Stephen A. Bernsten

Always wanted my tummy back. After 2 kids and menopause. And back surgery it's hard to get back to feeling good about yourself. I had a good Dr.in my home town, wanted him to be close by, I work part-time so getting time off was ok. I felt really good after 2 WK.s Every day is better than the last. And yes I would do it all over.

I had 3 consultations and Dr. Bernsten was the 2nd. I really liked him when I met him but I chose to go with the third one because the price was lower. I got a call 3 days before my surgery that they had to cancel the procedure. I was sick to my stomach. Panic set in because I had been waiting for months for it, and to accommodate taking time off from two jobs for two weeks is not easy. I called and talked to Dr. Bersten's nurse Anne and explained what was going on. She was able to get me in 4 days after my original date. I was estatic. I didnt meet me him agai until the morning of my surgery. I told him the size i was hoping for showed him pictures of ones i liked ect. He is very upfront about realistic results. He gave me exactly what i wanted. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and I was obviously suppose to have him as my surgeon. My husband and I both liked him a lot and enjoyed talking to him. He listens and was very easy to dicuss recovery ect with him. We loved that we could joke around with him to. He was my saving grace and I am forever grateful for him. I had no problems with my surgery, or the recovery from it. Its amazing how much of a "natural" look that I got. Extremely Happy!! I will for sure recommend him!!

So I had to go back for some follow up touch ups from my Tummy tuck and wanted volume in my breast since I lost most with the bi lateral reduction, So thinking I would save some time and not have a foreign item in my body I decided to get fat transfer both in breast and butt, My breast did not hold

I'm exactly 31 days out from my surgery date today. Hmm Halloween for me will really be a date to remember. Tummy Tuck, diastasis recti repair and mini lateral breast reduction. Excited and nervous, Mainly due to me being type 2 diabetic, I know this will slow the healing progress down. All from 100lbs of weight loss. I started pole dance fitness almost two years ago and got very active and fit, but the flab just constantly gets in the way and lack of total core strength due to pregnancy damage was keeping me from going forward, not to mention the constant back pain from the pulling weight of said flab. Oh did I mention I'm now 47 years old, Married, 3 grown children and between hubby and I 9 grand children. 4 cats and 5 Chihuahua's? I want to teach pole and own a studio some day, so this is so beyond exciting, the important part though is being confident and pain free again, (in time) and feel better over all. Updated on 3 Oct 2014: This week is coming to an end and I have slept poorly every night. Weird dreams, and I have had major mood swings. I'm so used to doing things for everyone else and running this house like a tight ship, and now I have to prepare to let my hubby and assistant run things, with two grand kids on and off. I'm not going to lie, this is stressing me out a great deal, I have this fear I will get no rest, I mean this is a huge house, so much could go wrong. UGH,,,,will be glad to just get this over with and start the healing, The waiting seems to be the worst. Updated on 5 Oct 2014: This is the view of my world that makes me cry daily, Updated on 8 Oct 2014: Had a mamo yesterday and they found a blip on the screen. I have very dense breasts and have cysts my whole life, but man so close to surgery date, this is not helping my mind stay at ease, I have to go back for more screening, which I'm glad for, but this would just suck after waiting all these years to have this happen. I'm pretty sure it is just a cyst, but not taking chances. Updated on 14 Oct 2014: Had a new Mamo done yesterday and ultrasound and got a go ahead with surgery, ALL CLEAR! I can't tell you how relived I was to hear that. This was the first time ever I was worried about results. 17 more days to the other woman. I am so excited about getting this done, not so crazy about the other side of things, like, family issues, messy house, lack of peace from the phone, and visits, animals wanting to be on me and not letting them, being self sufficient, giving up my role as house running [RS bleep], lol, Updated on 25 Oct 2014: WOW it almost seems this is approaching faster then I thought, Just 6 short days away from the sexier side of me, the flat side, the omg this hurts side, but damn I know I will feel so much better once it's done. I got a call last week from the clinic with instructions but was surprised that I did not need to come for pre op appointment, but I guess since I have been doing everything through my primary doctor and he is very good about taking care of me by making sure all the tests and required things are done, and has been faxing everything to them, I have been suffering insomnia the past two weeks, I assume it's all the things running in my mind of the fact of giving up my control of the house, the kids the everything, this part is very hard for me to do, and deal with. My plans are to get a room the day before the surgery to hopefully rest. Updated on 30 Oct 2014: WOW I can't believe it's now 24 hours left until flat side, I have had a very busy week preparing foods and getting things in order to make it much easier for the family and my husband, Got my hospital bed yesterday and I made it and have tons of pillows ready, have a porta-potty also ready so I don't have to go so far, I'm a wee bit nervous, but I'm doing pretty good, I still have not packed but will be doing so in a few short hours, After careful consideration I