Donald Altman, MD

This man is MAGICAL. He has a great personality and is just so kind. He explains everything perfectly, withholds no information and is just amazing at what he does. I recommend him over about 6 other spas and doctors in the OC area. You are a person, not a dollar sign and he is so very meticulous about his work. Staff is very friendly, as well! Please don’t retire — I feel like I just struck gold by finding you :)

If you’re thinking about getting breast augmentation surgery, I highly recommend setting up a consultation with Dr. Altman, even if it’s just to compare to other doctors. Unlike a lot of other doctors that I visited, he doesn’t insist you rush into surgery and really talks with you to get a feel for what would work best with your lifestyle/​goals/​body.
Although I didn’t end up going with him, it wasn’t because I didn’t want to (we talked via e-​mail and FaceTime back and forth after my consultation for several weeks) it was more for logistical reasons (I live in LA, he’s in OC and I wanted to get my surgery done sooner). BUT that being said, his expert advice really gave me an advantage in helping me figure out what I wanted so that when I saw other doctors I knew what I wanted to ask them and could evaluate their answers in a more informed way. Some of them are really more like salesmen than doctors (especially in beverly hills) but not Dr. Altman. In fact he even told me to hold off on surgery for a few months because he knew I was traveling oversees and wanted to make sure I didn’t rush into anything that might harm me or ruin my trip– NONE of the other doctors insisted (or even suggested!) that.
I really think that anyone who goes with Dr. Altman is in good hands. My cousin got her breast aug and lift from him several years back and her results look amazing, which is why I set up an appointment with him in the first place.
He’s an extremely caring and experienced doctor (been in the business for over 20 years!) and won’t suggest or encourage anything that doesn’t directly align with your own health and aesthetic interests.
Definitely, DEFINITELY recommend.

Dr Altman and his staff are kind people who will take care of you above and beyond what most physicians even consider. I found him to be very honest and sincere. It’s clear he wants each patient to have a good outcome and be happy with their results — not for his benefit — but always putting the patient first. I highly recommend him.

I had a consultation with him and had a wonderful experience. He is very personable and made me feel comfortable. He’s so caring and took his time answering all of my questions and concerns.

Had the pleasure of using the services that Dr. Altman provides. He is one of the kindest, most caring people I know. As a doctor he holds himself with the upmost highest integrity. He respects his patients and his staff. His work is flawless, he has an exceptional eye for the aesthetic and will not rest until the customer is satisfied. Thank you Dr. Altman, for always treating me with respect and dignity and for the fabulous results. Many blessings to you in the New Year!!!

This Doctor is AMAZING! Most caring caring caring caring and most of all sincere and genuine doctor. I have been looking to get my breast done and found this doctor. I loved him because he truly cares for his patients. You can tell this at time of consult. he treats you like family not as a number or a money sign. He is lovely and down to earth.
I will not have my breast augmentation with him only because he said I couldn’t go bigger than 350cc (SADLY for me) he said it will cause me problems if i went bigger after a few years. He is very honest and said he wouldn’t do surgery on me if i went bigger than what he advised, he said it is for my own good that i stay within those limits. I literally begged and begged but he said «sorry but no» that others doctors will gladly give me any size breast implants but that he would not endanger my breast with big implants.
I can’t say how caring this man is he gets on the phone with you not his assistant, I spoke to him on the phone a few times. it almost felt like he was my dad saying no, no, no, no, to all of my surgery requests. Sucks bcus i really wanted big-​O-​boobs !! …but All i know that he is not about the money and you can tell he is a different type of doctor from the first second you talk/​meet with him. He puts your health and well being before anything else! The consult doesn’t feel like a stuck up doctor to patient type consult. it feels like a person to person I’m not better than you type consult… left there kind of sad but happy to have met such a great person and doctor!
Also… «PERSONALLY» walked me all over the surgery center, showed me step by step the surgery process, and at the end of consult he even said i could take home with me some 500−600cc so i could get a feel of what id be getting myself into if i ever went as big as i wished to be.
This doctor is truly a great human being! He’s name is Dr. Altman
but for some reason i could never remember and called him Dr. Almond every single time we spoke!
Ugh! how embarrassing!!!

