Benjamin Mandel, MD, is board-certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Prior to his career in medicine, he studied art and worked at the Met Museum in NYC. Dr. Mandel applies his artistic skills to develop a customized surgical plan based on a patient's specific goals.
I am a 49/F who has lost over 200 lbs. I was seeking a surgeon who would remove the excess abdominal and breast skin. I wasn't expecting a miracle because I know my body was in pretty sad shape. What Dr. Mandel did for me was absolutely far beyond my expectations. I look AMAZING! I will be back for additional procedures in the future. I 100% recommend him and his wonderful staff. He and his entire office has made me feel comfortable, safe and heard. I appreciate you all for making me feel beautiful again.
The whole staff, from Sally the receptionist to Dr.Mandel, has made this decision and journey comfortable. Dr. Mandel is very professional and makes what could be an extremely awkward situation less so. Michelle is also very caring, they both have great bedside manners. I am happy with the results and would highly recommend Dr.Mandel!
Love, love, love the results I ended up with. I went in with ruptured and encapsulated implants. He removed the implants and scar tissue and replaced with new implants. They look so natural and his seamstress skills were on point. Perfect incisions and suturing. I met with 3 excellent surgeons and am so happy I went with him. They look so much better than my first set. This review is 8 weeks post surgery. Wish I had taken a pre and post surgery pic.
Dr. Mandel is A miracle worker. I was 290 pounds and lost over 160 pounds and this resulted in lots of loose skin. He first did my tummy tuck in 2017 he removed over 36cm of skin and tightened all my muscles. He cut out 4 c-section scars. The before and after photos are night and day difference. In 2022 he did my breast augmentation and implants. Once again he performed a miracle I could never have dreamed of better results. I wish I could afford more surgery, but I tell everyone to go to him because he is so good. I live an hour from his office, but I don’t mind the drive because I trust him. He sees symmetry and that is so important to me as a women. I highly recommend him.
Dr. Mandel is such a knowledgeable and honest doctor. I found his upfront nature refreshing and comforting. When seeking out a professional opinion regarding surgical procedures, I want to know that my surgeon has my best interest in mind. I never once questioned Dr. Mandel sincerity and so happy that he became my surgeon. My results have been amazing. Dr. Mandel was very astute in caring regarding my healing process. Even when I felt like I was asking silly questions, he was extremely supportive and kind. I highly recommend Dr. Mandel!
I had my first baby at 16 and my last at 22. I don't even remember what my stomach looked like pre-babies but I was curvy and cute and confident. I lost that, and for 20 years covered it up with Miraclesuit brand swimsuits and cute beach dresses. I told my husband years ago that when the time was right I was putting things back where they belonged. I knew my ab muscles had separated but didn't know how much, and it never mattered how much weight I lost I always still had a hanging pooch in front. In fact at one point my husband told me to stop loosing weight because things just looked worse! I saved and saved for years, and when I had the money the hunt for the right surgeon began. The third time was the charm and well worth the wait! I had surgery with Dr Benjamin Mandel on January 3, 2023. And I get more excited about the results every day! I'm 5'1 and went into surgery at about 137lbs. I had been at 130, but ended up gaining a few right before. I had a tummy tuck with muscle repair - turns out I had about a 3 inch muscle separation! The worst part of recovery was definitely the ab repair. I also had some lipo of the flanks (not quite as much as I would have liked but they say it takes months to see the full effect). I also had a breast lift. I told the doctor that I was all in for high and tight and them not falling into my armpits when I laid down! Dr. Mandel seriously under promised, bluntly stating the things he could change and the things he could not- and incredibly over delivered. I am 10 days post op today and beyond excited about what is to come. Recovery has been a BEAST! I am a go- getter, no slacking kind of gal and cannot believe how exhausted I am all the time still. I developed a hematoma in my right breast the first night so I was back in surgery to get that fixed less than 12 hours after I was discharged. But both Dr. Mandel and his assistant Michelle showed up first thing and worked their magic. My incisions looked excellent and they're concern for my overall health is a top priority. I would recommend them to absolutely anybody.Updated on 14 Jan 2023: When I posted my first post I didn't load pictures so I wanted to add some now. There are several from the weeks before and also several from one week post op. Lots of bruising and I can barely stand, but want to document