What’s the hype about Motiva Implants?
Yes, as you might have heard, there is new implant technology available in the United States! This implant technology brings exciting new concepts for all women seeking small volume, natural- looking breast augmentation results. (Which as you know, most of our patients are!)
What is the new technology and when did it become available?
The implant that we are most excited about is called the Motiva Ergonomix Implant. It’s designed with unique technology that changes shape with position to mimic the movements of a natural breast. Motiva implants (designed by Establishment Labs) became available in the USA after obtaining FDA approval on September 26, 2024.
They have been available in Europe and other locations around the world for the last decade with an excellent safety and patient satisfaction record. We are excited to be able to bring this new technology to you!
Why are we excited about Motiva Implants?
Let’s start with the safety. Motiva implants are the newest generation of breast implant. They are designed by a Women’s Health Company that focuses on prioritizing patient safety and optimizing clinical outcomes. This is a 6th generation implant designed with cutting edge implant gel and shell technology.
While they are newly available for use in the United States, they aren’t going to be available just anywhere. This Women’s Health Company is being very conscientious with how implants are being distributed among plastic surgeons. The first surgeons to use Motiva Implants will be those who have received dedicated training in their unique technology and specialized surgical techniques.
But I thought all teardrop shaped implants are textured. Isn’t that bad?
Before Motiva implants became available for use in the United States, all tear-drop shaped (anatomic) implants were designed with a macro-textured surface. This macro-textured surface has been associated with a rare type of cancer called breast-implant associated large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) We do not use any macro-textured devices at our practice for that reason.
Motiva implants are designed a Smooth-Silk surface with women’s health in mind. This surface type is designed to enhance biocompatibility and decrease implant- related inflammation. This surface type is the only of its kind and is intended to decrease risk of BIA-ALCL. This technology also nearly eliminates the risk of capsular contracture.
Why would I want to limit capsular contracture?
Capsular contracture is one of the most common implant related complications. It is a tightening of the scar tissue around an implant that can lead to firmness, asymmetry and/or pain from an implant. Once capsular contracture develops, it’s very difficult to treat and usually requires surgical intervention. Capsular contracture also has a high risk of coming back again. Motiva implants are an exciting solution to this difficult-to-treat and sometimes recurrent implant- related complication.
Tell me more about Motiva
Motiva Implants also introduced a BluSeal technology designed to limit risk of silicone leakage. This is the first implant of its kind to have a visible barrier layer of this nature. Again, with the intent to maximize patient safety. Their MonoBloc Structure and ProgressiveGel technology allow for special gel to shell properties that limit risk of rupture and visible rippling.
4 Important safety features discussed above are summarized here:
How do Motiva Ergonomix Implants help achieve the most natural-looking results in breast augmentation?
Their Ergonomix design is intended to allow the implant to move along with you, making them a great option for women who are looking for implants that are going to fit their lifestyle. These implants mimic the natural shape of the breast by taking on a tear-drop shaped appearance when you stand and a rounder shape when laying down.
Their gel- to- shell technology is also designed to limit risk of visible rippling. Why is this important? Thin women with very little breast tissue often seek the most natural- looking results. These women also happen to have the highest risk of visible rippling. Another group of women with a high risk of visible rippling are moms whose breast tissue has become less dense after breastfeeding and pregnancy. Motiva implants offer an excellent strategy for decreasing the risk of rippling in these thin patients and post- partum moms.
More candidates for above muscle implants
Many women prefer over-the muscle- implants. Until now, many of these thin patients and post-partum moms with little breast density were not good candidates for above muscle implants, due to a high risk of visible rippling. Motiva implants are going to be a game changer for these women.
Above muscle implants have many benefits. They settle faster and the procedure is less invasive. Placing implants above the muscle also avoids the risk of something called animation deformity. Animation is a complication unique to below muscle implants. Animations occurs when an implant moves along with contraction of the pec muscle. Many women find this complication both feels and looks unnatural. In extreme cases animation can also cause discomfort.
Breast harmony and preservation
Motiva implants are ultimately designed to be used for breast harmonization and natural- looking enhancements. Breast harmonization leans into using smaller volume implants for more subtle changes. This allows for breast preservation techniques that are changing the world of breast enhancement to prioritize women’s health, and consistently achieving predictable, natural- looking results.
