Plastic Surgery: The Naked Truth—Motiva Implant Breast Augmentation in 2026 (Part I)

What do our patients in Newport Beach desire when seeking breast implant surgery?

Most women seeking breast augmentation are not simply asking for “larger breasts.” Many of our current patients—especially in markets like Newport Beach, Los Angeles, and other aesthetic-driven regions—desire a more “modern” approach.

We often hear expressions such as:

 “I don’t want to look done.” 

 “I want to look like myself—just better.” 

 “Proportional, not obvious.”

That being said, there are many women who still prefer larger breasts, a fuller figure, both in and out of clothing. At Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery, we understand that each patient is an individual with different needs and desires. We take time to listen to our patients during their comprehensive consultation to evaluate their goals and work together to come up with a treatment plan to achieve their desired outcome.

Motiva breast implants provide new options for us to achieve a safe, consistent, more natural result for our patients.

A More Natural Feel and Movement

One of the most noticeable differences with Motiva implants is how they behave.

Unlike older implants, Motiva implants are designed to:

• Move naturally with your body 
• Position naturally when standing and lying down, much like your own breast tissue
• Feel softer and more like natural breast tissue 

Our patients are entering a completely unique era of plastic surgery—one defined by precision, preservation, and natural aesthetics, not by size. This is very different from even 5-10 years ago. Over the past years, we have seen a clear shift in what patients want. The conversation has moved away from dramatic change and toward something far more refined:

• “I want to look natural.” 
• “I don’t want anyone to know I had surgery.” 
• “I want to feel like myself—just better.” 

This is precisely where modern breast augmentation is headed. Our current techniques are evolving toward preserving existing anatomy; minimizing surgical trauma, and enhancing—not replacing—your natural breast structure 

This shift is supported by evolving surgical principles and advances in implant technology.

The use of Motiva implants, along with supporting mesh such as Galaflex or Duoderm, has been transformational in providing softer, natural breasts with fewer long-term problems, such as firmness (encapsulation), while achieving amazing results for our patients

At the center of this evolution are Motiva breast implants and emerging surgical approaches such as Preservé™, which emphasize less disruption, better tissue preservation, and more natural movement.

This is the Naked Truth: The best breast augmentation today is the one that is not extremely obvious—but a result that you can feel confident in every day.

What Makes Motiva Implants Different?

Motiva implants represent a new generation of breast implant design focused on softness, natural movement, and becoming “a part of your own body” (biocompatibility). These breast implants use a specialized surface designed to reduce inflammation and improve how the implant interacts with your body. They are not a textured implant and do not have a separate covering on the “shell.” They were developed with highly specialized “nanotechnology” that helps in lowering the risk of capsular contracture, improving long-term tissue compatibility, and reducing the inflammatory response.

🏆 Breast Implant Warranty Comparison Table 

Feature	Motiva® (Establishment Labs)	Allergan® Natrelle®	Mentor® (J&J)	Sientra®
Rupture Coverage	Lifetime replacement (Always Confident Warranty®)	Lifetime replacement (ConfidencePlus®)	Lifetime replacement (MentorPromise®)	Lifetime replacement
Capsular Contracture Coverage	10 years (Baker III–IV)	10 years (varies by program)	10 years (Enhanced plan)	Up to 20 years (varies)
Financial Assistance (Base Warranty)	Limited	Limited	Limited	Limited
Financial Assistance (Extended Programs)	Yes (up to ~$3,500+)	Yes (Premier program higher payouts)	Yes (Enhanced plan ~$3,500)	Yes (varies, often competitive)
Contralateral Implant Replacement	Yes (symmetry protection)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Free Coverage Period	1 year (registration required)	Immediate enrollment	Immediate enrollment	Immediate enrollment
Extended Warranty Options	2–5 year upgrades (RFID-based tiers)	Premier upgrade available	Enhanced paid upgrade	Extended coverage options
Registration Requirement	Required within 90 days	Automatic enrollment	Automatic enrollment	Automatic enrollment
Unique Advantage	Strong rupture + modern tech + optional high financial protection	Longest clinical track record	Strong data + predictable warranty structure	Longer contracture coverage window
Primary Limitation	Financial coverage requires an upgrade	Premium plans are required for the best benefits	Must purchase enhanced plan	Less standardized across programs

What does all of this mean to our patients?

Breast augmentation, augmentation mastopexy, or breast revision surgery with Motiva breast implants will tend to:

• Remain in a more stable position over time 
• Age more gracefully along with your own body
• Stay softer as you age, with fewer problems of firmness 
• Have fewer problems with rupture or leakage than previous choices of implants, whether silicone or saline.

For our active patients in Newport Beach and throughout Orange County, these are important advantages. “Yoga boobs”—soft, athletic breasts with proportionate enhancement have become a common term along with “Ballerina breasts”, elegant, minimal, refined projection, which are more moderate in size and move naturally during activity.

Breast Revision Surgery: A Common and Important Consideration

Many of our patients are surprised to learn how common breast revision surgery is. In my Newport Beach practice, I frequently see patients who want to downsize and achieve a more natural look.  Motiva implants are particularly helpful in these cases because they offer a softer, more natural feel and often, a more refined aesthetic outcome. Motiva’s smoothsilk erogonomix breast implants are unique breast implants that mimic the look and feel of your natural breast.