First, I would like to say to Dr. Altman, YOU COULD NOT POSSIBLY RETIRE any time soon!
Just look at all of the reviews he receives on the daily! Both online and in person!
I first met Dr. Altman while I was working in the same building where his office and surgery center is located. He always had a pleasant smile and always took the time to say hi and how are you even before I became a patient. That is not something you would expect to hear from a very busy doctor, especially a plastic surgeon. I had a previous mini tummy tuck with him a few years ago and the experience from consultation to post op visits were always A+++ ¹⁰⁄₁₀ !!! He had to insert a drain and since I was supposed to return the next day to his office for him to remove that drain, he instead came to my house with his nurse and removed it there! WHO DOES THAT???
Dr. Altman has the greatest sense of humor and does not bore you one bit with all the medical lingo, but still keeps it at a professional level. And I think that sense of humor pays off when you might be nervous. You can say a lot about a doctor whose staff has been with him for many, many years! He treats them all so well and I have overheard him even joking around with them. Even my boyfriend who is in the medical industry and meets with tons of doctors has said that Dr. Altman outshines and stands out with his personality and the way he treats each of his patients with such care. My boyfriend trusts Dr. Altman more than my previous PS and that says a lot!
So now, 2015 I returned to Dr. Altman for a remove and replace of my saline implants to silicone implants. He answered emails before my consultation and in between then and my surgery date. Again, he took the time to consult with me and listen to what my desire is. Even with him being conservative, I believe he is like that for a very good reason which is he puts his patient’s health and any risks first. You just have to trust in him and what he recommends and you will not be disappointed. One of the most important things you should look for when consulting with doctors is, making sure that the doctor is really listening and paying attention to you. I have never felt rushed at any of my appointments with Dr. Altman.

After multiple consultations for breast augmentation all over Orange County and even one in LA, this one hit me like a big yellow school bus! I was pretty picky in my selection process and also on a budget. I was only going to choose someone that I trusted with my life, that would give me a natural outcome, and didn’t look at look at me like a dollar sign.
I found Dr. Altman through Unilocal and read so many great reviews, I thought «Why not?». I scheduled a complimentary consultation with him and was very pleased with his humbleness, surgical expertise, visual references, and step by step patient care which exceeded the extent of care that any other surgeon had expressed. I have a small figure and his assessment of me was the most realistic in accordance with my fame. I was introduced to all of the staff and given a tour of the surgical room. I left with a clear conscience of my surgical options and exactly how I would be treated; comfortably.
After the consult, I kept my options open and proceeded with additional consultations elsewhere but the bar had been set by Dr. Altman and it I had soon come to realize that nobody could surpass it.
I decided on silicone implants and booked my surgery in August 2015. I was given more pre surgery and post surgery guidance and support than I could ask for! In the weeks preceding surgery, if I ever had question or concern, he was quick to reply via email! The staff is the sweetest and most hospitable staff I have ever come to know. They really treat you like family here.
Coming home from surgery, I had my pain medication and was looking forward to 7 days of R&R. Soon after taking my pain meds, it proved to be too potent for my sensitive stomach so Dr. Altman took the initiative of making a house call to check on me. I switched medications but was completely fine. I don’t know any doctor that would go out of their way outside of business hours during dinner time to come check on a patient. It’s unheard of! Thank you, again Dr. Altman :) You are too sweet.
I am ecstatic with my outcome! I have received so much positive feedback. I am equally proportioned and the scarring is minimal. With the amount of care, communication, and natural outcomes that come from the Irvine Plastic Surgery Center, I can say that I am definitely a customer for life!

