Dr. Ron Israeli, MD

When I had a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction 4 years ago my plastic surgeon did not listen to me. When I developed capsular contracture 4 years later I knew I wouldn’t be returning to that surgeon. There were no plastic surgeons in my area that specialized in revision surgery so I did what we do these days…I turned to social media. I found Dr Israeli on Instagram. I followed him for awhile and was impressed by his openness and honesty about mastectomies and revision surgeries. After he posted a picture that applied to my problem, I asked him a question in the comments. To my amazement he answered me personally and suggested a telemedicine visit. We had the telemed visit (at no charge!) and discussed what I would need to do to move forward with him. I eagerly made an appt and flew from North Carolina to NY for a consult. Dr. Israeli spent an hour with me that day explaining all of my options. I felt heard and cared for…and very optimistic. I had never had a surgeon,… or any doc, spend that amount of time with me. I was ready with a list of questions to ask Dr. Israeli, but by the time he was done talking with me, he had already answered them all during his exam. I was introduced to their patient empowerment program. I was encouraged to hear of the weekly zoom meetings held to cover so many subjects that breast cancer survivors deal with. I was matched with a previous patient that had gone through the same surgery I was scheduled to have. We talked on the phone and she helped me feel more at ease about what was to come. This floored me! I was able to ask her so many personal questions. This one phone call made all the difference. My surgery happened to fall on a day after a massive ice storm and blizzard. Everything that could go wrong did. NYBRA employees worked to change my facility at the last minute and find needed supplies that were held up in the ice storm. Truly unbelievable. The amazing this is….I never knew about all the difficulties they faced because of the storm. Dr Israeli and his staff just fixed it and made sure my surgery happened. I wish everyone that is diagnosed with breast cancer could have the experience of NYBRA plastic surgery. It’s not just a doctors office, it’s a family that cares about you.

I met Dr. Ron Israeli twice. At our consultation meeting he checked his cellphone twice while I was asking questions regarding my surgery. He was more busy with screens, referring me to his Instagram and his website. Zero eye-contact, impersonal, dismissive and unprofessional. At our second meeting he spent about ten minutes with me in total, after I waited for more than an hour in the exam room. No apology, no eye contact, rushing me when I was only two weeks before a surgery. Needless to say I canceled the surgery. Plenty of talented plastic surgeons who are also human beings and have great bedside manners. Also, their waiting room is dirty, old, freezing cold, and the entire time you can hear the receptionist on her loud phone calls. There is zero thought put into the patient and their comfort.

Dr. Israeli is not only the kindest and most modest plastic surgeon I’ve ever met but he is a highly skilled surgeon. I am SO thankful for finding him, as he gave me options no other surgeon even mentioned. I had a DMX in May 2021 and thanks to him, I was able to avoid unnecessary (and potentially risky in my opinion) lymph node dissection Additionally, unlike most surgeons, he is among the first to do nerve grafting and 2 1/2 months post-op I am already regaining sensation unlike most patients who have had DMX. It’s very interesting and alarming to me that MSK doesn’t offer either of those options! MSK is supposedly cutting edge and first with all new treatments yet doesn’t offer the option to restore feeling? He is an artist and perfectionist (in a good way) and I trust him completely. I am healthy and have beautiful new boobs thanks to him.

Dr Israeli did my breast reconstruction when I had breast cancer and had my breasts removed. He is an EXCELLENT surgeon with an amazing bedside manner. You can’t go wrong with Dr. Israeli!

I couldn't have asked for a better experience with my reconstructive surgery. My original surgery was done by another doctor and the result was both medically and aesthetically horrendous. After 4 other second opinions, I decided on Dr. Israeli and I am thankful every day that I did. He is a leader in the field and knows the cutting-edge techniques for breast reconstruction. He completed a very complicated surgery to correct the difficulties I had, and even in the operating room he completed one side, did not like the result, and completely started over. I'm so thankful for his expertise and perfectionism, and couldn't be happier with the result he achieved for me. Dr. Israeli's demeanor is caring and compassionate, not only for the physical well being of his patients but for their emotional well being (this is further displayed in his non-surgical projects with survivors and his innovative Patient Empowerment program). He is easy to communicate with - I had multiple… appointments with him just to discuss my options and he included me on every minute decision. He is not happy unless he knows his patients are. I will forever be thankful I found him.

I began my journey with Dr. Israeli in 2006 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was initially recommended to several, Plastic Surgeons and when I asked my breast surgeon who he would choose for his wife, without hesitation he said, "Dr. Israeli!" He also was the only doctor that advised me to have a bilateral mastectomy, (at the time I was diagnosed with cancer in only one breast). After having bilateral mastectomy I was told cancer was in both breasts. He and I were on the same page from the beginning. Dr. Israeli explained from day one that I would have several procedures to complete my reconstruction. I always knew what was next in my treatment plan. He and his entire staff were always thorough and compassionate in all their explanations. Dr. Israeli is professional as well as warm and friendly. His practice feels like a family and they make each patient feel part of this family. I recently had my implants exchanged and once again I am ecstatic with the results! Dr.… Israeli is the best Plastic Surgeon! If you are looking for a Plastic Surgeon your search is over, you just found the best! I wish I could give him 10 stars!!

