Reviews of Samuel Lin MD FACS (Plastic Surgery)

Team Alta

Thank you Dr. Lin!

L Koplik

Dr. Lin is an incredibly conscientious, kind, attentive doctor. He listened to all of my concerns and never made me feel like any question was something silly. He was happy to provide me with multiple projection photos of my nose and met with me multiple times to ensure that I had the best possible result. On the day of the surgery, he helped me remain calm and eased my fears, and the surgery went perfectly and ended up being exactly what I wanted. He was able to clearly explain all possible consequences and things to expect during and after surgery, and the surgery healed almost 100% completely after a week. I had very little bruising and never needed to take any strong pain medicine because he did such a good job. He made sure to be up front with me about the amount of time it would take for all of the swelling to go down and was also up front regarding cost. I am absolutely thrilled with his work and would highly recommend him to anybody.

cal r

Skip Dr. Lin, find a different surgeon. My PCP referred me to him for a breast reduction surgery. He damaged my breasts, they looked like half breasts with hard lumps in some areas and indentation and some other areas. Every time he game me f/u appointments he looked at me and my breasts and said" they will be fine, it takes times." A year later I had to consult a different plastic surgeon and had to have revision surgery. Thank God that insurance covered it again. The surgeon who did the revision did an awesome job, but there was so much damage that I still have a quarter size indentation on my outer breasts. Do your research!

Jillb thorpe

Dr. Lin literally changed my life! Two years after fighting breast cancer: double mastectomy, chemo and radiation (I had the works!), I developed an infection in my left breast, where I had an implant. It felt so unfair, I had already been through enough. For 6 months I had one breast. And where my left breast was did not look like it could ever look right again! I was devastated and felt completely broken. I could not have the implant replaced because of the high risk of another infection. I visited my original plastic surgeon at Mass General and her recommendation was to have a TRAM flap surgery. I ski, golf and am very active. I researched TRAM flap surgery and spoke to a woman that had one. TRAM flap surgery could have meant an increased risk of a hernia and loss of abdominal muscle. The woman I spoke to had developed a hernia and had surgery for it. She described the hernia surgery and recovery as more painful than the mastectomy and child birth! I was so scared to go forward with the TRAM flap surgery. I went for a second opinion at another prominent Boston hospital. I waited weeks for a “screening” appointment, I didn’t get to meet the doctor only his nurse. The manner in which she took the photos of me and measurements of my breasts left me feeling so embarrassed and degraded. She told me that my nipples would NOT be able to be sparred but that I could have tattoos in 9 – 12 months. She continued to say that it would be multiple surgeries and over a year until I was done. I left the appointment feeling completely hopeless. There was not an ounce of empathy or compassion. BTW - Dr. Lin was able to do the nipple sparring, so I still look like me! Just by luck, I met a colleague of Dr. Lin. He told me that I didn’t have to my abdominal muscles cut (which would be life changing not to mention a major challenge as I got older) and my nipples may be able to be sparred. He said, "go see Dr. Lin, he’s the best.” He wasn’t lying! I called Dr. Lin’s office and explained my situation. I got an appointment for the very next week. I was treated so kindly and compassionately at Dr. Lin’s office. When I met Dr. Lin, his demeanor and “bedside manor” was phenomenal. It was the first time in 6 months that I felt like everything was going to be okay! Dr. Lin performed a DIEP flap surgery on me. My stomach wasn’t this flat when I was 17 years old! I am so happy with the outcome. The recovery went great. I had a couple of optional touch up day surgeries months later that also went wonderfully! My new "normal" is beyond my expectations! What makes me sad and frustrated is that the surgeon at Mass General was never even going to tell me about my other options i.e. DIEP flap. She was going to do the TRAM flap, put me at risk of a hernia and my stomach muscles would be destroyed for the rest of my life. When I called her about the DIEP flap option, she told me that she didn’t mention it because she doesn’t do them. That doesn’t seem right to me. I do not know how I could ever possibly show my gratitude to Dr. Lin and everyone at his office! They made me whole again, physically and emotionally! Dr. Lin and his staff made me feel like I was their only patient! He really is the best!

