Frequently Asked Questions – Plastic Surgery of Michigan
Welcome to Plastic Surgery of Michigan in Novi, Michigan. Choosing plastic surgery is a significant decision, and Dr. Andrew Lofman, MD, FACS is committed to helping you feel confident, informed, and prepared before you move forward. Whether you’re considering breast augmentation, breast lift, gynecomastia surgery, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, or liposuction, this page brings common questions into one easy-to-navigate resource.
If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, call (248) 540-2100 or send us a message.
Main FAQs
Plastic Surgery of Michigan is located at 42450 W 12 Mile Rd, STE 100, Novi, MI 48377.
Dr. Andrew Lofman, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with more than 20 years of surgical experience. He is known for combining advanced techniques with a natural-looking, patient-specific approach.
Dr. Lofman specializes in breast and body procedures, including breast augmentation, breast lift, gynecomastia surgery, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, and liposuction.
Many procedures are cosmetic and are typically paid for out of pocket. If your consultation involves reconstructive concerns, our office can explain what documentation may be needed and what to expect for billing.
Call (248) 540-2100 or send us a message to schedule a consultation. Our team will help you choose the right appointment type and explain what to prepare in advance.
Virtual consultation options may be available for select patients and early planning, depending on what is needed to evaluate your concerns safely.
Financing options may be available, and our team can review payment and scheduling details during your consultation process.
Plastic Surgery of Michigan serves Novi and surrounding communities throughout Oakland County, Macomb County, Wayne County, and across Michigan.
Your consultation focuses on your goals, medical history, and anatomy. Dr. Lofman will explain options, recommend the most predictable approach, and review recovery expectations, risks, and realistic outcomes.
Patients often appreciate a thorough, education-focused process and treatment plans built around proportion, safety, and natural-looking results, with clear guidance from consultation through recovery.
FAQs
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that increases breast volume and improves shape and projection using implants. Many patients choose it to enhance proportions or restore volume after pregnancy, weight changes, or aging.
Most patients choose between saline and silicone implants, and implant profile can be selected to influence projection and upper fullness. Dr. Lofman will recommend options based on your anatomy and desired look.
Sizing is based on your chest width, existing tissue, skin elasticity, and your aesthetic goals. The best outcomes usually come from focusing on proportion and lifestyle rather than a single cup-size number.
Incisions are commonly placed in the crease beneath the breast or along the border of the areola, depending on your plan and anatomy.
Dr. Lofman often uses a no-touch Keller Funnel method for placing implants, which is intended to allow smaller incisions and reduce implant contact during insertion.
Placement depends on tissue thickness, your contour goals, and long-term support considerations. During consultation, Dr. Lofman will explain how placement affects cleavage, implant visibility, and recovery.
Yes, that can be normal. Early swelling and tissue tightness can make implants sit higher at first, with gradual settling over time as the skin and muscle relax.
Recovery varies by patient, but most people plan a period of reduced activity early on, followed by a gradual return to exercise. Final settling and a softer look typically develop over several months.
Return-to-work timing depends on job demands. Many patients with desk-based work return sooner than patients with physical jobs that require lifting, pushing, or reaching overhead.
Implants are long-lasting but not lifetime devices. Many patients enjoy their results for years, and replacement decisions depend on implant integrity, body changes, and personal preference.
Most patients do best when they plan their first couple weeks carefully:
- Arrange help for childcare, lifting, and errands for the first few days
- Set up a comfortable rest space with pillows for elevation
- Plan loose tops that are easy to put on without overhead strain
- Keep your schedule light so that you can rest and walk consistently
When these basics are in place, healing tends to feel calmer and it’s easier to follow restrictions that protect your results.
FAQs
Breast Lift
A breast lift (mastopexy) improves breast position and shape by removing excess skin and reshaping breast tissue. It also repositions the nipple-areola complex to a more youthful location when needed.
A lift is often recommended when sagging or low nipple position is the main concern. If volume loss is also significant, Dr. Lofman may discuss combining a lift with implants.
A breast lift mainly changes position and shape, not overall volume. Many patients feel they look fuller because the breasts sit higher and have a more supported contour.
Technique depends on how much lift is needed. Dr. Lofman will recommend an incision pattern that best matches your anatomy and goals while prioritizing predictable shaping.