have decided to go to the hotel today and try and rest, and go to the facility from there instead of scrambling in the morning to make a bit over a two hour drive. I have not had any pre op appointments since my primary doctor did everything needed for this procedure. I'm looking forward to getting this done, it's been more stressful waiting then anything else, Wish me luck,! Updated on 31 Oct 2014: I"m flat, and perky! The surgery went well, I"m loopy and tired, but so happy it's over, My doctor was silly this morning, which helped east my mind,,,, Will update as I feel up to it, Updated on 31 Oct 2014: I feel great I feel fabulous hardly any pain I am so happy no pain pumps just. Joy Updated on 31 Oct 2014: saying I had the surgery on Halloween I felt that it was fitting to wear a costume to the procedure Updated on 1 Nov 2014: I was so very much excited to see the results. I'm super happy. I really love my areola reduction and perky boobs. They took about 5 lbs of flesh from my abdomen Updated on 2 Nov 2014: Three days post op. Changed bandages and stood in front of the mirror admiring my body. No apron. No pull on lower back. No pull on Shoulder and neck. I'm beyond happy. Updated on 6 Nov 2014: Today I took my first shower, all by my self, I had my husband set up everything and I also had him help me with getting my stockings off and in I went, WOW, that felt strange but good, I washed my hair with no issues, Took some photos and got dressed and bandaged up. I was pretty tuckered out by the end of that, I ate lunch and took a half a pain pill and some tylanol and passed out for about 2 hours of much needed rest, All in all I feel pretty good, The drain is the worst part of all of this, That is were I have the most discomfort., I have a appointment in the morning with the nurse at the clinic and fingers crossed the last drain will be removed, OH GOD I know I will flipping cuss when it comes out, but rejoice as well, I may also get some stitches removed too, I'm still very VERY glad I got a hospital bed, it really makes things easier to get up and down, and in and out of bed, and be able to sleep pretty comfortable, I did not drink any protein shakes yesterday and boy was my body pissed at me for not doing so, I finished a half of one today, and I feel much better, I may drink another one yet today. Sadly I do have two grandkids here today so my total rest is limited, Updated on 12 Nov 2014: Well I have had both drains removed and many stitches removed, but my left breast is way more sore then the right, the left nipple and areola seems like it's dying, I'm starting to freak out here, I have to see the nurse on Thursday to have more stitches removed, but my doctor is on vacation till the end of the month, I'm starting to regret doing this before the holidays, Updated on 1 Dec 2014: Wow it's been a month already, and it's been one hell of a month. I sent the Hospital bed back just before Thanksgiving and returned to my bed with my husband. It's been somewhat of a challenge to sleep with him and get comfortable. But each day is improving. My swelling has been up and down, more so later in the day, I usually put my band back on when I can feel it coming on. I can do some minor yoga cat dog moves which helps the back pain from walking funny for so long. I can't wait to get back to more of a work out, and OH a bath would be great, lol, My scars are looking pretty good, still have a few scabs, and one stitch that buried deep, The dark spots on my breast are clearing up, looks like I'm going to have pink nipples, and if that is the only draw back from it,,,I'm good with that, I keep looking at myself in the mirror, Still trying to get used to the new body. I was worried that my husband would not like the smaller boobs,,,but he loves them, mainly because they are perky, and I love them, The don't fall down on the job anymore. I lay flat on my back and admire the hill tops, and smile big. I laugh because my kids who are grown want to play with them or look at them. I tell them they had their time with them,,,it's mama's turn to enjoy. My grandson likes to play drums on them. I guess they are kid tested and mother approved. I sit in a chair and look down at my Hoo Ha! I look because I can see it, there is NO belly in the way, Just a straight shot down. I know this road is just starting,,,but I can't help but want to go shopping, and try on bra's and such, but I have Spring to look forward to. I have a Doctors appointment on the 5th and I hope I get a Bath ok and workout ok. I will post photos again soon, Updated on 31 Jan 2015: It's three months exactly today Post TT and boob lift, and I feel so fat, I feel bloated and just plain horrible, I feel like I'm failing, I have gained 5 lbs but hope to lose this quickly since my husband and I are back at the gym twice a week, I hate my boobs, they looked great when they were swollen, but now all small and smooshy, Above my tummy stitch line I look pregnant, I can tell my muscles are still together, but like there is a air balloon behind it if I don't hold it in and it's hard to breath when I hold it in for a long time, UGH I'm so frustrated right now, I feel like a keg, Will this go away? Will I have even close to what I had expected? Updated on 5 Oct 2015: so here we are almost a year after my tummy tuck and 6 months since a lipo and fat graft to my breast and butt and I'm still not happy, Seems as if my muscles were not pulled tight enough, My belly button is to the left of center, I still have lose skin and I really feel a revision is needed, UGH more money? of course, On Oct 20th 2015 I'm getting saline implants in hopes to at least regain the volume I had for about 3 months after the fat graft, I am however happier with my tummy tuck then to still have that tire in front.

