Patient Testimonials

IMPLANT-FREE

"One December morning in 2014, I awoke noticing one of my saline breast implants had leaked and collasped. I seen my family doctor, because I was concerned about infection. He suggested for me to see a plastic surgeon. I searched online in the East Bay area and I discovered Elizabeth Slass Lee, MD, Artful Surgery web site. I called the office in December 2014, and made appointment on January 5, 2015. I gave serious thought about what I want done to the breast implants. I had decide to have them removed. I was okay with that decision. I saw Dr. Slass Lee and she gave me the option of removal, removal and replacement. I wanted to know if I needed a breast lift after removal? Dr. took a digital photo of breast and showed me nipple is in right postion. there was no need for lift. She asked if I want to have the saline out of the other breast until the surgery is done. I opt out of that option and kept my uneven breast. No one seem to notice the problem I was experiencing. I only told my daughter about the problem. I felt embarrassed of the problem. I had the breast implant removal surgery on February 26, 2015 and felt good that day. I experience very little pain unlike, when I got the breast implants and lift 12 years ago. I followed the post surgery care instructions and my daughter assisted me. I had the drains in for four days. I was back to work in 5 days post surgery. I am now three weeks post surgery and happy how I look. I think that was one of my biggest fears. The breast are shaping up nicely and I am happy with how I look implant free."

62 YEAR OLD, VARIOUS INJECTIONS.

"I had Juvederm injections in both cheeks and lips. I’ve done this for several years and it’s fending off the inevitable facelift for a bit. The injections in the cheek bone area give enough lift so that when I catch my reflection in bright sunlight, I don’t shrink back in horror, and my lips look more like “me”."

RESTORED BUT WON’T TELL.

"The best kept secret of the San Francisco East Bay is plastic surgeon Elizabeth S. Lee, MD whose offices are in Berkeley and Lafayette: www.artfulsurgery.com. Dr. Lee performed my face-lift. The results are remarkable; it’s as if the clock has been turned back 20 years. Rather than calling it a “face-lift,” I prefer to call it a “restoration.” My face has been restored to how I perceive myself to be and how I want to project myself to the world: refreshed and vibrant, but still very much me. Though the result is significant, it’s also very natural, neither pulled nor distorted. Even my typically observant friends and siblings haven’t guessed that my fresh look is due to surgical intervention. And, frankly, I’m not about to tell them otherwise. Like so many of Dr. Lee’s clientele—including the uber-earthy Berkeley crowd—I prefer to keep my procedure under wraps. Call me vain, secretive, private, discrete, or all of the above, but wild horses won’t get me to loudly proclaim, “Yes, I’ve had plastic surgery, and I’m proud of it!” Sorry, this will never happen. Patients like me who’ve had great results but who won’t fess up make it very hard for people who diligently want to find a truly skilled and artful plastic surgeon. So, if you happen to be doing your due diligence, I suggest you read and re-read this review very carefully, because it’s literally the ONE-AND-ONLY LOWDOWN you’re going to get from me. And since so many of Dr. Elizabeth S. Lee’s clients are like me, restored but reticent, she may very well remain the East Bay’s best kept secret."

BREAST IMPANT REMOVAL W/O A LIFT

"I have been looking for a doctor for a few years now that will do a breast implant removal without a lift.

I had breast augmentation in the nineties when I was in my 30’s. I was disappointed with the result as the implants were too large for my size, it hardened and was painful at times. I am now 54 years with two kids.

I decided to have it redone in 1998, a few years later. My primary doctor actually referred me to the plastic surgeon. In the beginning, I was pleased with the results. But as the years went by and after having two children that I breastfed, my breast sagged and the left side hardened again and was painful at times as well. I was actually ashamed of wearing certain clothes as the left of my breast was noticeable larger than my right.

Five years ago, I decided once again to either have it corrected and just have it removed. I scheduled a consultation with the same doctor. His suggestion was to remove the implants and do a lift. I really didn’t want a lift.

My search continued and was so thrilled to find Dr. Lee. Not only will she remove the implants but will do it without a lift! She was very warm and made me feel so comfortable and eased my worries. I’m so blessed to finally find a doctor that would do this! I’m very happy and pleased with the results. After all these years of trying to conceal my breasts because it was either too large or obvious that I had breast augmentation… I now feel confident enough to wear certain clothes and able to remove my sweater and/or jacket! Thank you so much Dr. Lee!"

