As someone who has lost over 220 pounds, I was extremely nervous about undergoing any cosmetic procedure. My weight-loss journey was never about finding a quick fix--it was about creating a healthier life and feeling comfortable in my own skin. If I chose surgery, I wanted results that looked natural. After meeting with Dr. Patel, I felt confident in my decision. We discussed my concerns about loose skin and the changes to my breasts following significant weight loss, and from the very beginning, the goal was a natural result. Dr. Patel is incredibly thorough, knowledgeable, and highly respected in his field. He has authored and contributed to numerous scholarly publications on breast lifts and augmentations, and his expertise is evident in every conversation and recommendation. If you're looking for a warm-and-fuzzy bedside manner, that may not be what you're paying for. What you are paying for is an exceptionally skilled surgeon who is deeply informed, meticulous, and committed to achieving the best possible outcome. I am now one week post-op and extremely pleased with my results. Everything is healing beautifully, and I am grateful for the care I have received. Ladies, do your research and perform your due diligence. I have always trusted Duke Hospital and its providers to deliver exceptional care, and thus far, they have exceeded my expectations read more

I had a tummy tuck because I lost a lot of weight and had some excess skin. Not a lot, therefore, I had a limited abdominoplasty performed by Dr. Erdmann. Trust me, I'm not one of those people that dreamed of having cosmetic plastic surgery growing up, so I worked out like a crazy person trying to get rid of it - but I couldn't tighten up that sagging 2 inches of skin that was hanging over my waistline. After my surgery, 2 years ago now, I was not given drains. I was told (post-op) that that was because I was "dry". To this day, I'm not sure what that means. Following the initial surgery, I had to go back 3Xs within 2 weeks because my body was starting to accumulate fluid in my abdomen area. The nurses drained the fluid as I lay on a table by pressing on my stomach forcing the fluid from a small opening they had to re-cut and re-open to drain. After my 3rd visit, I requested to have drains put in. The drains were removed about two weeks later and I thought everything was fine. It wasn't. I noticed fluid start to accumulate again, but not as much as before. Over time, the fluid hardened and I developed scar tissue. I raised my concerns and I was made to feel like "it'll be fine, just give it some time". I felt like Dr. Erdmann was tired of seeing/hearing me. Well over time, the fluid hardened and I (as a natural born cis male), appeared to be 3-4 months pregnant. The Aesthetic center was contacted and I was seen and had a scar removal surgery at Duke. I requested up-front that the drain be put in no matter how "dry" things may look. I drained for 2 weeks and the drains were removed. Again, I began to develop fluid but this time, it was jelly like. I thought "I'll give it time". I'm pregnant again. I'm going to have to have another surgery (not by Dr. Erdmann) b/c at this point, I am officially botched. I regret having the surgery and had I known this, I would have just lived with the 2 inches of saggy skin. I've been on this journey for almost 2 years now... Things to note: 1. Don't go to Duke Aesthetic Center 2. Don't go to Dr. Erdmann 3. You should plan to have a scar revision surgery whether you have to have it or not, so that any scar tissue can be removed. Most surgeons like to correct the line where they cut you the first time now that your body has had time to adjust and heal. 4. Get your massages after surgery. I was NEVER told about these but these help with the fluid accumulation and cause the fluid to not to harden. I've been told from another surgeon that they are not the most pleasant massages you'll ever have, but you'll want to make sure you have them. Again, I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT THIS at the Aesthetic center. The only time I ever met with the Esthetician was to be sold the silagen scar strips. 5. Dr. Erdmann has NO bedside manner. I'm not saying he's rude, it just "feels" like he doesn't care. 6. The nursing staff is great, however, they're not the ones performing the surgery. 7. Do your research! read more

My experience here was so bad that 20 years later I still remember it as if it happened yesterday. I went there for electrolysis to remove a unibrow. My hair was so thick the aesthetician placed a single hair on a piece of gauze and told me she'd be right back. She went to the aesthetician next door, asked her to come out and together they stood outside my door laughing and gawking at how thick the hair was. I was so humiliated I sat in the exam room holding my head debating whether I should leave. I was determined to have the unibrow removed so I stayed. But when she came back to the room she removed hair around my brows permanently making them super thin and left the unibrow. She insisted I go elsewhere for hair removal. It was horrible. I hope she reads this to know how inappropriate and offensive her behavior was. I tried to complain but the office manager blamed me saying I was a "bad" patient. In a second visit, I met with a plastic surgeon to have a cyst removed, but the office manager and security insisted on being in the exam room when the doctor examined me. At that, I left and never returned. Horrible, horrible experience all around... read more

