Michael I Kulick, MD

Don’t see this doctor. I did and was mortified with the results!!!

This isn’t an update as much as it is a reiteration that Dr. Kulick is a terrible doctor, particularly when it comes to his supposed hand & wrist expertise. I stumbled across my old review and noticed some other patients had similar experiences with him recommending completely unnecessary hand or wrist surgery. Fortunately I did not follow his asanine recommendation but others were not so lucky and they now have to pay for his ineptitude. It’s amazing how full of himself he is considering how bad he is at his job. While I am glad that some other reviewers have not had as bad of an experience, I hope any other prospective patients decide to stay away. Why risk it with a surgeon that has a track record of recommending unnecessary and potentially debilitating surgery? There are plenty of good surgeons out there and Dr. Kulick is just not one of them.

This review covers a surgery I had with Dr Kulick after I suffered an injury in Dec 2014 to my left wrist, specifically my TFCC while playing hockey.
I’ve seen Dr. Kulick before when I injured my volar plate from playing hockey, yes you can question my decision to keep playing hockey, everyone else does. Anyway, he performed volar plate reconstruction in 2009 and because that procedure went very well and the outcome very good, I didn’t hesitate to see him again.
Prior to surgery for my TFCC, I could not lift heavy weights involving shoulder or back muscles. I could not shoot the puck well and I couldn’t lift my kids up to play with them.
I play hockey avidly albeit it’s at a recreational level, I’m no pro. And as I get older I suffer more injuries. So for this TFCC debridement, I had surgery in March of 2015. I started playing hockey 8 weeks following surgery and could pick up and play with my kids. 12 weeks later, I scored game winning goals.
Dr. Kulick went over all the pros and cons of each approach and options for treatment prior to surgery. He even described a worst case scenario of what could happen post surgery. But nothing bad happened.
Dr Kulick has professional but approachable manners, is kind and performs excellent surgeries. Am I 100% compared to before my injury occurred? Let’s be honest, not yet. My last volar plate reconstruction took about a year to fully heal, so I’m looking at about another 6 months (it’s September 2015), but I’m doing everything I want to do pain free, unless I do something really dumb which puts a lot of torque on the section of my left wrist which suffered the injury. I perform day to day activities pain free and I don’t even think about my left wrist anymore. But I’m careful when I do certain things like anyone should be after surgery.
It is very unfortunate that another reviewer, Naomi had a bad experience with Dr. Kulick. I am not saying she is wrong about her review or experience. But I do think that what happened to her is very rare and not the norm with Dr. Kulick.

Dr Kulick is an outstanding surgeon .
I had a procedure done with him — the results have been great while looking completely natural.
When I first met him for consultation, what set him apart from other surgeons I had previously consulted with is his attention to detail and his insistence on understanding how I visualize my future self post surgery.
He patiently answered all my questions and we had multiple sessions prior to the actual procedure to make sure that we are aligned on the outcome.
I am extremely satisfied with the results and would highly recommend him.
Also his assistant Sandra is very helpful — she rescheduled my appointments on short notice when I needed to.