week by week.Updated on 18 Jan 2023: As many of the other reviewers said, days 10-13 were hard. I was emotional, feeling ridiculous for putting myself through this, feeling like a burden on my husband (who has been the most supportive and fabulous nurse, however unqualified and unprepared!). My binder has never really fit correctly and now it’s quite noticeable. It’s way too big above the belly button so I was not getting the support or compression I needed there, especially considering how much muscle repair they did on my abs. I also got a bare minimum of lipo on the upper hip area which has had no compression and seems to be swollen and popping out from where the binder ends. After chatting with a super helpful nurse, we’ve begun using an ace bandage to create compression and support between my boobs and my belly button and I decided on my own to start wearing tight bike shorts as underwear for hip compression. It seems to be working as the swelling is moving from those two areas to the lower part of my belly now. The bruising has lightened up considerably. I’m still not standing up straight yet. Still sleeping in a recliner. I’m cleared to drive but have been either too nervous or too tired to venture out. Started working from home this week. That’s been great to keep my mind busy but my body still. I’m sick of the binders and the twice daily bandage changes and the overall recuperation- but am reminded of why I did it all when I feel and see the nice tight skin on my stomach. I’m reminding myself to trust the process. I have my next post op next week where they will likely remove the stitches in my breasts. I’m super excited for that. I have a lot of sensation in my nipples and the stitches poking into the bandages is weird. I’m very neutral on my belly button so far. It was covered in gushy floppy skin for so long I have no idea if it used to look like this or not!Updated on 25 Jan 2023: They say the first few days are the worst, and then around 2 weeks your emotional, well let it be known that 3 weeks out isn’t that great either. Pros: at day 19 I started sleeping in the bed again and it’s wonderful to fall asleep next to my husband. At 3 weeks out, I’m able to go to work and stay all day and do my job at a basic capacity. I’m able to help around the house and drive myself. Im able to shower and wash my own hair. Cons: I’m still sore, stiff, uncomfortable, walking bent over, emotional, exhausted, tired of asking for help. Between the binder and the swelling I feel so fat! I’m eating high protein and low sodium, I never feel hungry because the binder is so tight so I eat just healthy bits throughout the day- and feel like a stuffed sausage. I still have some brain fog (been off pain meds since day 4). Everything I read says it really is better by week 5. Hate to wish away time but I am counting down the days! Had my 3 week post op with the nurse. She says I’m right on track and doing great. Hmm. Super. I don’t feel great and if that’s the case I want to be ahead on this track. She removed the stitches from my breast lift. Because Dr Mandel is amazing, I have ALL the feeling in my breasts so that hurt like a son of a beaver and that day after work I just cried in the recliner until I fell asleep. But, they’re healing wonderfully and that’s what’s important! One more week of wearing this binder and then I’ll change to some spanx. Im told i don’t have to use anything after next week, but I’m still so swollen I want something for compression- but something more comfortable and easier to dress around than this bulky and ill fitting binder. Updated on 2 Feb 2023: Hooray! So exciting to say the first month is behind me!! About day 27 I turned a corner and finally REALLY started to feel better. I realized it when I was folding laundry while I had dinner cooking on the stove and I didn’t feel overwhelmed or tired. Last week - my first week back in the office- I came home and crashed hard. But this week I’m able to come home, take a little relax, and then do some errands and cook dinner. I went to a friends house for a fabulous dinner and felt pretty good the whole time. I’m wearing all these layers now- the faja, foam padding, and ab board- instead of the waist binder. It’s all doing a much better job on the swelling and it’s actually quite comfortable. But it hard on my vanity as when I’m at the office dressed for work, I look 20 lbs heavier! The opposite of what I was going for- but it will be short lived and so worth it. I’m definitely getting my energy back and sleeping pretty well. I jut have the one faja so I wash it every night and wear my binder to bed. Technically the doctors office has said I can go without anything all the time. I’m sure I’d feel so skinny and fabulous- but I’m so nervous!! And the swelling! I stood for 2.5 hour straight the other day and my mons and inner thighs were gigantically swollen. So, the healing continues.
My breast lift and tummy tuck results are amazing! I am so glad I chose Dr Mandel. I seriously can't believe how great I look and feel. Dr. Mandel and Michelle are a great team and whole staff is kind and discreet.
