Preserve Breast Augmentation in Sarasota

Experience a less invasive approach to breast enhancement that works with your body. The Preserve technique by Motiva protects natural tissue, preserves nipple sensation, and delivers beautiful results with a faster, gentler recovery.

A New Standard in Breast Enhancement

Most breast augmentation techniques require cutting through tissue to create space for an implant. Preserve changes that. Developed by Establishment Labs, the creators of Motiva Breast Implants, Preserve is a tissue-sparing approach that works with your body's natural structure rather than disrupting it.

Dr. Joshua C. Kreithen, MD, an aesthetic breast and body specialist board-certified by the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, now offers the Preserve technique at Holcomb Kreithen Plastic Surgery & MedSpa in Sarasota. With over 20 years of experience and published research in Annals of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Kreithen brings the surgical precision and artistic sensibility this approach demands.

Preserve Breast Augmentation Table of Contents

blonde woman touching implant that the doctor is holding

What Is the Preserve Technique?

Preserve is a minimally invasive breast augmentation technique that creates a precise pocket for your implant without cutting through breast tissue. By gently separating tissue structures rather than dividing them, the procedure protects the breast's natural architecture, including muscle function and nipple sensation.

The technique is suitable for patients pursuing their first breast augmentation as well as those seeking a lift with implants. It is performed using Motiva's SmoothSilk Ergonomix implants, which are designed to move and feel like natural breast tissue. You can learn more about Motiva Breast Implants on our dedicated Motiva page.

How Does Preserve Work?

The Preserve technique follows a precise, stepwise process designed to minimize disruption to surrounding tissue. Steps include:

Tumescent numbing: The area is numbed using a tumescent solution, which takes approximately 10 minutes to take effect and reduces the need for general anesthesia.
Channel creation: Dr. Kreithen uses the Motiva channel separator, inserted through a small incision in the inframammary fold, the natural crease beneath the breast, to create a tunnel without cutting through tissue.
Pocket formation: A specialized Motiva inflatable balloon tool is then used to gently push tissue structures aside, creating a precise pocket that matches the exact dimensions of the chosen implant.
Implant placement: The Motiva SmoothSilk Ergonomix implant is placed into the newly formed pocket, allowing the surrounding breast tissue, chest muscles, and nipple sensation to remain fully intact.

Benefits of the Preserve Technique

Key benefits include:

Preserved nipple sensation: Tissue-sparing placement protects the nerves responsible for nipple sensitivity.
Maintained muscle function: The chest muscles remain undisturbed throughout the procedure.
Smaller scars: The incision in the inframammary fold is minimal, resulting in discreet, well-concealed scarring.
Faster recovery: Less surgical disruption means reduced downtime and a more comfortable healing process.
Low inflammation: The gentle, blunt-separation technique minimizes trauma to surrounding structures.
Reduced complication risk: Tissue preservation supports a more predictable outcome and lower rates of post-operative complications.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, minimizing tissue disruption during breast surgery is associated with improved healing outcomes and greater long-term patient satisfaction.

How the Preserve Technique Is Changing Breast Augmentation

Are You a Candidate for Preserve?

Strong candidates for Preserve typically include patients who:

Are pursuing their first breast augmentation and want the least invasive option available
Are seeking a breast lift with implants and want to minimize tissue disruption
Prioritize preserving nipple sensation and natural breast tissue functionality
Want a faster recovery with minimal downtime
Are in good overall health with realistic expectations about outcomes
Prefer to avoid general anesthesia when possible, as Preserve can be performed with minimal anesthesia due to the tumescent technique

Patients who smoke or have significant existing scar tissue may require additional evaluation prior to proceeding.

What to Expect Before, During, and After Preserve

Your Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Kreithen will cover everything you need to feel confident moving forward:

Anatomy review: Dr. Kreithen will assess your natural breast structure to determine whether Preserve is the right fit for your goals.
Implant options and sizing: He will walk you through your Motiva implant options and help you select the size and profile that best suits your frame.
Recovery overview: You will receive a clear picture of what the healing process looks like and what to expect at each stage.
Pricing: A personalized cost estimate will be provided based on your individualized treatment plan.