My experience with Dr. Kulick has been the most traumatic experience of my life, being the reason that I am writing my only negative Unilocal review.
Dr. Kulick performed hand surgery on me almost two years ago for a tendon injury in my pinky. Everything was fine up until the surgery but all of my experiences after were a nightmare. As you can see in the photo, two years after surgery I still have a filleted purple shrimp for a pinky that I can’t even bend.
In regards to the surgery itself– he took ligament from my wrist to repair my pinky. To this day, I have problems with my wrist– which was completely normal prior to surgery– and my pinky is in terrible shape– much worse than prior to doing surgery. Before surgery, I had complete range of montion of my pinky, and the only problem was that it was sometimes painful. I even called Dr. Kulick three days before surgery to let him know it felt nearly back to normal, and he told me that it was still necessary. I have sought the opinon of three other specialists during recovery, all of whom said that due to the delicate nature of the joint, they would not have done surgery unless absolutely necessary. One of them even said that in his 25 years of being a hand surgeon, he has never seen someone try to do this type of graft from the wrist, that normally as a very last resort they would take the graft from someplace closer, to avoid the problems I am still having to this day.
I was in physical therapy for a year after surgery until my insurance would no longer cover it. I am in constant pain on a daily basis and it has greatly affected my ability to do my job. Furthermore, it seems he did not use dissolvable sutures, so two years later, the sutures from under the skin are starting to poke through.
Aside from his apparent incompetence as a hand surgeon, his bedside manner after the surgery was horrific. He made the surgery seem like a very simple procedure, and did not tell me until after I woke up from surgery that I would need to be out of work for 4 – 6 weeks, which I had not prepared my employer for. When I returned for the one week check up, I was still in a cast, had to keep my arm elevated at all times, and was in an extreme amount of pain. I asked him to fill out paperwork for disability and he wouldn’t do it because his assistant was out and he was about to go on vacation. When I told him I couldn’t not work for the amount of time he recommended without getting paid, he said «Fine then. Go back to work, just dont use your right hand.» He then shuffled me out of his office with a pink slip that said «ok to work as long as she doesn’t use her right hand» (definitely need both hands for my job!) I had to go to my regular doctor, who confirmed I should not work for 6 weeks, and they filled out my disability paperwork and a note for my employer so I wouldn’t get fired.
The list of things I have gone through with him goes on. I am happy to discuss my experience with anyone who is considering surgery with him and wants more information, but I would definitely say go to someone else. After my surgery, I connected with someone who also had a terrible plastic surgery with him, and I only wish I would have met her prior to my experience.

Oh so smooth processes, did what he said he would, put humpty back to dumpty! Best hand specialist in the Bay Area! Thanks again Dr.
–Kevin Paran

Dr. Kulick is such a fantastic doctor and an expert at what he does. He is knowledgeable, thorough, his manner and skill is excellent, he creates a comfortable environment and I trust him completely.
I did my homework prior — not only does Dr. Kulick have a wealth of experience, he has authored many papers, won awards and presented hundreds of lectures around the world (to name a few of his achievements!).
Dr. Kulick takes the time to answer questions, shows you examples and provides options for the best treatment. Other doctors I met either rushed you or tried to up-​sell. Dr. Kulick doesn’t sugar coat, which is great (he’s also very witty!).
I have had IPL and Botox with him (which is always great), but most importantly I had a rhinoplasty procedure in which he fixed a botched job from a previous surgeon. Apparently the inside of my nose was a patchwork quilted mess and he fixed it :) I have a great, and natural, looking nose for the first time ever! Everything was seamless with the procedure, the staff were fantastic and the recovery as expected.
I would absolutely recommend him and his staff. Thank you Dr. Kulick!

I received four treatments of IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments by Dr. Kulick and cannot recommend Dr. Kulick and IPL enough. IPL is great for lightening and removing sun spots and brown blotches on the face (or other areas of the body). It’s definitely a great procedure for those who either didn’t/don’t wear sunscreen often, commute often (left side of face is damaged faster), have broken capillaries (again, often caused by too much sun), rosacea, or scarring from acne.
Dr. Kulick is a board-​certified plastic surgeon, who also does reconstructive and burn surgery. He’s a pro at what he does and, on top of that, he’s a pleasure to talk to. He has great bedside manner and will most likely keep you laughing during whatever procedure you pursue. He’s also very good at explaining what you can expect your results to be. IPLs can cause serious burns, which is why it’s very important to be cautious (read: avoid) spas where there is no doctor on site and the lasers are operated by «technicians» or nurses who may not have received formal or medical training.
Does it hurt? Yep, but not a ton! My treatments generally only lasted 15 minutes each (face only) and consisted of about 40 – 50 zaps of the laser across the face. As you proceed with your treatments, they get easier and easier (less painful). Your face will be red immediately following each treatment, and any freckles and age spots will spots generally look darker for 3 – 7 days. Crusting can occur, which may last up to ten days, so don’t plan to have IPL close to events where photos will be taken, and definitely NOT close to a vacation where you will be in the sun often! Keep in mind that following your treatment, you can’t workout (same day) and your face may lightly sting.
At the end of the series of treatments (usually 3 – 6 treatments), the face is clearer and there’s much less need for foundation or coverup. Your skin may be more sensitive to the sun, so you should protect it with sunscreen (duh), especially considering you just invested in your skin.