Revision breast surgery is often about improving your comfort and cosmetic result, and not just correcting a problem.

A typical breast implant patient at our Newport Beach office, Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery, is active, working, and often fitness-oriented. What they tell us that they desire is:

• Rapid recovery (24–72 hour functional recovery expectation) 
• Ability to quickly return to work, yoga, Pilates, strength training, golf, and tennis.

Our younger mothers with small children need a quick recovery to take care of their family and daily activities.

What is new in breast implant surgery 2026?

Over the last ten years, along with new breast implants, such as the Motiva Ergonomix SmoothSilk implant, there has been a shift toward changes in several surgical techniques. In Europe and South America, plastic surgeons have been placing breast implants over the muscle for decades; however, in North America, particularly the United States west coast and southern states, the trend has continued to be submuscular (subpectoral) placement.  This has been especially true in thin patients who have little breast tissue to cover the upper part of the breast implant. In addition, concerns about visible or palpable rippling, wrinkling, and other undesirable results have continued the trend for submuscular placement. Most patients coming to my office often request the incision they desire and placement under the muscle based on what they have read or heard from friends.

Currently, the use of newer Motiva implants in breast reconstruction and cosmetic procedures in Europe and the United States is leading more patients and surgeons to prefer placing the implants above the muscle, where natural breast tissue is located. This is the normal and natural place for breast tissue.

Because the Motiva implants feel and behave like your natural breast tissue, they have resulted in amazing natural results when placed over the muscle. The results, as noted in the references below, have been consistent and long-lasting. These updated changes include:

• Long-acting local anesthetics 
• More gentle surgical techniques
• Better, more natural implant placement
• The use of mesh to support and maintain the implant position (hammock)
• Mesh to decrease capsular contracture
• Less animation deformity, or movement of implants with exercise
• Long-acting local anesthetics
• Surgery under local anesthetic

Placing the implant over the muscle leaves the entire pectoralis muscle untouched, which is especially important for athletic women. The post-surgical pain is less, and recovery is quicker.

The ability to perform wide-awake surgery in our office surgery facility is facilitated as we can keep you comfortable during the procedure with our long experience in the use of local and tumescent anesthesia. A general anesthetic is not routinely used for every patient.

Below is a list of some of the common questions patients ask in our office:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are Motiva implants safer than traditional implants?

They are designed with advanced technology that may reduce certain complication rates, including capsular contracture.

2. What is Preservé™ breast augmentation?

A minimally invasive technique focused on preserving natural breast anatomy and reducing surgical trauma.

3. What are “yoga boobs”?

A term describing implants that move naturally with your body during activity.

4. What are “ballerina breasts”?

A natural, elegant breast shape with soft contours and subtle enhancement.

5. Is recovery faster with these techniques?

In many cases, yes, due to more gentle surgery and the use of local anesthesia

6. Can Motiva implants be used in revision surgery?

Yes, and they are often preferred for creating a more natural result. They are becoming the most common breast implant we use in our practice.

7. Do I need mesh?

I use mesh in selected cases where additional support is necessary.  Larger implants and revision surgery are some examples.

8. Are implants placed above or below the muscle?

We are trending toward a more natural and less invasive placement above the pectoralis muscle, as noted above. Both options are used depending on your anatomy and goals.

9. Will my results look natural?

That is always our goal—and with proper planning, it is very achievable.

10. How do I know what is right for me?

A consultation in our office with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons is essential to develop your personalized plan.

Final Word: The Naked Truth

Breast augmentation has evolved. It is no longer about changing who you are—it is about refining and enhancing what already exists.

At our practice in Newport Beach, the focus is always the same:

• Patient Safety
• Obtaining your desired goals and outcomes
• Long-term natural results
• Your satisfaction

If you are considering breast augmentation or breast revision surgery, the most important step is not the surgery itself—it is the consultation. A thoughtful evaluation, an honest discussion, and a clear understanding of your goals will determine whether this procedure is right for you. In the end, the best results in plastic surgery are not just the ones that are seen; they are the ones that make you feel confident and good about yourself.

Let us help you realize an emotional and physical self-improvement that will last you a lifetime.

References:

Sforza, M. et al. (2017) Preliminary 3-year evaluation of Motiva implants in 5813 cases. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 

Quirós, M.C. et al. (2018) Six-year prospective outcomes of Motiva implants. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 

Aitzetmüller-Klietź, M.L. et al. (2023) Systematic review of Motiva SmoothSilk implants. Clinical Medicine. 

Serra, P.L. et al. (2024) Capsular contracture treatment using Motiva Ergonomix implants. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 

Maxwell, G.P. and Gabriel, A. (Recent body of work). Use of acellular dermal matrix in breast surgery. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 

Stevens, W.G. et al. (Recent publications) Optimizing outcomes in aesthetic breast augmentation. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 

Sigalove, S. et al. (2022–2024) Prepectoral breast reconstruction and implant-based techniques. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.