Dr. Charles Y Tseng, MD

Dr. Charles Tseng of UCLA Health is an exceptional plastic surgeon and a truly compassionate professional. Throughout my breast cancer journey, he performed over five reconstructive surgeries, each with remarkable precision, care, and dedication. His expertise, paired with the high standards of UCLA Health, gave me confidence and comfort during every step of the process. From our very first meeting, Dr. Tseng treated me with empathy and respect, taking the time to explain every procedure thoroughly and ensuring I felt heard and supported. His calm demeanor and reassuring presence brought peace during one of the most difficult times in my life. Dr. Tseng’s skillful hands and kind heart played a vital role in my healing—both physically and emotionally. I am beyond grateful for the outstanding care he provided and feel incredibly fortunate to have had him and the UCLA Health team by my side throughout this journey. Thank you Dr. Tseng! You rock! C. Garcia

Dr. Tseng is an incredibly talented surgeon and artist, as well as a patient and kind human being. I had a double mastectomy where he performed immediate DIEP flap reconstruction with results that exceeded all my expectations. Even the nurses, who checked on me every hour for 3 days, marveled at his work and at the lack of bruising. At 3 months post surgery, my breasts are well proportioned and perky, my mommy tummy is gone, and the hypertrophic scarring that caused me so much worry never surfaced. The latter is a mystery to me and I chalk it up to his surgical precision as I had terrible scarring from prior surgeries (like my c-section), which he got rid of! As a 45-year old, I’m going to rock a bikini for the first time this summer. Okay, more details ahead, which helped me with other reviews... Other accolades that made for my great experience with Dr. Tseng: - Danica, his coordinator, was very responsive in setting up all my appointments and getting my disability paperwork… to the state and my company’s leave administrator. - Dr. Tseng was timely for all the appointments, making life a little less stressful as I had to juggle these appointments with work and family - He spent as much time as I needed and although he’s busy, he never rushed me - He returned my emails very promptly. I emailed him a few days after discharge about taking cough medicine and he responded in 15 minutes! - I had very little pain in recovery (pain level 3-5 out of 10). I got up the morning after surgery and walked to a chair unassisted, then was walking around the hallway a few times a day - My pain level was a 1-2 for a few days when I returned home and this is without narcotics, which I threw away - The former 2 points have to do with his surgical skill, along with the army of anesthesiologists, nurses, and support staff at Ronald Reagan UCLA It has been an emotional journey for me since my diagnosis 2.5 years ago, especially with enduring multiple surgeries, screenings, and biopsies along with radiation. When DCIS recurred even after all that treatment, I was shocked and devastated. My surgical oncologist, who I trust, was adamant about Dr. Tseng, so I agreed to meet him. Although I was reluctant, I saw the wisdom in their advice to proceed and enjoy a better quality of life rather than more watchful waiting. I’m glad I listened because I was rewarded with a beautiful body, peace of mind for myself and my family, and the ability to live a full life that isn’t contingent upon screenings and its results. My journey is not 100% done as I’m continuing with nipple reconstruction this year. Because of my experience with Dr. Tseng, I’m actually excited (instead of worried) for phase 2 and 3.

Dr. Tseng turned a tragic and very emotional journey into something that was manageable with amazing outcomes. He truly cares for his patients. He chose reconstruction as his emphasis because he wants to help women, who have already endured so much, feel confident and make a positive difference in their lives. He successfully has done that for me. I will forever be grateful for him - not only for his talent and expertise but for his genuine care and concern for my wellbeing. He is a one-of-a-kind doctor and a real gift to the medical profession.

Dr. Tseng reconstructed my breast and nipple after a unilateral mastectomy. I chose to have a DIEP Flap reconstruction. I'm very pleased with the results. The reconstructed breast and nipple look very natural. Dr. Tseng is a perfectionist, which is what you want in a plastic surgeon! I had no problems with my recovery. He and his staff were very nice and very responsive. I would not hesitate to recommend him.

