Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa

This 5 STAR review is for Dr. Regan and CHANGES PLASTIC SURGERY/​SPA.
EXCELLENT RESULTS with my upper/​lower eyelid surgery. Excellent consultation led me to not only get upper lids but lower lids for TREMENDOUSLY FANTASTIC RESULTS! So grateful that I was encouraged to do both upper and lower by Dr. Regan. Also, his expertise and WORLD CLASS TECHNIQUE AND SKILLS made this the best money I have spent in last decade! Thanks for taking away 2 decades off my face Dr. Regan and thanks to the great staff at Changes, very professional, exceptional service.

I had a consultation today with Dr. Lee for breast Augmentation. I was so comfortable and happy with his professionalism and bed side manner. His staff was very friendly and accommodating and the facility is beautiful! While I was there I had Dysport and a laser treatment from one of his nurses, Jodi Sawyer who made me feel as if I had known her forever! I was so content here that I didn’t want to go home! I would highly recommend this spa if you are considering any of the treatments they offer. I will definitely be referring all of my friends and family!

I interviewed 4 plastic surgeons before finally settling on Dr. Lee at Changes and while all but one of the places I interviewed were good, Dr. Lee won me over in the evaluation appointment. What won me over was his «vision» for what I could look like after surgery. Not just did he have a vision, but he was able to articulate that vision to me in a way that I was able to see it also. That initial experience gave me a confidence in his work that I did not get from the other plastic surgeons with whom I met.
Leading up to my surgery and the day of surgery were flawless in that I felt well informed about what was going to happen and what to expect after surgery (more on this later). Everyone in the office was super friendly, able to answer my questions, and comforting about my concern over having surgery. Even the day of everyone was friendly and even joked with me as a way to help calm my nerves.
I am immensely happy with the result of the procedure as well. The scars are minimal, there is virtually no lumpiness (a concern of mine before surgery), and it doesn’t look to me or friends who have seen me shirtless like I had surgery at all. I finally feel like the person on the outside that I always believed I was on the inside.
I have only one complaint about Dr. Lee and the staff in the office and that is about the expectation they set for my recovery period. I told Dr. Lee and his assistant that it was my plan to return to work on Monday after my Friday surgery date. No one expressed any concern that that wouldn’t be ok. I was in so much pain, and discomfort, that I wasn’t able to return to work until Thursday after my surgery and then could only stay at work ½ a day because of how bad the pain was. I understand that everyone is different in their experience of pain, but I would like to see them prepare people more for what COULD happen after surgery.
In fairness, I suppose it is possible that some people would not go through with the surgery if they knew how bad the recovery could be, but I rushed my attempt to return to work and didn’t inform my employer that I would possibly have to miss a week of work because I had an unrealistic expectation that wasn’t contradicted by Dr. Lee or his staff. I conveyed this information directly to Dr. Lee and his staff and they were apologetic and understanding at the time.
If I decided to do plastic surgery again, I would absolutely go to Dr. Lee at Changes and I think that the higher price than other plastic surgeons with whom I met is fully justified.

Review is for DR Reagan… he is so wonderful and genuine. He spends a lot of time with you answering questions and you feel like he is listening and cares about your result. He never has overdone anything, always very natural. I get restalyne done with him… I drive an hour and used to see him at past practices too. He is the absolute best!

I have had nothing but great experiences at Changes Plastic Surgery and Spa. I see Jodie Sawyer RN for laser treatments and every time I leave I see results. She does an awesome job proving that there really is an art and a science to this practice.
She is always on time, thorough, professional and shows me what I can do to look and feel beautiful. It’s not an easy job considering most of us are a bit high maintenance.
Jodie is a great addition to this practice. I hope to see her for years to come and I will always be a loyal patient!

After having several appointments with plastic surgeons. I was thrilled to find Dr. Lee he is a master in plastic surgery, definitely an artist and the nicest doctor out there with a great staff. I had a breast lift somewhere else and Dr. Lee revised it. My results are amazing after just 3 weeks. I also recommend Twila, who is amazing!!! Her Lymphatic massage made all the difference with the swelling, I went 3 times per week for two weeks and the swelling was gone. The investment is worth it. Thank you everyone in the office for making my experience so wonderful.

Do not go here for a consultation unless you ABSOLUTELY know you will be getting a SURGERY procedure done. I paid the $ 150-​$ 200 (I can’t remember exactly how much) consultation fee for a procedure, which I was okay with paying because they told me it would be applied to the procedure of my choice.
Well I decided to not go ahead with my rhinoplasty, but had decided to get a laser or chemical peel instead. When I called for prices, the receptionist told me that I could NOT apply my consultation fee towards a laser or chemical peel.
What the heck? So basically I am out $ 150-​$ 200 + my time and I have absolutely NOTHING to show for it.
Oh and by the way. The laser procedure (ActiveFX) is a $ 2,000 procedure. You would think they would apply my consultation fee to that as it is almost as much as a tummy tuck!
The actual facility is very nice and Dr. Lee and his staff do seem highly skilled and are professional. I just wouldn’t go unless you know for a fact you will be getting your procedure done there.