J Lib

Dr. Lin and his entire staff and surgical team were amazing from day 1. Since high school I was self-conscious about the size of my nose. Surgery crossed my mind a lot, but for so long I put it off because of ‘what others would say’ or ‘not having the time.’ Fast forward 20 years and I eventually became so unhappy with how I looked that I was untagging photos of me on social media because I hated how giant my nose looked, especially when I smiled - and that was a really awful feeling, because I love smiling!!! I began seriously researching rhinoplasty and knew I was 100% ready because I no longer cared ‘what others would think’ and while no time is a ‘good’ time, I made it a good time, and canceled upcoming events to allow time for healing. I was so ready, and so excited. So now it was time to find and pick a surgeon. I read hours upon hours of websites and reviews, and scheduled a consult with Dr. Lin because I liked his results and what his previous patients had said-much of it resonated with me. At my first consult with Dr. Lin we discussed me getting rhinoplasty, septoplasty, and turbinoplasty...and I also had 100 questions written down, but he patiently answered all of them. While I did want breathing issues cleared up, my main focus was getting a more feminine, defined nose. He was so confident and supportive. I remember walking out of there thinking ‘this guy sounds completely positive he can do what I want no problem,’ so I called back and booked a surgery! (His office took care of checking with my insurance and sending me quotes). Meanwhile I still did extensive research on the procedure to prepare myself - so I’d know what to expect. I watched dozens of YouTube videos of recovery blogs (incredibly helpful FYI, so there were zero surprises!), and I also figured out specifically what I would want for the cosmetic portion-which of course gave me 50 more questions for Dr Lin. But his office scheduled another appt (this was free) for me to go over the new specifics and questions I had. I spoke and/or met with Dr Lin a couple more times prior to surgery to make sure all my questions were answered and we were on the same page in terms of what I wanted, and how we’d accomplish that. He never rushed me and always wanted to make sure I was happy and comfortable with details of the procedure. You can tell he truly cares about improving the lives of his patients. Even on the day of surgery when he came to see me pre-op, I showed him photos on my phone of certain characteristics I wanted my nose to have, and he was supportive, comforting, and realistic about my expectations and requests. The team at BI Needham was AMAZING-everyone there is like a walking hug. They are just so kind. Dr. Lin was meticulous in his work, and gave me the nose I always wanted AND I can breathe entirely through my nose for the first time ever (breathing was his main concern). I feel like I have the nose I was meant to have, if that makes sense. It still looks like me, but perfectly fits my face. I love it!! I never felt confused, scared, or alone during any of the process - I’ve only felt grateful that I clearly found the surgeon for me. My only regret is I did not find him sooner!

Meg A25

I am 24 years old and three months post open rhinoplasty with Dr. Lin. I had an excellent experience. Dr. Lin was the third and final consult that I had for open rhinoplasty. I was willing to continue paying for consult fees and attending additional appointments until I was 100% sure I had found the right surgeon. I was sure after my initial consult with Dr. Lin that I had found the right surgeon to perform this procedure for me. He also made sure to meet with me several times after the initial consult to answer questions I had before my surgery date. I came in with both functional and cosmetic concerns. I had narrow nasal passages, a slightly deviated septum, and oversized turbinates which made breathing somewhat difficult. I had a small bump on the left side of my nose. I also had an over projected tip that drooped especially when I was smiling. I had been told that the combination of droopiness and overprojection in the tip was a particularly difficult fix. Dr. Lin was able to address all of my functional and cosmetic issues. He gave me a better version of my own nose that fit my face perfectly. Dr. Lin was one of the few surgeons I was able to find with two verifiable board certifications. A lot of surgeons claim to have two board certifications but only have one when you go to verify the certifications. I was impressed by Dr. Lin's ability to make a beautiful, functional nose. He has the perfect combination of artistic and technical skill and really knows how to make the nose fit with the rest of your face while making sure it works well too. Stacy at the front desk also helped me immensely with insurance issues and nerves related to surgery. I would 100% recommend Dr. Lin for this procedure to anyone who asks. His bedside manner is amazing. He has met with me several times since surgery to make sure I am healing well. I am continuing to notice small changes in my nasal tip as residual swelling goes down and I am very happy with my results.

