Limited time offers!

View Specials Here
(804) 390-5660

A Richmond Practice Among the First to Offer Motiva Preservé

Dr. Burton Sundin and Dr. Reps Sundin both perform Motiva Preservé breast augmentation at the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery. They are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Few practices across the state currently offer this technique, giving Richmond-area patients early access to one of the newest approaches in breast augmentation.

Between them, the Sundin brothers bring more than two decades of combined breast surgery experience, including Dr. Reps Sundin's aesthetic surgery fellowship training in New York. Patients travel from Northern Virginia, Charlottesville, and Washington, DC to work with a surgical team known for personalized, natural-looking results.

Hero Media

What Is the Motiva Preservé Technique and How Does It Work?

Motiva Preservé is a tissue-preserving breast augmentation technique developed by Establishment Labs and used exclusively with Motiva SmoothSilk Ergonomix implants.

Rather than surgically dissecting the pocket that holds the implant, the technique relies on specialized instruments to gently separate tissue layers without cutting through the pectoral muscle or the ligaments that anchor the breast shape.

The implant sits above the muscle, in what is known as a subglandular position, an approach that appeals to patients concerned about nerve sensation and long-term muscle function.

The procedure follows a precise, step-by-step process:

  1. Detailed measurements of the breast are taken first to determine implant size and placement
  2. A small incision, typically around 2.5 centimeters, is made in the breast crease
  3. A specialized instrument called a channel separator creates a narrow path to the implant site
  4. An inflatable balloon gently expands the pocket to the exact size needed, without cutting tissue
  5. The implant is inserted through a no-touch sleeve designed to reduce contamination risk

Many patients undergo the entire procedure with local anesthesia and light sedation rather than general anesthesia

Motiva Preservé vs. Traditional Motiva Breast Augmentation

Traditional Motiva breast augmentation still offers patients a wider range of implant styles and sizes, including the Motiva Round option and larger Ergonomix volumes.

Preservé, on the other hand, trades some of that flexibility for a less invasive surgical approach suited to first-time patients seeking a modest, natural-looking increase. Patients weighing both options can review the full range of implant technology on the practice's Motiva Breast Implants page.

Banner media
Woman A woman in her 30's with brunette hair is in a black bikini. She is half in a pool and pointing her face up with her eyes closed at the sun. Her breasts are peaking out of the water emphasizing her cleveage to mimic what a breast aug and lift may achieve in Richmond, VA

Benefits of Motiva Preservé Breast Augmentation

  • Because the implant sits above the muscle rather than beneath it, it does not shift or distort when the chest muscles flex during exercise or everyday movement
  • Less post-operative discomfort in the days after surgery, since the pectoral muscle is never lifted, stretched, or reattached
  • Freedom to resume everyday movements like lifting your arms, carrying groceries, or picking up a child sooner than patients typically experience with submuscular placement
  • A soft, natural look and feel, particularly when paired with the adaptive gel in the Motiva SmoothSilk Ergonomix implant
  • A precise, custom-fit pocket for each patient's anatomy, which supports a symmetrical, proportional result

Are You a Candidate for Motiva Preservé? in Richmond

Good candidates for Motiva Preservé breast augmentation typically include:

  • First-time breast augmentation patients
  • Those seeking a subtle one to two cup size increase, since Preservé implants currently range from 150cc to 315cc
  • Patients who do not need a breast lift performed at the same time
  • Individuals who would prefer to avoid general anesthesia
  • Active patients hoping for a quicker return to their normal routine

Because Preservé depends on specific anatomy and surgical history, Dr. Burton Sundin or Dr. Reps Sundin will confirm candidacy during an in-person consultation.

Consultation and Cost

Every Motiva Preservé consultation begins with a detailed discussion of goals, medical history, and breast anatomy. Cost depends on factors including implant size, anesthesia type, and whether any additional procedures are combined with the augmentation. A personalized quote is provided only after this consultation, once the surgical plan has been finalized.

Banner media
Woman in a black bodysuit, touching her waist

Recovery and Results After Motiva Preservé

Because Preservé avoids cutting the chest muscle, many patients describe an easier first week than they expected with traditional augmentation. Here’s what you can generally expect:

  • Rest is recommended for the first few days, and many patients resume light activities within a week
  • Desk work and light daily tasks typically resume within two to three weeks, while strenuous exercise remains restricted for four to six weeks
  • Swelling continues to resolve over the following months, and final results are typically visible between six and twelve months after surgery

Schedule Your Motiva Preservé Consultation in Richmond

Dr. Burton Sundin and Dr. Reps Sundin welcome the opportunity to walk you through every implant and technique option available at Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery. Call (804) 390-5660 or request a consultation online to get started.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.

FAQs: Motiva Preservé Breast Augmentation

Is Motiva Preservé FDA-approved?

Can Motiva Preservé be used for revision breast augmentation?

What implant sizes are available with Motiva Preservé?

Will Motiva Preservé leave a smaller scar than traditional breast augmentation?

How is Motiva Preservé different from other minimally invasive augmentation options?

What are the risks of Motiva Preservé breast augmentation?

Is Motiva Preservé FDA-approved?

The Motiva SmoothSilk Ergonomix implants used with Preservé are FDA-approved. The Preservé technique itself, along with its channel separator and inflatable balloon instruments, is registered with the FDA but is not yet FDA-cleared as a complete surgical system in the United States, according to Motiva USA.

Can Motiva Preservé be used for revision breast augmentation?

Preservé is designed primarily for first-time breast augmentation patients. Whether it suits a revision case depends heavily on existing scar tissue and anatomy, which Dr. Burton Sundin or Dr. Reps Sundin will evaluate during consultation.

What implant sizes are available with Motiva Preservé?

Preservé is currently available with Motiva Ergonomix implants ranging from 150cc to 315cc, a range suited to a subtle, natural-looking one- to two-cup-size increase.

Will Motiva Preservé leave a smaller scar than traditional breast augmentation?

The Preservé incision, at roughly 2.5 centimeters, is generally smaller than the 4 to 5-centimeter incision used in traditional breast augmentation. Final scarring still depends on each patient's skin type and healing process.

How is Motiva Preservé different from other minimally invasive augmentation options?

Most minimally invasive techniques focus on incision size alone. Preservé goes further by changing how the pocket is created, using instruments that separate tissue rather than cut it, which is why the practice specifically highlights its effect on muscle and nerve preservation.

What are the risks of Motiva Preservé breast augmentation?

Risks are similar to those of any breast augmentation and can include capsular contracture, infection, implant malposition, and the potential need for reoperation. A full risk discussion takes place during consultation.

Schedule a Consultation

Contact Us
Contact us media

Delivering premier plastic surgery and non-invasive procedures, our services extend to popular cosmetic procedures such as mommy makeover, facelift, and liposuction for clients in Richmond.

Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at 804-290-0909.
Contact Us