SUITABILITY · MOTIVA PRESERVÉ
Motiva Preservé suits adults over 18 who want a modest to moderate increase in breast size, want to keep as much of their own tissue and sensation as the operation allows, and would rather avoid a general anaesthetic. On its own it does not lift dropped breasts, though Prof. Hindocha can combine it with an uplift, and very large size changes usually suit a traditional augmentation. Prof. Hindocha confirms suitability at consultation.
WHO IT IS FOR
Preservé is designed for a first breast augmentation: a first set of implants, placed in front of the chest muscle through an incision of about 2.5 to 3 cm in the fold under the breast. Motiva built the technique for women who want a natural-looking increase in size rather than a dramatic change, and who want the breast’s own tissue left as undisturbed as the operation allows.
Because the chest muscle is not divided, the operation can often be done under local anaesthetic with you awake, with sedation if you would rather be drowsy. That makes it a realistic option if the general anaesthetic is the part of surgery you most want to avoid.
Suitability is a clinical decision, not a checklist. Prof. Hindocha examines your breast tissue, skin and chest wall at consultation and tells you plainly whether Preservé will give you what you want, or whether a different operation would serve you better. Read how the Preservé technique works.
AT A GLANCE
What Prof. Hindocha weighs up before recommending Preservé.
Minimum Age
Size Increase
Breast Position
Not an Implant Exchange
Not Pregnant or Breastfeeding
These are the usual starting points, not fixed rules. Your examination at consultation decides, and Prof. Hindocha will say if another operation suits you better.
THE CONSULTATION
YOUR GOAL
How much bigger, what shape, and what matters more to you: size, a natural feel, or avoiding a general anaesthetic. If you are awake in theatre, the balloon later shows the volume on your own body, but the range is agreed here.
YOUR TISSUE
How much breast tissue you have, how elastic the skin is, and where the nipple sits in relation to the fold under the breast. A breast that has dropped needs a lift as well, which Preservé on its own does not provide.
YOUR HEALTH
Your medical history, medication, smoking, and any previous breast surgery. Pregnancy and breastfeeding rule it out for now. Existing implants make it a different operation.
YOUR ANAESTHETIC
Whether you would prefer to be awake under local anaesthetic, drowsy with sedation, or asleep. Preservé allows all three, and the choice is yours once he has confirmed it is safe for you.
A GOOD FIT
Patients who do well with Preservé usually recognise themselves in most of this list:
WHEN IT IS NOT THE ANSWER
Preservé places an implant; on its own it does not lift. If the nipple sits at or below the fold under the breast, Prof. Hindocha will usually combine the Preservé augmentation with an uplift, as in the two consented cases on the results page, or suggest augmentation with a lift, a different operation usually done under general anaesthetic.
Preservé makes the pocket by stretching tissue, so it suits moderate implant sizes. For a very large increase, a traditional breast augmentation gives him more room to work.
If you already have implants that need replacing, that is implant exchange. Whether the Preservé instruments form part of it is decided case by case.
Not now. Pregnancy and breastfeeding change the breast, so the operation waits until you have finished and your breasts have settled. Prof. Hindocha advises on timing.
AGE AND LIFE STAGE
You must be over 18. Beyond that, the examination matters more than your date of birth:
EXPLORE MOTIVA PRESERVÉ
More on the Motiva Preservé technique from Prof. Hindocha.
Verified patient reviews
Independently published reviews from Prof. Hindocha's breast surgery patients, quoted in full and exactly as written.
★★★★★
After years of being unhappy with my breasts after breastfeeding, I'm so glad I trusted my instincts and waited until I found the right surgeon. From my first consultation, Professor Hindocha made me feel completely at ease and I knew I could trust him. I'm only a week post-op and already love my results. I feel incredibly lucky to have found him and truly believe I found the best surgeon.
K.N.
Breast surgery patient
★★★★★
Excellent surgeon, highly recommend for breast augmentation under the muscle. He made me feel comfortable and didn't make me feel rushed in making decisions during my consultation right up to having surgery has been brilliant and also the after care. So pleased with my results.
C.S.
Breast augmentation patient
★★★★★
If you are wanting a breast reduction I would recommend Dr Sandip Hindocha! He has been brilliant from the consultation stage right through to after care! His team are amazing and will ensure that you are managing after surgery! You will feel at ease! I would 100% recommend!
G.H.
Breast reduction patient
Read all verified patient reviews
Patient stories describe individual experiences. Results vary from person to person, and the risks, limitations and likely outcome of any procedure are discussed with you at consultation.
THE NEXT STEP
A private consultation, with no obligation.
The only way to know whether Preservé suits you is an examination. Prof. Sandip Hindocha, consultant plastic surgeon (GMC 6122218) and certified by Motiva in the Preservé technique, sees patients in London, Northampton, Luton, Bedford and the North West. You can also read about recovery week by week and the Ergonomix2 implant. A written, itemised quote follows your consultation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The questions patients ask most about whether Preservé is for them.
Page last updated 18 October 2026. The suitability points are Prof. Hindocha's starting points for Motiva Preservé, confirmed at consultation. The implant lifespan and breastfeeding points are the NHS's.