I honestly don't know where to start when I talk about the absolutely amazing experience, I have had not only with Dr. Mandel, but with Michelle and his entire staff. From the first consultation to now, I have seen nothing but respect, professionalism and genuineness. My reduction surgery went perfectly, and I can't believe I waited so long. I could not be happier with the results and would recommend Dr. Mandel and his staff wholeheartedly!
Dr. Mandel is fantastic! I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for any plastic surgery needs! Great experience with everyone involved in my surgery as well, his nurses are awesome! He did a great job contouring my body to my natural curves as well and making my belly button look natural.
Dr. Mandel is great. His surgical nurse, Michelle, is amazing! The whole office staff are really great too. Very personable. They don’t make you feel like you’re being judged for wanting certain procedures done. I had a consultation for a breast lift w/implants. Based on my breast tissue being more fibrous on the upper part, he recommended the breast lift first for best results. Then if I wanted, after a minimum healing time of 3-6 months, I could do the implant surgery if I still wanted too. I had my breast lift surgery (mastopexy) about 3 weeks ago. Pain was extremely minimal. In fact, the most “painful” and uncomfortable part of post op, was the ace bandage I had to be wrapped in for 23+ hours a day for the first 2 weeks. Stitches have dissolved. Healing is going well. I can now start massaging the incision sites to prevent the scars from hardening. It will take about 3 months to get an idea of the final results. Will post pics and update later on.
Thanks for your question and congratulations on your abdominoplasty! You are still in the very early post-operative period. It can take up to one year for scar tissue to fully mature and settle; during this time, the scar appearance can change dramatically. Recommendations for scar management will vary from surgeon to surgeon. I generally suggest application of a good petroleum moisturizer (such as Eucerin or Aquaphor) to the scars on a twice daily basis, silicone gel or sheets, scar massage to any areas that are thickened or ropey, and complete avoidance of all UV radiation ( no tanning booths or sun exposure). I also recommend holding off on any final judgments for the first 12 months. You should discuss your concerns with your physician and review his or her scar management protocol. Best of luck!
Thanks for your questions, and congratulations on your operation! You are still in the very early post operative timeframe. It can take up to 6 months for breast tissue and implants to fully settle after augmentation mammoplasty; often times this process will differ for each breast. That being said, I recommend that you meet with your plastic surgeon for a formal physical examination and to discuss your concerns; breast fullness, tightness and pain 4 days post-operatively could be indicative of bleeding (hematoma). In regards to a bra, all plastic surgeons have their own post-operative regimens. I generally suggest that my patients wear a surgical bra for 2 weeks, then transition to a supportive compressive sports bra without an underwire for another 4 weeks. Recommendations will vary widely from provider to provider. Again, best to discuss your concerns with you surgeon. Best of luck!
Thank you for your questions and congratulations on your weight loss! It is possible that removing the excess skin and soft tissue from your abdomen, and breast reduction, could help alleviate your back pain to some degree. You are, however, likely to continue to have some ongoing pain given your herniated disc. How much of your symptoms are due to your spinal pathology versus your excess skin and soft tissue is impossible to know. Regarding cost, insurance is unlikely to cover formal abdominoplasty (tummy-tuck, which addresses both the upper and lower abdomen), however may cover panniculectomy (removal of the lower abdominal apron of skin only). Similarly, insurance will not cover breast lift, but may cover breast reduction (which requires removal of a certain weight of tissue). I suggest that you meet with a board certified plastic surgeon for a dedicated history and physical examination and to discuss your goals and concerns. At that visit, you can review whether panniculectomy and breast reduction are safe and reasonable options. Best of luck!
Thanks for your question. I generally use a dual plane pocket for placement of breast implants during augmentation mammoplasty, and I do not charge more for this approach. You will likely find that prices will vary from provider to provider, but not necessarily with specifics of technique. I suggest that you discuss your concerns with one or more board certified plastic surgeons. Given your breast asymmetry and nipple position concerns, a formal history and physical examination, in addition to a frank discussion of your goals, will be critical to formulating a definitive assessment and plan.
Thanks for your question. It is certainly possible to undergo a breast lift leaving your current implant in place. That being said, the implants are now over 10 years old; there may be reasons to replace the implants while you are under general anesthetic. Physical exam findings, and possibly imaging, will help guide optimal management. I suggest that you meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your concerns. Best of luck!
