Train for the best, expect the best, deliver the best. Such is the quest of Michael H. Freedland, M.D., Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon in his practice as both a highly skilled trauma specialist and creative cosmetic surgeon. Ever ready to face the most daunting and challenging surgeries which are often the result of heinous traffic accidents, he feels nonetheless poised in applying his artistic talents to cosmetic surgery cases. In the role of pseudo sculptor, he takes his patients toward a more idealized body image.
Cosmetic surgery is no doubt an art, but the physicality of the body demands more than just a sculptor. As the body relinquishes itself to change, the utmost confidence has to be vested in the surgeon. He needs not only to be imaginative and artistic, but also tireless, perspicacious, keen, cautious and accountable. Once changed, the body doesn't change back.
As a gifted surgeon, Dr. Freedland vests a great deal of energy into solving the seemingly unsolvable. In his work as a trauma specialist faced with the most mangled distortions, he envisions how the parts of the puzzle will come together. Reflecting on his most difficult cases, he muses that his that his successes have been largely attributable to his understanding of three dimensional structure, an education he came by as an alumnus in line drawing and ceramics of the world renowned Interlochen Institute for the Arts.
"In trauma cases," he says, "where every bone might be broken and there is no stabilizing point to start with, you have to have the visualization in your head of how the bones are supposed to look." Emphasizing the point, he illustrates, "Knowing the exact structure is really the finesse. You have to do it right the first time. That's where the finesse comes in." Once on call at twelve different Emergency Centers, he now focuses his hospital practice on St. Mary's Hospital in Livonia, and at Royal Oak's Beaumont Hospital where he is among a select number of surgeons privileged to practice at Suite 200, a private outpatient surgery center built exclusively for cosmetic surgery cases.
A University of Michigan Medical School graduate, Dr. Freedland completed residencies in both general surgery at Wayne State University and in plastic surgery at the University of Michigan. At the end of this long and arduous training, he went on further to specialize in craniofacial surgery.
Asked how his craniofacial work has enhanced his abilities as a cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Freedland comments, "The craniofacial training helps me move along quicker, using both vision and the tactile experience, and a feel for the bones and how they move. I am more mindful of these things when I am doing a facelift."
Commenting on current trends in cosmetic surgery, Dr. Freedland notices that many patients come in with a specific procedure in mind. "Patients need to be more global in their expectations," he advises. "They need to ask how they can improve their looks, and at the same time consider all the options available. You need to give patients choices."
Although much in demand and with a vigorous cosmetic practice, Dr. Freedland still finds time to donate his time and skills to work with Operation Smile. As one of a tireless team of highly trained surgeons, he will go several times each year on various missions to third world countries to perform much needed surgeries on children with facial deformities. Although the work is exhausting and the conditions many times substandard, he finds being pushed to the limits of one's craft both rewarding and challenging.
Explaining his dedication to this much needed charity work, he muses, "That smile on the face of a child," he says, "It makes all of it worthwhile!"