William Gerald Austen Jr

Dr. Austen did a complete nose reconstruction and provided exceptional care. I had to have this done due to a collapse from a secondary surgery (endoscopic brain surgery for a benign brain tumor). I love my new nose and I can now breathe and sleep much better and have fewer migraines. Dr. Austen provided EXCEPTIONAL care and I HIGHLY recommend him. He is the best of the best and the only doctor that could figure out what was wrong and provide a fix that has drastically improved the quality of my life.

I am a competitive athlete who participates in events with women decades younger than myself. I am very happy with the condition of my body but was sad about the encroachment of time on my face. My skin was clear but my face drooped and was tired looking. My best friend had a facelift and I was truly in awe of how "renovated" she looked and how great she felt about herself. So off we went to a consultation for me at the same office. My procedure included an overnight stay in the hospital where I was very well taken care of. I had drains which were removed the next morning. I was comfortable and not in any substantial pain. I am now two weeks out from face and neck lift and am very pleased. I still have mild swelling but very little bruising and can see a huge improvement. My cheeks are full and the hollow gaunt look is gone. My neck no longer resembles crepe paper. The incisions are barely noticeable even this early! I was concerned about how I would handle having to rest post surgery and it hasn't been an issue, just a necessary part of recovery. I am grateful that I was able to have this procedure and would highly recommend a facelift to anyone who needs a physical and mental boost.

I have always been self conscious about my nose and I hated myself in pictures.Dr Austen and his staff was wonderful. I felt very comfortable at my first appointment Dr Austen explained everything and answered all my questions. He was so kind and patient . The morning of the procedure he saw me before my surgery , I was so nervous and he put my mind at ease. The result is amazing and I couldn't be happier for someone who hated pictures I am a selfie queen . I can't stress how much this whole experience was a positive one . I highly recommend to my friends and family .

I originally had implants done when I was 20 and I was too young to have silicone. At the time I didn't care and just wanted them regardless. I was 5'2 and 110 pounds - flat chested , wore a 34b but was really an A cup. My original surgery was under the muscle and 275cc in one breast and 300cc in the other. The end result looked really good I was a full C. But I eventually hated how they felt, basically felt like water balloons. Some woman who have a decent amount of natural breast tissue and just want to go larger can get away with the feeling of saline because they have natural tissue covering it. But if you are flat chested to start with the saline will just feel like exactly what it is- a bag of water. So fast forward I want an implant exchange. I went back to my same surgeon because he did an amazing job I had absolutely no scaring and other than the feel they were perfect , no one ever thought they were fake. This time I went to silicone obviously and I did moderate plus. I hate the look of HP , I personally find the circular over projection look unattractive - it just screams fake. I wanted the natural breast slope and wider base. I went with 425cc this time too. My original incisions were around the areola and they healed perfectly you cannot see them at all, so this time because the incision was going to have to be bigger for the silicone I went with a infra mammary incision.

Updated on 21 Jun 2015:
my breast pre-op, had BA in 2010 saline under the muscle - 275cc in one 300cc in the other

Updated on 21 Jun 2015:
So I had my surgery on 6/16, 425cc mod plus. My first BA I had no pain, and I was expecting that this time around. Not the case I was in a lot of pain (now I know what everyone else was talking about). But it was doable, basically just hung around the house for the day. Day 2 I was up doing stuff, still had pain but it was manageable. By day 4 I know longer need narcotic pain meds, feel completely back to normal. Going stir crazy - just want to go to the gym = ( .

Updated on 21 Jun 2015:
So I am 5 days out now and feel great. I am very happy with the results, they are deff bigger - but not so big that they over take my frame (I'm pretty small). They are not even riding very high, but I will be happy when they drop more. Overall my pain is a minimal and only when I make weird movements. Can't wait to get back to my regular activities.

