About Dr. Michael R. Schwartz, MD
- Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon - American Board of Plastic Surgery
- 25+ Years Experience - Expert in both traditional and preservation techniques
- Advanced Training - Specialized expertise in preservation breast augmentation
- Patient-Centered Care - Helping patients choose the best technique for their goals
- Location: Westlake Village, CA - Serving Greater Los Angeles Area
- Last reviewed: January 2025
The Evolution of Breast Augmentation: Why Technique Matters
Not all breast augmentations are created equal. While the end goal – beautiful, enhanced breasts – remains the same, the path to achieving that goal can dramatically impact your experience, recovery, and long-term satisfaction.
Today's patients have a choice between traditional breast augmentation methods that have been used for decades, and advanced preservation techniques that represent the cutting edge of breast surgery. Understanding the differences isn't just academic – it's the key to making the best decision for your body and your life.
Dr. Michael Schwartz has mastered both approaches, giving him unique insight into their respective advantages and limitations. His experience with thousands of breast augmentation procedures – both traditional and preservation – provides patients with unbiased guidance based on real-world results.
Why This Comparison Matters
- How quickly you recover
- How natural your results feel
- Whether you maintain breast sensation
- How your breasts age over time
- Your ability to exercise and stay active
- Your long-term satisfaction with results
Traditional Breast Augmentation: The Established Method
Traditional breast augmentation has been the standard approach for over 50 years. This method focuses primarily on creating adequate space for implant placement, with less emphasis on preserving existing breast structures.
How Traditional Augmentation Works
- Sharp Dissection: Surgeons use electrocautery and sharp instruments to cut through breast tissue, creating the implant pocket. This approach is direct and efficient but necessarily damages natural structures.
- Structural Sacrifice: Cooper's ligaments, blood vessels, and nerve pathways are often cut or damaged during pocket creation. This is considered an acceptable trade-off for achieving the desired result.
- Muscle Disruption: In submuscular placement, the pectoralis major muscle is partially detached and lifted, which can affect muscle function and create animation deformity.
- Healing by Scar Formation: The body heals the surgical trauma by forming scar tissue, which eventually provides some structural support but never replaces the natural anatomy that was lost.
Traditional Method Advantages
- Proven Track Record: Decades of use with predictable outcomes
- Surgeon Familiarity: Most plastic surgeons are trained in traditional methods
- Versatility: Can accommodate a wide range of implant sizes and types
- Insurance Coverage: More likely to be covered for reconstructive cases
Traditional Method Limitations
| Challenge |
Impact on Patients |
| Cooper's Ligament Damage |
Loss of natural support, potential implant displacement |
| Nerve Pathway Disruption |
Risk of permanent sensation loss |
| Muscle Detachment |
Animation deformity, exercise limitations |
| Extensive Tissue Trauma |
Longer recovery, more pain and swelling |
| Scar Tissue Formation |
Potential for capsular contracture |
Preservation Breast Augmentation: The Advanced Alternative
Preservation breast augmentation represents a fundamental shift in surgical philosophy. Instead of viewing your natural breast structures as obstacles to overcome, this approach recognizes them as valuable assets to preserve and protect.
The Preservation Philosophy
- Anatomical Respect: Every structure in your breast serves a purpose. Rather than cutting through Cooper's ligaments, blood vessels, and nerves, preservation techniques work around them.
- Minimal Trauma: Advanced tools and techniques create the necessary space for implants while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
- Natural Integration: By preserving your breast's natural architecture, implants integrate more naturally, resulting in superior feel, function, and longevity.
How Preservation Techniques Work
- Hydrodissection: Instead of cutting, specialized solutions gently separate tissue planes, creating space while preserving delicate structures.
- Blunt Dissection: Blunt instruments push tissues aside rather than cutting through them, maintaining structural integrity.
- Balloon-Assisted Expansion: Controlled expansion creates the perfect pocket size while protecting surrounding tissues from trauma.