If you want something done and done right in the plastic surgery world, I totally would recommend Dr Altman. I’m into my second day after facial surgery. I have no bruising, swelling or discomfort. Dr Altman gave me pain pills to help if I had pain, but I did not have to use them. I know that everyone responds differently but I am more then pleased to only have a little bit of soreness and itching, from the stitches, around my ears. I was able to take a shower and wash my hair the second day and if it weren’t for the small stitches showing I’d be comfortable going out in public. You can also be guaranteed that you will not look like you’ve been in a wind machine as the result is totally natural. I will add more down the line when the stitches are removed and I can tell exactly what is what. So far it’s great!

18 years ago, I selected Dr. Altman for breast augmentation because several other aerobic instructors I worked with were thrilled with his results. He was the only Dr. who asked if I’d discussed this with my parents (still lived at home then). He genuinely wanted me to be well informed about the risks as well as the overall expectations for breast augmentation.
After surgery he still checked on me frequently. I even had a phone call from him reminding me to stay out of the gym! Another aerobics instructor/​patient mentioned how good my breasts looked when she saw me on the treadmill 3 weeks post op. Dr. Altman wanted to make sure I healed fully.
Honestly (I’m not bragging here:) I’ve been told they are flawless by every medical professional who’s seen my bare chest. They are symmetrically perfect with such tiny incision scars camouflaged by my areola. I wonder how hard that must be to create such precise curved incisions but Dr. Altman nailed it.
I’ve personally referred 4 other close friends who are very happy too. It’s been almost 19 years and I still LOVE the results!

Dr. Altman and his staff are amazing. I have seen Dr. Altman several times over many years primarily for fillers and recently for facelift. His integrity, concern, bedside manner and skill is second to none. I love the results had no pain, no swelling, and highly recommend Dr. Altman if you are considering this or any procedure. I have never written a «yelp» endorsement but use it and feel compelled to share 5 star rating about a 10 star doctor.

Hands down the best plastic surgeon and in general the best Dr I’ve ever met. It’s a lot say the best Dr, let me tell you why. Of course the credentials and experience are the top boxes on a list to check off when it comes to picking your plastic surgeon but it’s who he is that makes the difference. I got breast augmentation from Dr. Altman in 2011. I’m extremely pleased with the results and the reason I recommend him to anyone who is looking for a plastic surgeon is because he is so humble, sweet, welcoming, and available no MATTER WHAT! And here is a prime example: I remember I had a bad reaction to one of the pain meds that were prescribed to me. I never forget it was FATHERS DAY and he was with his family I texted him and told him what the issue was, he DROVE to the ²⁴⁄₇ CVS dropped off a prescription for a alternative for me to pick up at 10pm. Yes he gives his cell phone to his patients. I mean that’s unheard of. Majority, if not all doctors are done once the procedure is done and they just have their staff assist you. The bad part is because of how much he spoils his patients, they will never be happy elsewhere. Him and his staff are beyond amazing! THANKS DR. ALTMAN!
Update:
Thank you for coming in on a Saturday to take stitches out of my head! Can’t thank you enough .And yes you are by far my favorite doctor because it isn’t just your experience and who you are in your field, it’s your humbleness and your kindness that is unmatched and sets you apart from ANYONE! :)

I just saw Dr. Altman yesterday for the first time to have a bump on my chest examined and have a few moles biopsied. I arrived a little early to fill out paperwork and ended being seen right on time, which is such a rarity these days. Everything went smoothly and the procedures were painless.
Dr. Altman and his staff are friendly, funny, and most importantly, they do a great job. I will definitely be returning for any future needs as well as recommended friends and family.

