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.

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

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.

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, www.cohesiveimplants.com, 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.

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.