Steven Teitelbaum

Steven Teitelbaum, MD

Suite 350, 1301 20Th Street,
Santa Monica, Ca, 90404
United States

Phone: 310-315-1121
Fax: 310-315-9921

About Dr. Steven Teitelbaum, MD

Because aesthetic surgery is voluntary, and arguably even frivolous, I believe a unique burden is placed upon the doctor – and the patient – to be safe, prudent, and conservative. Though no plastic surgeon would openly disagree with that statement, I adhere to it stronger than most. It guides my philosophy from my lengthy initial consultations, to successive pre-operative contacts with the patient, to the techniques I use, and finally my post-operative and on-going care. I am distraught by what I see as an increasingly cavalier attitude toward cosmetic surgery by patients and physicians alike, with some doctors’ offices having only a little more serious of an atmosphere than a beauty salon.

Read Dr. Teitelbaum’s article Two Bad Weeks for My Patients featured on The Huffington Post

Click HERE to view Dr. Teitelbaum’s Entire Comprehensive Video Collection

About Dr. Steven Teitelbaum, MD

Dr. Teitelbaum is a specialist in aesthetic plastic surgery, including facial rejuvenation, breast and body sculpting, and much more. He occupies a niche for patients desiring natural results and demanding the highest level of attention to detail and service.
Highly Cohesive Implants

Many of Dr. Teitelbaum’s patients choose him to be their surgeon because of his expertise with cohesive gel implants (also known as gummy-bear implants because the gel has a consistency similar to that of the candy). These have been widely used in Europe since 1993. US clinical trials began in 2001 and until now the implants were only available to patients and a select group of surgeons participating in clinical trials. These implants received FDA approval in February of 2013.

Dr. Teitelbaum is the only surgeon in the state of California who participated in the clinical trials of all three cohesive implant manufacturers. He has over a decade of experience and has implanted more than 1300 such implants. Because of his excellent results in a wide variety of breast types, Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently requested lecturers on this topic in the United States, and he has traveled to places as far away as Asia, Europe and Africa to share his cohesive breast implant expertise with other surgeons.
These implants have several advantages and disadvantages. While beautiful and natural results can be achieved with any breast implant, Dr. Teitelbaum believes he has greater control to create a more beautiful shape with these implants. They are more resistant to developing folds that can be either seen or felt. Studies show a lower rate of scar tissue formation, leakage, and chance of needing another operation than standard silicone gel implants. While many patients perceive these implants as leak-free, in fact it is possible for them to break, though the gel is so stiff that it does not appear to migrate.

They are slightly firmer than standard silicone implants, but it is that characteristic which allows them to maintain a shape and to have possibly enhanced durability. Since they are thin at the top and thick at the bottom, they must maintain their orientation. If a round implant rotates, then there is no change in appearance, but if a teardrop rotates then it can create a distortion. This is a risk that exists with these cohesive implants that does not exist with the round implants.

They work best in patients who wish to have a proportional augmentation, because they do not look as good when sized much above or below what is ideal for the breast. In loose and highly mobile breasts, they tend to feel more firm than they do in breasts that are already very firm.

Dr. Teitelbaum is an enthusiastic supporter of this new technology, and developed the educational material that one implant manufacturer will use to credential surgeons who wish to use them. In fact, he was even videotaped performing surgery to demonstrate to other surgeons the ideal way of using these implants. As excited as he is about these implants, he does not believe they are ideal for everyone. He always works with each patient to determine exactly what size and type of implant is right for her, and would never automatically recommend cohesive implants. When you come in for your consultation, you and Dr. Teitelbaum can explore if they might be right for you. In the meantime, we encourage you to visit Dr. Teitelbaum’s special website, to learn more about this exciting new technology and all it has to offer.

24-Hour Recovery

Does the idea of a virtually pain-free breast augmentation seem too good to be true?

As remarkable as it sounds, recent developments have allowed over 90 percent of our breast augmentation patients to return to normal activities within 24 hours, without the need for narcotics, bed rest, or special bandages or bras. Bruising is minimal or nonexistent, and pain is controlled with ordinary Advil. In fact, Dr. Teitelbaum’s patients routinely go out to dinner the night of surgery, usually drive within several days, and need to take just a few days off of work. They can help with their children and go for a walk the day of surgery.

This is no exaggeration?and it’s also no accident. Your easy recovery will be the result of Dr. Teitelbaum’s commitment to meticulous preoperative planning, state-of-the-art anesthesia procedures, and the surgeon’s detailed understanding of finer points of anatomy, which allows each operation to proceed smoothly and with a minimum of trauma. His modern surgery suite also offers the latest advances in anesthesia protocols, which significantly minimizes postoperative nausea.

Because of rough or imprecise technique, some surgeons tightly bandage patients or make them wear a special bra in the hopes of forcing the implant into a particular position or to act as a tourniquet to prevent bleeding. Dr. Teitelbaum’s precise and gentle surgical technique, conversely, allows his patients to move their arms in the recovery room right after surgery?and the result is less pain, a shorter recovery, and a lower chance of hardening of the breasts.

