If you’re considering cosmetic surgery, you’re probably balancing two things: you want to look refreshed, and you want to feel safe doing it. That’s exactly the right mindset. The best results come from good planning, clear expectations, and a surgeon who treats your goals like a plan, not a pitch.
This guide covers what to look for when you’re comparing surgeons in Bloomfield Hills and the Detroit metro area, what a consultation should feel like, and how to think about procedure options and recovery in a practical way.
What “top” should mean when you’re choosing a surgeon
Search results can be noisy. Instead, use a simple checklist that focuses on safety and consistency.
- Board certification: Look for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).
- Experience with your procedure: Ask how often they perform the exact procedure you’re considering.
- Facility and safety standards: Where surgery happens matters, not just who performs it.
- Results you actually like: Before-and-after photos should look balanced and natural.
Dr. Michael H. Freedland is a board-certified plastic surgeon who focuses on natural-looking, proportionate results through individualized planning.
Credentials that matter (and why)
Credentials can feel like alphabet soup, but one detail matters most: ABPS board certification. It signals accredited training, comprehensive exams, and ongoing education. It’s not about collecting titles. It’s about choosing someone held to a clear standard for technique and patient safety.
A straightforward approach to planning
A good plan starts with listening, then gets specific:
- What you want to improve (and what you don’t want changed)
- What’s realistic for your anatomy and lifestyle
- The trade-offs: scars, downtime, cost, and longevity
Dr. Freedland’s style is centered on facial harmony and body proportion. In plain terms: the goal is not “more.” The goal is “right for you.”
Procedures you can discuss at Freedland MD
You don’t need to show up knowing the perfect procedure name. Describe what’s bothering you, and the plan can take shape from there. Options generally fall into three areas.
Breast procedures
Common goals include restoring volume after pregnancy or weight loss, improving shape, or relieving discomfort.
- Breast augmentation: Adds volume and improves proportion.
- Breast lift: Repositions the breast for a more youthful shape.
- Breast reduction: Reduces heaviness and improves comfort.
Facial rejuvenation
Facial aging is usually a mix of skin laxity, volume changes, and shifting contours. Thoughtful rejuvenation often blends techniques instead of relying on one “big fix.”
- Facelift and neck lift approaches: Improve lower-face and neck definition.
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): Reduces hooding or under-eye fullness.
- Refinements: Targeted volume support or skin-quality treatments when appropriate.
Body contouring
Body contouring is usually about shape, not the scale.
- Liposuction: Targets stubborn pockets to refine contour.
- Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): Improves shape when loose skin or muscle separation is the issue.
- Smart sequencing: Some cases do best with staged procedures for safety and cleaner results.
How to review results without getting fooled
Before-and-after galleries should show consistency, not a “perfect” highlight reel. Look for patients with a similar starting point, and focus on balance and proportion. If lighting and angles are doing most of the work, trust your instincts.
Safety basics to ask about
Ask about the surgical setting, anesthesia, who is present during the procedure, and what follow-up looks like. You should also know how to reach the team if you have a concern after hours. Clear answers are a good sign.
Recovery: plan in phases
Most patients feel better quickly, then get surprised that swelling and firmness take longer to settle. Plan recovery in phases:
- Week 1: Rest, swelling control, incision care, short walks.
- Weeks 2-3: You often feel “pretty normal,” but you’re still healing.
- Weeks 4-6: Many patients return to more intense activity gradually (procedure-dependent).
- Months 3-6: Scars mature and final contour continues to refine.
During consultation, you should leave with a realistic “what you’ll be able to do, and when” plan that fits your calendar.
When non-surgical care makes sense
Non-surgical treatments can be helpful when they support a clear goal: softening expression lines, restoring small amounts of volume, or improving skin quality. They can also help maintain surgical results. The best approach is targeted and timed, not endless.
What to expect in a consultation
A strong consultation is calm, structured, and honest. Here’s a typical flow:
- Goals: You describe what you notice and what you want to improve.
- Evaluation: A focused exam clarifies what’s possible and what will look natural on your frame.
- Options: You review procedures, trade-offs, scars, and realistic outcomes.
- Plan: You leave with a clear next step and an honest recovery timeline.
Helpful questions to bring
- Am I a good candidate for this, and why?
- What’s the simplest approach that gets me the result I want?
- What does the first week look like in real life?
- How many of these procedures do you perform regularly?
- If I want a very natural result, what choices help get there?
Quick FAQ
Do I need to be at my goal weight first?
Not always, but stability matters. If your weight is changing quickly, it can affect planning and results.
Will I look “overdone”?
Natural results come from proportionate choices and honest limits. If “subtle and refreshed” is your goal, say that clearly.
Why local care in Bloomfield Hills matters
Cosmetic surgery is not just the day of surgery. Follow-ups matter, especially early on. Staying local makes it easier to be seen quickly, stay consistent with check-ins, and avoid long travel during recovery. Freedland MD serves Bloomfield Hills and nearby communities across the Detroit metro area, including Birmingham, Royal Oak, and Troy.
Next step
If you’re considering cosmetic surgery and want a plan that feels clear and pressure-free, schedule a consultation. Bring your goals, your questions, and your calendar, and we’ll build a realistic path forward.
