Gerald Wittenberg, MSc, DMD (retired)

Having a small chin and jaw has affected me my whole life. I had braces as a kid and it did nothing for my jaw look. I heard about Dr Wittenberg and travelled to see him after speaking with him on the phone. He was as nice in person as on the phone. He really understood and judging from all the many pictures on the walls he has seen it all before. He explained it was a genetic growth pattern so it affected the bite, the chin and the whole jawline which is why my face looked so small and with a double chin when I was skinny. After more discussion and planning I had the surgery from inside the mouth (yeah!) with lots of instructions on mouth care and also how long it takes to define the jawline since he says it takes months. The surgery seemed so quick and after about 4 or 5 days, I was actually good to go except for some swelling at the back of the jaw. The office checked me over many times to make sure I was taking good care of my stitches and lo and behold, I got the all clear after a month. Then it was just time to watch the miracle happen as the jaw got better and better. My partner was beyond blown away how good I looked and I cannot express how grateful I am to the amazing blue eyed Dr Wittenberg. He loves his job it seems and it shows. My confidence is now solid and I am so happy. Sharing this message is paying it forward.

Sitting on vacation and finally taking the time to thank Dr Wittenberg and his amazing staff for everything they did for me. I really disliked my saggy neck and double chin and I was developing jowls like my mother. I did not want a facelift but wanted something to be done. I researched a lot and found Dr Wittenberg and loved his demeanor and information. His staff told me that he loves anatomy and could do a necklift with incisions behind the ear and also tighten the jawline. I was so excited and they were super helpful in booking. The surgery was under a type of sedation and I was fully comfortable and did not even remember leaving the office. The neck looked amazing day one! and I had minimal bruising as well. I was so happy with the immediate change and the natural look after a few weeks. I compared before and after photos and still keep them in my purse to remember just how much it improved my jawline too. I feel amazing and love seeing my pictures with family. Dr W is the best. I thank him in my mind constantly!

I had lower jaw surgery and genioplasty this year and I had to express my gratitude. I have had alot of bad experiences with surgeons as I've had some botched surgery in the past so going into jaw surgery you could imagine how scared I was especially knowing how big this surgery would be for me. I am happy I was able to find Dr.Wittenburg. My dentist actually referred me to someone local in my city but I refused and wanted to go to the best of the best. I remember the first time I talked to him I could tell immeditely how knowledgable he was. I have a deep appreciation for those who are so incredibly smart. I felt like he was a professor when he spoke. I also did not go into the surgery blindly I did alot of research and was prepared for the worst pain In my life but after my surgery was done I could not believe how I literally felt pain free. The moment I woke up my throat was sore due to the breathing tube they had to use but other than that no pain. Even the following days no pain I was so prepared to feel horrible but it was so easy. Out of all my surgeries I've done this was so peaceful. Swelling was crazy my mom loved how chubby my face looked haha. But don't worry you look like a potato for a little bit but by one month you look completely normal. I also never lost any weight during my recovery I made sure to eat alot of calories and keep my body healthy to aid in healing. I am immensely grateful for Dr wittenburg and can't thank him enough. Also I have to mention how Wittenburg was extremely kind towards me. Through the whole experience and after he cared (something I never felt with any other surgeon) he really is so knowledgeable I can't emphasize this enough. I understand alot of patients don't want to share their experience /name or photos as it's a very private procedure and not something you want ppl to know you have had done but I think it's very important for me to share my experience.I want to help those really who are contemplating orthodontic jaw surgery and genioplasty pls reach out to me I would love to help you and help with your decision. I can also give you alot of tips and recipes I used during surgery for my healing.

I had an exceptional experience with Dr. Wittenberg & his staff. I had chin liposuction to reduce my double chin & I'm very happy with my results. Dr. Wittenberg explained the procedure to me & discussed options as well. He was very friendly & professional. His staff was also fabulous. Would totally recommend his services.

