San Diego's Top Plastic Surgeon: Gilbert W. Lee, MD, F.A.C.S.

Dr. Lee has been voted Top Plastic Surgeon for the last 3 conscutive years in San Diego, CA

Voted Top Doctor in Plastic Surgery in San Diego by his Plastic Surgery Peers 2007, 2008, and 2009

"Welcome to Changes Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa. As your plastic surgery doctor, I will use artistic expression and the latest technical advances to bring about an enhancement you will be proud of. You will be cared for on an individual basis by a warm, compassionate, and highly capable staff in one of San Diego’s finest facilities. Our goal is to make you smile each time you look in the mirror. Thank you for making Changes a part of your life."

As one of the best plastic surgeons in Southern California, Dr. Lee has recently been featured on national TV, newspapers, magazines such as Access Hollywood, the Oxygen Network series "Addicted to Beauty", People Magazine, US Weekly, Star Magazine, New York Times, LA Times, Chicago Tribune and many more. Watch one of Dr. Lee's other TV appearances and view a complete list of his appearances in the media.

 

Known by his patients as an artist and a warm, caring physician, Dr. Gilbert Lee has built an impeccable reputation as one of the areas best cosmetic surgeons. He is part of the elite group of cosmetic surgeons, who were voted Top Plastic Surgeon in San Diego by his peers for 2007, 2008 and 2009. Dr. Lee earned his medical degree at the University of California, San Diego. He then went on to receive his surgical training at some of the most prestigious universities, among them Washington University, the birth place of plastic surgery. As a leading San Diego plastic surgeon, Dr. Lee has continued to contribute to the field by publishing his advances in leading journals, presenting his work in cosmetic surgery at national conferences, and helping to train medical students and residents at U.C.S.D. Medical Center.

Dr. Lee is triple board certified, including certifications by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and the American Board of Surgery. He is the current President of the San Diego Plastic Surgery Society, and the former Chief of Plastic Surgery at Sharp Memorial and Sharp Mary Birch Hospitals, and is a voluntary Assistant Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery, at U.C.S.D. Medical Center. He has been featured as a plastic surgery expert by the CBS and NBC News, local channels 8,10, 7/39,15, and the San Diego Union Tribune newspaper. His work has even appeared on the ABC Prime Time Live television show.

Perhaps the most unique feature about Dr. Lee is his ability to communicate with his patients. With an understanding of his patients' concerns, Dr. Lee uses his artistic and surgical skills to produce remarkable aesthetic results. He and his team at Changes provide expert services for those who want to look their best without being Addicted to Beauty.

What makes you one of the best plastic surgeons in San Diego?

Honesty, Integrity, Quality of Patient Outcomes, Communication with patients, Artistry with meticulous precision. I communicate honestly with patients, helping them to understand what procedures will benefit them and which ones may not. I give them a realistic expectation of their results, a fair price for the procedure, and discuss potential limitations of their surgery and outcome. Each surgical patient is given my personal cell phone number after the procedure so that they may reach me at any time if a question or concern arises. Before and after surgery we discuss openly any concerns and objectives so that both the doctor and patient are headed for the same goals. Before each procedure, I carefully plan the details for each step of the operation so that your surgical experience is smooth and well thought out. And, being a perfectionist at heart, I spend as much time as needed during each step to assure the best possible outcome from your surgery.

In your opinion, how is it that there are not more plastic surgeons voted Top Doctor?

Each year the San Diego County Medical Society sends ballots to all members asking them what physicians they consider to be "Top" in their specialty. The simple question is asked: "to whom would you or your family member go if you needed medical care in your specialty." Physicians are not allowed to vote for themselves or their ballot is invalidated. The top 4% of each specialty is then declared "Top Doctor" in their field of expertise.

You are the only one who have been voted Top Plastic Surgeon in San Diego for the last 3 consecutive years. How do you maintain your "Top Doctor" status for so long?

I work tirelessly to maintain high standards for patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. I enjoy what I do and take pride in helping my patients achieve their aesthetic objectives whether that be rejuvenating a face, or restoring their body following cancer surgery. Patients find that their experience with me and my staff is comfortable, warm, genuine, and memorable.