Rumz123 M

For the longest time, the thought of getting my nose fixed was on the list but I have always had this fear of getting surgery. I had a deviated septum and a fracture from breaking my nose at a young age. It was very difficult to breathe and sleep. I also had severe colds and it would take forever to recover. I finally decided to take initiative and was referred to Dr.Lin. Dr.Lin and his staff made sure to make me feel comfortable throughout the entire process. The surgery itself felt as if it went by super quick and the recovery to heal was not as bad as I expected. The end results came out to be great especially because I was able to breathe. The internal and external part of my nose looks great! Although it takes some time to fully heal, I can already see how great the results look!

c gradil

Imagine you were raised on the shores of the Indian Ocean. Hibiscus and acacia trees lined the streets. You could see the beauty, yet it could not be fully appreciated. You had a 70 % deficit on your ability to take all the scents in. Then you learned that was a procedure in a distant land that could correct all of that. So I gave it a try. You know that there are decisions in one’s life that are dumb. And there are decisions that are life changing. Having undergone septoplasty to correct a deviated septum allowed me to inhale and breathe to full capacity. Indeed, it has been an exhilarating experience. I can now go back and fully appreciate the hibiscus and birds of paradise fragrances. Thank you Dr. Samuel Lin for making that possible!

M Brodney

I had three c-sections in 5 years. I had beautiful (large) children that left my stomach muscles split. Because I wasn’t entirely sure I was done, I waited. Because I wasn’t entirely sure if I lost weight tho ha would change, I waited, because I felt vain and selfish to consider surgery that would keep me from caring for my young children, I waited. I waited and worked so hard to feel and look better. I was in great shape but still looked at least 4 months pregnant—ALL the time. I dressed around it—but never felt truly beautiful. I was always hiding my gut, my stretched out belly and skin that didn’t improve no matter what I tried or did.....do yourself a favor—DON’T wait!!! I finally decided I deserved to feel and look better. And I have not regretted it for one second. I have not felt this stable or tight or looked this good for 15 years! Since before children! I feel better about myself, which is reflected in everything I do—what I wear, how I carry myself, how I look and feel. I have never felt better. Dr. Lin and his team are amazing. Very personable, talented and kind. The only thing I regret, is not doing it sooner!!!!

Jubilant 4089

I Am Grateful for the Excellent Care Provided by Dr. Lin and His Team. I am a 30-year-old male physician who had previously had nasal surgery overseas in May 2014 that led to a large septal perforation. It got healed with time and the initial symptoms of the perforation were gone. One night I was going home from work and fell off my bike and was taken to the ER of the hospital. I was told that I have suffered a head injury and a comminuted nasal fracture. In my follow up visit the resident told me that he would want Dr. Lin to look into my case as it is a large septal perforation and he is the only Surgeon who will be able to guide me further. I started having the same symptoms such as significant difficulty breathing, constant nose bleeds, scabbing and crusting, persistent headaches, paranasal pain, and wheezing through the nose. My options for reconstruction of the perforation were evaluated but given the large size of the defect and prior history of nasal surgery, Dr. Lin performed one of the rarest of surgeries: a free tissue transfer using a temporoparietal fascia free flap to the internal lining of my nose. The surgery proceeded without any complications and my postoperative course was smooth. My follow-up examination at 2 months revealed successful closure of the perforation and complete mucosalization of the flap. Afterwards, I have been able to breathe again! I no longer experiences other symptoms providing significant relief. I am grateful for the excellent care provided by Dr. Lin and his team.

