Dr. Howard is extremely knowledgeable and skilled - I felt so very confident that he would do a great job on my reconstruction surgery. And WOW, yes he did! What I didn't expect, that was SUCH an added bonus - is his extremely likable personality and compassionate bedside manner. Dr. Howard is so very genuine. His traits have proven to mean more to me than I ever could have imagined as a 39 year old woman going through a scary time in her life (breast cancer diagnosis). Dr. Howard's entire staff has just been such a joy. I truly feel cared about there and listened to. From the receptionist, Kerry, to the PA, Bri, to the nurse Sylvia -- they are all so awesome. For having to go somewhere that I wish I never needed to be.. I sure am extremely grateful to have them as part of my team. I feel so very confident with them navigating these seas with me! read more

This man does not know what he's doing with respect to male breast reduction or gynecomastia surgery. Nothing is more evident in the ability of a plastic surgeon than pictures and thus I post a picture of my results with this incompetent surgeon after he deformed my chest. As you will see, he resected too much on the right chest leaving the skin stuck to the muscle and on the left chest he was so aggressive in fat removal excessive scar tissue formed as a result and hardened so severely I couldn't lift my left hand vertically above my head. No one should ever see this doctor for male chest reduction given these results, which I would grade an F. read more

Michael A Howard, MD - Doctors Near Me - Northbrook, Illinois

Note: Dr. Howard is now practicing at Northwestern Memorial Lake Forest Hospital, 1000 N Westmoreland Rd., Pavilion B, Level 2, Lake Forest, IL 60045 tel:224-271-4250 Dr. Howard is a top-notch surgeon. I have recently lost a great deal of weight. Dr. Howard is my surgeon for all of my skin removal surgeries. Every recommendation for a plastic surgeon (from trusted doctors and friends) was for Dr. Howard. I felt comfortable with him the minute he walked into the consultation room. Dr. Howard is genuinely one of the most kind, empathetic people I have ever met, which is extremely rare in a top-rated surgeon. Because I have an extensive amount of skin to be removed, I will need to have multiple procedures (belt lipectomy, arm lift, breast lift, back lift, thigh lift, and liposuction). Dr. Howard will perform these procedures in three surgeries. He worked with me to develop a plan that would give me the best result and be the most cost effective. He took the time to listen to what I wanted to achieve with the surgeries. He explained all of the risks involved and made sure I had realistic expectations. In December of 2018, Dr. Howard performed the belt lipectomy. This surgery has been life-changing! The incisions healed nicely, the scars are fading, and my abdomen is wonderfully flat! Dr. Howard left his old practice and started a new practice at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. I would have followed him anywhere, so I was thrilled when he opened his practice in Lake Forest. I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Howard at NMLFH. read more

Dr. Howard is a gifted surgeon and a compassionate doctor. I am so grateful that I chose to have the diep flap breast reconstruction surgery in lieu of getting a breast implant following my mastectomy. It feels so natural - I feel like myself again! read more

Dr. Howard is no longer with North Shore but at Lake Forest Hospital in Lake Forest, IL. Please do yourself a favor and STAY AWAY from this doctor. He scarred me for life when I had a thigh lift almost two years ago in 2018. Why am I telling you this now? Dr. HOWARD did my surgery but left the practice about six weeks after my surgery. The last time I saw him, he removed my sutures and turned me over to his associate, Dr Jeremy Warner, who kept telling me this was not his area of expertise. Dr. HOWARD never left the area and moved to Lake Forest after telling me he was moving to Texas or Colorado. If he had followed up with me, I had open gapping wounds for months after he was gone, and told me he had stayed in the area, I would have switched over to his new independent practice, even if it had cost me some money to do so. But no. Each few weeks or months, I would go to Dr. Warner, who would look at my wounds, not touch them, mind you, and say they were healing okay and that the healing takes a long time so be patient. I asked him when we would be "tweaking" things such as the triangle at my knee which should have been flat, and he told me to be patient. I had the surgery in November of 2018 and when I went to see Dr Warner in February of this year (2020) , he told me I had waited too long to do anything and he would give me the names of other plastic surgeons who might be able to help me. He then showed me the door,not figuratively, but literally. Dr. HOWARD should have sent me to someone who could handle my convalescence and fixed/dealt with the problems I encountered. Again, please do yourself a favor and do not use Dr. HOWARD. He was recommended to me but I would NEVER refer him to anyone. It is sad that doctors can do things like this to people. Ilene Karol PHD read more