I am a breast cancer survivor and I will forever be grateful to have been referred to Dr. Charles Tseng back. He was a life changer to me and in a good way. I was feeling miserable for over 10 yrs because of my breast reconstructions. My history of numerous breast surgeries left me with feelings of being deformed and mutilated and I really thought I did everything I could to get it right. I had 6 surgeries prior to meet Dr. Charles Tseng, some of these procedures very elaborate, but all left me with bad results. I was very disappointed and uncomfortable with tightness around my chest that I could feel 24/7, it was like I was wearing a brazier day and night for over 10 years, this tightness was unbearable at times; I also ended up with muscle spasms that would attack my front chest several times a day for no reason. If I summarize my surgeries, happening between late 2007 and 2010, it started with a double mastectomy, chemo & radiation therapies followed by several… surgeries placing expanders, silicone implants. I tried a double Lattissimus Dorsi Muscle flap which left me with muscle spasms that would occur at the craziest times ever! (I would never recommend this procedure to anyone). After all these procedures and a skin perforation with an exposed implant which took me back into surgery for an emergency procedure, I was left miserable with my own self and told, because of my radiation therapy, the results were never going to be what I wanted and that my expectations were too high. I would not give up and tried again, but failed. So, after 7 yrs of being uncomfortable & feeling miserable about myself in the chest area; my oncologist, Dr. Peter Boasberg, connected me with Dr. Charlotta La Via whom referred me to Dr. Charles Tseng located on 16th Street in Santa Monica, as the guy for the DIEP flap procedure and had over 10 years’ experience in this particular procedure. I underwent the DIEP flap surgery & second phase with Dr. Tseng and his team and I can only say the best for Dr. Tseng and his team. He is an excellent surgeon, he will take his time to give you amazing results, he has wonderful bedside manners and his team working for him are such devoted and good people. Anytime I had contact with his office, I felt I was their main focus. Always very well attended too. The staff and assistant Danica are very caring, friendly and helpful. Today, I feel great, no longer do I undergo the daily muscles spasms and my chest feels so natural, I lost that tight brazier that was forged to my body, it’s pretty unbelievable it took me over 10 years to get to this result of feeling like “Me Again”! I want to encourage all breast cancer survivors whom had a mastectomy, not to gear themselves with implants or going through Lattissimus Dorsi Muscle flaps, but to take their time & go for the DIEP flap surgery instead and I thoroughly recommend Dr. Charles Tseng as an excellent and the best plastic surgeon for this procedure. Thank you Dr. Tseng and his team.

When faced with a double mastectomy and reconstruction, one must choose their surgeon wisely. I met with two other plastic surgeons prior to meeting Dr. Tseng. The first surgeon didn’t offer the DIEP flap procedure and the second one was out of network and insanely expensive. Dr. Tseng came highly recommended by my breast surgeon at UCLA. During our first meeting he explained the various reconstructive options. He made me feel extremely comfortable and answered all of my questions. He was honest and upfront about what I could expect from the surgery. His staff was super helpful in getting me prepared for the surgery itself. Danica and Sydney answered every email and phone call the same day. On the day of surgery, Dr. Tseng met with me, answered any last minute questions and meticulously drew the surgical lines on my body. Eleven hours later I was recovering and feeling very little pain. I was so nervous to see my reconstructed breasts, and I was thrilled when I finally saw them.… Dr. Tseng is a perfectionist and a true artist. Every doctor that has seen my breasts since, comments on what an amazing job he did. The DIEP flap procedure is a complicated one that requires extensive training in microsurgery. Dr. Tseng completes 2-3 of these surgeries a week and his level of expertise shows. I would recommend Dr. Tseng in a heartbeat. I am so lucky and happy that I found him!

Insensitive. Haphazard. Inexperienced. He takes your surgery into his own hands & does what he wants not what you request/ agree upon and then you have to live with it or pay him to fix his botched work. Then he laughs & blames it on you.

Dr. Tseng performed a breast reduction surgery on me in November -- and I am thrilled with the results. Prior to the surgery, he carefully listened to desired outcome (size-wise) and answered all my questions. The surgery went very smoothly as did my recovery. I opted to spend the first night in the SM Surgery Center and the team there was great. I highly recommend staying there right after surgery if you can. My post opt visits with Dr. Tseng went well -- as did my recovery. I experienced minimum discomfort the first week and it was smooth sailing after the first week. Again, I am very happy with the results - size and shape are great - just what I was hoping for. I highly recommend him!

I am so pleased with look and feel of my reconstructed breasts.

Dr. Tseng was wonderful. He is very warm and did a great job with my breast reduction surgery. He listens and has an excellent bedside manner. I am very appreciative of him and am fortunate that he was my surgeon.