Patient Case Examples
Case 1
Here is the story of the first patient to have Motiva Implants placed in New York City (since their FDA approval). When she was originally seen for consultation, Motiva implants were not available for use in the United States. She desired natural- looking tear drop shaped implants and had minimal natural breast volume. At that time, we planned to place low profile implants below the muscle and perform lipo 360 to repurpose stubborn fat from several different areas to soften the look of her implants and achieve a more tear- drop shaped appearance.
The amount of liposuction planned was going to significantly increase her down-time, which she was particularly nervous for. She also preferred to have implants placed above the muscle, but with traditionally available implants would have been at high risk of visible rippling.
When she heard the Motiva implants were available at Neinstein Plastic Surgery, she contacted our office to see if they would be available for her surgical date. While they were FDA approved, they were not going to be available for her case, as the implants were so new they still had to be shipped to the US and clear customs.
Since she was an ideal candidate for the Ergonomix implants and the Motiva implants would make her an excellent candidate for above- muscle implants while maintaining the natural- looking results she desired, we rescheduled her surgical date.
We wanted to ensure she had the option to use the implants that would give her the best results, with her individual needs in mind. For this reason, we pushed her surgical date to a weekend surgical day after the Motiva implants would be available for use. This granted her the ability to choose above muscle implants with less need for high volume fat transfer.
With this less-invasive approach her down time and discomfort after surgery were limited. She chose above muscle implants, with handheld liposuction. Hand-held liposuction offers the benefits of small volume liposuction, without the intense recovery of full- body lipo. These above-muscle implants take less time to settle and soften, so even immediately on table have exceptional- looking early results. (shown below)
Before
Before breast augmentation with motiva ergonomix implants she had minimal breast volume and would have been at high risk for visible rippling after traditional implants placed above the muscle.
After
After breast augmentation with Motiva Ergonomix 230 cc demi-profile implants. She chose to combine a 230 cc demi profile implant placed above the muscle with fat transfer to achieve this look. She combined implants with fat transfer to soften aesthetic lines. We removed stubborn fat using liposuction techniques to the other thighs and repurposed it to achieve custom cleavage and the most natural- looking aesthetic outcomes.
Case 2
This patient’s goals were a small volume breast augmentation. She was recently engaged and wanted to plan her breast augmentation far enough in advance to prepare for dress shopping and maximize healing before her big day. She wanted to maximize the naturalness of her look so chose 205 cc Motiva Ergonomix Mini implants combined with fat transfer (above the muscle). Her immediate post- operative results are shown here.Before
After
Patient Testimonial
“After years of battling the “what if” thoughts, I finally did it- I had a breast augmentation and the whole journey couldn’t have gone smoother. My surgery day happened to fall right around the time when the FDA approved Motiva implants, and the more research I did, the more I felt compelled to have them as my implant of choice. They’re the safest implant in the market, and luckily my doctor was one of the first approved after training and certification to use them! My doc heard me when I said I wanted something natural but fuller in my clothes, so we decided to go with Motiva 205cc mini profile above the muscle. I’m so glad I did above the muscle, I hear the recovery is much smoother and so far it has been just that. I truly was battling between a demi and mini but I’m so glad I stayed mini because Demi would’ve been too big of a change for me. Excited to see them heal and progress!”Case 3
This mama felt like she was left with nothing after breastfeeding and pregnancy. She was small- breasted before implants, and desired to remain small breasted. Her goals were a small volume look to restore some femininity. She chose a 160 cc Motiva Mini Implant combined with ‘off the shelf’ fat transfer for this look. A before and after of her above muscle Motiva Mini Ergnomix implants are shared below.Before
After
Case 4
This mama felt like she lost all volume from the upper portion of her breast after breastfeeding and pregnancy. She wanted to restore this upper pole volume with breast augmentation to restore feminine- looking curves. She chose 265 cc Motiva Demi Profile Implants for this look. Her immediate before and after results with Motiva 265 cc Demi Profile implants placed above the muscle are shared below.
Before
After
Stay tuned for more case examples here.