Ucci 76

Mommy Makeover at 52 -Best Thing I Ever Did. After losing weight (around 20 lbs) and working out 4 days a week, I still had very large breasts(36H) and a "pot" belly from having 2 kids. I finally decided in June 2018 to make an appointment with Dr. Lin. It takes a while to get an appointment. I saw him in September 2018. He felt that due to the size of my breasts and my smaller frame (5'2") that I would be approved. He also felt like a TT would help me be happy with the results. I left the appointment excited. Unfortunately, after waiting around 6 weeks, I was denied by my insurance. After talking with my primary care, we decided the best way to get this approved was to get PT for my aching back. I got 6 weeks of PT and informed the therapist why I was there(to prove that I needed a BR). The therapist wrote an excellent conclusion that stated I still had midthorasic tightness. I also got a letter from my primary care that stated I had back pain, suffered from fungus under my breasts and that losing weight had not gotten rid of my unusually large breasts. Dr. Lin's office resubmitted the claim for insurance to cover it and I finally got approved in April 2019. I scheduled the surgery for June 2019. I also went back in to talk to Dr. Lin as it had been over 6 months since I had talked to him. I made sure that I told him that I didn't want too small breasts. I wanted D or small DD. He indicated that he couldn't make a specific size. Instead he would make a size that fit with my hips and torso size. As for the TT, I told him make me flat and get rid of all that belly fat! The day of the surgery came and I wasn't too nervous. I had read up on what I needed at home for supplies and what to expect for pain. I got to the hospital and everyone was so nice. I opted to pay extra and stay overnight the first night. I think it was a good decision as my husband is not a great caregiver when sickness is involved. The pain management was great and really I was never in great pain. I would call it discomfort. Everyone (the nurses, the aides and Dr. Lin) were all shocked by how well I was doing that night and the next morning. I was able to use the walker and get around by myself including going to the bathroom. I was released at 2 PM and went home. My sister stayed with me for two days - 1 night. I didn't need a recliner and I was alone at home by Monday (I had surgery on Wednesday). I was off the Oxy but Saturday morning. I saw Dr. Lin at 1 week post op which I drove myself to. Both Dr. Lin and the assistant were shocked at how well I was doing. I wasn''t straight but close to it. It is now 7 weeks post op and I am totally happy with my results. I am a small 36DD or large D. I started back to crossfit this last week. I am wearing a bikini at the beach for the first time in decades! My pants are inches too big and that is with a binder on! What I have to say is GET IN SHAPE PRIOR TO YOUR SURGERY!!! My legs are super strong and that helped me get up and down without having to use my abs. I had like zero pain associated with my breasts. The tummy tuck is uncomfortable and tight! But so worth it! If you are at all thinking of doing this, do it NOW!! I wish I had done it years ago. I am so happy with the results. Just do it. You will be so happy.

P Ronzatig

I've wanted cosmetic rhinoplasty for as long as I can remember. In March 2018, I finally had surgery. I had researched surgeons in the Boston area and chose Dr. Lin based on the patient reviews I read on this site, and I am so glad I did. Dr. Lin was very thorough in all of my appointments with him, answered all of my questions in depth (no matter how trivial my concern), and explained the procedure to me from start to finish so that I understood every step of the process. His staff was also extremely professional and courteous, and someone always responded promptly to my inquiries. The day of my procedure, Dr. Lin was everything you could want from a surgeon. I also appreciated how he took the time to address the questions and concerns from my mom. In addition, the nursing team was outstanding in their pre- and post-op care. I was extremely well taken care of. As far as the cosmetics of my new nose itself - I couldn't be happier! I had a very prominent bump, and went to Dr. Lin in the hopes of removing the bump from my profile without affecting the head-on view too much. I got exactly that! My new nose is fabulous, and I can't believe I waited until my early 30's to do this. My self-esteem has been greatly impacted in the best way - maybe other people looked at me and didn't mind the bump, but it was all I could see in myself when I looked in the mirror, and affected my life in so many ways, from trying to avoid any kind of unflattering angle in a photograph to always trying to face people head on so they wouldn't see my bump. Now I walk around feeling as beautiful on the outside as I feel on the inside, and I can't recommend Dr. Lin enough to anybody considering plastic surgery!