I don’t know if I can express the level of disappointment I feel about the procedure I had done and revised at Changes. I took advantage of one of the monthly offers and it was for a mini-​lipo session that ran around $ 1600. The consult was shocking because I saw the PA and not Dr Lee. I figured that Dr Lee and Changes had such a great reputation and standing in the San Diego medical community that it would probably be perfect. No complications during procedure but the first two weeks post-​op were much more difficult than discussed. The final result over six months later was awful. There was TOO much fat sucked out and there were huge dips and pockets in the areas on both sides of my hips.
After completing a survey that was emailed to me and giving my honest opinion I was then offered a revision surgery of fat grafting where they would move some fat from a different area and gently fan it in to fill in the gaps and even it out. I agreed because I literally felt ten time worse and far less attractive than I did before I even walked into that place! Dr Lee was at the consult and agreed with the correction (along with other things apparently), marking my legs and viewing pictures. Once again at the procedure it was just the PA, who divulged that her previous experience was in cardiology at a children’s hospital! The correction was a little longer than expected and again you have to wait for bruising and swelling to go down.
When it all went down the biggest dip on my left outer thigh filled in a little but was like a welt in the center, and still is. The distortion of the left leg is so bothersome to me I am ashamed to be naked in front of my husband. It’s awful. I used to feel like my butt and thighs were big but I likes the shape, now my butt is square and if I am not standing straight up, like leaning forward, kneeling down, anything besides straight up my outer thigh and side butt is obviously distorted, misshapen and has had obvious work… gone bad.
It sucks to feel this self conscious about it. It sucks to have wasted $ 1800 total to look jacked up. It sucks to have FINALLY done something for myself after caring for my daughter with cancer for so long to only make me feel worse.
Think twice before you go.

Love this place! I think the world of Dr. Lee. He is not only an amazing surgeon but also a devoted doctor. His bedside manner makes you feel at ease. I had a previous procedure done elsewhere and had Dr. Lee revise it for me, and I’m ecstatic with the results!!! I have recommended him to several of my friends and family who have also loved their results as much as I loved mine.

I had two Fraxel laser skin treatments at Changes. Unfortunately, I did not get the results I expected as I now have hyper-​pigmentation, hypo-​pigmentation and other skin issues I did not have before getting the treatments.
**Edit: 1/24/2016…It has been 3 years since my treatments at Changes. The more time passes, the worse my skin looks. The hyper-​pigmentation is darker (even avoiding the sun like the plague and using 55 SPF religiously), there is more hypo-​pigmentation (light spots), pores are enlarged, and now there are broken capillaries appearing. Before treatment, I was assured that my skin would improve «exponentially in the months following treatment» (REAL QUOTE). I really urge you to research Fraxel treatments if you’re considering them, the horror stories are all over the internet. SIDE NOTE: They agreed to refund me for treatments not performed, but I was asked to «consider removing my Unilocal review or make it less inflammatory, because reviews like that really hurt them for years to come» (ANOTHER REAL QUOTE). I did revise my original review, but I explained that the damage to my skin will also hurt ME for years to come and I felt people interested in laser procedures should be aware of the risks. At that point, it seemed to me their concern was business, not patients.

Dr. Lee is incredible. He’s a compassionate sensible man, and a great plastic surgeon. He did my mothers face lift and she looks like she feels. I love Dr. Lee, he’s a great man, and a great doctor. Mel the office manager is amazing too and she will tell you whats up. There’s no games played here. They won’t work on you, if you don’t work on your own self too. This place is 5 stars. XOXOXO

I have had 2 procedures done by Dr. Lee and have been extremely happy!!! Not only did he do an amazing job but he was so caring and attentive that he put my mind at ease. His staff was professional and efficient also a very big plus for me. The service went well beyond my expectations. Dr. Lee is a true artist!!!

I had a breast reduction done by Dr Lee 3 months ago & I am very pleased with the results. Every time I have gone in for an appointment, the staff always treats me with courtesy & are very friendly & professional. Dr Lee is very caring & more than just a surgeon, he is truly an artist. I am absolutely amazed at how he was able to redesign my body & remove up to 4 pounds from my chest & underarm area. Having this surgery has gotten rid of my back pain, made it easier for me to sleep & move. I would recommend Dr Lee to anyone interested in this type of surgery. He is the best.

After seeing the two unhappy people that have left a review, count me in as a 5-​Star rating for Dr. Lee. My eye surgery was to correct the bags (lifelong) under my eyes from a «negative vector condition.»
Visited the two other plastic surgeons that won surgeon of the year honors in San Diego this past year (Dr. Lee was on this very short list also) and boy did I make the right decision.
Dr. Lee has been great and the results are looking super. I put the surgery on my American Express (one of the Doctors visited did not take AMEX — obvious cheap skate for the slightly higher merchant account rate) in two parts.
Besides addressing the negative vector directly, the 3-​D facial modeling upon my initial visit blew me away. This professional approach absolutely made Dr. Lee a clear cut above the other doctors I visited.
100% no-​holds barred referral for Dr. Lee!

