Boris M. Ackerman, MD

I feel it’s important to share my full experience with Dr. Ackerman and his office. While I want to acknowledge that the office staff were always kind and professional, my encounters with Dr. Ackerman himself left me deeply dissatisfied. I underwent a deep plane facelift with Dr. Ackerman in May 2023, and filler under my eyes with his injector in November 2023. While I was generally happy with my facelift, concerns arose that were dismissed rather than addressed. I noticed pulling under my chin, which also affected the visible right side of my chin when my head was turned to the left. During one of my follow-up visits after my surgery, I raised this concern directly with Dr. Ackerman, and he acknowledged the pulling, but since it had not been too long since the surgery, he decided to monitor it. Unfortunately, the pulling only became more pronounced, and it really bothered me (the initial reason I went to Dr. Ackerman was for excess skin under my chin). Several months later, I… brought the pulling up again at another visit. I had requested Dr. Ackerman’s coordinator stay in the room with me because I felt uncomfortable seeing him alone after experiencing the abrupt and rude manner in which Dr. Ackerman responds to perceived negative feedback. During this appointment, Dr. Ackerman was so cold and dismissive that I broke down in tears and left quickly. His comments included: “I’m sorry you don’t like the result of your surgery” and “I think you look great and wish I could put your face on a billboard.” This was shocking and deeply unprofessional. After this appointment, I informed the office staff how I felt after the last appointment and did not want to see Dr. Ackerman for care any longer. However, after months of trying to cope with this on my own, I decided to return one last time to see if he would possibly be willing to help me come up with a solution. At this visit, I met with a staff member who told me she couldn’t see what I was talking about and “Dr. Ackerman can’t make you look like you’re 20 again.” Once again, I left feeling unheard, dismissed, and gaslit. I received a call the following week stating she had consulted with Dr. Ackerman and reviewed pictures, and there was nothing they could do or recommend except “possibly RF microneedling, which may work or not.” I ultimately traveled to La Jolla to see a surgeon I saw in my 20s for a second opinion. He immediately confirmed the pulling under my chin and explained how it was likely related to how I had been sutured up during surgery or how my tissue settled after surgery. He reassured me that although it was not very visible, looking straight at me, it was definitely there and could be fixed. Unlike Dr. Ackerman, he recommended a platysmaplasty (a neck lift), not RF microneedling. Ironically, when I asked Dr. Ackerman about this option at an earlier appointment, he claimed he had already performed it. On top of this, the filler done by his injector created a bulge under one of my eyes because it attached to a ligament. I have to state the injector is a really kind person, and had I gone back to her, I’m sure she would have tried to improve it. I just could not go back into the office for treatment. I did bring the filler issue up during my last meeting with Dr. Ackerman’s staff, but it was not addressed in the call I received recommending the microneedling. I will need to pay to dissolve the filler and to have it replaced. This entire ordeal has cost me money in consultations, travel, additional procedures, and emotional distress on top of the $34k I already paid for the surgery. While the office staff were consistently kind, Dr. Ackerman’s bedside manner, lack of empathy, dismissiveness, and gaslighting behavior have caused me lasting distress. I wish I would have felt heard, respected, and cared for—not dismissed or made to feel at fault for raising valid concerns. Unfortunately, that was not my experience here.

Dr. Ackerman is an excellent doctor. He is patient when you have questions or problems and truly listens to all your questions. After your surgery, he does a great deal of follow up...no charge....to make sure you are happy and have no concerns. On top of that, I can’t say enough about his staff. They are genuinely friendly and caring. What more could you want?....

Always great experience when you come to the office! Diane is the greatest and the front of the staff is wonderful

Be aware that this doctor does not stand by his work when he messes up(he messed up my twice). Another big complaint is that his staff (Alicia and Zetta) are unbelievably rude. Feel free to check it out for yourself just be aware before you put yourself under his knife and end up like me.

I had a facelift with Dr. Ackerman this year and I am completely in love with my results! The office staff are the best and make you feel so cared for. Zeta answered every question, phone call and email from me and I had a lot! Dr. Ackerman is an artist and I would encourage anyone considering this to at least go meet with him and see why I chose him You will be so happy you did.

THE STAFF IS SO FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL AND VERY SUPPORTIVE. I RECOMMEND DR. ACKERMAN. HIGHLY AND IF YOU WANT A NATURAL AND YOUNGER LOOK PLEASE GO SEE DR. ACKERMAN

He did my facelift/necklift in 2003 very happy with the results. I have100% confidence in Dr. Ackerman's work and judgment, will be going back soon for a mini face lift and neck lift. He lacks in bedside manners for some, he tells it like it is, sometimes blunt, but so be it, I would rather have a great surgeon than a Mr. personality working on me.

Dr. Ackerman is great! You can schedule a surgery quickly and appointments easily. You will be so pleased with your results!! I love it! He is an artist!

I have had several procedures with Dr. Ackerman and wouldn't go anywhere else. I have seen the work of many other plastic surgeons in the area and he is head and shoulders by far my first choice. I have referred many friends who also find his work amazing as well.

Overall I had a great experience, the staff is very friendly and the doctor is extremely knowledgeable and my surgery turned out beautifully!!!!