Had a full facelift on 12/31, News Years Eve. It was my 50th birthday present to myself. I think it took 15 years off my appearance. I was so tired looking. I also had a rhinoplasty 6 weeks after the facelift. I will post some more pictures of that as well. In addition to the facelift, I had a bilateral blephoroplasty. Updated on 16 Dec 2013: I saw the surgeon today. I am one year post op for my facelift and 9 months post op rhino. I could not be happier. Hard to believe I was 50 in the before pictures and am now 51 in the after pictures. At least ten years have been taken off. Updated on 16 Dec 2013:

I'm a 30 year old married mommy of 2 bio children and 2 foster children. I had lap band surgery in. 2007. At my heaviest I was almost 300lbs (5'9"). I lost 60 lbs in 10 months, then became pregnant with my son. Gain all of it back!! Had emergency c sec with him. Lost 30lbs in 7 months after his birth, and then became preg ate with daughter. Gain the 30lbs back. Had c sec with her. I wasn't very motivated to loose weight after that. Finally 2 years after the birth of my daughter, I started working with my lap band dr. I have lost 50lbs since Sept '12.  I had BR surgery 4/1/13 which insurance paid for. I went from a H to a C/D. 1 week after BR surgery I went to see a PS about a tummy tuck. Since my breasts were so much smaller my stomach looked so much bigger. I had surgery on 5/9/13. Full TT and lipo of upper tummy and hips. Ps said 7-8 lbs of skin was removed and 4lbs of fat. I'm 5 dpo today. Feeling better everyday. Only take pain pills at night. Slept in my bed for the first time last night. Was sleeping in recliner. Feeling a little down when I look at my mid section. Swelling is crazy. Still have 1 drain in. Get that out Friday. Have had 1 bm on day 3. Taking Senna daily. Hoping to update as often as I can. Updated on 15 May 2013: Day 6 post op. went to Kohls and Walmart. By the end I was hurting. Came home took some pain meds and rested on bed for a couple hours. Weight my self today! Pre-surgery weight was 246lbs.... Now. 238lbs!! Holla!! :) Updated on 15 May 2013: Oh boy I over did it today. My abs are so sore! Doesn't help that I'm watching Conan and laughing my booty off! Ohh it hurts !! Trying to get comfortable in bed so I can get some sleep. My hubby is on the couch again tonight. He's been great through all of this! Going to rest more tomorrow. Good night folks! :) Updated on 16 May 2013: 7 dpo and I feel like I took 2 steps backwards!! I only slept a couple hours last night only to wake up with the feeling my abs are being ripped apart. I only can be on my feet for a few mins then the sharp pain is too intense and I have to sit/lay down. It almost is a burning feeling. I only have a few more days till my hubby has to go back to work. If I feel like this, I don't now how I'm going to take care of the kids alone!!! Uhhhh!!! Stressed!! Took some pain pills and am resting in the recliner now. Updated on 16 May 2013: Updated on 16 May 2013: I was able to rest for a good part of the afternoon and that helped! I had my binder off for a little while after I took a shower and holy cow, the swelling was unreal! Im now in bed with the binder on, which btw, it's getting to big! I have an appt with PS tomorrow morning to get the drain out. Updated on 17 May 2013: Went to my PS this am. He took the drain out! Didn't hurt but felt weird!! He also took a few stitched out as well. He said I look fantastic! He showed me the pics he took of me before surgery! Such a huge difference! Still wearing the binder as much as possible. PS told me I could go by spanx or something similar to wear as well! In a good mood this am!! Updated on 19 May 