I truely find Dr. Lee to be caring, informative, and helpful. I came to him in the hopes of improving some very bad surgery results, and he was very honest with me about realistic results. He was hopeful for some improvement. I am happy I went to Dr. Lee, and though I am not perfect I feel and look than before. I am confident that Dr. Lee is a very good, skilled, and caring surgeon.

Hi DP.
Sorry to hear about your problem at Changes. I had a procedure done that I was not happy with. I went back to have fixed and he took no responsibility. I get the feeling from this place that they don’t care about repeat clients or referrals. They just want some quick cash. I will not be giving him any more business. If this place would just treat patients properly, they probably would be making a lot more $. Not very smart on their part.

I was interested in geting Sculptra so I attended a seminar at the Changes Plastic Surgery office. After listening to the Sculptra rep, I spoke with Stephanie, one of the RNs in the office. There was a discount for buying multiple bottles of Sculptra and an added discount if it was injected by one of the RNs as opposed to Dr. Lee. I’ve had Botox and Juvederm injected by an RN before at another office, so I was completely okay with not having the doctor do it. Stephanie sounded very knowledgable and answered all of my questions in great detail, so I made an appointment.
I was most concerned with the loss of volume in my temple area. I’d had Juvederm injected into these areas before (by a doctor) but because the skin is so thin there, it came out somewhat lumpy. After researching Sculptra, I thought it would be a better choice.
At my appontiment, Stephanie did a great job of doing several nerve block before the actual injections, so I felt very little discomfort. I was expecting the usual bruising that I’ve experienced in the past with filler injections, but Stephanie was able to inject without causing ANY bruising!
If I have any complaints, it’s only that the Sculptra didn’t fill in as much as I would have liked. I had to buy 2 additional bottles. Stephanie tried to make each bottle go as far as it could because there was also hollowness in my cheeks and I agreed with injecting there, too… so if I do it again, I’d probably focus on just one area to get the result faster, because Sculptra is not inexpensive. But in my opinion, for the temple area it is the best because the filling out is subtle and pretty even.
I was very happy with my experience and would return to Stephanie and the Changes office again.

I’m a big fan of fillers and I’ve been looking for a place that I can do so regularly. I’ve seen Dr. Lee and Changes in San Diego based magazines and thought I’d check it out. I had a conversation with both Melanie and the receptionist about fillers and they were very upfront and no gimmicks. The staff was very friendly and I’m very satisfied with the results.

I would give more stars if I could!!!
I’ve had the most amazing experience with Dr. Lee and his staff.
I’ve known for years that I would get a breast augmentation one day and about five months ago I got up the courage to start searching for a plastic surgeon. I spent weeks searching online for someone who had great «before and after» pictures, amazing testimonials/​reviews, and someone with a great reputation. I asked friends, friends of friends, and anyone I could talk to about plastic surgery for recommendations. I kept coming back to Dr. Lee. His «before and after» pictures were great, as were his education and accomplishments in his field. I refused to book a consultation with anyone else, much to my mother’s horror, and had put all of my eggs in the Dr. Lee basket. The second I met him I knew he was the perfect surgeon for me. He is so personable, professional, and patient… I could go on and on. At the end of the consultation, I booked my surgery (with my mom’s support… she was there with me and loved him too!). Surgery was easy, recovery was so fast and I didn’t have a single (not ONE) bruise. Now, 10 weeks later, my breasts feel so real, look great, and I have a result that I couldn’t have even dreamed of!
Follow ups with Dr. Lee and everyone at Changes have been great too… everyone has a smile on their face and an answer to any of my questions! I am SO happy that I did not wait any longer to get my breast augmentation– I can wear all of the clothes that I couldn’t before, and I don’t have to struggle every morning to find a bra that makes my breasts look a certain way because now they are perfect on their own. I am even happier, though, that I found Dr. Lee, because he gave me such a great, seamless experience with a perfect result. I have the breasts now that I should have been born with and extra confidence because of them.
PS… people talk about this consultation fee… you’re about to go in for a consultation for a LIFE CHANGING, several THOUSAND dollar surgery… $ 120 shouldn’t be swaying your opinion on what surgeon to go to when you’re about to spend 5 – 10 grand! think about it :)

I went to Changes Plastic Surgery to have breast implants removed. Dr. Lee is a good doctor, but I had problems with their CASH CASH CASH mentality. I spent an hour being consulted by Melanie on why it is better to pay cash and then submit the claim to insurance; she assured me I would come out ahead financially by doing this. For four months after surgery they neglected to even file my claim, which I discovered by calling my insurer to check status. Dr. Lee’s office filed the claim after I called back, but didn’t provide the information that showed that the procedure was medically necessary, so at month 5 my claim was rejected by the insurer. At that point I called Dr. Lee again and was assured that he would correct this by providing supplementary information. It’s now 6 months later and I learned from the insurer that no further information was provided. I called the doctor’s office back today and they now tell me that all necessary information was originally provided, despite the fact that the insurer doesn’t have it on file. If you do have surgery here, make sure to check with your insurer before you believe ANYTHING Melanie tells you about being reimbursed, she paints a very pretty picture.