserve nipple sensation and support future breastfeeding.
And the resulting scar is, quite literally, barely visible. Proper aftercare is important to ensure optimal healing and the best possible outcome.
That said, Preservé™ is not for everyone, and this is where honesty matters.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Preservé™?
The best candidates for the Preservé™ procedure tend to be thinner patients with smaller frames who are seeking a proportional, natural breast enhancement. During the consultation, it is important to review the patient’s medical history to ensure safety and optimal results.
Implant size is limited, with a maximum volume of approximately 320 cc. The implant must be an ergonomic design, such as those from Motiva. Motiva implants are designed to enhance safety and provide a natural feel during Preservé™ breast augmentation. Round implants are not suitable for this technique because they have a higher fill ratio and do not deform easily, making them difficult to pass through such a small incision.
Breast shape also matters. There should be no droop or only minimal droop. Preservé™ is not a breast lift, and it does not allow for repositioning or lowering of the inframammary fold. If there are asymmetries in fold height or nipple position, a more traditional augmentation approach is usually the better option.
A Precision-Based, Breast Tissue-Respecting Approach to Breast Augmentation
For the right patient—typically younger, thinner, and looking for a subtle, body-appropriate enhancement—Preservé™ can be an excellent choice. Unlike conventional breast augmentation and traditional techniques, which are often more invasive and require longer recovery, Preservé™ represents the evolution of breast surgery toward minimally invasive options that prioritize patient comfort and recovery. It delivers natural results with minimal disruption, minimal downtime, and maximal respect for anatomy.
A key principle of the Preservé™ breast augmentation approach is tissue preservation, which helps maintain the natural breast tissue and anatomy. Preservé™ breast surgery allows for a more natural breast shape and improved implant longevity by respecting the existing breast footprint and allowing the implant to work with the body.
In breast surgery, smaller is not always better. But when smaller is paired with precision, planning, and the right technology, it can be quietly revolutionary.
Ready to Learn More About the Preservé™ Breast Augmentation Procedure?
Preservé breast augmentation is a minimally invasive technique that preserves key breast tissues, does not require general anesthesia, and results in faster recovery compared to conventional breast augmentation. If you are considering breast augmentation and want to explore whether the Preservé™ minimal-access technique is right for you, the team at Careaga Plastic Surgery is here to help. With extensive experience in advanced tissue-preservation breast augmentation techniques, our board-certified plastic surgeons will create a personalized treatment plan to achieve natural results with precision and care.To schedule a personalized consultation and learn more about your primary breast augmentation options in Miami, call (305) 574-9262 or complete our online contact form today.