2013: Updated on 20 May 2013: Today u got my staples out and man did it hurt!! But I now feel much better and don't feel as tight! I can know where Spanx when I want too. PS is very happy with my results. He had been taking pictures for his website. I am 11 dpo today. He said it will take another 4 weeks for all the swelling to subside and a year for the scar too fade. My husband and I are going to MO and OK in 2.5 weeks for vacation. I'm holding off getting clothing till the last min. Updated on 22 May 2013: I am 13 days post op. I'm down 12 lbs! I can't believe it! I took this updates photo in the morning. By afternoon I'm much more swollen! Updated on 22 May 2013: I am 13 days post op. I'm down 12 lbs! I can't believe it! I took this updates photo in the morning. By afternoon I'm much more swollen! Updated on 23 May 2013: Today makes 14 days post op and I feel great. Scabs are starting to fall off my incision, putting lotion and antibiotic ointment on it but the biggest issue is the swelling . When I get up my tummy is pretty flat but by the end of the day it looks like a ballon. I wear my CG all the time still. I know it just takes time but I'm not a patient person! Lol Updated on 25 May 2013: Lots of swelling still!!! Dr said 6 weeks before swelling will get better! About 4 weeks left!! Ugh!! Updated on 26 May 2013: Just having a rough day. My stomach looks huge today!! Expecially when I sit down. My left side between my belly button and incision is very raised today and has pulled open my incision a bit. Going to call PS on Tuesday. My upper stomach is bigger than my lower stomach. Not sure what's going on but mentally it makes me just plain sad! :( hoping tomorrow is better! Updated on 29 May 2013: Look at the 20 day pics.. Tell me what u think? Uneven scar. Huge bulge above left incision and upper belly roll. PS can't see me till Monday. When I sit down my upper tummy bulges out and I look 5 months preg. About to cry! Updated on 29 May 2013: Updated on 30 May 2013: Today makes 21 days post op! What a roller coaster of emotions! My body is playing tricks on me! Yesterday I was freaking out. The left side bulge above my incision was HUGE and my upper abdomen looked 6 months preg! This morning (12 hours later), I look so different. I'm officially in SWELL HELL. I also had more foods with high sodium yesterday and Aunt Flo should be here in the next few days! One min I'm in tears, the next I'm happy with my results! WTH!!! Updated on 3 Jun 2013: Well I saw my PS this morning. He is not concerned about the 1.5 inch opening on my left incision. He said it will heal in a week or two. But when asked about the unevenness and the bulge on my left side that I have been freaking about. He said it is fat! He wants me to have a revision in Feb 2014 for more lipo in that area and my upper stomach. At least it's nothing huge and can be fix. Didn't ask if I have to pay for the revision. I will ask that when I go back for my 3 month appt. Other than that, I am doing well. Swelling gets better everyday and was able to go swimsuit shopping yesterday and put on a 2 piece for the first time! (Pic soon). Updated on 4 Jun 2013: Anyone else been told they will need a revision of some sort so soon after their TT? I'm flusterated in how uneven my stomach is! Blah! Updated on 6 Jun 2013: Swim suit pics 1 months post op. first time I look decent in a 2 piece in 10 years!! Updated on 8 Oct 2013: Well, not much has changed here! I will be having my lipo revision to my pubis, hips and upper abdomen next Fri (Oct 18t). My PS said it will even me out and give me a good defined waist line! I can't wait! I will update with before and after pics the day of surgery!

