Bernard Shuster Plastic Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S

Willing to take as much time as is necessary at each and every visit. Listened to my individual needs and desires and took into account my personal situation. Truly individualized care.

I'm 37 years old and lost 120lbs on my own when I was 18. I have lived with the excess skin for all these years and decided it was time to do something about it. I did the research like everyone else, went on many consultations even as far as Naples, but just didn't feel comfortable with any of them. That's when my mother remembered seeing a Dr. Shuster when she was younger and had a very pleasant appointment with him. Even though it was his father and no longer practicing she suggested I go see the son. Dr. Bernard Shuster was a wonderful surprise, not only did he make me feel comfortable but his attitude toward my whole body lift was so positive and exciting that the recovery seemed so little of a price to pay for what my outcome would be. So, I decided to schedule the surgery with Dr. Shuster for May 29,2007. It was really a pleasant experience from the office staff to the hospital staff and of course the surgeon. The recovery amazed me, I had no pain during or after, never took any pain medication and because I followed Dr. Shusters post surgical instructions, had no complications. I was so happy with my results that I scheduled my arm lift for July 26, 2007. I had wanted to do the thigh lift but Dr. Shuster said no, he wanted me to fully recover from the upper and lower body lift before he would even consider doing the thighs. He only thinks of his patients well being and making sure we get the best outcome possible. So the arms were a breeze, again a quick recovery, no complications and extremely happy with the outcome. With soon being 5 months since my whole body lift, Dr. Shuster has given me the okay to schedule my thigh lift for November 7, 2007. I am looking forward to finally being able to wear skirts ,shorts and showing off my legs that have been covered for far too long. I am thankful everyday for finding such an amazing surgeon and such a caring and wonderful staff (Tami, Paryse & Beverly).
I highly recommend Dr. Bernard Shuster!

On August 2, 2007, I had an arm lift and a breast lift with Dr. Shuster. The results are spectacular! First, let me begin by saying that as an attorney who researches all day, I can say that I definitely researched Dr. Shuster and my procedures thoroughly. Dr. Shuster's impeccable educational credentials and experience working with post-bariatric patients were huge selling points. I even spoke to many of his past patients, who personally told me about their experiences and shared with me their results. I felt very lucky to have Dr. Shuster in my neighborhood, considering many of those I spoke to traveled long distances to have him do their surgery. Although at times, I am sure it felt like an interrogation, Dr. Shuster always answered every one of my many many many questions with professionalism, confidence, ease and complete assurance. I had multiple visits to his office prior to my surgery and after each visit I always came away feeling informed, comfortable, confident and happy in my decision to use him as my surgeon. Dr. Shuster has an unbelievably warm and friendly disposition and he will sit with you and answer every last question whether it takes him 15 minutes or 45 minutes to do so. I never felt rushed or that I was not a top priority as a patient in his office. I must mention his wonderful staff, Paryse, Tami and Beverly. They are such an asset to Dr. Shuster's practice. These ladies are warm, caring and always available to answer questions. For those who choose to have their surgery at Memorial Same Day Surgery center, I have never had better medical care from a facility, including hospitals. Top Notch! The surgery went flawlessly. I must also mention that when I was home healing from the surgery, I got a special delivery of a glass vase filled with the most beautiful purple flowers from Dr. Shuster's office, with a card wishing me a speedy recovery. That just overwhelmed me. It was such an unexpected gesture. Plus the calls that he made to me on his own to check up on my condition. The aftercare has been great, with continuous visits to check my progress. I only wish that every medical provider could be as wonderful and caring as Dr. Shuster and his team. I wish he could be my doctor for everything! Thank you Dr. Shuster, Paryse, Tami and Beverly for everything! I cannot say enough about these truly special and talented people.

