Swapping Old Implants for Motiva: When Breast Revision Patients Benefit from a New Design

A Motiva implant exchange may address aging implants, complications, or changing goals, provided the patient's anatomy and tissue can support the new device.

In this blog, Dr. Paymon Rahgozar of Elevate Plastic Surgery explains when a Motiva exchange may benefit revision patients and what the process involves. Dr. Rahgozar is triple board-certified in Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Hand Surgery. His training includes UCLA, the University of Southern California, and the University of Michigan, and he served on the clinical surgery faculty at UCSF.

Below, you will find why implants are replaced, how the Motiva design differs, who may be a candidate, and what recovery looks like.

Why Do Patients Replace Old Implants During Breast Revision?

Patients choose an exchange because of implant age, complications, or changing aesthetic goals. An exchange may also involve treating scar tissue or adjusting the implant pocket. According to the FDA, breast implants are not lifetime devices, and the longer a patient has them, the more likely removal or replacement becomes.

A Motiva implant exchange specifically is a breast revision procedure in which Dr. Rahgozar removes existing implants and replaces them with Motiva SmoothSilk implants.

The FDA lists capsular contracture, reoperation, and implant removal as the most common local complications. Patients typically consider an exchange for one or more of these reasons:

Implants that have been in place for many years
Hardening or distortion from capsular contracture
Rupture or deflation
Visible rippling or wrinkling
Asymmetry or implants that have shifted out of position
A wish for a different size or shape

Silicone gel implants can also rupture without obvious symptoms. The FDA’s risks and complications page notes that ultrasound is an acceptable alternative to MRI for rupture screening in asymptomatic patients. Regular check-ups with Dr. Rahgozar help catch changes early.

No two revisions are identical. Dr. Rahgozar tailors each plan to the patient’s anatomy, the condition of the current implants, and the look the patient wants.

How Is the Motiva Design Different From Older Implants?

The Motiva design differs from many older implants in its shell surface, its gel formulations, and its two available shapes. For example, the SmoothSilk surface is found only on Motiva implants and is designed to improve the body's response to the implant.

Motiva describes these design features:

SmoothSilk surface: Designed for enhanced biocompatibility.
ProgressiveGel PLUS: A highly cohesive gel in the Round style, designed to hold its shape regardless of movement or body position.
ProgressiveGel ULTIMA: A highly cohesive, viscoelastic gel in the Ergonomix style, designed to adapt its shape to movement and position.
BluSeal: A visual indicator of the barrier layer, designed for quality assurance.

The two styles also look different:

Motiva SmoothSilk Round implants are designed to keep a round, full form whether the patient is standing or lying down
Ergonomix implants are designed to take a round shape when lying down and a teardrop shape when standing

The FDA approved both styles for breast augmentation in women at least 22 years old in September 2024. Motiva's safety information states that this indication covers revision surgery to correct or improve the result of a prior augmentation.

Which Breast Revision Patients May Benefit From Motiva?

Breast revision patients who may benefit from Motiva include those with aging implants, those who regret their original size or shape, and those with a complication an exchange can address. Motiva’s patient resource adds women whose breasts have changed with aging, weight loss, or pregnancy.

Patient Situation	How a Motiva Exchange May Help
Aging implants	Replaces older implants with a newer design
Regret over size or shape	Allows a different size or shape
Implant complication	Corrects a problem an exchange can address
Breast changes over time	Adds new implants, possibly with a breast lift

Dr. Rahgozar evaluates the implants, pocket, and surrounding tissue before recommending a plan. Good candidates at Elevate Plastic Surgery:

Requirement	Details
Health	Good physical health
Pregnancy	Not pregnant or breastfeeding
Smoking	Non-smoker or willing to quit temporarily
Expectations	Realistic
Age	At least 22, per Motiva's FDA-approved indication

How Long Do Breast Implants Last Before They Need Replacing?

Breast implants do not last a lifetime, and no one can predict exactly when a given implant will need to be replaced. The FDA states that implant life varies by person, and Motiva's safety information applies the same "not lifetime devices" language to its own implants.

Patients with Motiva implants can also enroll in the Motiva Health Program, the manufacturer's coverage program. Motiva recommends registering within 90 days of surgery, and program terms apply.

Regular check-ups with Dr. Rahgozar remain the best way to monitor an implant's condition over time, regardless of the design a patient chooses.

Questions About Swapping Old Implants for Motiva? We’re Here to Answer Them

A Motiva implant exchange can be a strong option for revision patients whose implants are aging, have caused complications, or no longer match their goals. The right choice always depends on the individual. Dr. Paymon Rahgozar is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon whose practice focuses on breast and body contouring, and he regularly performs complex microsurgical breast reconstruction.

To discuss breast revision in Thousand Oaks, schedule a consultation with Elevate Plastic Surgery at 455 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite 106, or call 818-330-3039.

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.

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