My personal experiences with Dr. Israeli have been nothing but superior and we spent a great deal of time together. My initial procedure was a complete Bilateral Mastectomy with DIEP flap, non-nipple sparing procedure with immediate reconstruction in 2012. My journey was completed and I am very pleased. Now, 7 years later, and 100 lbs. of weight loss, my breasts are nice and soft, round and have lost weight with me proportionally to my overall body redevelopment. Dr. Israeli explained that my reconstruction would be done in stages, and that some revisions would likely be required. He explained every step along the way with detail and precision; everything he said would need to be done was completed. There was nothing that I was not mentally (thank you Mollie!) and physically ready for when my surgeries began. Dr. Israeli's ability with art sculpturing and his overall artistic eye have made him a perfect plastic surgeon who is well-suited for this line of work. The man is… compassionate, talented, funny and very direct (and he loves cars!). He plays your favorite music in the OR and his soft brown eyes behind the mask are there to assure you that everything will be alright. When you go to sleep with breasts and wake up with them, there is no better feeling. The way that NYBRA operates both in the office and at the hospital is a template that all others practices should follow. I consider myself a professional patient who has experienced many other health issues unrelated to my breast surgery. After going to NYBRA and then going to other medical doctors of different disciplines, it is very apparent that this doctor has the corner on how to treat the patient mentally and physically. They include you in their journey to empower the people they treat. And they never forget that you are a person with a heart and mind that need love too. I would recommend this doctor and practice first before you go to anyone else. Ask the questions, they have the answers. I never paid a copayment or received a bill that I was not ready for. Top notch, high class, all the accolades I can think of. Love you Ron Israeli! Evelyn

My personal experiences with Dr. Israeli have been nothing but superior and we spent a great deal of time together. My initial procedure was a complete Bilateral Mastectomy with DIEP flap, non-nipple sparing procedure with immediate reconstruction in 2012. My journey was completed and I am very pleased. Now, 7 years later, and 100 lbs. of weight loss, my breasts are nice and soft, round and have lost weight with me proportionally to my overall body redevelopment. Dr. Israeli explained that my reconstruction would be done in stages, and that some revisions would likely be required. He explained every step along the way with detail and precision; everything he said would need to be done was completed. There was nothing that I was not mentally (thank you Mollie!) and physically ready for when my surgeries began. Dr. Israeli's ability with art sculpturing and his overall artistic eye have made him a perfect plastic surgeon who is well-suited for this line of work. The man is… compassionate, talented, funny and very direct (and he loves cars!). He plays your favorite music in the OR and his soft brown eyes behind the mask are there to assure you that everything will be alright. When you go to sleep with breasts and wake up with them, there is no better feeling. The way that NYBRA operates both in the office and at the hospital is a template that all others practices should follow. I consider myself a professional patient who has experienced many other health issues unrelated to my breast surgery. After going to NYBRA and then going to other medical doctors of different disciplines, it is very apparent that this doctor has the corner on how to treat the patient mentally and physically. They include you in their journey to empower the people they treat. And they never forget that you are a person with a heart and mind that need love too. I would recommend this doctor and practice first before you go to anyone else. Ask the questions, they have the answers. I never paid a copayment or received a bill that I was not ready for. Top notch, high class, all the accolades I can think of. Love you Ron Israeli! Evelyn

How do I begin to thank you, Dr. Israeli? Words fail to describe how grateful I am for your extraordinary skill, care and attentiveness through the years. I had reconstruction using the Pedicle Tram Flap by “A DIFFERENT” PS in Florida. Approx 3 months later, I developed lower abdominal bulging. After much research, I found Dr. Israeli online. I flew to NY for consultation. Three months later, I had my first surgery. Dr. Israeli working in conjunction with another surgeon, successfully repaired my abdominal hernias related to the Pedicle Tram Flap. But, it didn’t end there. After my hernia repair, there was no doubt that Dr. Israeli would be my new PS, correcting and transforming my breasts. My prior PS left my breasts small, lopsided and unequal. I had no cleavage nor, mammary fold. Dr. Israeli sculpted and recreated my breasts perfectly. A true artist. There’s not one thing I want changed. That’s a hard feat to accomplish. It took time (distance). But, after 5 staged fat… grafting procedures with nipple reconstruction, my breasts are completed. (Ladies on the fence with nip reconstruction- it’s worth it!) Unfortunately, my rectus (abdomen) muscles can’t be replaced. Since my rectus muscles were sacrificed in my original surgery...all for the sake of breasts, my breasts had to look spectacular. Thank you Dr. Israeli. They are perfect. Some inside perspective- Dr. Israeli has an eye for the female breast form....a skill few hold. He pays attention to the big and little things during your consultation/visits and, surgery. He is realistic. He is very skilled at recreating breasts after cancer. He’s not happy unless your happy with the results. He really cares for his patients. He has a wonderful bedside manner. The relationship continues beyond reconstruction (see below about the group and Galas). He’s also as OCD as I am.....very much appreciated in a PS. Some reviewers- Is his office busy? Is he busy? Do they need more chairs? Do they run a little behind?—Yes. A little inconvenience for a wonderful PS is worth it! You become a member of their family. He has a Patient Empowerment Group for his breast cancer patients. He holds Galas every 2 yrs for his breast cancer patients- a great evening out. He has a therapist on staff for the emotional aspect of breast cancer and reconstruction. His practice is centered around you!

Dr. Israeli's talent as a breast surgeon enabled me to feel whole again after a breast cancer diagnosis. His skill in reconstruction is outstanding, as is the empathy he has for his patients.