Yes. A breast lift requires incisions, and scar pattern depends on the amount of lifting and reshaping required. Scars typically soften and fade over time with proper care.
Full recovery generally takes about 6 to 8 weeks. Many patients resume light activities earlier, but strenuous activity should wait until you are cleared.
It’s normal for breasts to look swollen or sit higher early on. As swelling improves and tissues settle, shape typically looks more natural over the following weeks.
Many patients feel more comfortable raising arms around two weeks after surgery, but overhead lifting and strenuous arm movement are often limited for several weeks to protect healing.
Breastfeeding may be possible for some patients, but it cannot be guaranteed. If future pregnancy is planned, timing and expectations should be discussed during your consultation.
Results can last for many years, but longevity depends on skin quality, genetics, weight stability, and life events like pregnancy. Maintaining a stable weight and supportive habits helps preserve shape.
A smoother recovery is usually the result of planning ahead:
- Plan 1 to 2 weeks of rest and lighter activity while swelling and soreness improve
- Wear the recommended support garments as directed
- Avoid strenuous workouts until you are cleared
- Follow scar-care guidance consistently once you are instructed to start
These steps help protect your incision lines and support more predictable long-term shaping.
FAQs
Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia is enlarged breast tissue in men that can create a fuller or more feminine chest shape. It can affect one side or both and often causes self-consciousness in clothing and social settings.
Causes can include hormonal changes, weight fluctuations, certain medications, and genetics. In some cases, no single cause is identified, which is why evaluation is important.
A physical exam helps determine whether fullness is mostly fatty tissue, firm glandular tissue, or a combination. This matters because the surgical approach is different, depending on the tissue type.
If gynecomastia is primarily excess fatty tissue, it may be treated with liposuction through small, well-concealed incisions. If dense glandular tissue is present, excision may be needed, sometimes combined with liposuction for the smoothest contour.
Incisions are planned to be as discreet as possible. When excision is necessary, incisions are often placed where they are easier to camouflage.
That depends on how much skin laxity is present and how much tissue is removed. Younger patients with good elasticity often retract well, while others may need additional skin tightening for the best shape.
Downtime varies by extent of treatment and your job demands. Many patients plan time away from work and workouts, with a gradual return to activity as swelling improves.
Compression is commonly recommended to control swelling and support the new chest contour during healing. Your exact timeline depends on your plan.
Light walking is typically fine early, but chest workouts and heavy lifting are restricted until you are cleared. Returning too quickly can increase swelling and delay contour settling.
Some improvement is visible early, but swelling can hide definition. Many patients see steady refinement over several weeks, with a more final contour developing over a few months.
The small details make a big difference in how smooth and athletic the result looks:
- Wear compression exactly as instructed to help swelling resolve evenly
- Avoid heavy lifting and chest training until you are cleared
- Keep activity steady with daily walking to support circulation
- Maintain stable weight so contour changes aren’t masked by new fat gain
When aftercare is consistent, swelling tends to resolve more predictably and the chest contour usually looks cleaner and more balanced.
FAQs
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) restores a flatter abdominal contour by tightening and repairing weakened muscles and removing excess skin and fat.
A tummy tuck addresses loose skin and stretched abdominal support that may remain after pregnancy, significant weight fluctuations, or aging, even with consistent workouts.
Dr. Lofman evaluates the abdominal wall for separation and laxity. If muscle separation is contributing to bulging or a lack of core support, repair may be recommended.
A mini tummy tuck addresses a smaller amount of lower abdominal laxity in select patients. A full tummy tuck addresses broader skin and muscle changes and often involves belly button repositioning.
A tummy tuck can remove stretch marks located on the skin that is excised, often below the belly button. Stretch marks outside the removed area may remain.
Some plans include drains, while others use techniques designed to reduce fluid buildup. Dr. Lofman will explain what your plan includes and why.
Many patients walk slightly bent early on due to tightness. Posture usually improves over the first couple of weeks as swelling decreases and tissues relax.
Many patients plan about two weeks for desk work, while more physical jobs may require longer. Your exact timeline depends on the extent of surgery and your healing progress.
Walking is encouraged early, but heavy lifting and strenuous exercise must wait until cleared. Core workouts usually return later and require a gradual restart.