The Procedure

The Preserve technique is designed to be gentle, precise, and minimally disruptive from start to finish:

Incision: A small incision is made in the inframammary fold; the natural crease beneath the breast.
Tumescent numbing: The area is treated with a numbing solution before any instruments are introduced.
Channel and pocket creation: Motiva's specialized separator and balloon tools create a precise implant pocket without cutting through tissue.
Implant placement: The SmoothSilk Ergonomix implant is placed into the newly formed pocket, leaving the surrounding tissue intact.

Recovery and Results for Preserve

Because Preserve avoids cutting through breast tissue and muscle, the recovery experience differs meaningfully from traditional augmentation:

Reduced discomfort: Most patients report less postoperative pain than with conventional techniques.
Faster return to activity: Less surgical disruption supports an earlier return to daily routines.
Low swelling and inflammation: The tissue-sparing approach minimizes the body's inflammatory response.
Gradual refinement: Final results continue to settle naturally over the following weeks as the implants integrate with surrounding tissue.

Schedule Your Preserve Consultation in Sarasota

If you're ready to explore a gentler, tissue-respecting approach to breast enhancement, Dr. Kreithen and the team at Holcomb Kreithen Plastic Surgery & MedSpa are here to help. Contact us today to schedule your personal consultation.

To learn more about the implants used in the Preserve technique, visit our Motiva Breast Implants page.

Why Choose Dr. Kreithen for Preserve in Sarasota?

Preserve is a technique that rewards surgical precision. The tissue-sparing nature of the procedure requires a thorough understanding of breast anatomy and an experienced, deliberate hand.

Dr. Kreithen has spent over 20 years refining his approach to breast surgery in Sarasota. His work has been published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery and presented at national conferences, including the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. He is among a select group of surgeons trained to offer the Preserve technique and is one of the first in the Sarasota area to make it available to patients.

J. David Holcomb, MD Face, Nose & Laser Surgery

J. David Holcomb, MD is a double board-certified Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Laser Surgeon (American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Board of Otolaryngology) who has practiced in Sarasota since 2000. His expertise includes advanced procedures such as rhinoplasty and laser resurfacing, and he has participated in groundbreaking clinical research trials (principal investigator in several helium plasma dermal resurfacing studies and BLESS II Letybo neurotoxin non-inferiority study).

Meet Dr. Holcomb

Joshua C. Kreithen, MD Breast & Body Surgery

Joshua C. Kreithen, MD is an Aesthetic Breast & Contouring Body Specialist who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Kreithen has practiced in Sarasota, Florida since 2004.

Meet Dr. Kreithen

Marc J. Salzman, MD Face, Breast & Body Surgery

Marc J. Salzman, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience in face and body procedures. A recognized educator and innovator, he's known for advancing techniques and contributing to FDA studies on breast implants.

Meet Dr. Salzman

Preserve Frequently Asked Questions

Can Preserve be used for implant revision or exchange?

Preserve is primarily designed for patients pursuing breast augmentation, whether for the first time or as a lift with implants. Patients seeking implant revision or exchange should schedule a consultation with Dr. Kreithen to determine which approach is most appropriate for their anatomy.

What implant sizes and profiles are available with Preserve?

The Preserve technique uses Motiva SmoothSilk Ergonomix implants, which are available in a range of sizes and profiles to suit different body types and aesthetic goals. Dr. Kreithen will help you select the option that best complements your natural proportions during your consultation.

How long do Motiva implants used in Preserve last?

Motiva Ergonomix implants are engineered for long-term durability, though no implant carries a lifetime guarantee. Dr. Kreithen will walk you through what to expect over time and when follow-up evaluations are recommended.

Can Preserve be combined with other procedures?

Depending on your goals and overall health, Preserve may be performed alongside complementary procedures such as a breast lift. Dr. Kreithen will evaluate your candidacy for combination treatment during your consultation and outline any implications for recovery.

Will my results look natural as my body changes over time?

Motiva SmoothSilk Ergonomix implants are specifically designed to move and respond like natural breast tissue, supporting a result that ages gracefully. Maintaining regular follow-up appointments with Dr. Kreithen helps ensure your outcome continues to look its best over the years.