Dr. Wittenberg and his team are simply the best. This was my third surgery with Dr. Wittenberg. Everyone on Dr. Wittenberg’s team is absolutely stellar. You will find more info about the incredible team later on in the review. In this way, I think this review will be easier to understand for the reader.
Over a year before the surgery, I began conducting research to find the best surgeon in the world for this procedure. It quickly became clear, that this surgeon is Dr. Wittenberg. I was willing to fly anywhere in the world for the best surgeon for this type of surgery. It turns out he is located in Vancouver, Canada. I was also delighted because after two previous ideal surgical outcomes with him, I was confident this surgery would be yet another success.
Consultation:
Dr. Wittenberg has excellent bedside manner. At the consultation, we discussed my goals and concerns about the procedure.
I think it is also very important to note that I asked Dr. Wittenberg about a different procedure in addition to the augmentation. He quickly discouraged me. It is obvious that wants the best for his patients; and is dedicated to his craft. It is also obvious, that he is unconcerned with potential earnings from unnecessary procedures.
I have tremendous respect and admiration for Dr. Wittenberg and his work.
Surgery
Dr. Wittenberg saw me before the surgery. He spoke with me about what would happen and it really put me at ease. I appreciated seeing him before the surgery because it calmed me down; and gave me a chance to ask any remaining questions.
The surgery was performed under general anesthesia. I knew I was in very good hands, so wasn’t worried about this. My previous surgeries with Dr. Wittenberg were also performed under general anesthesia; and he did a fabulous job preparing me for what to expect.
Recovery
The recovery was as expected. It’s not the easiest recovery, but that’s the nature of the procedure. You must eat a liquid diet for a couple of weeks. Also, my swelling was asymmetrical. Apparently this is very common. It’s essentially to remain calm and be patient. Everything sorted itself out, but it was a bit worrying at the time. Patience is key.
I generally have a positive attitude; and found this helped with the recovery. The office staff was very helpful (see below). It is crucial to keep the incision sites very clean, and follow the instructions. I did this and had no problems. Food tastes incredible after a few weeks on a liquid diet!
The Team
The office team is outstanding! You really couldn’t ask for more. From day one, everyone at the office has been so, kind, professional, knowledgeable, understanding and wonderful. We’re talking about a team of superstars.
From the day I called to set up the consultation onwards, Kathryn has been amazing. She is always so kind, professional and hardworking. She is proactive and has a delightful personality; which even shines through over the phone. Plus, she always goes the extra mile, which I really appreciate.
Sarah has been at the office since my first surgery. She is incredibly knowledgeable and has a way of putting you at ease. This is such a relief before a major surgery! It was also such a relief to wake up and see her again.
Following the surgery, I called a couple of times during recovery because I was unsure about things. There is not much information about this procedure on the internet. Both Kathryn and Sarah were always so patient and kind during the calls. Sarah has a vast amount of knowledge about these procedures. She knows them back to front; and was able to provide immensely helpful advice. The knowledge, that she shared, made the recovery so much more relaxing.
Mikaela was always very helpful and caring at all appointments.
Candice is wonderful too. Her experience is palpable, so you know you’re in great hands. I really appreciate her sense of humour. She has a knack for making you smile and laugh, even when you’re doing something mildly unpleasant. Also, a friendly touch on your arm, when you’re getting an injection makes all the difference in the world.
Results
I look like a more beautiful version of myself. Dr. Wittenberg’s work is gorgeous. His ability to to interpret what I wanted, although I couldn’t articulate it, was phenomenal. He knows what is beautiful on a woman’s face (on a man’s face too, but that was irrelevant to me); and what will make an individual’s face more beautiful. Following the second surgery with Dr. Wittenberg, I worked internationally as a fashion model. So, he had already improved my face considerably before this surgery.
Following the augmentation, I look much better, but nobody has noticed the change. It’s so natural, subtle and perfect for my face! I think it’s absolutely key for the patient to have realistic expectations. I did; and I am beyond thrilled with the results.
If I were to wake up with amnesia, I would not notice the surgery (in terms of physical sensation). To me, nothing feels different than before. This is a relief, as I know there are nerves, that only an expert can avoid damaging.
Some reviewers were concerned about the veracity of reviews without photos. I value my privacy, so will not post photos. However, I can assure you that I am a real patient. Hopefully you found this review helpful.
Overall from start to finish, Dr. Wittenberg and his team have exceeded my expectations. I am eternally grateful to them and enamoured with my face, thanks to their hard work. As noted in the introduction, Dr. Wittenberg and his team are simply the best.