June 24th 2015 I had mentor saline moderate profile implants put in. 475 on both sides filled to L525/R500 through the armpit incision and I have been trying to be patient however they just look flat and wide with no projection even from day one I wasn't happy with them. I went in for a consult last Thursday and have decided to move forward with the revision with a completely different dr (not happy with my previous dr) we discussed sticking with saline to give me the upper pole and projection I need for my body frame. We discussed going with high profile allergan natrelle implants in the size range of 650 to 750. Terry the patient coordinator said she would order several sizes around there and the dr would places sizers in during surgery to see what best fits me and my goals. So I will need to find some good wish pix to show my new surgeon! Just need to save money for it! Updated on 22 Oct 2015: Counting down the days till my revision surgery! And trying not to get impatient! I feel like I have been on and off the roller coaster of emotions! Happy/scared/excited/guilt...etc! I know I want to go through with my revision! I just wish it were sooner! Last time I booked my surgery within a month but it will be here before you know it!! I have found some wish pix, and some "don't want" pix! Since I'm a little scared of going TOO big and having a fake or unnatural look. But I cannot wait, I need to find ways of keeping myself busy instead of obsessing over boobs! Lol I should work out or something and tone up my tummy with all the holiday eating around the corner lol! They say revision is easier than the first time around and I hope this is true! The plan is to get around 700cc HP natrelle implants through the breast fold and I will be getting a crescent lift on my right boob. :) Updated on 13 Sep 2016: I have been updating my review under my original BA review and thought it would be a good idea to update here since its been a while and because I have been having complications and used two different surgeons for both surgeries. At first the staff at MPS were really great and seemed helpful, unfortunately the kind helpfulness in the nurses and patient coordinator have to be looked past when the dr is lacking patient care. At first I was happy w my results w the revision. I ended up w a larger size than I hoped for but thought I could deal. Well little by little I started having discomfort that has worsened. Dr bernsten has failed to acknowledge my concerns for the last 6 months and has agreed to down size my implants at just the cost of new smaller implants however is uninterested in helping me figure out the root cause of my pain. Not to mention if I downsize I will be in the same boat I was before my revision--upset w the look, shape and size of my augmented breasts. He became very smug, rude and I started worrying about the results I would end up with and his lack of seeming like he had my best interest at heart and he really didn't seem to care about the look or long term results I ended up with. Long story short.. (Or I'll try to be!) I had 3 kids, significant weight gain and loss up and down. I had very deflated breasts with NO upper pole. Nipples were pointing forward and not down, didn't have much breast tissue to think i needed a lift, but after much research the only way to achieve a good long lasting result would have been to get a full lift w implants which is why I'm unhappy w my results and instead of dr bartell or dr bernsten fixing this the RIGHT way they just stuffed larger implants in and I believe caused me more problems that I pray are fixable! I am now consulting with other Drs in the area and potentially out of state to correct my concerns and problems of my breasts. Ladies.. Please do your research!! And do it good! Don't rush into the surgery and if something doesn't seem right, trust your gut. These online reviews are extremely important and helpful and I can honestly say I never thought I'd be the unfortunate one to have these complications but here I am at least $15,000 later in need of a 3rd surgery and looking at spending at minimum another $9,000 for a 3rd surgery! It sucks, it's so frustrating that I could cry most days, I'm so upset w myself and I shouldn't blame myself for the lack of care and skills of the surgeons I choose! Make sure the surgeon you are chosing for your initial BA is good at revision surgery also and 20+ years experience doesn't always mean they are a great dr. Happy to answer any questions anyone has! Updated on 13 Sep 2016: Just Incase I missed it or to help provide any useful info for others I thought I'd provide some extra info in an additional post. I'm 5'4, 157 lbs currently (usually fluctuate between 147 and 160). I have had children and I am in my 30s. I was a VERY deflated 38 b before any surgery. After weightloss my band has gone down to 36 or 34, but most 34 fit best. After my first surgery I was a 36D. After dr bernsten stuffed these huge UHP (ultra high profile) implants in me I am currently wearing a 34DDD, which I think I may need a larger cup size. I did want to be full and have more projection but it went to the extreme and because he didn't do any reshaping of the breast (i.e. A lift) the shape isn't pretty and he tried to compensate with a larger implant. I thought that was the right decision and looked past the need for a larger cc volume implant but after much research that is not the RIGHT thing to do if you want your results to last. My advice is do not try to avoid a lift.. You will be unhappy w the appearance and in the long run you will need one any way because the breast tissue will just hang off the implant anyway and will not be pretty. Which is why we all have this surgery to have boobs with volume but most importantly pretty boobs with volume. Don't be scared of the thought of scars, they will fade in time, just do it, you will be happy you did in the long run and your results will last longer. As mentioned in my last post I am now a year and 3 months into this whole process since my first surgery and I am on my way to a 3rd surgery. I likely will be getting a full lift with implants (smaller than I have now). The lift does scare me, the thought of scars kind of scares me but I can look past that. I want nice results that LAST! So I can stop wasting all of my time, energy and money on this crap!! I swore to myself I wouldn't be the person this would happen to and avoided the "horror" stories but realize that it is real and it happened to me so it *could* happen to you. Not trying to scare anyone out of this surgery, but to put an awareness and stress the importance on your research and making sure you find a surgeon who is skilled, stands by their work (will offer surgery to fix problems/concerns at little to no cost) and who actually care about their patients. I can't imagine not having done this surgery, which is why I am trying to find a dr who can help me fix the problem. Just be careful in your decision ladies that's all...