Dr. Karen M. Horton, MD

I DEEPLY REGRET doing surgery with Dr Horton. She used the wrong materials during my surgery that led to permanent scar damage. This was not an isolated experience. She told me she repeated the same mistake across many surgeries over a full year and a half. Judging from my experience, choosing to be a patient of Dr Horton means risking your body. Dr Horton improperly used a jelly that was known to increase the likelihood of wounds not healing and increase scar sites. My scars are red, bleed everywhere years after surgery, and are significantly larger than they should have been had the surgery been done correctly. Aside from the obviously incredibly disappointing result, I have three concerns with Dr Horton’s character in handling this: 1) She didn’t proactively contact me about this known issue or tell me about it during multiple visits I made to her office in the year following surgery. I found it myself once I was pregnant, and have had to live with terrible scarring without… intervention for over a year now because I could not fix the issue while pregnant or breastfeeding. This has put me in an awful position during pregnancy. I could have fixed it if she had told me about it. 2) When confronted with the damage she did, Dr Horton said, “well, maybe the baby won’t stick and we can fix it sooner”. I don’t need to say more about how disturbing this is. 3) Dr. Horton didn't take responsibility for her mistake. At first she blamed the surgery center, but she was the surgeon who put the wrong thing into my body. Then in email and during multiple visits she said she would help fix the permanent damage she caused. She told me I just needed to wait to stop breastfeeding. Days after the window where I could sue her passed, she sent me a letter to renege on the commitment she made to help me. Dr Horton’s whole shtick is that she “increases confidence in women”. My experience was the opposite: she made me uncomfortable to show my skin because it is so deeply damaged with scarring. This has been an incredibly regrettable experience, and Dr Horton showed her true colors in a really dark time that she created in my life. I have spent tens of thousands of dollars with this woman only to feel tricked, wronged, and mistreated by her and her staff. Please don’t make the same mistake I did. If your experience is like mine, you’ll regret allowing Dr. Horton to touch your body.

I chose Dr. Karen Horton for my breast aug procedure several years ago because of her excellent reviews. I just had a follow-up visit with her and my results are still excellent. Choosing her as my surgeon was a great decision.

I recently had a breast reduction/lift with Dr. Horton. To say that she is calming, low-key, compassionate and does excellent work is an understatement. With all the experience she has with Breast Reconstruction Surgery and the amazing work she does for her cancer patients I knew that putting my body into her hands was a fabulous decision and I was right! 4 weeks post-op and I am feeling good, gaining my strength and all looks fabulous. Her staff is great. Sad to hear that Mari her nurse is retiring. I am sure she will be missed. She is so comforting and open. I HIGHLY recommend anyone looking for a doctor who will do what is best for your body and make you look and feel glamorous.

I went to see Dr Horton for a breast reduction consultation. I asked Dr Horton up front not to say anything negative about my body as I hadn't decided on surgery yet. During the examination, she provided unsolicited advice on a scar on my stomach, to say I could have liposuction to flatten it out and that it was pretty stretched out. Having just had a baby, I was already aware of that. She was also 30 minutes late and then left for 15 mins part way through to see another patient, so I was pretty stressed as I had a newborn at home who I needed to get back for. After the consultation, I sent an email to explain that I was disconcerted about the unsolicited advice, given my request at the beginning. Dr Horton's assistant, Mary, apologized and Dr Horton accidentally cc'd me on her reply to her assistant saying "I think that's perfect, she was so weird" about me. For a doctor to think it's appropriate to send this to a colleague in response to feedback, shows a deep lack of… professionalism and real lack of compassion. Isn't appreciating the vulnerability it takes to walk through the door, share your very personal story and be naked before them, a core part of being a cosmetic surgeon? This experience also highlights her utter insincerity, as she was so effusive in the consult, saying how great it was to meet me and that they care about their patients deeply etc. I don't normally leave reviews but felt compelled to let others know that this is how she speaks about her patients and how she handles feedback. I would strongly recommend finding a different surgeon.

Dr. Horton is amazing. I have seen her twice now, and she is not only knowledgeable and talented, but her bedside manner and compassion are the real reasons anyone would be remiss not to see her. Her staff is incredible, friendly and reassuring (waving at you Nurse Mary!), and Dr. Horton is a true artist. Thank you.

As the husband of a breast cancer survivor and patient of Dr. Karen Horton’s, it is a pleasure to write this review. My wife Amber was diagnosed with breast cancer and subsequently underwent a multi stage process for breast reconstruction. Three surgeries later Amber was devastated with the results of the treatment which was performed using “Old School” techniques in our local area. This lead Amber to consult with her Oncologist for guidance. She asked “Is this the best I can ever be?” The calming response was “no, let me find someone who can help.” A referral was quickly created for Dr. Karen Horton in San Francisco, California. With some reservations around the distance we would need to travel, we contacted her office and setup an appointment. Our consultation appointment with Dr. Horton happened just three weeks later. After a 1 hour consultation, our reservations were gone and we left confident we had made a good decision. Dr. Horton’s calming demeanor, professionalism and… willingness to talk with Amber and more importantly listen to Amber’s concerns was quite refreshing and reassuring. Amber’s case was a difficult one requiring multiple surgeries to accomplish the desired outcome. While this was a long process, Dr. Horton and Amber both were determined to achieve the best possible outcome. The result has been incredible restoring Amber’s sense of being whole again. Through each stage, Dr. Horton has not only provided her skills and dedication to the outcome but also has provided tremendous support to me as I was relegated to the sidelines hoping for the best. Dr. Horton with God’s help delivered! In our book, there is no better, no more dedicated than Dr. Karen Horton. Thanks Doc!