Dr. Altman, «The Wrinkle Whisperer,» does it AGAIN !!
On FRIDAY, FEB 13^th„ Dr. Altman exceeded all expectations in early morning hours, before the office even opened!
I contacted the DR, to request to get BOTOX that same day !
Ridiculous, I know now that I think about it. LOL
The day before Valentine’s day, on a Friday as well!
The Dr. replied to me, «SURE … call the office when they open, tell them I said it was Ok »
WOW!!!
My results are Awesome and everything done timely.
There is No other RENOWED Plastic surgeon in all of OC, except Dr. Altman that cares that much about patients’ needs, that He was willing to do a last minute, same day appointment.
Dr. Altman not only accommodated my request for same day Botox, the Day before Valentine’s Day, BTW…
but the DR. met my request with outstanding skill, generosity of time and the results are Awesome.
On this side of Heaven…, I have found Dr. Altman to be as close to an Angel as can be, but he is Cleverly Disguised as a Brilliant Plastic Surgeon.
Many Doctors now, have forgotten the patient /​Dr. relationship .
Those Physicians have created and Render an «Assembly– line» type patent experience in plastic surgery. Awful!
NOT Dr. Altman!
Every patient brings with them, specific needs and expectations of what we desire to achieve .
Dr. Altman hits the mark of Excellence and surpasses expectations.
Thank you Dr. Altman for your time and these results!
Thanks to your Amazing Team, that work in unison to create a truly «At home» experience every time !
Donna Davis
IRVINE

My son got into an accident at school this afternoon. He ran into a pole and split his forehead open. At first we took him into a walk in clinic in Irvine. However the on-​staff clinician suggested for us to find a plastic surgeon to suture the wound instead.
I was told that I only had 12 – 16 hours to get the wound properly sutured. Being that it was already 4:45pm, I knew I had to get on the phone to find an available surgeon to tend to him asap. I was lucky enough to get a hold of Dr. Altman before he closed at 5pm.
Dr. Altman was not able to treat us at his office because all of his staff members had already gone home for the day. But he generously offered to meet us after hours at Hoag ER to treat him there.
Dr. Altman has great bed-​side manner, my son was very comfortable with him. Dr. Altman is a genuine, patient and kind-​hearted doctor.
I would definitely recommend reaching out to Dr. Altman if you are looking for great plastic surgeon.

This is my first Unilocal review so this shows you that I am happy with his work, Dr. Altman is as good as it gets! My wife Lilly got a Breast augmentation here in Nov and I have to say he does some great work! First he is the type of doctor that cares about his patients, this is why my wife wanted to go with him over other Doctors she meet with. His «bedside manner» is like no other, he is the type of doctor that you can feel at ease with because you have no doubt that he knows what he is doing. His office is kept very clean and his staff are super helpful and professional. He has the personality of someone you can go grab a beer with after a long day’s work, joke with and relax.
Ok, so the day of the surgery Dr. Altman walked us step by step again on what to expect before, during and after the surgery, the what to do and NOT do during the recovery and how to make the best of it. After the surgery my wife had the obvious pain, he recommended we stay the night in Irvine and there is a great hotel next to his office (which I would recommend). At around 830 pm Dr. Altman called and asked if he could make a house call to check up on Lilly to ensure that she is ok and even asked if I had eaten and if not wanted anything for dinner. If this does not show you the care he has for his patients, I do not know what will. The next morning we went to his office for a quick checkup to make sure everything was «kosher» and it was, the results of his work is phenomenal. My wife has the confidence she was desiring and I love the way they look ;-). They have that real feeling and look to them that she was seeking. So in closing if you are looking to get a breast augmentation conducted and you have not made your decision check Dr. Altman out! You will not regret it! Raul.

After several years of having Botox, I finally plucked up the courage to have a face lift at 55. At first, I was scared as I tend to bruise, but Dr. Altman and his wonderful nurse, Lynne, explained everything about the procedure and that it was not the «big scary» procedure that I feared,
I wanted to look natural and not like some of those fake-​looking women I’ve seen, where you think, «She’s had way too much plastic surgery.»
Dr. Altman truly cares about you and a trust develops between him and his patient. This is so important when you are having a procedure done.
Everything was clearly explained to me beforehand, and all my questions were answered, including the anesthesia and how I would feel after the surgery.
One amazing thing happened. Dr. Altman called me the night before my surgery to make sure I was alright and not nervous. He also said I could call him anytime, if I had any problems. I’ve never had a surgeon call me before a procedure to check that I’m OK, the night before.
The surgery went smoothly and I was so surprised to see how quickly I recovered and how little bruising I had.
I trust Dr. Altman and his staff, and feel like I’m part of his family when I show up.
His office makes you feel like you belong.