 

Dr. Gilbert Lee's Curriculum Vitae

ACADEMIC TITLES & OFFICES HELD

  • Assistant Clinical Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, non-salaried, U.C. San Diego.
  • Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, non-salaried, U.C. San Diego.
  • Chief of Plastic Surgery, Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, CA, Year 2000.
  • President, San Diego Plastic Surgery Society, 2008
  • Vice President, San Diego Plastic Surgery Society, 2007
  • Treasurer/ Secretary, San Diego Plastic Surgery Society, 2006

 

AWARDS

 

BOARD CERTIFICATION

  • Diplomate, American Board of Plastic Surgery, November, 1996
  • Diplomate, American Board of Surgery, June 2, 1992 #37336
  • Certificate of Added Qualification in Surgery of the Hand, American Board of Surgery, August 19, 1996 #212
  • Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners, July 1, 1987 #321560

 

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Washington University Medical Center, St. Louis, MO

  • Plastic Surgery Fellowship 1991 to 1993
  • Plastic Surgery Administrative Chief Resident:  July 1, 1992 to June 30, 1993
  • Fellowship in Hand, Microvascular, and Peripheral Nerve Surgery: 1993 to 1994
  • Traveling Fellowship to UCLA and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan

 

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY

  • Board Certified in General Surgery: June 2, 1992 #37336
  • General Surgery Residency: 1986 to 1991

 

University of California, San Diego School of Medicine

  • Degree: Doctor of Medicine, June, 1986. Graduated with Highest Honors
  • Medical School:  September, 1982 to June, 1986
  • Traveling Clerkship at University of London, University of Edinburgh, UCSF, Stanford University

 

University of California, Davis

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry, June, 1982
  • U.C. Davis Regents scholarship (highest scholarship awarded by University)
  • Graduated with Highest Honors
  • Dean's Honor Roll
  • Member of PHI KAPPA PHI Honor Society

 

CERTIFICATIONS / MEMBERSHIPS

  • Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
  • Member, Network Lipodissolve
  • Member, American Society of Aesthetic Lipodissolve, Founding Member
  • Member, American Society for Peripheral Nerve
  • Member, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery
  • Member, American Association for Hand Surgery
  • Member, American Medical Association
  • Member, California Medical Association
  • Member, San Diego County Medical Association
  • Member, San Diego Plastic Surgery Society
  • Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction Certified, April 19, 1997
  • Endoscopic Plastic Surgery Certified, 1996
  • LASER Certification: CO² Laser, Erbium, Ruby Hair Removal Laser, KTP Laser, Nd: Yag Laser, Fraxel, FX CO2, Zerona fat reduction Laser.
  • California State Medical License #G63907

 

HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA
  • Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, CA
  • Sharp Mary Birch Hospital, San Diego, CA
  • UCSD Medical Center, San Diego, CA
  • Thornton Hospital, La Jolla, CA

 

NATIONAL TELEVISION SERIES

Access Hollywood NBC TV Show, August 25, 2009, Dr. Lee performs Face and Necklift, Blepharoplasty, Fat Grafts & Dermabrasion on Linda
Access Hollywood NBC TV Show, August 18, 2009, Dr. Lee performs Fat Grafting and Fraxel Laser on Ursula
Access Hollywood NBC TV Show, August 11, 2009, Dr. Lee performs Breast Augmentation on Khalee, a Corporal in the US Marine Corp

Oxygen and Bravo Networks
Dr. Lee and Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa were featured in the Oxygen Network National Television Dramedy,
‘Addicted to Beauty.’  This eight episode, weekly, one hour series premiered August 4, 2009 through Sept 22, 2009 and followed the staff of Changes for an inside glimpse of the beauty industry.  The show also aired on the BravoTelevision Network  and featured Lee performing operative and non-operative plastic surgical procedures each week.

 