I have always wanted bigger and perkier breasts. Before my ba I was pretty asymmetrical with my left breast larger and drooping more than right. A few years ago I had a consult with a boston plastic surgeon who suggested a peri areola lift with implant. He frowned on any implant in any woman above 250cc. So I sat on that for a few years and the sagging of my breasts progressed. I was referred to dr. Austen at mass general in boston and saw his work on other people and was impressed. The plastic surgery dept at mass general is very friendly and casual - I've never waited more than a few minutes for my appt to begin. Dr austen is friendly, funny and very honest. He promised me he could get a good amount of lift with just a BA. I didn't want the scars with the lift. He also has 3 D camera so I could see what I would look like after with a 250, 275, or 300 cc implant. He also recommended anatomic gummy implants. My surgery went smoothly as did my recovery so far - almost 3 weeks out and I can't get over how beautiful my [RS bleep] are! I can't recommend dr. Gerald austen jr. More highly! I doesn't hurt being at best hospital in country in the event of problems either!

Updated on 14 Feb 2015:
My BA was 1-27-15. There was a northeastern in Boston with a state of emergency and driving ban but I was scheduled to be at mass general at 5:30 am. I called PS on duty night before and he said I was still on OR schedule for next morning. So my husband said if we get pulled over on the way to hospital so be it - we did but I live 5 min from hospital and explained situation to cop so he okay ed us to proceed. I checked in on time and I was in pre op by 6am. I then met with dr. Austen to confirm final size - I was between 275 and 300 cc and I told him to err on smaller side if in OR he thought 300 cc would be pushing it. He also did my markings and then my nurse started I V with mild sedative and I met with anesthesia. I would say I was in the OR ready to go by 7am. I wasn't nervous at all about whether to do it or not - I was more nervous about getting results that I wanted. The procedure itself was no problem for me. I woke up in recovery at 10am and was in a lot of pain - like I had a massive weight on my chest. I went under muscle and that is supposed to be more painful. I also have a lot of chest muscle as I am a fitness fanatic. I was home by noon and spent the rest of the day in bed on painkillers. The next morning I was still in considerable pain. I was less physically restricted by it though. I had prepped well for aftercare - my husband was with me for the whole week, I left my dog and cat with my best friend because they jump on me a lot and my dog drags ke around when I walk her which is a big no no after BA. No lifting, pushing or pulling. I bought a step stool which is lightweight which I can move around house in order to reach things so I don't have to reach my arms up. The next day I was able to go for starbucks down the street. My left breast is.pretty numb all the time and my right is hypersensitive and has more pain. I guess it's normal for one to have more pain than other. I'm now almost 3 weeks out and couldn't be happier with my result. I've slowly been doing more and more each day . I'm not in much discomfort and have had 2 checkups since surgery.

Updated on 17 Feb 2015:


Updated on 21 Feb 2015:
So happy with my results - 275 cc gummy implants unders. Got lots of lift and natural slope. Did NOT want upper pole full ness - it looks freakish and unnatural to me. Gummy implants gradually form to your breast to take on it's shape and look better and better as time goes on. And they don't have to drop like other implants. Still have sensitivity in right nipple a lot.

Updated on 31 Mar 2015:
Today I'm 9 weeks post op and I love my results - they've really softened and dropped a lot since I started back on my regular workout schedule and riding schedule. I usually ride 3-4 horses a day and I started riding at week 6 and a half. I was worried about not being able to work out for so long but then I just said I'm paying so much money I will go above and beyond what my surgeon recommends. I started doing lower leg only elliptical at 4.5 weeks and that felt ok for my body and at 6.5 weeks I started riding only 1 horse a day and no jump work. That created a lot of back/arm/shoulder soreness. I started jumping again at 7.5 weeks and that has been tough but I'm just trying to listen to my body. I have a lot of nipple sensitivity and my left breast was totally numb until 6 weeks out so I'm happy it finally woke up. I still only wear very supportive sports bras and have no idea what my bra size is. I still sleep on my back at angle because I've got some back pain still when I first wake up. I like the fact that when I want to play them up they look bomb but they are easy to disguise when I'm working out/riding etc. I would say overall I had more pain than most people but I've got a lot of chest muscle and I went under muscle.