Swelling improves over weeks, but refinement continues for months. Many patients see continued improvement as the abdomen settles and scars mature over time.
A little planning can make the first couple weeks far less stressful:
- Arrange help for lifting, childcare, errands, and meals
- Set up a recovery space with pillows for elevation and easy movement
- Place essentials at counter height to reduce bending and reaching
- Plan loose clothing and a lighter schedule for the first two weeks
When preparation is done ahead of time, it’s easier to rest and follow restrictions that protect your incision and support a smoother contour.
FAQs
Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is a customized combination of procedures designed to address common changes after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Plans often focus on the breasts and abdomen, with optional contouring for areas like the waist.
Many mommy makeovers include a tummy tuck and a breast procedure (augmentation and/or lift). Liposuction is often added when waistline refinement is part of the goal.
Most patients do best when they are finished having children, since pregnancy can stretch repaired abdominal tissue and change breast shape again.
Timing depends on healing, weight stability, and breastfeeding status. Dr. Lofman will help you choose a timeline that supports safety and more durable results.
Yes. If muscle separation is present, tummy tuck planning often includes abdominal wall tightening to restore a flatter profile and improved core support.
Most patients need help during the first week, especially for lifting children, laundry, groceries, and household chores. Planning support ahead of time makes recovery easier.
Time off depends on procedure combination and job demands. Many patients with desk work plan around two weeks, while physical jobs often require longer.
Both options are possible. Combining procedures can mean one recovery period, while staging can make each recovery simpler. Dr. Lofman will recommend the safest and most realistic plan for you.
You’ll see changes early, but swelling can last for weeks. Most patients see steady refinement over the first three months, with continued improvement as scars mature.
Planning focuses on balance and tissue support, not just “doing more.” Dr. Lofman will recommend the combination that best matches your anatomy and what you want to see in clothing and in real life.
The best recoveries are planned, not improvised:
- Arrange childcare and household help for at least the first week
- Prepare a recovery space that supports elevation and short walks
- Stock easy meals, hydration, and essentials within easy reach
- Block time off work and keep your calendar light during early healing
When support is in place, you can focus on rest and follow restrictions that protect your tummy tuck and breast results.
FAQs
Liposuction
Liposuction removes stubborn pockets of fat to improve shape and proportion. It is used for contouring rather than large-scale weight loss.
Common areas include the abdomen, flanks, back, thighs, arms, and under-chin region. Dr. Lofman will recommend areas that create the most balanced improvement for your body.
Liposuction removes fat but does not reliably tighten significantly loose skin. If skin laxity is significant, Dr. Lofman may recommend another procedure or a combined plan for a smoother result.
Most people can return to light activities within the first week, but swelling and restrictions can last longer depending on the number of areas treated.
You typically wear a compression garment for at least 4 to 6 weeks to minimize swelling and help your body adjust to its new contours.
Return-to-work timing depends on how physically demanding your job is and how many areas were treated. Many patients with desk work return sooner than patients whose jobs require lifting and constant movement.
Walking is encouraged early, but more strenuous exercise usually needs to wait until you are cleared. Returning too quickly can increase swelling and slow contour refinement.
Some improvement can be visible early, but swelling can hide definition. Many patients see ongoing refinement over 1 to 3 months as swelling resolves.
Removed fat cells do not return, but remaining fat cells can enlarge with weight gain. Maintaining a stable weight helps preserve your results.
Yes. Liposuction is commonly combined with tummy tuck or breast procedures when appropriate, but only when it is safe and recovery is realistic.
Consistent aftercare supports smoother, more predictable results:
- Wear compression as directed for at least 4 to 6 weeks
- Walk daily, but avoid strenuous exercise until you are cleared
- Stay hydrated and keep sodium intake reasonable to help swelling
- Keep weight stable so results aren’t masked by new fat gain
When these habits are consistent, swelling tends to resolve more evenly and your final contour is easier to maintain.
Schedule Your Consultation at Plastic Surgery of Michigan Today
Dr. Andrew Lofman, MD, FACS will help you understand your options and build a plan that fits your goals, anatomy, and timeline – whether you’re planning your first procedure or refining a prior result.
Contact Plastic Surgery of Michigan at (248) 540-2100 or send us a message to schedule your consultation today.