TELEVISION, RADIO, NEWSPAPER & MAGAZIN APPEARANCES

San Diego Union Tribune, August 29, 2009, “Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa”
People Magazine, Style Watch, August, 2009, “Addicted to Beauty”
US Weekly Magazine, August 17, 2009, “Addicted to Beauty”
Star Magazine, August 24, 2009, “Addicted to Beauty”
San Diego Union Tribune, August 11, 2009, Currents Section D 6: “La Jolla reality series is a beaut.”
New York Times, August 4, 2009, Arts Section C3: “Tucking, Augmenting and Office Politics”
LA Times, August 4, 2009, Entertainment Section: “Addicted to Beauty.”
Chicago Tribune, August 4, 2009, Living Section: “’Addicted’ alters reality in beauty spa”
Rancho Santa Fe Review, April 23, 2009, “Catering to the discriminating client.”
Fox News Channel 6, San Diego Living Program; September 21, 2007.  “The Liquid Facelift with Sculptra.”
KCBQ 1170-AM with Carson Pay and Steve Downey, March 25, 2006 “New Developments in Plastic Surgery.”
ABC Channel 10 News with Carol LeBeau, February 12, 2006  “Non-surgical Body Sculpting: Lipodissolve.”
KNSD Channel 7/39 News, July 5, 2005.  “Non-surgical Laser Rejuvenation.”
KUSI Channel 9 News, February 15, 2005.  “Lipodissolve.”
NBC Channel 7/39 News, November 20, 2004. “Non-Ablative Facial Rejuvenation.”
KUSI Channel 9 News, November 05, 2004.  “Laser Genesis: Facial Rejuvenation.”
KUSI Channel 9 News, July 17, 2004. “Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for Teenagers.”
ABC Channel 10 News, June 6, 2004. “Body Sculpting with VASER Liposelect.”
KUSI Channel 9 News, March 18, 2004.  “Body Sculpting with VASER Liposelect.”
KUSI Channel 9 News, February 20, 2004.  “Plastic Surgery Following Gastric Bypass Surgery.”
FOX Channel 6 News, August 14, 2003.  “Plastic Surgery for Minority Patients.”
KUSI Channel 9 News, January 25, 2003.  “Botox.  Clinical Use in Plastic Surgery.”
KUSI Channel 9 News, March 23, 2002.  “New Concepts in Plastic Surgery.”
KFMB Channel 8 News, November 28, 2000.  “Miracles of Plastic Surgery; Hope for Adrian.”  3 part series
San Diego Union Tribune, January 4, 1999, Front Page.  “Brachial Plexus Reconstruction for Obstetric Palsy.”
KFMB Channel 8 News, July 23, 1998.  “Microvascular Hand Transplantation.”
KGTV Channel 10 News, January 7, 1998.  “Facial Reanimation.  Restoring Jenny’s Smile.”
KFMB Channel 8 News, September 9, 1997.  “Reconstructing Complex Facial Trauma.”
KGTV Channel 10 News, June 7, 1997.  “UCSD Medical School Graduation, Hooding Ceremony.”
KFMB Channel 8 News, August 16, 1996.  “Toe to Hand Transfers.  Microsurgical Hand Reconstruction.”
KNSD Channel 7/39 News, November 11, 1995.  “Reconstruction of Facial Deformities.”

 

PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

Dr. Lee has over 30 plastic surgery publications in peer reviewed journals. His publication list is available upon request.

 

VISION SERIES

Dr. Lee and Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa were featured in the Oxygen Network Reality Dramedy,

‘Addicted to Beauty’  This eight episode, one hour series premiered August 4, 2009 and followed the staff of Changes for an inside glimpse of the beauty industry.

 

TELEVISION, RADIO & NEWSPAPER APPEARANCES

Oxygen Network,  August-September , 2009.  “Addicted to Beauty.”  Weekly dramedy series on the life of  Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa.

 

TELEVISION & NEWSPAPER APPEARANCES

  • Fox News Channel 6, San Diego Living Program; September 21, 2007. “The Liquid Facelift with Sculptra™.”
  • KCBQ 1170-AM with Carson Pay and Steve Downey, March 25, 2006 “New Developments In Plastic Surgery.”
  • ABC Channel 10 News with Carol LeBeau, February 12, 2006 “Non-surgical Body Sculpting: Lipodissolve.”
  • KNSD Channel 7/39 News, July 5, 2005. “Non-surgical Laser Rejuvenation.”
  • KUSI Channel 9 News, February 15, 2005. “Lipodissolve.”
  • NBC Channel 7/39 News, November 20, 2004. “Non-Ablative Facial Rejuvenation.”
  • KUSI Channel 9 News, November 05, 2004. “Laser Genesis: Facial Rejuvenation.”
  • KUSI Channel 9 News, July 17, 2004. “Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for Teenagers.”
  • ABC Channel 10 News, June 6, 2004. “Body Sculpting with VASER Liposelect.”
  • KUSI Channel 9 News, March 18, 2004. “Body Sculpting with VASER Liposelect.”
  • KUSI Channel 9 News, February 20, 2004. “Plastic Surgery Following Gastric Bypass Surgery.”
  • FOX Channel 6 News, August 14, 2003. "Plastic Surgery for Minority Patients."
  • KUSI Channel 9 News, January 25, 2003."BOTOX®. Clinical Use in Plastic Surgery."
  • KUSI Channel 9 News, March 23, 2002. "New Concepts in Plastic Surgery."
  • KFMB Channel 8 News, November 28, 2000. "Miracles of Plastic Surgery; Hope for Adrian." 3 part series
  • San Diego Union Tribune, January 4, 1999, Front Page. "Brachial Plexus Reconstruction for Obstetric Palsy."
  • KFMB Channel 8 News, July 23, 1998. "Microvascular Hand Transplantation.
  • KGTV Channel 10 News, January 7, 1998. "Facial Reanimation. Restoring Jenny’s Smile."
  • KFMB Channel 8 News, September 9, 1997. "Reconstructing Complex Facial Trauma."
  • KGTV Channel 10 News, June 7, 1997. "UCSD Medical School Graduation, Hooding Ceremony."
  • KFMB Channel 8 News, August 16, 1996. "Toe to Hand Transfers. Microsurgical Hand Reconstruction."
  • KNSD Channel 39 News, November 11, 1995. "Reconstruction of Facial Deformities."

Watch one of Dr. Lee's TV appearances talking about his work in cosmetic surgery.