- Cooper's Ligament Preservation: These vital support structures remain intact, continuing to provide natural lift and stability.
Head-to-Head Comparison: The Clear Differences
Recovery Experience
| Recovery Aspect |
Traditional Method |
Preservation Technique |
| Initial Pain Level |
Moderate to severe (6-8/10) |
Mild to moderate (3-5/10) |
| Return to Work |
1-2 weeks |
3-5 days |
| Anesthesia Type |
Often general anesthesia |
Local with light sedation |
| Exercise Clearance |
6-8 weeks |
2-4 weeks |
| Full Recovery |
8-12 weeks |
4-6 weeks |
| Natural Feel |
3-6 months |
Immediate |
Long-Term Results
- Sensation Preservation: Traditional - 10-15% risk of permanent sensation loss; Preservation - Sensation typically maintained due to nerve pathway protection
- Implant Stability: Traditional - Higher risk of displacement, bottoming out, or lateral migration; Preservation - Natural Cooper's ligament support maintains position
- Exercise and Activity: Traditional - Potential animation deformity with submuscular placement; Preservation - Natural movement during all activities
Complication Rates
- Capsular Contracture: The preserved natural tissue environment may reduce the risk of excessive scar tissue formation.
- Revision Surgery: Maintained anatomical support reduces the likelihood of complications requiring surgical correction.
- Implant Malposition: Natural Cooper's ligament support helps maintain proper implant positioning over time.
Making the Right Choice for You
While preservation techniques offer significant advantages, the right choice depends on your individual circumstances, goals, and anatomy. Dr. Schwartz helps each patient understand their options and make an informed decision.
Ideal Candidates for Preservation
- Want the most natural possible results
- Lead an active lifestyle
- Prioritize fast recovery
- Value maintaining breast sensation
- Seek long-term stability
- Want to minimize complication risks
When Traditional Methods Might Be Preferred
- Your anatomy requires specific surgical approaches
- You're having reconstructive surgery
- Insurance coverage is a primary concern
- You prefer the most established technique
The Consultation Process
- Evaluate your anatomy and candidacy for both techniques
- Discuss your goals and lifestyle requirements
- Explain the benefits and limitations of each approach
- Recommend the technique best suited to your needs
- Answer all your questions about both methods
Discover Which Technique is Right for You
Don't choose your breast augmentation technique by chance. Get expert guidance from Dr. Schwartz, who has mastered both traditional and preservation methods.
Schedule your consultation today to explore your options.
Call (805) 706-0742 - Westlake Village office serving the greater Los Angeles area.
The Future of Breast Augmentation
As surgical techniques continue to evolve, the trend is clearly toward methods that preserve natural anatomy while achieving beautiful results. Preservation breast augmentation represents this evolution – combining the aesthetic goals of traditional surgery with respect for your body's natural design.
Patients who choose preservation techniques today are not just getting better immediate results – they're investing in long-term breast health, function, and satisfaction. As more surgeons adopt these advanced methods, preservation techniques will likely become the new standard of care.
Dr. Schwartz's expertise in both traditional and preservation methods ensures that you receive unbiased guidance based on your individual needs. His commitment to staying at the forefront of surgical innovation means you have access to the most advanced techniques available.
Why Choose Dr. Schwartz for Your Breast Augmentation
- Dual Expertise: Master of both traditional and preservation techniques
- Unbiased Guidance: Recommends the best technique for your specific needs
- Advanced Training: Specialized education in preservation methods
- Proven Results: Thousands of successful procedures with both techniques
- Patient-Centered Care: Focused on your goals and satisfaction
Important Medical Information
- Individual results may vary based on patient anatomy and healing
- All surgical procedures carry inherent risks and potential complications
- This information is for educational purposes only
- Consultation with Dr. Schwartz required to determine the best technique for you
- Board-certified plastic surgeon - California Medical License
- No guarantee of specific outcomes or results