My name is Veronique also known as Veronica. I am a bariatric patient who had gastric bypass in February 2006 at USBariatric, the office of Dr. Marema and Dr. Perez.
4 months after my bypass surgery, I joined the practice as a patient coordinator and I am dedicating my life today to helping people regain a new lease on life.
I lost 115 pounds and of course after 30 years of yoyo dieting, gaining and losing huge amounts of weight, I found myself trapped in a body of skin. So yes, I went from a size 24 to a size 4, and yes I look good dressed up. But every time I undressed I was looking at all that skin hanging. The skin does lose elasticity.
Back in 1992, I was butchered by a plastic surgeon in the Caribbean, where I used to live, and nearly lost my life. In one surgery I had a tummy tuck, general liposuction from my knees to my chin, breast reduction and lift, an abdominoplasty and a thigh lift.
I am lucky and grateful to be alive to tell my tale.
I will always remember the words I uttered after that nightmarish episode.
<I do not care if the skin of my “tush” hang and sweep the floor behind me, I will never have plastic surgery again for as long as I live>
Then I met Dr. Bernard Shuster.
Dr. Bernard Shuster was referred to me by my surgeons Dr. Perez and Dr. Marema.
I was told he had worked on many patients over the years in our practice, that he specialized in bariatric patients, and that he knew how to work with a lot of skin.
When a person loses 200, 300 pounds, you better believe there will be skin hanging. I know, I lost 115 pounds and skin was hanging. So going to a regular plastic surgeon for a bariatric patient should not be an option. I know it was not an option for me. I wanted the top surgeon in the field.
Needless to say I found him and I highly recommend his practice. Dr. Shuster credentials are incredible and his talent unbeatable.
He is an angel with no wings, a perfectionist. He is extremely talented, caring, compassionate, dedicated, and an expert in his field.
He has the most important ingredients to a successful recipe.
I am also impressed by his staff, Paryse, Beverly and Tammy the most wonderful and kind ladies that you will ever encounter. They were helpful in answering questions and making my first surgery an enjoyable experience.
The first time I met Dr. Shuster I was extremely nervous. I kept remembering June 1992. From time to time I would pinch myself wondering what the hell I was doing there in his office. He came into the room, we talked for a while and I told him about the previous plastic surgeries I had done in 1992. He asked me to undress. I became very shy because on top of that, I forgot to mention, he is real cute. He put me at ease and let me know that it’s no time to get shy now.
There I was standing in all my glory naked in front of him and Paryse. By the time I was finished with him, I was looking at a complete lower body lift, breast lift, arm lift and
Face lift. While he was talking and showing me what he was going to do in front of the mirror my heart was racing.
When I left his office that day, I knew deep inside that I had found the perfect surgeon. I was going to take care of having all that skin removed. I was not going to be trapped in a body of skin. For 30 years I had been trapped in a body of fat. I was going to finish the second leg of my journey.
On August 6, 2007, I was scheduled for my first surgery, the lower body lift, at Mount Sinai hospital.
I will tell you it is a painful surgery, but almost 4 weeks later I can also tell you it is worth it. You will forget the pain, and the results are spectacular.
He even gave me a “tush” which I did not have before. I was as flat as an iron board.
As I am writing my first experience with Dr. Shuster, I am also planning my next surgery. I will have a facelift in November and then, I will have the arms and breast lift done in or around March 2008. I am looking forward to my next surgery.
I highly recommend Dr. Shuster to all bariatric patients that are looking for a great surgeon and an expert in the field of plastic surgery.
There is truly no need to go from surgeon to surgeon hoping to find the right one.
HE IS THE ONE.
Again, I want to take the time to thank Dr. Shuster and his staff for their care and dedication. I truly love the result and looking forward to the next surgeries.

3 weeks since my lower body lift, healing well. Upper body scheduled in 1.5 months.

In 2003 I had gastric bypass, after fighting obesity my whole life. At the time of that surgery, I was weighing 304 pounds, 5'4 tall, age 35. I have been overweight beginning at around age 6, every year gaining a little more. It's been 4 years since by gastric bypass and I have lost over 150 pounds. Great accomplishment, I should be ecstatic and thrilled, except I now faced the demon and the reality of the skin that was left hanging all over my body. My tummy, thighs, rear end, breasts, arms, sides, face....every part of my body had ugly, hanging, sagging skin. I was so happy to have lost the weight, and I looked great in clothes size 10, but I couldn't continue to hide behind clothing. Every time I looked in the mirror, I wished I was 304 pounds again because at least the skin was filled with fat and wasn't hanging so I was obese, but I didn't look like a monster.

After many tears, I decided that I had to take action and that if I had gone so far to lose the weight, then I had to accomplish the entire goal. I did an extensive amount of research about plastic surgeons in the Dade, Broward and Palm Beach area. I had various appointments with reputable plastic surgeons in my area, none of which impressed me as I could tell right away from our meetings and their reaction that they were not the qualified type of surgeon I was looking for to understand my individual issues...Until I met my angel/doctor, Dr. Shuster.

I feel very blessed to have crossed paths with Dr. Bernard Shuster. He is a third generation plastic surgeon with education, credentials and training that made me so proud of him, I literally got chills. Then I learned that for the past several years his speciality had become performing plastic surgery on weight loss patients. I had to meet this fine doctor and so I made my appointment. I loved his office, and his staff. They are the most professional, courteous and helpful bunch of professionals that you will ever meet. Paryse, Tammy and Beverly are all great. A major part of my decision to hire Dr. Shuster was based on how I viewed his staff's respect and admiration for him. When I finally met him, I was so impressed. Not only was he gentle, intelligent, compassionate and optimistic, but he was honest and had all the answers to my questions. A wonderful man with integrity, who understood my challenges, and made me feel important and assured me that he would do everything in his power to correct the damage that I had caused to my body, which was a lot. I knew I had found my plastic surgeon.