In 2007, I had a transumbilical breast augmentation by a surgeon in New York. Fast forward three years and both were leaking (I had saline) which ended in one completely rupturing two years ago. I had given my previous surgeon a full deposit to redo the procedure (I dont know what I was thinking, but I later learned transumbilical is a terrible way to go because the implants get overhandled and there is a much greater risk of leak or rupture) but after discussing with a friend/patient of Dr. Austen's, realized I needed to get the deposit back and go elsewhere. It took me almost two years to get the money back. In the meantime, my friend told me to go see Dr. Austen as soon as the deposit was returned to me.
I looked up Dr. Austen's profile online and saw that among many other things, he is the Chief of the Plastic Surgery Division at MGH. Why would someone who does the kind of work he does (read about his migraine procedures if you aren't already incredibly impressed, it's amazing) care to fix a disastrous cosmetic breast augmentation by another surgeon, right? Wrong.
I was able to get an appointment with him within less than two weeks of my call. He was helpful, patient and not at all offended by my fears, which were pretty considerable after what happened last time. He assured me all would be OK...and then he made sure it was. He fit me into a very busy surgery schedule to accommodate me and his administrative coordinator was answering my emails within 20 minutes of when they were sent.
Mass General has always been intimidating for me, not just because it is enormous but also because in my experience, it was where everyone I know has gone for very serious operations and treatments. I couldnt believe how kind and caring every single staff member I interacted with was to me... They went above and beyond. Dr Austen came to talk to me before I went into surgery (I was terrified but only because I'm a wimp, not because of anything they did :)) and I heard him tell the anesthesiologist in the operating room (I was outside of it) that I was really sensitive and to make sure he walked me through everything and made me comfortable. This meant the world to me,
as I already knew I was in the best hands possible but that just made it even better.
I couldnt be happier with the results and three weeks
later, I can tell you I am shocked at how quick and seamless my recovery has been. I'm beyond lucky and grateful for Dr Austen and his staff, I hope anyone who reads this and the many other words of praise realizes they need to look no further - you can't get any better than him, he's nothing short of incredible!

I had a bilateral breast reduction. Dr. Austen was my surgeon due to my many health problems, he is knowledgeable and professional. For recovery I employed the New England Rapid Recovery Center in NH, I was able to heal at such a rapid rate I nor my doctor could believe it. The NERR system had me off medications in a few days and in one week the 95% bruising was gone feeling really great.

Updated on 25 Apr 2014:
With the New England Rapid Recovery Center, I was able to heal extraordinarily fast. My surgery was done on the Sept. 24, 2013. NERRC nuurses met me home after release from the hospital, they were there to get me comfortable and started their painless treatments right away and continued daily treatments for the first 10 days.Other surgeons who have seen these pictures have noted that because of the New England Rapid Rapid Recovery System my left nipple was saved.

Updated on 25 Apr 2014:
My Daughter is a physician's assistant and this is what she had to say:
“I met Tina through my mother and sister. I am a physician assistant and my 76 year old mother decided to try New England Rapid Recovery after she had a bilateral breast reduction surgery. My mom wanted to try the program because my sister had great results a year earlier with a recovery from a myomectomy.
I was thoroughly impressed with the rapid recovery results with my mother. The bruising was substantially gone within one week. My mother was able to stop pain medication within about 4 days. I was surprised at how quickly my mother was able to get up and start to care for herself. I had planned on helping my mother recover for two weeks and she really only needed me for one week.

Tina also helped support my mother through this process with her caring attitude and willingness to come the day we were home from surgery. Tina and her services truly live up to the name of her program-New England Rapid Recovery.”


