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Steven Teitelbaum, MD profile

Steven Teitelbaum, MD

VERIFIED
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
1301 20th St., Ste. 350, Santa Monica, California
(424) 293-3895
Website
4.6 | 95 Reviews
359 Questions Answered
AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Post-Pregnancy Procedures

661 Photos71 Reviews253 Q&A1 Offer
Long before the television show Extreme Makeover and the expression "mommy makeover," Dr. Teitelbaum had a special section on his website, "Moms, Get Your Body Back." In his Santa Monica plastic surgery practice, he had seen countless fit and beautiful mothers who could not get their body back no matter what they did. A so-called "mommy makeover" is not a fixed schedule of procedures. It merely denotes that something is being done simultaneously to both the abdomen and to the chest in order to restore or even improve a pre-pregnancy body. The procedures done in both of these areas are identical to what can be done on their own to each of them.
BEFORE
AFTER

Breast Surgery

608 Photos73 Reviews240 Q&A1 Offer
Dr. Teitelbaum, one of the best breast augmentation surgeons in Los Angeles, is widely recognized as one of the world's preeminent breast surgeons. He is held in the highest esteem by his plastic surgeon colleagues and thousands of his own breast implants patients. Many of those most "in the know" - local mammogram technologists, operating room nurses, gynecologists and other plastic surgeons – praise Dr. Teitelbaum for his beautiful breast augmentation results and happy patients, and select him as the plastic surgeon for their family, friends, patients, and themselves. His fine work has been seen on the covers of scores of beauty and fashion magazines, as well as on many red carpets from Hollywood to Cannes.
BEFORE
AFTER

Body Contouring

59 Photos8 Reviews54 Q&A1 Offer
BEFORE
AFTER
MEET STEVEN TEITELBAUM, MD
🩺30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Steven Teitelbaum is an Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at the UCLA School of Medicine, past President of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons (2015-2016), and has been in private practice in Santa Monica since 1995. He specializes exclus

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2033-05-17 20:33:20

Steven Teitelbaum, MD reviews

Steven Teitelbaum, MD

RATING DETAILS

4.6
95 reviews

All reviews are evaluated by the RealSelf team to ensure they're written by patients like you and meet our guidelines. Your results may vary. Doctors can never pay to have reviews removed or hidden.

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10 Results
Breast Reduction

PatriciaG22

Breast Reduction and Lift - A Very Happy Patient

I am absolutely thrilled with the results of my breast lift and reduction. I am so much more comfortable every day. My bra strap is not pulling and leaving an indent on my shoulder anymore and my headaches have lessened since the surgery. Dr. Teitelbaum is a true artist and a compassionate doctor. He listened to my concerns and answered all my questions. His expertise and the care of his entire team were exceptional. I highly recommend Dr. Teitelbaum to anyone looking for a great surgeon.

Breast Reduction

glemfra

Five Stars from an Anxious Patient

I am writing to give Dr. Teitelbaum and his staff my highest recommendation and sincere thanks. I am an attorney and I sue healthcare providers. This makes me extremely picky about my doctors and cautious about the procedures I undertake. This is why I chose Dr. Teitelbaum: • He came highly recommended by two separate board-certified physicians. • He works with an anesthesiologist he has known and trusted for decades. • My procedure was performed in his own surgical center, reducing infection risk. • He spent a lot of time explaining the risks and benefits of surgery to me. High-quality physicians employ high-quality staff, and I felt very supported by everyone in Dr. Teitelbaum’s office. The receptionist, the office manager, and the nurses were all efficient, encouraging, and kind. They never made me feel like a nuisance. I received a breast reduction from Dr. Teitelbaum in which he removed almost 8 lbs of breast tissue. I am DELIGHTED with the results. My only regret is that I waited so long to make it happen. The pain was minimal; I never took more than ibuprofen after I left the office. Finally, Dr. Teitelbaum is a perfectionist. He was picky about my results in ways that I was not… and bless him for that because my breasts look amazing. My partner and I now affectionately refer to them as my “teitelbaums.”

$24,000Breast Fat Transfer

elizabethchristine

Breast Augmentation & Fat Transfer from Hips & Outer Thighs

I am SO happy with my results and I did hours of due diligence. I was previously an A. 6 doctors consultations, a spreadsheet to cross reference and I am so glad I picked Dr. Teitelbaum. He was honest in what he was able to perform based on my body type, intelligent and listened to my concerns. He dictated notes after the consultation which made me feel that he listened. He was very natural which was the result I wanted. The doctor and nurses were punctual and professional. The nurses were very kind and Chrisley ( hone of his nurses) gave me her cell phone number so I was able to ask her post off questions after hours when I was nervous as this was my first procedure. I am 8 weeks post op and I have had friends ask for my doctor’s information. I loved them after the surgery and when the swelling went down. Thank you Dr. T and staff for making an overwhelming decision into one of the best decisions ever. It’s a no brainer, go with Dr. T! 165 cc and 195 cc with fat transfer to the breasts. 5’3 110lbs. The only negative was the lymphatic drainage woman that the office recommended. Sonia Kaufmann at Golden Silhouette in Beverly Hills. She was beyond unprofessional and it was a complete scam. She would show up over 45 minutes late, reschedule me constantly, talk on the phone during my session, rebook the duration of my appointment when I arrived based on her schedule, talk about how she hated her husband, showed me post op pictures of other clients, put scar scream on my incisions when my doctor told me to wait ( she thought she was right) and it would irritate and itch ….the list goes on. She even told me that one patient had irritation on their incisions because she wore a bra too early and I know it was because Sonya pre maturely put scar cream on it. She insisted that I see her 4 days post op. I was in so much pain from the lypo and expressed that to her . Her response was “ stop being a pu%#y”. This was an add on service that was supposed to help me relax and speed up the healing. I made the mistake of buying a package in advance ( 2k plus tip ) so I knew she would not give me my money back if I asked. I felt like I worked for her vs me being the client. She caused me so much stress when I was going to her for relaxation after an intense procedure. I informed the doctor’s office of my experience and they won’t be referring clients again. I am writing this review in hopes to help other woman that are thinking about going to her.

