Dr. Michelle Copeland on the Art of Aging Beautifully

A mother-daughter duo expert in holistic beauty and plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Michelle Copeland and Dr. Libby Copeland-Halperin have established themselves as one of the best practices in the country. Personally performing every treatment and procedure, they are dedicated to tailoring treatments to each patient. Here, they share with Hamptons Social their unique approach to plastic surgery, what patients should know before choosing a surgeon, and the role of effective daily skincare.

What does aging beautifully mean to you?

The goal is to look natural, like the best version of yourself. Our patients still want to look like themselves but want their outer appearance to match their vibrant and active lifestyle. We collaborate with patients to develop a personalized treatment plan, ensuring the reaction from friends and family is, “You look great!” Rather than, “What did you do?” It’s the art and science of what we do.

How do you define holistic beauty in plastic surgery?

In plastic surgery, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach for how to help a patient achieve their goals. While many practices focus on just one procedure or only offer surgical treatments, holistic beauty means collaborating with a patient and considering their goals and lifestyle to help achieve their desired results using non-surgical or surgical techniques, and sometimes a combination of techniques.

What are patients asking for most today?

The popularity of GLP-1 medications has resulted in many patients coming to us after significant weight loss to address the increase in skin laxity and deflation of the face, breasts, and body. Sometimes, non-surgical treatments can be used to help restore fullness to the face or tighten skin with a more limited amount of laxity, while surgical techniques are needed to help address more significant laxity or deflation. These patients have done the hard work to lose weight, so it is rewarding to be part of their weight loss journey and body transformation.

Why is calf and ankle contouring becoming more popular?

We are seeing growing interest in calf and ankle contouring to address “cankles” and help create a more shapely lower leg. This is an area that is resistant to diet and exercise and women often struggle to find boots or ski boots that fit around their large calves or avoid wearing shorts, skirts, and dresses to hide their lower legs. Dr. Copeland has developed a multi-modal approach to lower leg liposuction to recontour the lower leg with minimal scarring and downtime.

What should patients know about natural breast augmentation?

Natural breast augmentation using a patient’s own fat has become increasingly popular among women seeking a subtle, natural-looking enhancement without implants. The procedure involves removing fat from an area where it is unwanted and transferring it to the breasts through a minimal incision. Because there are no implants involved, there is little long-term maintenance and patients can typically return to work within just a few days.

How do you approach the face, breast, and body as part of one larger plan?

As plastic surgeons, we are trained to treat patients’ aesthetic concerns from head to toe. While some surgeons focus on just one area of the body or offer only surgical treatments, we enjoy performing a range of non-surgical and surgical treatments and personally see, evaluate, and treat all of our patients. This allows us to get to know our patients, listen to their goals, and develop an individualized approach for each patient based on their unique anatomy and priorities. Sometimes, surgeries can be performed in a single setting, while other times, procedures may need to be performed in stages.

When is surgery the better choice than a nonsurgical treatment?

Often, surgery can be more effective and more cost-effective than a less invasive option; however, patients have to consider their needs and lifestyle — for some, even a week of downtime is not an option. We’re glad to be able to provide patients with a range of options to fit their needs and preferences. When surgery is indicated, we try to utilize limited-scar techniques whenever possible to help minimize downtime. For instance, we perform scarless rhinoplasty to avoid tell-tale scars on the exterior of the nose and specialize in limited scar breast reduction using liposuction and/or a technique that avoids the long scar underneath the fold of the breast that is often associated with breast reduction surgery.

When researching non-surgical treatments, it’s also important to remember that not all non-surgical treatments are the same. The results and risks can vary based on who is performing your treatment and how the treatment is performed.

What should patients know before choosing a plastic surgeon?

First, it’s important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This is the primary way to verify that a surgeon has completed rigorous training, passed comprehensive exams, and met strict safety standards.

You should also see if your surgeon is a member of professional societies like the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, or American Board of Surgeons. Also, keep in mind that not all surgical consultations are the same. When you schedule a consultation, you should meet with the surgeon — our consultations include taking a full medical history, photo imaging, a physical exam, and comprehensive discussion with the surgeon about goals, options, recovery, and any specific concerns the patient may have. It is also important to ask who is performing your procedure and who will be seeing you for follow up. We perform all non-surgical and surgical treatments and take a very hands-on approach to patient care, so we are with our patients every step of the way. Finally, you should feel comfortable with your surgeon and their staff and make sure they understand your goals and that all of your questions have been answered.

Dr. Copeland, your skincare line has developed a loyal following over the years. What inspired you to create it, and what role does skincare play in a comprehensive approach to aging beautifully?

As a plastic surgeon, I understand skin from the inside out. It’s not enough to merely tighten skin — it must also be healthy. I was frustrated by products that failed to deliver results I wanted, so I used my Harvard biochemistry background to launch the first female plastic surgeon-created skincare line. I’ve formulated products that work synergistically and carefully select each ingredient to ensure our products are highly effective, gentle, suitable for all skin types, and allergy tested, and continue to develop new products too so that patients can customize the skin care regimen to address their individual needs.

Although the products were originally developed for pre- and post-op care, they are now used by people who have never had a cosmetic procedure, but have adopted a good skincare regimen using Dr. Michelle Copeland skincare!