Dr. Howard is the BOMB.COM!!! His bedside manner with his patients is impeccable. I am an ER nurse myself so essentially I wanted to ensure I was the type of patient that I would want to care for and not be too much of a pain in the rear. Dr. Howard along with all of his fabulous nursing staff will definitely make you feel at ease before, and after your procedure. read more

I met Dr Howard and immediately knew that I wanted him to perform my surgery. I worked for 18 months to lose 125lbs with diet and exercise. He made recommendations for procedures that would improve my overall appearance and give me the best outcome. He was very patient and explained my options and allowed me to make the final decision. His office staff was extremely supportive and answered the many questions that I had, He was realistic when telling me what to expect and it was exactly what he said. The day of my surgery, he came and talked to me and my husband and explained everything to make sure we didn't have any other question, I was comfortable and very calm. After surgery, he told m that everything went well and he was pleased with the results. He checked on me in the hospital the evening of my procedures as well as the following day. His follow up care has been remarkable with the help of a wonderful nursing team in the Northbrook office. I trust his judgment and would recommend him to others. I am extremely pleased with the results of my breast lift and lower body lift. read more

Both my mom, aunt and myself were patients of Dr Howard. The three of us had breast cancer which required breast reconstruction surgery. The results were amazing! I have seen a number of oncologists since the procedure and all of them have resounded the sentiment of this being the best reconstruction results they have ever seen. Dr Howard is brilliant at his craft and any woman would be lucky to be under his care. read more

My son had gynecomastia, which is excess breast tissue. After interviewing 2 other physicians we felt most comfortable with Dr. Howard. Dr. Howard was very patient and explained the procedure he would perform in detail. The surgery was a success. The outpatient hospital experience was awesome. Dr. Howard did a great job and is practically artistic in detail. I would highly recommend him. The office staff was very friendly and helpful, with the exception of the lady who handles insurance. Her initial attitude of "most insurance doesn't cover this" and lack of helpfulness was not appreciated. Her tune changed after she found out our insurance DID cover the procedure. That being said, Dr. Howard and the rest of the staff are great. Short wait times, friendly service, ease of scheduling and most importantly a doctor who is patient, listens to you and is extremely patient and thorough. He treats your body as a sculpture and does his best to ensure the best possible outcome. If you need this or any other type of surgery give him a call. read more

I would highly recommend Dr. Michael Howard for breast cancer reconstruction surgery. He is not only exceptionally skilled, knowledgeable and experienced in the latest, most intricate surgery techniques, but he is also a friendly, likable and compassionate guy who is very easy to talk to. He approaches his surgeries from the perspective of medical health first, but also from an almost architectural or engineering standpoint - totally concerned about making the end result the best it can be on both counts. His nurse Sylvia is also terrific - very kind and always there if I have had a question or needed to come in for something quick. I will be having my final revision surgery (outpatient) in the next couple of weeks and have no doubt it will go well with little recovery time. If you find yourself needing this or any type of breast surgery, make an appointment to see Dr. Howard. read more

I cannot thank Dr. Howard and his team enough for the care that they provided me when I had breast reduction surgery on July 31. I was quite frightened going into the procedure but Dr. Howard and his team could not have made the experience any better. I also cannot thank Dr. Howard enough for the beautiful job that he did. When marking me on the day of the surgery he joked about being an architectural engineer and it is so true. Dr. Howard truly has a gift when enhancing the human body. The difference in my breasts from before surgery to now is astounding. He has a beautiful technique and I feel blessed that he was my surgeon. I also appreciate his great kindness and professionalism throughout the entire process. I was always given as much time as possible to ask questions and understand the procedures. Dr. Howard's genuine concern and respect for me as his patient was obvious and for that I thank him. I would highly recommend Dr. Howard for any breast surgery that you may need. read more