As the husband of a breast cancer survivor and patient of Dr. Karen Horton’s, it is a pleasure to write this review. My wife Amber was diagnosed with breast cancer and subsequently underwent a multi stage process for breast reconstruction. Three surgeries later Amber was devastated with the results of the treatment which was performed using “Old School” techniques in our local area. This lead Amber to consult with her Oncologist for guidance. She asked “Is this the best I can ever be?” The calming response was “no, let me find someone who can help.” A referral was quickly created for Dr. Karen Horton in San Francisco, California. With some reservations around the distance we would need to travel, we contacted her office and setup an appointment. Our consultation appointment with Dr. Horton happened just three weeks later. After a 1 hour consultation, our reservations were gone and we left confident we had made a good decision. Dr. Horton’s calming demeanor, professionalism and… willingness to talk with Amber and more importantly listen to Amber’s concerns was quite refreshing and reassuring. Amber’s case was a difficult one requiring multiple surgeries to accomplish the desired outcome. While this was a long process, Dr. Horton and Amber both were determined to achieve the best possible outcome. The result has been incredible restoring Amber’s sense of being whole again. Through each stage, Dr. Horton has not only provided her skills and dedication to the outcome but also has provided tremendous support to me as I was relegated to the sidelines hoping for the best. Dr. Horton with God’s help delivered! In our book, there is no better, no more dedicated than Dr. Karen Horton. Thanks Doc

Dr. Horton, how do I simply say 'thank you" for all that you have done for me? After going through breast cancer and undergoing a bilateral mastectomy, I feared as a woman, I would never feel "complete' again. With many surgeries behind me I honestly had accepted I had to just live with the results other doctors left me with. Then I met you! You reassured me, you eased my anxieties and assured me more could be done and in no way did I need to settle for mediocrity. With your artistry and talent, your incredible knowledge, and your uplifting personality, I knew I could trust you with my life. You certainly did not disappoint on any level. There are just not enough words of praise or gratitude to convey to you how you've changed me inside and out. I now feel stronger, more confident and for the first time in many years, whole again as a woman. So while I thank you for everything, I'm so humbled to be a patient of yours. My hope is to let anyone know, who has ever walked in shoes… similar to mine, that you're amazing surgeon that always puts the patient first and they never have to settle

Dr. Horton, how do I simply say 'thank you" for all that you have done for me? After going through breast cancer and undergoing a bilateral mastectomy, I feared as a woman, I would never feel "complete' again. With many surgeries behind me I honestly had accepted I had to just live with the results other doctors left me with. Then I met you! You reassured me, you eased my anxieties and assured me more could be done and in no way did I need to settle for mediocrity. With your artistry and talent, your incredible knowledge, and your uplifting personality, I knew I could trust you with my life. You certainly did not disappoint on any level. There are just not enough words of praise or gratitude to convey to you how you've changed me inside and out. I now feel stronger, more confident and for the first time in many years, whole again as a woman. So while I thank you for everything, I'm so humbled to be a patient of yours. My hope is to let anyone know, who has ever walked in shoes… similar to mine, that you're amazing surgeon that always puts the patient first and they never have to settle.

The short: Dr Horton and her team of professions are so caring and amazing and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone. The longer version: I met Dr Horton and her staff in late summer of 2018 when I decided to go in for an initial consultation. I was a very young mom, and after my daughter was born I had issues right away that resulted in several surgeries in my 20s with a final hysterectomy in my early 20s. This left a blob of a stomach for the next 20 years, and problems with my belly button that would never get resolved with other Dr’s. I was very nervous my first visit. The office was professional, but warm and inviting. All the staff were friendly and helpful. What struck me when I first met Dr Horton is how sincere she is about your health and your goals. She does an honest assessment and is straight with you about what will help you achieve them. She doesn’t try to oversell you, or push you in any direction. She is warm, kind and thoughtful. I had met other… Dr’s before deciding, and none of the others had that same factor. Once I decided to move forward with my surgery, the office was sure I had all the information I needed. The pre-op appointment was very helpful to both me and my husband who would take care of me the next few weeks. And, at this point Dr Horton gives her patients her private cell number to call or text if you have any questions or concerns. We did use it 2 times, and both times she answered addressing our concerns and letting us know what to do next. I have felt cared for, understood and empowered through this entire processes, and I am SO HAPPY with my results. I had read the reviews that say sometimes the office runs late, so I was prepared for that. And I can say honestly, the office was often a little behind schedule when I had appointments, but no longer than you might wait anywhere else. Overall I am pleased with my results, all the staff, and Dr Horton. She and her staff are some of the best. I almost never leave reviews, but I cant help but highly recommend Dr Horton and her team.