Practice Info

Practice Philosophy

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.

Practice Specialization

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.

Cohesive Implant Expert
By now you’re sure to have heard about the latest advance in breast implants – the cohesive or so-called “gummy-bear implant,” which are all the rage in Europe. Thousands of European women are thrilled with their natural looking and feeling breasts and now select American patients can enjoy these phenomenal implants as well!

These implants offer a soft and supple feel with the added benefit of being relatively leak free due to the cohesion of the siliocne. It is this consistency that allows the implants to maintain the commonly requested tear drop shape. While the edges of the implant blend gradually into the surrounding tissue, the thinner top of the implant slopes gently down to a fuller bottom half, creating the gorgeous contour of a natural breast.

Although these implants are so new in the states that they have not yet been approved by the FDA, Dr. Teitelbaum has been using them in studies since 2000 and is one of the most experienced providers in the country! So experienced, in fact, that the manufacturers of these implants have asked him to help develop the curriculum to teach other surgeons how to use these implants. He has traveled to places as far away as Europe, Asia, and Africa to teach surgeons how to use them.

Click here to learn more about cohesive gel implants

24 Hour Recovery – Does a virtually pain-free breast augmentation sound too good to be true?
Many of Dr. Teitelbaum’s patients think it is - until they understand what he does differently and speak to actual patients who are pain-free just a day or two after surgery.

Recent developments really have allowed breast augmentation patients to return to normal activities within 24 hours, without the need for narcotics, pain pumps, special bandages, or bras.

Dr. Teitelbaum’s patients routinely go out to dinner the night of surgery, go to Lakers games, or just enjoy the evening with their family. Most drive within several days, and need no more than a few days off of work.

Bruising is minimal or non-existent, and pain is controlled with just regular Advil and Motrin.

When some surgeons hear this, they don’t believe it! That’s one reason why Dr. Teitelbaum teaches a course at the largest plastic surgery meeting in the world in which he describes how to do this.

How is it done? Meticulous preop planning assures not just that you will get the result that you want, but that time won’t be wasted during surgery making decisions that could better have been made with the doctor and you beforehand.

Very careful surgical techniques coordinated with excellent anesthesia and a detailed understanding of fine points of anatomy, allow the operation to proceed smoothly and with a minimum of trauma. With our current anesthesia technique, it has been years since a breast augmentation patient had significant nausea.

Because of rough or imprecise technique, some surgeons tightly bandage patients or make them wear a special bra. But Dr. Teitelbaum’s precise and gentle surgical technique allows his patients to move their arms in the recovery room right after surgery! That way, your arms never get stiff and frozen. We hear stories that some doctors tell patients to keep their elbows at their sides “as if you had a broken arm” for a week after surgery. In contrast, we encourage our patients to shampoo and blow dry their own hair the night of surgery.

The result is less pain, a shortened recovery, and a lower chance of hardening of your breasts.

Click here to learn more about 24 hour recovery from breast augmentation
 

Surgical Facility

The operating room has only the most up to date equipment. It has received the certification of AAAHC/Medicare. For decades, accreditation has been the highest form of public recognition a health care organization could receive for safety and quality of care it provides. Patients have come to expect accreditation with hospitals. Yet, it is just as important to seek accreditation from any independent provider where you are planning to have surgery. The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care handles accreditation of independent ambulatory health care providers and is Medicare approved.

Consultation

My consultations are particularly lengthy, and that is why I charge for them. Many plastic surgeons that offer complimentary consultations actually have them done by a "cosmetic consultant" or "patient coordinator," or they may spend only a few moments with the patients. I schedule a large block of time for each patient, and take as much time as a patient needs to discuss their situation. Photos are taken and we discuss them. Many patients return to continue the consultation on a second or third visit, and I do not charge for those subsequent visits.

I take a thorough history and perform a detailed relevant physical examination. My consultations in particular have a reputation of their own; I have a unique ability to gain an understanding of what a patient wants, to assess their anatomy, to imagine what would look best for a patient given their goals, and finally to discuss this all with them in an understandable way.

Computer Imaging

3-D Computer Simulation of Augmentation Results

Every woman considering breast augmentation shares the same concern: How do I choose an implant that’s the right size for me? 

While Dr. Teitelbaum has a patent for a device that determines the best implant size for a breast and he is extremely experienced in helping patients find an implant that is best for them, it’s understandable that you will want to get some sense of how different options will look on you. It’s for this reason that Dr. Teitelbaum uses a state of the art digital breast imaging system. The Precision Light technology has helped hundreds of satisfied patients forecast how they will look after their procedure. 

This device is new and not available to the public.  While there are other 3-D devices on the market, none have the same sophisticated software engine that actually does a simulation rather than just a “morph,” thereby creating what seem to be much more realistic images. While the images are excellent and generally reliable, patients should understand that this is a new technology and only time will determine the accuracy of these images.  

After taking three-dimensional digital images of the breasts, the Precision Light software then calculates precise measurements and determines the exact volume of the breast tissue present. The system can then be used to simulate how various implant sizes and types will look on you. Because any size implant can be simulated on your body, the machine presents you with an unprecedented opportunity to visualize approximately how you will look ahead of time, allowing you to get an idea of whether the implant Dr. Teitelbaum calculated for your breast gives you the overall size and balance that you wish. 

Of course, like any simulation, Precision Light can’t give a 100 percent precise prediction of the outcome. But Dr. Teitelbaum has found it to be far and away the most helpful forecasting tool available—and his patients agree. Many say that the digital imaging played a big role in reducing their concerns about their implant size, and gave them more confidence that they would be happy with their outcome. 

All breast augmentation consultations that are candidates for digital imaging include a Precision Light session at no additional charge.  If you have breasts that are droopy and hang over the crease under your breasts, realize that the camera cannot get a picture of the bottom part of your breasts and therefore a simulation will not be possible for you.  It also cannot simulate a lift or revision of a previous augmentation.