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Before and After Photos

21

Questions Answered

28

Years of Membership

About Michelle Copeland, MD, FACS

Introduction
Plastic surgery is easier, safer and more common than ever before. Through both surgical and nonsurgical procedures (such as liquid facelifts), New York plastic surgeon Dr. Copeland can help you subtly change your looks in ways that will make you happier with your appearance and give you more confidence in both personal and professional settings. Drawing on more than two decades’ surgical experience, Dr. Copeland will make sure she understands what you are trying to achieve—and that you understand everything you can about the choice you are making. A successful outcome involves not only your looks, but also your comfort and good health going forward. Dr. Copeland is a Harvard-trained plastic surgeon, biochemist, best-selling author and creator of an extraordinarily effective line of skin care products.

Professional Background

Michelle Copeland, D.M.D., M.D., is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Upon graduating first in her class at Harvard University, she became the first female plastic surgeon in the United States to hold combined doctorates in dentistry and medicine. Dr. Copeland is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of The Aesthetic Society, the American Society of Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American College of Maxillofacial Surgeons, and maintains an active clinical practice on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

Dr Copeland serves on the Medical Health Advisory Board of the Society for the Advancement of Women’s Health Research, advising Congress on health issues affecting women. She has been profiled in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and on the NBC Today Show, The View and Good Morning America, and is sought after for reliable information by many national publications and broadcast media. Her pioneering techniques for enhanced facial rejuvenation of aging skin have been presented at scientific congresses around the globe and form the basis for her line of Dr. Michelle Copeland Skin Care® products, available to the consumer. She is the author of Change Your Looks, Change Your Life, a comprehensive guide to “quick fixes” and cosmetic surgery solutions for looking younger, feeling healthier, and living better, and The Beautiful Skin Workout.

Education & Training

B.A.: New York University
D.M.D., magna cum laude
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
M.D.: Harvard Medical School
Clinical and Research Fellowship in Maxillofacial Surgery: Massachusetts General Hospital
Residencies in General Surgery: New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center and The Mount Sinai Medical Center
Fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: State University of New York—Downstate Medical Center

Locations

Practice, Michelle Copeland MD, FACS

1001 5th Ave
New York, NY 10028
United States

Questions Answered

Asked 2021-06-21

Would I be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery? I am 138 pounds, 5'3, and my bra size is a 30DDD. How much fat do you think would get removed and do you think my insurance would cover it?

2 Answers
Michelle Copeland, MD, FACS
Answered: 2021-06-28
Thank you for sharing! Large breasts may not only interfere with your physical ability to function in daily activities but can be emotionally burdensome as well. From what you describe you are a candidate for a breast reduction. Breast reduction surgery removes excess breast tissue and reshapes the contour of the breasts so that they are smaller and perkier. It is possible to do a breast reduction with a minimal scar technique and can also be done as an outpatient procedure under twilight sedation. I commonly use a minimal incision technique (Le Jour), eliminating the need for large scars while providing a pleasing breast contour that is proportionate to the patient’s body. Your surgeon knows exactly how much tissue he or she is taking out, because it is weighed after removal. Additionally, breast reduction comes with an added bonus- the removed breast tissue can be sent to the lab and examined by a pathologist for signs of cysts or cancer. And having smaller breasts can take years off your appearance! Breast reduction is usually covered by insurance when the surgery is performed as part of a medically mandated procedure to treat neck, back, or shoulder pain or other problems related to the spine, which sounds like your situation. Recently, managed care has adopted stricter standards for coverage, so just make sure these problems are thoroughly documented in writing by your primary care physician and plastic surgeon. They may also have to submit photographs. Even then, you may be required to seek a second opinion from a chiropractor, physical therapist, or orthopedic surgeon. It's important to be sure expectations are realistic and you have an understanding of the commitment needed for the healing process. Make sure that you understand the nature of your surgery, the recovery process, and that you feel comfortable to make these changes to your body. I suggest making an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon who will discuss your options in detail.
Asked 2021-06-15

Hi, I'm a man diagnosed with Gynecomastia. I was wondering that if I have the intention to transfer from male to female would the removal of my Gynecomastia affect my breast enlargement when it will be time for me to start my hormone replacement therapy?