It's been almost 3 weeks now since I had my lower body lift. I was so scared and excited too. I cried alot...not just because of what I had done to my body, but because of fear of the process - but I had total faith in Dr. Shuster. I will be honest, it is not a pleasant surgery, but it is not terrible, and the outcome is what keeps you motivated. There are scars but they heal and fade and then blend well with the stretch marks :o)~ I never really felt pain, just discomfort and numbness. In the hospital Dr. Shuster would visit me every morning....I was there for 2 nights and then was sent home. Dr. Shuster stills sees me regularly for follow ups and to check on my healing, etc. I have scheduled my 2nd procedure with Dr. Shuster for late September, that will be the arms, sides, breast lift with augmentation to correct the damage I have caused there - where had my breasts gone? they are saggy and terrible looking. I also have saggy arms and saggy sides...I am so incredibly excited to get the second surgery done and then look at myself in mirror and feel whole, normal and happy. Take it from me, I did the research, Dr. Shuster is the most incredibly qualified and talented plastic surgeon. He is a true professional and an artist that will leave you feeling human again....he will not steer you wrong. I will update after my second surgery....if you have any questions at all....please e-mail me anytime, my e-mail is: [email protected]
Good Luck,
Cory

Hello my name is Lewis. I had bariatric surgery at the age of 17. The day of my surgery was the day I turned 17. Before, the surgery, I weighed 394 lbs. I now weight like 194. A total of 200 lbs loss. After my surgery, i was happy for a little while because I did not have all that weight holding me down and my friends complimented me on how well I looked. Me friends and family all thought I looked great but deep inside nyself I was a very depressed individual. I;m a person who now liks to run and workout. Ever since my gastric bypass, thats all I did and I think that is the reason why I loss so much weight. Problems arose though when I would workout and I would have all this loose, jelly like skin hanging from my body. This included my arms, my thighs, my "breasts," and especially my stomach region. I looked great with my clothes on, but when I took them off I was ashamed of myself. I was quite lierally disgusted with myself because I felt like i was turning into Mr. Fantastic from the Fantastic Four with all the stretchy skin. I was so unhappy because I felt that the gastric bypass was supposed to solve all of my problems. I felt it only made things worse. I had always wanted to take off my shirt in public at the pool or beach and not be ashamed, but I couldn't. Even after the weight loss, I was afraid to go out with girls because if we got intimate after dating, I would have to take off my clothes. I had such low self esteem and so I told my bariatric surgeon and he recommended me to Dr. Shuster. I have to admit that when I thought of having plastic surgery, I still wsn't too excited because I didnt want to be like all the other vain people who got implants that they didnt need and what not. But when I finally met Shuster, I was so comfortable. He makes you feel very important and he understands everything about loose skin and how that can make someone feel. No matter what kind of questions you have, he is willing to answer them. His staff is also the best of the best. My favorite is Paryse, but Beverly, Tammy, and all the other are still so awesome. Needless to say, I got the lower body lift. The doctor explains exactly what he is going to do to your body several times before your surgery just in case you have any questions. He even gives you a packet of how to take care of yourself before and after the surgery. I cannot express to you enough how comfortable I was with him. I was always afraid to take off my clothes in front of people, but I wasnt for him when he had to show what he was going to do to my body. I recommend this doctor to anyone who has read this comment and has felt the same low self esteem issues that I have felt and who wants help. I am 18 years old writing this now and I am scheduled for another surgery by Shuster to get rid of the rest of my excess skin. I have to tell you that I CANNOT WAIT!

Dr. Shuster is the most sensitive, caring, and gifted doctor I have ever encountered. During the pre-op consultations, the surgery and hospital visits, and the post-op check ups he always treated me as though I were the most important patient he had. At our initial meeting, he wanted to get to know me and what type of new figure I wanted. He prescribed a "refined" look and I was thrilled that he'd already read my mind! Paryse and Tammy and the rest of his staff were also so kind, caring and efficient that I never had to worry about or question any details.

Now...what I had done! I lost 123 pounds in 14 months after a gastric by-pass. Saggy belly, no breasts, nipples pointing south, bat wings, flabby back and butt. I thought I might be able to get by without any re-contouring until Dr. Shuster explained how and what he could do and what the results would be. That and talking to a number of his very satisfied patients led me to decide to go ahead.

NOTE: I found a less expensive doctor a friend had used for similar procedures. But as my husband said, this was too important to make a decision based on price. It's so true that you get what you pay for. Dr. Shuster is the best and is worth every cent -- and that's the kind of doctor you deserve.