Katherine D

My experience with Dr. Lin was truly amazing. From the moment I met him I knew that he was the right surgeon for me. He is by far the nicest, most approachable and down to earth surgeon I have ever met. He is kind, caring, humble, takes time to listen to you, and explains everything/addresses concerns. Some surgeons have egos and talk down to their patients, but this is not the case with Dr. Lin. I received great care end to end (from consultation, to srugery, and follwups). He also does wonderful work- I couldn't be happier with the result and would not trust my face to anyone else! I had two surgeries with Dr. Lin- rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty (both due to inury). I highly recommend him.

L Mon

I had and exceptional experience with Dr. Samuel Lin. A large basal cell cancer was removed from the top of my nose which then required reconstructive surgery. Dr. Lin described the 'forehead flap' surgery he felt would be best to restore my nose to it previous shape. His office was wonderful, and scheduled the first surgery 5 days after the cancer was removed. I had a total of 5 surgeries with the only the first requiring an overnight stay in the hospital. This type of surgery requires patience, but is worth the wait. The first surgery is the most difficult, where the skin forms a kind of bridge to the spot being repaired. Surprisingly there was little pain afterwards and the only the odd sensation of feeling my forehead when I touched my nose (because the patch was still connected). The subsequent surgeries refined the 'patch' on my nose, thinning and shaping the skin. It took almost exactly 6 months, but I have my nose back!! Dr. Lin always explained clearly what the next step would be. I also had a great experience with the other surgical staff members (nurses, anesthesiologists, residents). His office staff and nurses were wonderful! - always supportive and encouraging asa well as helpful scheduling surgeries and follow-up appointments. I am extremely pleased with the results of my surgeries.

Wond Wd

My motivation for the eyelid surgery was medical in nature, that is to assista with my peripheral vision. However, it was also cosmetic, as I am in my early to middle 50s, and my eyes clearly demonstrated my age. My motivation for rhinoplasty was to reduce the size of my nose and obtain a better shape, and this procedure was purely cosmetic. Wtih Dr. Lin, there were no cons, only pros involved thorughout the entire process. Dr. Lin was highly professional both in evaluating me as a candidate for these operations in setting expectations, and during postoperative followups. And the ultimate outcome, for both procedures, was outstanding. Thanks to Dr. Lin and his staff, years were taken off appearance, particularly around my eyes, and my nose is smaller and has a much better shape. I'm very pleased and would recommend Dr. Lin to anybody needing plastic surgery w/out reservation.

Humorous 39

Nobody wants to hear that he has a "unique and complex" tumor of the nose. Those words came forth from Dr. Lin during the first minute our first meeting. Although perhaps too blunt to another patient's ears, I greatly appreciated the honesty. This honesty coupled with his compassion, good humor and exceptional skill resulted in a could-not-be-better experience. My diagnosis was a rather large left nasal hemangioma--a big ugly clump of very vascular tissue in my left nostril. In order to excise it, a portion of the left side of my nose needed to also be removed and then reconsructed. The first surgery removed the benign tumor. During that procedure Dr. Lin created a nasalabial flap by removing tissue from my left check, rolled it up and attached it to the left side of my nose. With good blood supply, and no sign of infection, one month later Dr. Lin performed the second surgery where he reduced the flap and created my new left nostril. One month later I was basically healed. It looks great: the tissue color and texture matches perffectly and the scaring is slight to impossible to see. Overall, a fantastic experience with Dr. Lin and his entire team of Surgical Fellows, nurses, PA's and administrative staff.

oberon hotspur

I've had rhinoplasty and septoplasty and inside of my nose has collapsed, reducing ability to breathe and outside was uneven and made me very unhappy. Dr. Lin solved both problems perfectly! I can breathe better than ever (I'm a yoga instructor and marathoner and it matters!) and the shape is so nice. I feel so happy.

