Preservé™ is an innovative new breast augmentation technique with the goals of a less invasive,easier recovery, approach. It uses specialized technology to assist the Plastic Surgeon in creating an implant pocket with less impact on the surrounding breast tissue. According to Motiva®, the manufacturer of the implants and devices used for the Preservé™ method, patients “will benefit from smaller scars, low device-related complications, without disrupting their native tissues, allowing for a quick and safe recovery.
How is the Preserve method different than traditional breast augmentation?
The goals of both Preservé™ and traditional breast augmentation are to create an implant pocket with minimal unnecessary tissue destruction that uniquely fits the chosen implant in precisely the desired position. In conventional breast augmentation, this is most commonly done under direct vision, often with the aid of a lighted retractor to provide excellent direct visualization through a small incision.
With the Preservé™ technique specialized equipment is used to blindly create an implant pocket with the assistance of balloon dilation of the tissue. After creation of the implant pocket in both techniques, implants are placed through the incision into the pocket created.
How is the Preservé™ procedure accomplished?
In the first step a proprietary device, the Motiva® Channel Separator, is placed through the incision to create a tunnel for the inflatable balloon.
In the second step, the Motiva® Inflatable Baloon is placed through the incision and inflated, creating space for the implant. The third step, similar to traditional augmentation, the implant is placed through the incision into the created implant pocket. In traditional augmentation this can be done with or without the aid of an insertion sleeve or funnel. In traditional augmentation, the type of implant is customized to the goals of the patient. This implant used for the Preservé™ technique requires a very elastic, moldable implant to fit through the limited access tunnel created and the manufacturers recommend the SmoothSilk® Ergonomix2® implant placed through the Motiva® Insertion Sleeve.
What are the potential benefit with the Preservé™ over traditional augmentation?
The manufacturers claim a simpler recovery, shorter scars, and improved implant position stability.
The claim of an easier recovery roots from the method of implant pocket creation which is “stretched” rather than directly divided or created.
The claim of a shorter scar is rooted in the technology and type of implant used. Although many experienced plastic surgeon can create very short scars with traditional techniques, many create longer scars for visualization of the pocket during creation Because the Preservé™ procedure is “blind” a longer scar for surgeon visualization is not necessary.
The claim of improved implant position stability is based on the expectation that there is less disruption of the soft tissue envelope beneath the breast, providing improved stability over time and a lower risk of implant displacement or bottoming out.
What are potential drawbacks of the Preservé™ method?
The major concerns of the Preservé™ procedure are accuracy of implant position, lack of surgical customization of the result, and inability to choose a subfascial or submuscular implant position for improved implant coverage and stability. The technique requires disposable equipment that adds expense.
Is Dr. Yates offering the Preservé™ method?
As exciting as new technology and concepts are, Dr. Yates is currently not sold on the benefit of
the Preservé™ method for a number of reasons.
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- It seems like a solution for a non-problem. Dr Yates patients rarely require more than
Tylenol or Ibuprofen after breast augmentation, particularly when implants are placed
above the muscle. The length of the scar is designed to minimum length to fit the
implant with either technique. The Preservé™ uses an elastic Ergonomix2® implant
which allows for a shorter scar, but the same scar length could be used to create the
pocket with either approach. - As for the claim of preservation of tissue for support, there could be something to this claim, particularly for surgeons who typically create a very large pocket for implant placement. For those surgeons, like Dr. Yates, who prefer a relatively snug pocket it is questionable whether tearing through balloon dissection or precise surgical dissection of the pocket is less traumatic to the tissue or the support.
- Dr. Yates is concerned with the accuracy of pocket placement. As a surgeon with nearly 25 years of experience, Dr. Yates understands millimeters matter a ton in breast augmentation, as does left-right symmetry. Dr. Yates has concerns that a blind approach relying on a balloon to create the pocket isn’t accurate enough for his high demands. The key tennant in breast augmenation is accurate pocket dissection, this seems to leave much to chance.
- It seems like a solution for a non-problem. Dr Yates patients rarely require more than
How do I decide if Preserve is right for me?
The first step in breast augmentation is choosing an experienced plastic surgeon who is knowledgeable about all facets of breast augmentation surgery. Breast augmentation shouldn't be a cookie-cutter "one fits all" approach, but rather be customized to each patient based on their unique starting point and goals. Dr. Yates has been in practice for nearly 25 years and has vast experience with every starting point and goal. If you are looking for customized results, book a consultation and find out.