Updated on 12 Sep 2022:
An Update:

The results are phenomenal. I am still utterly thrilled with Dr. Wittenberg’s exquisite work. Also, I am grateful to the entire team every day for the effort and care they took achieve these results.

As a female noticing the eye makeup disappear I knew I had to do something. I thought it was my upper eyelids but after consulting with Dr Wittenberg he showed me with a mirror how much my eyebrows had crowded out my eyelids. He gave me the choices and I decided to just start with the eyebrow lift at first and then consider an upper eyelid trim later if I needed it. He was so nice and accommodating and the explanations really helped me. The surgery was a breeze. He told me the various ways to lift the brow and suggested the simplest with a small incision at the hairline and it amazed me how much can be done to change the look at the eyes with this simple incision. I look so much more awake now and even my husband noticed how I look less stern, or at least that is what he says!

The office staff is wonderful and the followup so gentle. Dr Wittenberg is so easy to talk to and has a fantastic reputation and it is obvious why.

Impressive and impressive. So pleased with my face and neck as well as my renewed jawline. From the consultation to the post surgery visits I have had the best experience. Dr Wittenberg takes time to explain and also listen and comes up with educational points all the time so being a former teacher I really enjoyed and appreciated his approach. The staff is wonderful and cheerful and so welcoming. They really made it a good experience. Thanks to all.

Last winter I started to really struggle with the cosmetic outcome of my ortho care as a teenager. I should have had jaw surgery, but they had removed some teeth instead. After spending so much time on video conference calls and in front of a mirror at home during the pandemic, I knew it was time to make a change. It took me several months to work up the courage to see someone about it because I was sort of running on the hope that nobody else noticed what I was noticing, and seeing a specialist would make it feel like a real issue. I initially thought that maybe a chin implant would be a good solution, but Dr. Wittenberg recommended a sliding genioplasty instead to avoid bone reabsorption and it was also a more comprehensive structural adjustment with soft tissue changes too. He didn't ever make me feel ashamed of how I looked before (I think I was quite hard on myself), he was really matter-of-fact and kind. I knew almost immediately that he would be my surgeon.
When surgery day came I was nervous about twilight sedation, but everything went really smoothly. One moment I was talking before the procedure and the next I was waking up all bandaged up and ready to go home. The recovery process was definitely an experience. I was pretty bruised and swollen for several weeks, but I did sort of expect this because I consider myself pretty sensitive and I bruise like a peach. It's obvious that this a very routine surgery for Dr. Wittenberg (he's performed thousands) but it's still good to keep in mind that this surgery has a long recovery period. Patience (not my virtue) is key. I'm only 2 months post now and I still have swelling, but I feel really good. The before and after photos honestly shocked me and I didn't even recognize the person in the before photo because the after looks so natural. I sent them all to my friends who had the same reaction I had.
And for anyone else who is frantically scanning the internet because your ortho as a teenager cut corners instead of treating you properly and now you're left with jaw/chin issues... Just do it. If you have reservations about having plastic surgery, let me tell you that what matters most is how you feel about yourself. Make sure that you are taking care of your mental health and doing this for yourself and not for anyone else. My one regret is that I didn't explore this sooner and I'm excited to see what I look like in another 4 months.

