Hi Dave
Nice growing!
I'm not a ficus expert but saw your question sitting.
Just repotted large palms and dragon trees. I've had Ficus in the past.

If it were mine I would try to get some large bags over the foliage
Try to wrap the foliage for protection and to minimize the mess in your home
Lay the plant on its side. Cut the pot off. Plastic?
Personally I don't cut healthy roots

I enlarge drainage holes with a power drill before I start. I make extra drainage holes depending.

I go up a pot size or 2.
[Rule of thumb pot should accommodate about 2 years growth]
Most plants don't do well when they are swimming in the pot.

Everyone has their own recipe for potting mix.
I make a fast draining open mix.
potting soil [50%]
sponge rock or perlite
sand
charcol.
I add super chunky bark pieces or lava rocks, broken terra pots work too. It keeps the mix open and makes for fast drainage. Straight potting soil tends to compress, doesn't drain real well. Hard on the roots.
MegA

Hi Dave,
Congratulations on your ficus!!! These are very fussy plants, so obviously it loves the location, light and water you are providing it.

I agree with Megan. Protect the foliage and using fast-draining soil is a must. I wonder how you water it now. I'm sure you don't pick up the tree to empty the saucer! :-) Whatever you are doing, it's obviously working.

Would love to see a pic of your baby.

Sherry

Autumn/early Winter is the least favorable time to do major work on tropicals, so you might wish to consider putting it off until well after the vernal equinox, when your tree will be shifting into high growth gear.

You may find the discussion in the thread I linked to of particular interest to you. Hopefully, it will answer most of your questions.

Al

Here is a link that might be useful: click me & I'll take you to more info