Five and a half years ago I was injured with second and third degree burns on 20% of my body. Shortly after being sent to the Bothin Burn Center at St. Francis Memorial Hospital of San Francisco, I met Dr. Michael Kulick. Dr. Kulick became my plastic surgeon to see me through my recovery from these horrific burns. I will be sharing a before/​after picture on his Unilocal page to help people understand the extent of the work he did for me.
Post burn I developed hypertrophic scarring on my chest and stomach. This scarring was uncomfortable and limited my mobility. Seeing as I was 21 years old at the time, there was no way I could continue to live my life comfortably with these scars. Under the care of Dr. Kulick and his team, we removed the damaged tissue and grafted in both a new dermis and epidermis layer of skin for my body and in turn have far fewer scarring and feel more confident in my body than I did anytime before the surgery.
I am very pleased with the work that Dr. Kulick has done for me and I have recommend him for his work to friends and family who have had injuries from burns.

Dr. Kulick is simply amazing. I met him years ago and was so impressed by his backround and impeccable credentials (multiple degrees, Stanford, Board certified), and the fact that he is an author and luminary in aesthetic innovation. He refined my nose years ago and the results were amazing. In fact, five of my friends have had their noses done after seeing my results and they all look terrific.
Since then I have had several other procedures, many of them non-​invasive and all have been stellar.
Dr. Kulick is truly gifted and I speak for myself and many friends when I say he will be our doctor for life!

Just wanted to update my review from 2008:
I have been back since then for a scar revision on my upper lip from a bike accident in Burma. After having been stitched up by a local surgeon in Mandalay, I had Dr K
do a scar revision after the original wound/​stitches had healed poorly. Now you can barely see the site of the original scar.
Dr K has done numerous aesthetic, reconstructive and non-​evasive procedures on me over the last 20 years. I trust him to give me an honest evaluation and know that he is the best.
From 8÷12÷2008: Dr Kulick has performed multiple procedures on me over the last 15 years. He reconstructed my nose after having broken it 3 times as a child. I was able to breath fully from both nostrils for the first time since I was 8. He has also done aesthetic work on me that has produced natural age appropriate results. Dr Michael Kulick is one of the finest cosmetic surgeons in the country. He an excellent practitioner as well as an innovator of surgical techniques. He operates in the optimal safety of a hospital, not an in office surgical suite. He gives back to the community by doing pro bono and burn patient work to those in need. His office staff has been with him for many years and are as caring and professional as they come.
I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Dr Kulick to anyone for cosmetic or reconstructive surgery.

Last year I was treated at Dr. Kulick’s office for pain at the inner base of my wrist, which I’m assuming to be related to De Quervain’s based on the symptoms and his detailed explanation. Upon examining my wrist for a few minutes, he seemed to quickly know what treatment to provide, which was a cortisone shot to the immediate area. I felt results within a few hours and the pain subsided after a day. A year later, the issue reoccurred and I returned to his office and received the same treatment. I appreciate Dr. Kulick’s candor, approachability and depth of knowledge. I’m in and out and it’s a no-​nonsense visit, just the way I like it: efficient!

I saw dr kulick in the early 90’s for a vertical facelift. When we met in consultation he was great: personable, talked a good game. I was coming from out of town to do this, so it was scary, and i was in my early 50’s.
Trouble started when i got there and realized i had forgotten my prescription medication which i knew i would really need to sleep. I called his office to ask him for a new prescription just for the two weeks i would be in SF recovering. Well, he shocked me, turning into a rude man, saying he could not do that under any circumstances, that he wasnt in the habit of dispensing drugs (i take a very small dose so i can fall asleep). i knew that i would not be able to sleep, esp in the difficult recovery period. Later i asked him about the three noticable scars in my hairline (which he had not warned me about). He got very defensive and announced i had seborehhic dermatitis and my scalp was a mess!!! I have never had this, and still have noticable scars which have never gone away. He was very shaming about this.
For the first 5 – 6 years after my surgery i felt like i looked like Madame the hand puppet, like a characture of myself. I like it better now, although the area over my left eye is drooping and wrinkled with strong grooves. I would not consider asking him to correct it, when i was there and had questions he wanted to charge me for any corrections (this after i paid $ 20 grand!!).
In my opinion he is a classic narcissist and someone to be avoided. The people who work in the office weren’t much better, maybe working for him rubbed off on them.