M. S., PA-C

I have never had a flat stomach, and since having two large boys, it sticks out more now than before. Plus, now I have the added bonus of extra skin. The stretched muscles, extra skin, and genetic predisposition to deposit any extra fat over my middle are ugly, and what's worse, PUSH MY PANTS DOWN!!! I swear I am always pulling my pants up. I look like Chris Farley when he was the Motivational Speaker, "Livin' in a van down by the river!" It was a tummy tuck or a pair of crazy rainbow suspenders (they go with everything!). I am so looking forward to never even thinking about my belly. I will never ask, "Does this make me look boxy? Does my belly stick out too much in this? Can anyone see my belly fat coming out over the top of my exercise pants?" And the really awful realization, "Oh NO! My belly jiggles when I do a football run!" I am very happy with the rest of my body, and I thank God that I am very healthy. I never worry about my arms, legs, butt, etc. In short, I want my belly to match the rest of me, and I never want to worry about it again.



Updated on 2 Mar 2013:
Ok. I'm now 11 days post op. It's been harder than I expected. I thought it would be similar to my c-sections, but boy was I wrong. It isn't the pain from the incision, the muscle repair, or the lipo that is difficult for me, it's the hunching over that really sucks. It just exhausts me to walk around hunched over, and it hurts my back! I am about 3/4 of the way back upright, but that last little bit still makes walking very tiring. However, aside from that I am super excited about my results. I can tell, even though I'm not upright and I am swollen, that I will finally have the figure I have always wanted and worked for. I am so thankful for the information shared on this forum. The shower chair was a great idea, and reading that I would have a day of post op crying was good to know about in advance. I will try to post some pictures soon. P.S. The name of my plastic surgeon is wrong on here, but I don't know how to fix it.

Updated on 4 Mar 2013:
I will be two weeks PO tomorrow. Still not standing upright. I called my PS to see if I should be putting moisturizer on my belly to help the skin stretch. He said it would be OK, but it could be another two weeks before I am walking tall. Dang. Hubby is pissed because we both thought I would be doing better by now. Oh well, from what I have been reading, recovery from a TT has a lot of variability. I was in very good shape before the TT and I came back from my c-sections quickly, but I guess this is gonna take the time it takes. On a good note, my Lipo sites are slightly sore and just a little bruised. Going to take a few pictures and upload.

This man ruined my life! I went to him for breast reconstruction revision after mastectomy. He removed my implants but made my once small scars HUGE! Literally disgusting! I can't even wear tank tops because you can see them from near the underarmi! He dd lipo for fat transfers to build up my breast and left me with lipo burns on my inner thighs, liposuctioned my hips OFF, severe indents on my legs from too much lipo o. One spot and disgusting lumps all over my legs and stomach from uneven lipo. It's so bad that I have not been able to wear clothes that are close to my stomach or legs because you can see the lumps through my clothing!! I don't even put on a bathing suit and I have two 10 year olds who love the pool and beach. It's left me depressed, running from mirrors, not being able to enjoy time with my kids in pools or beaches, not letting my husband see me naked in over 4 years, crying daily, wearing only baggy clothing, and so much more! This has literally RUINED my life! He has even made me wish I had just died from the cancer!!!

My first surgery with him 18 years ago was great. The following 2 yielded horrible results. I should've learned my lesson after the second surgery for replacement implants and lift with him in 2012 which resulted in caspular contracture. This cost me 10K. 3 months after this surgery, my right breast started to harden up. I went back for my follow up visit and he agreed that this was the beginning of a contracture. He advised me to wait until I have children to fix them. Each year for the next 4, the breast got harder and harder and less bearable. I went back again in 2016 for him to fix this issue. He charged me another 15K to replace implants and perform yet another lift. I returned to him 1 year post surgery (June 2017) to show him how horrible my breasts looked and his response was anyone my age would be thrilled with the results. Sure, if you like two completely different size and looking breasts with one considerably lower than the other. Even the nurse in the exam room agreed with me when he left the room. I am so disappointed with Dr. Austen. He is the chief of plastic surgery at Mass General Hospital and this is the kind of work he does??? Don't waste your time or money with him. He will not fix his mistakes or stand behind his work.