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For over a year, I've been in charge of interviewing patients of Dr. Justin Heller's celebrated plastic surgery practice. I've spoken to breast cancer survivors who talked about how the Ivy-League educated surgeon helped them emotionally and physically recover after mastectomies; I've listened patiently as another wept while she spoke of her dramatic weight loss, the skin it left behind, and her first-in-a-lifetime experience being flirted with after her confidence-boosting procedures with the doctor.

I was wowed by a new grandma who said, "I laughed when Dr. Heller told me I'd be wearing a bikini after my procedure. But guess what? I rocked a bikini this summer!" I've been motivated by women who waited for the procedure that changed their self perceptions, each saying that their only regret was not having surgery earlier.

While every patient had a different story, each had at least one thing in common: Without fail, they all were over the moon about their results and remarkably impressed by Dr. Heller's abilities, warmth, patience and staff.

These commonalities explain why the board-certified physician and his practice were recently voted Santa Clarita's "Best Plastic Surgeon" by readers of The Signal. "My staff and I are so honored by this designation," says Dr. Heller. "My family is proud to call Santa Clarita 'home,' so to win this award in our own community is especially meaningful."

In honor of his big win, here's a look back at a few of his accomplishments.

• Dr. Heller's primary office is here in Valencia, but he also works out of two other locations in So Cal and each has been named "Best Of " by local residents.

• Dr. Heller played a major role in the world's first face transplant. "It was incredibly gratifying to give the patient the ability to see his children again, to go out in public again," says Dr. Heller.

• Dr. Heller is known as the "go to" for "surgical revisions," meaning that he is sought out tocorrect errors made by other plastic surgeons. Some of the most common revisions Dr. Heller done are of the face and breasts. The highest number of surgeries a patient has had prior to finally being corrected by Dr. Heller: Seven! "It's satisfying to know that a patient is finally happy and out of physical and emotional pain after two, three or more corrective surgeries. To be able to have someone say, 'You gave me my life back,' that just makes my heart leap," says the specialist.

• Dr. Heller developed his distinctive surgical abilities during mission trips with Yale, restoring facial anatomy to those with severe abnormalities. "I worked tirelessly to rebuild noses, lips and faces. That was over 15 years ago, but the skills I developed and my deep understanding of facial, muscular and support structures still serves me today," says the surgeon.

• Dr. Heller has over 36 publications in plastic surgery - both aesthetic and reconstructive - and has been a coveted speaker at national and international conferences.
Heller Plastic Surgery is located in the Atrium Building next to City Hall in Valencia. The comfortable, well-appointed office is now accepting patients and scheduling complimentary consultations. 661-233-4949