Wow, I have known Dr. Kulick for many years and not only is he internationally known as a speaker on aesthetic medicine but he also has great technique as he has done BOTOX and Laser work on me and I had great results before my wedding. He did exactly what I asked and did not try to up sell me on things I did not need. He has a strong work ethic, commits his time to his work, family and charity. I have worked in this area of medicine for many years as a marketing executive and also 44 years old so I know he knows what he is doing. Strongly recommend him.

I was a little nervous reading these reviews but wow ! What a nice man! He was very kind and patient. I was referred by my insurance to him to look into jaw tension. He spent time learning about my full history, gave me recommendations for next steps (none of which involved him getting any future business/​money). He also then very honestly answered questions I had about skin improvements again very honestly without trying to encourage me to do procedures with him that I didn’t need.
All for just a $ 35 copay:).

I was referred to Kulick for a circular mass on my hand. I was told he was a hand surgeon but his office walls are covered with ads for cosmetic procedures. A nurse assured me he was also a hand surgeon. It turns out the internet knew more about my problem than he did. He said I had a Dupuytren’s Contracture but the circular, malleable mass was consistent with a cyst according to the internet. They were right. It went away after one week and I didn’t need the surgery he warned I would have to have when my hand would start to contract into a claw. HIs office manner was rude, dismissive and he had really bad breath. He refused to reduce or waive my $ 200 bill that was based on a misdiagnosis that caused me stress about upcoming surgery.
Avoid this doctor.

I went to Dr. Kulick first thirteen years ago. I had laser resurfacing. Then I had a face lift and a neck lift, a chin implant and some eye lid work. My chin and neck work have especially weathered the test of time. People at my health club even now years later ask my personal trainer and me who did my chin and neck work. You must have time to recuperate when you go to him because he uses a general anaesthetic. If you have the time to recuperate, the recuperation period is over in a reasonable amount of time with no visible trauma as far as one’s appearance is concerned while healing.

I have been a patient of Dr. Kulick for over 6 years. He has performed 4 surgeries on my hands (1 was a do over because I fell). This included carpal tunnel surgery and repair of the joints in both thumbs. I think he is a «master» hand surgeon who does plastic surgery to make a living.
Some people feel he doesn’t have the best bedside manner, but I think he is just trying to be thorough. He definitely tells it like it is!

Honestly, I have no idea what Dr. Kulick does. He’s listed as a hand surgeon, his office has plastic surgery stuff all over it, and his business card says «DDS». Ok, so hand and plastics often go together, fine. But why is he a dentist, too? DDS is the dentist’s abbreviation.
So I saw him for a year for my tendonitis. He was sorta professional and gave me cortesone shots. He also gave quick appts, which I appreciated. I told him I was going to get a second opinion right before we shcedulled my surgery. So I go to another dr and, well, Dr. Kulick’s office never called me back. I went with the other dr for my surgery cuz he seemed WAY more reasurring. Btw, the other doctor was Dr. David Chang at the California Pacific Medical Center on Castro & Duboce. I would’ve been nice if Dr. Kulick had cared enough to follow-​up with me.

Dr. Kulick is good at what he does, I think, but he definitely charges top dollar. I went for a consultation on some laser treatments and the price that was quoted to me was astronomical. He really has a sales team set up-​the woman who gave me the hard sell with was an overly-​tightened blonde who said «can you believe I’m 40?» (nothing on her face moved so she could have been any age, I guess-​but it wasn’t about her, it was about ME… I thought). The doc made a VERY brief appearance.
I found a great dermatologist who performed the treatments for a fraction of the cost quoted by Dr. Kulick, and who really seems to care about his patients.