There’s a reason why Dr. Teitelbaum has been asked to teach other doctors how to achieve this kind of pain-free recovery at the largest annual plastic surgery meeting in the world. He’s made a believer out of many patients and surgeons; ask as many questions as you like about how he can do the same for you.

Additional Information

Patients sometimes will ask me what they "need." My attitude about aesthetic surgery is that people do not need it in the same way that a bone may need to be fixed or a suspicious growth removed. In other words, it is not possible to simply look at a photograph of a patient and determine without talking to them what operation is right for them. Frequently, there is an array of surgical options available to a patient, involving different costs, risks, recoveries, scars, and results. I make it a goal to explore these issues as thoroughly as possible with a patient at their consultation, so that they can make a truly informed choice about what they want done. Whether they have the surgery done by me, someone else, or not at all, they leave their visit with a dramatically enhanced understanding of their situation.

Far too often I hear a patient from another surgeon complain that they did not get the result they wanted or were expecting. Sometimes they wanted to be less pulled, or not to have had such a big implant. While there are aspects of surgery that are unpredictable, I make sure that a patient knows what to expect as much as possible. If I do not agree with what a patient wants to do – either because I think it is
unsafe, or aesthetically undesirable, I discuss it. But a patient of mine will know ahead of time what to expect.

That being said, there are certain subtle intangibles that result from a surgeon's own personal aesthetic sense. I am up front about mine, and I think it is important for patients selecting an aesthetic surgeon be sensitive to these details. I believe in classic, natural, soft beauty. I think that visual clues to aesthetic surgery are often worse than the deformity that was corrected. For instance, I would err on pulling a face less rather than more, in order to avoid an unnatural swept or pulled look. I believe that huge breast implants look and feel unnatural, and cause long-term problems. Outer thigh liposuction is desirable to achieve a smoother, more svelte contour, but I believe that often plastic surgeons remove too much fat, leaving an androgenized, even masculine appearance. Much of what is important to you about how I see things is something you have to observe, and feel for yourself; it is not something I, or another plastic surgeon can fully explain. Certainly, my aesthetic sensibilities will not be shared by all prospective patients; what you must do is be alert to the signs of a surgeon who shares yours.

Safety and predictability is of paramount importance. New techniques come and go, and I do not rush to adopt them unless a clear advantage is shown. Meticulously executed proven techniques serve most patients better in most situations than the "technique du jour" But when a patient needs an unusual procedure that I am not adept at, I do not hesitate to help them find the right doctor. This is not to say that I do not perform the latest techniques, because I certainly do. What it means is that I have a tendency to be more circumspect, rather than aggressive about offering new techniques. I also think it is important to stay in close contact with a patient after surgery. While our office is very busy, I make sure to frequently see all my patients after surgery. Very careful postoperative care is very important in achieving the best possible result.

Sometimes a patient will come in for a consultation and express that they feel nervous. I always tell them that they needn't feel nervous- that this is voluntary surgery. That they should keep seeing doctors until finally everything clicks- that they like the doctor, they like the office, they like the staff – and that they start to get enthusiastic about surgery. It is natural for an intelligent person to always have some apprehension, but eventually the nervousness will be gradually replaced by enthusiasm, and when – and only when that happens – should they proceed with surgery. I am anxious to help you in your process to decide if and what aesthetic surgery is right for you!

Thank you for your interest in Dr. Teitelbaum and our plastic surgery center. Please call us at (310) 315-1121 to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Teitelbaum. There is a $100 fee for the consultation, but this is applicable to surgery, so it is essentially free. If you have any questions we encourage you to call the office to speak with Marie or Rebecca. But if you prefer, you may email us at stevetbaum@aol.com, and you will receive a prompt reply. All information is kept totally confidential.

Testimonial

Dr. Teitelbaum,
I'm about 12 weeks post breast augmentation and I am so pleased with EVERYTHING! Not just the beautiful results but also the process, surgery time, and most of all -recovery time!,
,The night after surgery, I went out to dinner with my husband and son. I drove myself to your office for my next day follow-up, ok that was not advised but I was feeling great! On week 2 my son, a 40lb 2.5 year-old, could sit on my lap and lean back as he normally would while I read to him.,
,I was certain that you would have me looking exactly the way I envisioned but I honestly did not believe the recovery would be this fast. You did an amazing job. You "nailed" the size I wanted and I've never felt better. ,
,I will see you for a follow up soon and I hope you enjoy your week! Thank you for everything!,
,~~ joy w.

• Post-Bariatric
• Tummy Tuck
• Facial Implants
• Forehead Lift
• Lip Augmentation
• Breast Augmentation
• Breast Lift
• Breast Reduction
• Male Breast Reduction
• Nose Reshaping
• Cheek Augmentation
• Chin Augmentation
• Ear Surgery
• Eyelid Surgery
• Facelift
• Fat Injection
• Injectables
• Laser Hair Removal