1 Answer
Michelle Copeland, MD, FACS
Answered: 2021-06-21
Gynecomastia is often an inherited condition that cannot be improved without surgery. Fortunately, today there are improved techniques that reduce the size if your breasts and give you an improved appearance to your chest. Small incision surgery with a liposuction approach can safely and effectively help without the need for general anesthesia. Boys going through puberty and even older men may develop gynecomastia as a result of changes in hormone levels. If you are considering male to female breast enlargement it may make sense to defer gynecomastia surgery since you will want to increase your breast size, not decrease it with gynecomastia surgery. While you could see enlargement with hormone therapy, removal of breast and fatty tissue might reduce the hormone receptors. I suggest making an appointment with a board certified endocrinologist and board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options and what to expect.
Asked 2021-05-16

I went to one doctor and said they can only remove 500 grams. And another doctor said they can remove 730 gram. I want to be a low C high B

4 Answers
Michelle Copeland, MD, FACS
Answered: 2021-05-24
Thank you for your question! Large breasts may not only interfere with your physical ability to function in daily activities but can be emotionally burdensome as well. Although it is difficult to determine post-operative cup sizes without an in-person examination, from what you describe you are a candidate for a breast reduction. Before the procedure, I usually have my patients bring in a bra of the size they want to be post-operatively. Breast reduction surgery removes excess breast tissue and reshapes the contour of the breasts so that they are smaller and perkier. I commonly use a minimal incision technique (Le Jour), eliminating the need for large scars while providing a pleasing breast contour and shape that is proportionate to the patient’s body. Your surgeon knows exactly how much tissue he or she is taking out, because it is weighed after removal. The good news is that this procedure can be performed under local anesthesia and twilight sedation as an outpatient procedure. Breast reduction is usually covered by insurance when the surgery is performed as part of a medically mandated procedure to treat neck, back, or shoulder pain or other problems related to the spine. Recently, managed care has adopted stricter standards for coverage, so just make sure these problems are thoroughly documented in writing by your primary care physician and plastic surgeon. They may also have to submit photographs. Even then, you may be required to seek a second opinion from a chiropractor, physical therapist, or orthopedic surgeon. It's important to be sure expectations are realistic and you have an understanding of the commitment needed for the healing process. Make sure that you understand the nature of your surgery, the recovery process, and that you feel comfortable and emotionally ready to make these changes to your body. I suggest you make an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon who will examine you and go over your surgical options in detail.
Asked 2021-05-06

I’m 5 .00 feet 129 pounds 40 years old. 32 DDD If the doctor removes 445 grams from my right breast and 473 grams from the left breast,. How many cups I’m going down? Thanks

1 Answer
Michelle Copeland, MD, FACS
Answered: 2021-05-10
Thank you for sharing your question! The volume removed from a patient’s breasts during a breast reduction procedure is difficult to correlate to a cup size. For example, a shorter and more petite patient receiving a breast reduction that removed around 200-300 g from each breast would have a more noticeable reduction in cup size than a patient who is larger and heavier in weight since the heavier patient may have more body fat, a wider back, and a different distribution of fat in the breasts giving the breasts a different appearance or contour. I suggest making an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss the procedure in greater detail.

Additional Information

Female
Board Certifications
American Board Of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)
Other Certification: Dentistry
Society Memberships
The Aesthetic Society
American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF)
American Medical Association (AMA)
American Medical Women's Association (AMWA)
American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS)
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Association of Women Surgeons (AWS)
Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS)
New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons (NYRSPS)
New York Surgical Society (NYSS)
Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons (NESPS)
Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society (OKU)
The American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS)
Hospital Affiliation(s)
Mount Sinai Medical Center
Surgical Facilities
State-of-the-art operating & recovery suite accredited by the AAAASF
Contact
Contact

Michelle Copeland, MD, FACS

Practice, Michelle Copeland MD, FACS

1001 5th Ave
New York, NY 10028
United States