Please stay away from Dr. Erdman! He performed an armlift for me that left me unable to use my right arm and hand. He actually damaged nerves and I was required to have another surgery from a hand specialist. I had to pay for the additional surgery out of my pocket. He took no responsibility for his mistake and was rude and unapologetic. My scars look horrible and I still have nerve damage and unable to use my right arm fully. His response was... you sign a waiver that relieves me from all mistakes I make. No compassion! Dr. Pyle and Carlina in Raleigh have better work aesthetically. read more

I received one Kybella treatment on July 25th, 2016, at Duke Aesthetic Center by Dr. Julie Woodward. Both the recommendation of this compound to me and in its injection delivery were negligent. Dr. Woodward struck my mandibular nerve, causing months of facial paralysis and asymmetry, difficulty in speaking and swallowing, pain, numbness, hoarseness and other symptoms. I had only been warned of the possibility of some swelling and discomfort, not of the possibility of facial paralysis and an actual worsening of the condition I had sought to ameliorate. The two minutes' verbal information I was given about this compound and the risks were grossly inadequate and thus my consent to the procedure was inadequately informed. Still worse than the results of this (after months the nerve damage is now finally nearly healed) is the manner in which the situation was handled. My appointment with Dr. Julie Woodward was to discuss options for tightening of skin under the chin area. After a lengthy wait, she waltzed in, shooting the breeze with a couple of nurses, gave my submental area a cursory look and declared she thought a little dose of Kybella would be just the thing to tighten up that area. She said she could do it on the spot and, unfortunately, I agreed to it. As warned, the area swelled greatly and was painful for a few days. The following week, however, I began to experience a series of unexpected adverse events. On and around the injection area, including my neck and lower jaw, I first experienced complete numbness that was later alternately accompanied by tingling, burning and pain. I had difficulty swallowing and it was painful to do so. There was a general sense of constriction to my throat and pain often radiated all the way to the base of my skull. My neck was so stiff that I had difficulty turning my head and could not do as I had before. In the week following the procedure, on August 4th, I was alarmed to be met with a reflection in the mirror of radical facial distortion. Parts of my jaw were paralyzed. I had lost the ability to smile and to fully control my mouth. The lower half of my face appeared to have fallen and my attempts to smile resulted in a lopsided, surrealistic grimace. My lips were thinned out and downturned and my ability to speak was compromised. I appeared to have been the victim of a stroke. I began to experience symptoms that were identical to my past episodes of hypothyroidism: hoarseness and a cracking voice, chills, severe fatigue, sore throat and an overall sense of malaise. Believing that I needed an adjustment in my Synthroid, I saw my endocrinologist. After physical exam and a blood test, she said that my medication did not need adjustment and it did not appear that thyroid issues were the cause of my symptoms this time. Many of my symptoms are now less severe and seem to be resolving. At this point, I have some throat pain on the right side and numbness, with some tingling and burning, under my chin. There is a pathway of erratic pain and twitching from the top right side of my neck to just under the right side of my chin. There is still some minor muscle weakness of the right side of my face. The skin under my chin and around my mouth is crepey and thin. My lower lip is still uneven and lopsidedly thin. Dr. Woodward's breezy assurances that all paralysis and negative consequences of the Kybella injection would resolve within four months were false and delivered only for the purpose of obviating responsibility and legal repercussions. Her negligence was gross in magnitude and its results are still evident. read more

I have seen Dr. Erdmann at DAC for 2 surgeries. Both times, he and staff were nice, helpful, patient. Answered questions and took time with me, to be sure I was comfortable. On top of all that, I could not be happier with the results. Dr. Erdmann is top notch. My arm lift was symmetrical and scars nearly hidden. My lip, after having a cyst removed, looks like I never had either the surgery or the cyst. Terri, his scheduler and assistant was great to work with also! read more