I had been looking into chin lipo for a while, after having consultations with 2 doctors - I decided to go to Dr. Wittenberg because he made me feel confident in his work and what he could achieve. I had my procedure 2 weeks ago - it was quick and painless. Everyone in the office is incredibly friendly, professional and have amazing bedside manner. Dr. Wittinberg did such a beautiful job, I am already recommending him to my friends and I’m not even fully healed yet! 10/10 would do this over and over again. So happy!

Ok I just had a sliding genioplasty and Im going to give a thorough review in case it helps anyone. I'll edit it as time passes.
STEP 1 CONSULTATION
I was very impressed by my telephone consultation. I live abroad and researched manyyy doctors to find the right one. With Dr Wittenberg it was clear he knew exactly what he was talking about. (Other doctors had recommended procedures I didnt need and diagnosed me with conditions I dont have. Im a medic so I have some understanding of facial anatomy and various illnesses, enough to know which doctor is legit and which are just saying whatever they feel like). He explained that I have a very small lower third of my face and this lack of growth is why I look a bit child-like. I've always felt that I look like a child, and not in a pretty youthful way. Im a young woman and I want to look like a young woman. He also explained how he was going to build my jaw from the side as well using paramandibular implants, and that way I wont look like I have a sort of boomerang face with just a projected chin. His bedside mannerisms are amazing and made me feel so reassured I was in the right hands.
STEP 2
I flew to Canada for my consultation. I showed Dr Wittenberg examples of faces I liked, I did feel as if though he had already made up in his mind the kind of look he wanted to give me but to be fair, any research Ive done cant compare to his years of experience so I understand. And he did explain why and why not certain looks I liked wouldnt suit me (for example I showed him a video of a girl with amazing bone structure but Dr Wittenberg told me she had strong cheekbones to balance out such a strong jaw, whereas I do not. Something I wish I knew before surgery is that you should get your wisdom teeth removed as it increases risk of infection. Infection is something I am quite worried about, Dr Wittenberg told me it is a very real risk...which freaked me out, but I also appreciate his honesty. I'd prefer things not sugar coated.
DAY OF SURGERY
The whole team continuously checks in on you before and after the procedure and makes you feel so well looked after. It makes a huge difference when you feel like the surgeon and his team actually cares. I had surgery about 5 hours ago and I cant sleep thats why Im here writing this. I didnt expect to be in this much pain and I dont think its usual to be this sore but I guess I just got unlucky. I dont really have that much swelling (yet).
Its not really fair to give out a rating yet because I obviously cant see results yet, I have a big bandage on my head. But I just gave it 5 stars to reflect my treatment so far. I will edit as necessary.

Updated on 21 Oct 2021:
Still very swollen, cant show my face yet in public or smile properly. Im not worried because its very early days yet and I mentally prepared myself to look like a swollen sandbag shaped block head while recovering so it didnt come as a shock. I can talk completely normally although my jaw doesnt open more than about an inch. No numbness on my face/lips/chin but my lower teeth are still numb and tight. My appetite finally came back, I think its because Ive finished my antibiotics now. I had a prominent labiomental fold straight after surgery that I was worried about, Sarah reassured me it was just because of the swelling and sure enough it has gone away now. Still cant really tell what I look like though because of swelling, I look like a chipmunk with stuffed cheeks. Sleeping on 2 pillows has helped. Kind of tired of this liquid diet and having a fat head but just gotta wait it out.

Updated on 7 Nov 2021:
I honestly couldnt be more pleased. I dont think any doctor has a better understanding of facial harmony. Hes an artist, he just looks at a face and knows exactly how many millimetres he needs to move the bone in which direction. A lot of friends (and strangers) have told me I look pretty recently, but noone can quite place whats different. His results are so natural and subtle yet make such a difference. When I look at before and after photos I think I look 10 x better. I do want to warn you guys though, I did go through a phase where I looked like handsome squidward. The swelling made me look like I had a man jaw and I panicked thinking I might be stuck like that forever....be prepared for the emotional struggle of the healing process. Its worth it in the end! Also the liquid diet made me a skinny legend. Win win situation