MY MOMMY MAKEOVER, AND THE ARTIST WHO IS FINALLY GOING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

"14 days post-op today, and finally able to upload some post-op pics. Wish I had some pre-op photos to show how huge of an improvement there is, but I could not stand to look at my tummy long enough to take a picture of it, so only pre-op pic I have is the one my PS took of me when I went in for my consult. I looked 4 mons. prego prior to surgery so there has been a HUGE improvement. I am so happy with my results so far – Dr. Lee truly did an amazing job. So thankful that things have gone pretty smoothly so far – no complications, incisions are healing well, bowels are regular (which is like winning the lotto for any surgical pt). Dr. Lee has seen me 4 times seen surgery for post-op care. I know not all docs see there pts this frequently so I feel very well taken care of. With each passing day, I am feeling more and more like myself. My kids went back to school today, and I was able to walk my son to school. Definitely not ready to run any marathons anytime soon, but did feel really accomplished that I was able to do that. Did some laundry, and tidying up around the house. Was hoping to catch a nap before having to pick my son up from school, but no such luck – of course. I have rejoined the upright world (YAY!) as of yesterday. Going to see my fabulous PS, Dr. Lee, tomorrow and hoping she gives me the clearance to drive. I wake-up with a good amount of energy, but definitely pucker out by evening. I remember Dr. Lee telling me that it would be around 4-5 weeks before I started feeling 100%. At the time, I really doubted it would take me that long, but she is proving to be right, of course:) Still taking it “easier,” but not feeling so fragile anymore. Still have quite a bit of swelling in my tummy, especially at the end of the day. Wearing my CG 23hrs/day and hoping that will help with the swelling. Despite the swelling, I see my new tummy starting to take form, and the hint of an hourglass, and I am loving it! Happy healing to all!"

62 YEAR OLD WHO DID NOT RECOGNIZE HERSELF IN THE MIRROR – BERKELEY, CA

"That’s it. Just could not believe who was looking back at me in the mirror. I did not like the jowls. My motivation was simply to like what I saw in the mirror and now I do. Did it get me more dates? No. Feel happier? I was already happy. Did I do it for someone else? No. Just me. Don’t have this surgery if you are doing it for any other reason than because you want to do it."

57 YEARS OLD, 3 KIDS, LOWER BACK PAIN.

"Lower back pain would not allow me to stand up for a long time while working or walk for more than three blocks. My physician recommended breast reduction. I hesitated for a while but then decided that life is too short. The surgery went smoothly. I had had three C-sections from which I recovered quickly but the last one was 18 years ago. The recovery was a bit harder but did not take more than a week. I went back to work immediately and now, 5 weeks after surgery, I feel totally recovered. My back pain is gone. I like the way I look and this has improved my general state of mind. It’s never to late to change."

EYE BAGS IN THE FAMILY

"I’ve always had bags under my eyes (since I was in elementary school), but it was the over eye droopiness was bugging me. The tired state of my eyes especially bothered me when I was applying makeup. I was nervous about scarring my face and/or (based on before/after photos I’ve seen), not particularly improving the situation. My eyes look better 4 weeks post-op, and I think they’re still healing."

ABSOLUTELY PERFECT BREASTS

"I had been thinking about breast augmentation for over twenty years. But the idea of doing something un-natural to my body kept me at bay for all these years. Finally, after two kids, years of breastfeeding and a sudden loss of weight, my breast has reached a point that I was no longer comfortable with. Still very anxious about the whole idea and the surgery, I decided to go ahead with the plan and visited several doctors in the Bay Area. Dr Lee stood out from the others from the moment she walked in the room. She met me in my clothes – not in a paper gown – and had a real one on one talk with me where she truly wanted to know what had led me to come see her. She was patient and empathetic. I felt heard and understood. She understood my wish for SMALL implants that would look natural and would fit MY body. This was a huge point of anxiety for me, as I really wanted my breasts to look ‘real’ and understated. She let ME choose the size of the implants. She was wonderful through the entire procedure, from the pre-op visits to the surgery to the post-op visits. She explained everything that was going to happen, she made herself available for extra questions and office visits to qualm my anxiety. The surgical facility she uses is stellar and everyone there was as professional as she is. She managed the post-op visits as she did the pre-op ones, with care and genuine concern. Weeks and months passed and I am now absolutely and completely thrilled with the result: beautiful, natural-looking breasts that fit my body perfectly. I could not be happier. Thank you Dr. Lee."

PHOTOFACIAL / SCITON FOREVER YOUNG / BBL

"Best investment in my appearance ever! WOW!

At 53, the skin on my face and neck was really starting to sag, my cheeks were splotchy red, my neck was full-on sun damaged red, and the skin at my jawline was getting droopy. No more. Everything I just listed is gone!

Completely gone!
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When I tell people I have children that are almost 30, they look deep into my face as if searching for signs of real cosmetic work. My skin actually looks dewy – at my age! Not only can I see the difference, but my skin feels fabulously tighter.

The procedure itself is uncomfortable, not painful, and you need to sign up for five treatments spaced a couple of weeks or so apart. There was ZERO down time for me and I found that every new treatment was easier because I knew what to expect. I started to see results before my second treatment."