Dr. Altman has been not only a caring doctor but a person I just love to see. His kind heart and precise surgical artwork as I like to call it is something I can’t brag enough about. I have had 1 surgery with him and continually see him for minor up keep. He is so honest and when I try and ask for things I really don’t need he kindly tells me no. Most doctors would just do it and take me money. I can’t speak enough to his ethics as a doctor. Lynn is also someone I wish was part of my family, she is one of the kindest warmest person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. It’s almost unbelievable how amazing this office is. Jaime, Lily, and the rest of the staff are perfection.
My mom also had a surgery that required reconstruction, he took such good care of my mom I get emotional knowing how lucky we were to have him.
I only take the time to write reviews for good not bad because I want anyone reading to share the same experience. If you want a doctor who cares go see Dr. Altman.

What can I say about Dr. Altman. He is the best doctor I have ever met in my life. He is so sweet, kind, funny, caring, thoughtful… basically he is amazing.
I was looking around for different plastic surgeons and came upon Dr. Altman through Unilocal.I read his reviews are were amazed by how nice everyone said he was. I mean common we have all had doctors and is «nice, honest, amazing, sincere, caring» what comes into your head when you think about any experience you’ve had at a doctor’s office? I went into his website and loved his work so I decided to email them to see when I can make an appointment and I received an email almost instantly and it was from Dr. Altman himself. He told me he was on vacation and wouldn’t be in until the next week, he then asked me what I was looking to do and I replied and he instantly replied again and answered my questions. He told me that he would love to speak to me in person and that I can call the office and make an appointment. I called the next week and made an appointment and I went in yesterday for a consultation. I came in about 15 minutes early and was greeted by a few women who were up at the front desk. One was a nurse, Hannah, who was very helpful and nice. Another woman who was the receptionist was very kind and sweet. The last woman who I met at the end of my consultation talked about finances and she was so helpful and understanding as well. Overall, EVERYONE WAS VERY NICE it’s such a surprising relief to know that you can feel so welcomed at a doctor’s office. Around 11:25 Dr. Altman came out to say hello and said that he would come get me in a few minutes. At exactly 11:30 (my appointment time) Dr. Altman took me back and gave a little tour… he showed me where he does the surgery and the took me and my mom into one of the rooms. Dr. Altman spoke a little bit about himself, where he went to school, where he is from, how many surgeries he has done in the last 30 years, he was so easy to talk to. I can see why he has a perfect score on Unilocal.I had some questions and he was very helpful and answered everything truthfully. At the end I decided not to have the procedure at the moment, but when I want it in the future I will definitely come back to Dr. Altman.
I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Altman to anyone who is looking for an amazing plastic surgeon. He will definitely make you feel comfortable and will answer all your questions in a timely manner. He won’t make you feel rushed and he will even give you his personal cell phone number so you can call or text if you forgot a question during your consultation.

5+ stars! This is, by far, the best experience I’ve had with a doctor since I moved to California. Both Dr. Altman and his staff go out of their way to ensure that you feel cared for, not just as a patient, but as a human being.
Last month, I contacted Dr. Altman because I was concerned about a small cyst on my forehead. He was super nice and asked me to email him a picture of it, so that he could better assess the problem before I had to drive down to his office.
Once I went in, the procedure was very simple and quick. Nonetheless, Dr. Altman listened patiently and answered all my questions. As they were removing the cyst, the two nurses (I wish I could remember their names!) were keeping me company, trying to make me laugh to ease any stress or anxiety — which, God knows, I WAS feeling quite a bit of…
They ended up sending the cyst to pathology, to make sure it was benign. Within a day or so, Dr. Altman emailed me personally to let me know that the results were back and I had nothing to worry about. A few days later, I went to have the stitches removed, and once again, he was his usual attentive and empathetic self.
My procedure was very small, but Dr. Altman is definitely the kind of plastic surgeon I would trust with any other major surgeries. Seriously, if you’re looking for someone professional and knowledgeable, who also makes you feel deeply cared for, he’s your man :)