6 weeks ago I had phase 1 -- lower body lift and a TCA face peel (as long as I was out cold, why not add the peel!). I can honestly say that I never had anything I would consider pain. There certainly was some discomfort, but very mild and nothing to complain about. And the results have been amazing. I don't think I ever had a flat stomach like this in my life? The belly button is adorable, my skin is taut front and back, and the compliments are endless. Recovery has been fast and the scar is healing and will be very small and minor. They also prescribe something that helps diminish the size and color of any scars. My face is even colored, the sun damage is gone, and my friends tell me I "glow."

So now Phase 2 will be in 4 weeks -- breast lift and implants (there's just not much there to lift!), bat wing removal, and removal of excess skin along the body under my arms (so my back won't be flabby). As long as I'm in Dr. Shuster's exceptionally talented hands, I'm not worried about a thing.

I'll tell you all about it in my next post!

If you have any questions, contact me at [email protected].

My weight loss journey like so many obese people, started with years of trying every diet known to man and failing every time... trying to loose 50 Lbs. Then in April 2000 I became widowed, depressing me so much that I gained 80 additional pounds. Making me morbidly obese! On the advice of a Doctor friend of mine I had lap-band surgery Nov. 2, 2002, without first researching the procedure. Unfortunately in my particular case (and all of us are different) it was unsuccessful causing me to go yet again into an even deeper depression. I felt I failed again!!!...even though I fallowed all the Doctor's orders. However this time I researched...and found a very capable therapist who specializes in eating disorders. Together we decided to put me in-patient for 2 months in one of the best facilities in the USA (1000 calories a day 4 hours of exercise each day except Sunday...I only lost 20 pounds) Very disappointing!!! All my various doctors (as I have other health problems) thought it wise to have the Roux-en Y gastric bypass surgery. This time after extensive research I chose Doctor Robert Marema to do my revision Feb. 9, 2005. My progress went slower than most patients...but I had to remember that my body was already used to less calories. After deligently exercising three times a week and fallowing my new way of eating I researched MY goal weight loosing 120 Lbs. in 18 months. Now it was time for the next step. Surgery to rid my body of skin and flesh that exercise can never remove. Again doing extensive homework I visited 4 Plastic Surgeons. All came highly recommended but after seeing their credentials...photos...etc...what really convinced me is that 2 specialized in bariatric patients and did at least one or two bariatric surgeries a week... I wanted my therapist to help me decided...but when I finished explaining my reason why I wanted Dr. Shuster...he just said, "It seems you already made up your mind." I am a shy person about my body and I felt very comfortable with him. HE RESPECTED MY FEELINGS!!! (Which so many doctors throught the years had not...you all know that feeling.) His staff was more than helpful to answer all my questions even some by phone because I forgot them when I was in his office. We then sat down and planed out my surgeries... was I surprised to see him as a guest speaker at the Bariatric Convention one week before my surgery. This just reinforced that I had made the best choice. I went into the surgery very relaxed and with a positive attitude. I spent 2 days in the hospital for my lower body lift which I hade Sept. 26, 2006. I spent one night in the hospital for my breast lift and inner thighs which was done the first week of Feb. this year... I am up and around and feel great!!! All the surgeries went better then I expected... and were not as painful as I expected. Doctor Shuster visited me every day in the hospital and his staff called the hospital and my home often to see how I was doing. I feel that I picked a doctor that is a stickler for details, extremely conscientious and VERY caring about his patients. The few times I needed him for questions after the surgeries...he always called me. That was very reassuring. When it is time for my face lift I will have Dr. Shuster do it. I highly recommend him and NO words can express how grateful I am to him and his caring staff to be a part of my journey and people who have helped me get my QUALITY of life back, when just a few years ago I often wondered if it was worth living. Now I can enjoy my 6 grandkids and we have fun at Disney, boating, swimming and snow skiing... All my friends have said they haven't seen me so happy and so young looking in years. Way to go OMA (grandma)!!!... THANK YOU DR. SHUSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dr. Shuster and his staff ( Love Paryse and Tammy!!) were always professional, courteous, and respectful. I did a TON of research before deciding on a plastic surgeon as post-gastric bypass, we have a great many skin issues along with other health issues, and BY FAR Dr. Shuster was the most thorough and cared as much about my scarring and recovery as I did. I feel VERY blessed to have found him and couldn't be happier at 6 1/2 weeks post-op from a complete lower body lift, happier than I am now. THANKS for everything and for your patience with me!!!

Treated with utmost care and concern, especially your post-op care. Dr. Shuster has impeccable credentials. His focus, along with his kind staff is for your experience to be safe, and the outcome extraordinary!! I am deeply grateful to Dr. Shuster and plan further procedures soon. (recently had lower body lift)