Last night while having some wine and pupus with friends for the holidays, I shared my recent experience about Dr. Leonard Yu and Maui Plastic Surgery. They said what a story and that I should share it with others because other women should know. So here it is!
I had been going to Dr. Yu for Botox or filler treatments 2-3 times a year for over a decade. Then this past year I experienced TWO patients showing their "before" photos with me in the reception room while they pointed to their faces and said "look at me now." This happened roughly six months apart - - - once in January and a similar one in May. Both were thrilled about their recent face lift surgeries done by Dr. Yu - and I'm guessing they wanted to spread their excitement in the moment. It was such a aha moment for me.
If you've been to Dr. Yu and Maui Plastic Surgery, the office schedules appointments in a way that is pretty exclusive. In other words, there aren't patients typically waiting or opportunities to talk in the reception area. Anyway, I thought having two patients six months apart coming out of the offices into the reception area sort of jumping for joy about their surgery results from Dr. Yu and then "sharing" their photos was a big sign to me that it was time for me to do more than Botox and fillers. I knew it was time to do more than short-term stuff. What I loved is that these patients looked exactly like themselves but more like a retouched photo, but instead it was real - lol! After this, I decided to get a face-lift from Dr. Yu.
In the meantime, I also did check out other plastic surgeons and learned that Dr. Yu is the only surgeon on Maui who is Board-Certified and a member of the top American Plastic Surgeon Association. It's the top credential and very different than someone who is a board-certified by an American "cosmetic" degree. I learned that Dr. Yu has amazing credentials to get this membership because you have to do a lot of surgeries and pass a lot of exams in front of experts. Personally, I think this is really important. I don't want someone trying out skills on me.
I've heard through the grapevine that Dr. Yu is the top plastic surgeon on Maui and has done thousands of procedures here, including patients from other islands or the mainland. Word gets around.
Okay. Here's my take on Dr. Yu. He is like a calm in the storm of emotions. He's reserved, low-key, yet you can feel his surgical brain looking at your face like a work of art. Instead of feeling self-conscious for once, I just let his expertise and experience be my guide along with my voice.
One thing that I was glad about doing so much research is that I trusted how Dr. Yu is a pro and I felt it every step of the way. His surgical experience and personal caring becomes obvious through the consultation and the results
He's totally up-to-date on so many of the new things I asked him about in plastic surgery and recommended pro or against certain things as being a good/waste of time or money, even procedures that he does
He did recommend a slight chin implant along with my facial surgery which I didn't even think about, and I honestly didn't even notice a big change on that addition other than my face appearing more balanced because of it. I learned that chin implants are now super common and a good way to take away further jowl sags.
Here's what happened: I did what they said to do prior to surgery. I chose the option to do overnight care, which was reasonable and great. The next day, even though I was told by Dr. Yu and staff I would be very swollen, I didn't expect how much! So please don't plan anything within a few days except hide. But 2 or 3 days after surgery, the swelling went down a LOT as Dr. Yu said, and after that, I was out and about. In fact, a week later, I was just protective of my face from the sun, not to do strenuous activities a few weeks, and I felt great.
My advice is to listen to what Dr. Yu and staff (great) say because they are experienced and again, you are having surgery and some of us freeze about it. That's why I'm writing this - because I researched so much before my surgery then kind of froze when I finally committed!
After my surgery? Dr. Yu saw me the next day, the next three days, the next 10 days, and a follow-up time again afterward, especially as needed because he said every patient is different. My experience is that he and his staff - Nurse Jamie is awesome too- really cares about patient results with their incredible follow-up. I really felt taken care of and a real person. My surgery results are like heaven - I could never imagine me to be this way again - so fresh and full vitality. Inside and out!
Funny thing - so many of my friends told me about their surgery with Dr. Yu, and how their daughters or husbands are seeing him as well. We are lucky to have a plastic surgeon of this caliber on Maui.
I probably am gushy about my surgery, but it was life-changing for me.
Highly recommend. Dr. Yu is incredible! read more