Willis 123

Dr. Lin is a remarkable surgeon. I want to thank him for his patience with me and for doing such a wonderful job on my breast reduction surgery. Dr. Lin is very knowledgeable and confident, but most importantly, he is very caring and compassionate. I would recommend anyone to Dr. Lin.

Gail

MY SURGICAL JOURNEY WITH A SEPTOPLASTY I believe that I am the ideal patient to write about my surgical experience for several reasons. My medical history is complex and takes a considerable amount of time to fathom and convey to all who would be involved in my care. I consider myself to be very fortunate to have received a recommendation to see Dr. Lin. An appointment for an initial consultation may take as long as 3 months, but you can ask to be placed on the cancellation list. His administrative assistant is always accessible, eager to help and well-organized. She's a pleasure to work with. I never felt I was a bother when I would call looking for a cancellation slot. A cancellation did came through and I was seen within 7 weeks. Do be prepared to wait beyond your scheduled appointment time. My appointment with Dr. Lin and his team was never rushed. The time spent was all about me and my problems. My examination was painless. I had a plethora of questions for Dr. Lin and he patiently answered every one of them. He reviewed his findings and discussed my options. Surgery was the one I chose. I had major concerns about having surgery due to my other medical conditions which would make my recovery much slower than most patients. It is typically a day surgery, but would not be for me. Dr. Lin listened attentively and clearly understood what was going to be needed to provide me with a smooth post-operative course. Poor communication between the staff would become confusing, frustrating and frankly, a nightmare for all. It was crucial that Dr. Lin made sure that everybody was on the same page. I must have repeated myself 10 times and he listened as though each time was his first. Pain management was also worrisome. Despite being thin, my body requires more medication to achieve pain relief. With past surgeries I was faced with a power struggle and I needlessly suffered. I wanted to be reassured that this would not happen again and that I would be listened to and not ignored. Dr. Lin told me he heard me loud and clear and assured me that it would be a synchronized post-operative plan of care. While in the pre-operative area Dr. Lin once again reviewed my problem, what he would be doing during the procedure,and that there was a possibility it could return. He also emphasized that my surgery was an elective choice made by me. He asked if I still wanted to proceed, that I could change my mind at that very moment and leave. I was so anxious at this point that I asked him to repeat what he said because I thought I misunderstood him. Despite the time and expense to prepare me up to 10 minutes before the surgery, there would be no penalty if I changed my mind and if I chose to walk out. I would not be chastised or face any negative consequences. I had never been offered the front door at the last minute and I know I'd be afraid to say something for the fear that the doctor I said it to would not want to keep me as a patient in their practice. This was tremendously calming and reassuring. I was included in the decision making process up to the very last minute.. I chose to proceed without reservation or hesitation and felt safe. My post-operative course was as predicted, and to MY surprise it all went smoothly! Oh, and the horror stories one hears about the infamous nasal splints are just that, stories. They didn't bother me one bit. I grew rather fond of them! Their removal was so easy and quick. My surgery was a huge success. I can breathe well, smell the flowers and taste my favorite foods again. Dr. Lin is a gifted surgeon. He is kind, friendly, gentle, caring and an excellent listener. Such a gentleman with a great sense of humor! He treated me as an individual who had very specific needs and to me, this makes him stand alone. I highly recommend Dr. Lin and Lin Plastic Surgery without reservation. Lastly, I made a new friend to boot!

Teresa U

Dr Samuel Lin did reconstructive surgery removed 25 year old implants that were ruptured (both implants) Dr. Lin removed and cleaned and replaced with updated implants in a 3 hour surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Boston. I was in some discomfort medium (5) pain I took a pain killer that evening before bed and took one in the morning. After that I took tylenol followed the direction of the nurse in charge for aftercare and my recovery was tolerable. Thank you Dr. Samuel Lin. I highly recommend you to all interested in hiring you. Best decision I made was hiring Dr. Lin. Very Successful and professional doctor in my eyes. Thank you all. Special thanks to Secretary Vanessa!