Breast Implant Revision

AMP_1

A+ Doctor & Team; Couldn't Be Happier with my Results!

Short version: Mid-40s female; 1 month post capsulectomy and breast implant exchange to correct capsular contracture. I am shocked by my gorgeous results, and have been treated like a VIP throughout the entire process by Dr. Teitelbaum and his caring, professional team. I would highly recommend Dr. Teitelbaum's practice to a friend or family member with zero hesitation. Super long version: I am NOT an easy patient for any doctor. My entire family going back many generations is chock full of doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers. I'm a former RN myself and generally see one of my family members for anything more complicated than a vaccine or my yearly physical. I had previous breast augmentations in my 20s; all were performed by a Board-certified plastic surgeon family member who passed away unexpectedly when I was in my 30s. Entering my 40s, I developed severe capsular contracture that was getting worse every year; I suspected one implant had ruptured - turns out it had - and then my Biocell implants were recalled by Allergan. Overall, it was a mess. I knew I needed a complicated revision, but I was terrified as all previous surgeries I've ever had were done by family. There may be quite a few qualified plastic surgeons in Los Angeles, but I asked 3 separate groups of nurses for recommendations for implant revision and I only got one name: Dr. Steven Teitelbaum in Santa Monica. (Word to the wise, nurses ALWAYS know what's up with the local docs!) After reviewing his website to confirm his training/credentials and get an idea of his personal aesthetic, I booked an initial consult with a 3-month lead time. All pricing was clearly stated over the phone when booking by their helpful surgical coordinator, Vicki. At my initial consult, I was barely concerned with aesthetics as I believed my breasts were so terrible that the looks couldn't be salvaged anyway; I just wanted to fix the contracture and replace the recalled, leaking implants. Dr. Teitelbaum believed he could solve the medical problems AND make them look better. He stated, "these are the cases I can't wait to do since I know I can make you look much better." I liked his calm, thoughtful manner - but moreover I trusted my nurse friends' recommendations! - so I spoke with my husband and booked surgery a few days after the consult. Due to a cancellation in his calendar, I was able to get in for surgery just a month later. All of Dr. Teitelbaum's staff including friendly Maria at the front desk, the stellar nurses Ashley, Nancy & Michelle, and superstar Chrisley could not have been more helpful and kind. They expertly guided me through all of the necessary paperwork, pre-op appointments, mammogram scheduling, pre/post op instructions, etc., and were all very understanding of how difficult it was for me to talk about the death of loved ones to strangers with my shirt off. The surgery day was relatively easy for me with Michelle calmly handling my pre and post-op care. At the day after surgery appointment, I was completely shocked to see my new breasts for the first time. My results are absolutely gorgeous and I could not even have imagined a more perfect outcome. Dr. Teitelbaum absolutely delivered on his promise to fix my problems AND make me look better. If anything, he undersold since I don't just look better, I look outstanding! Additional thoughts: Pain - The surgery was done under general anesthesia with rib blocks placed in surgery by the anesthesiologist, Dr. Moorman. I recall only one instance of any pain at all - directly after surgery when I woke up. Michelle gave me the only oral pain pill I needed for the entire recovery (!) and I promptly went back to sleep until I was discharged shortly afterwards into my husband's care. The next 3-4 days I took Tylenol only. I am not a patient overly concerned about pain, but if you are I would honestly say I've done workouts and had massages that hurt more afterwards. Office - The office and surgery suite are located in a nice, generic medical office building. (I personally prefer this to some other LA plastic surgeons that have somehow decided that their MEDICAL office should be decked out like the lobby at The Four Seasons. That type of office reeks of someone more interested in updating their Insta and charging my credit card than providing professional level care IMO.) This building is very private as you simply drive into the underground parking structure, take an elevator to the third floor and enter the office. I have only seen one other patient in the waiting room over my 5-6 appointments so far - and I was 30 minutes early for my scheduled appointment that day so it was likely my fault anyway. If privacy is important to you, this office delivers in my experience. Appointments - These are run consistently on time and efficiently. If you are scatter-brained or nervous when taking your clothes off for (albeit nice) strangers like I can be, consider writing down questions beforehand so you don't leave without getting everything answered. I did forget something at one appointment, but I just called lovely Maria and she got me an answer promptly. Aesthetics - I would agree with the reviews that say Dr. Teitelbaum likes to deliver a naturally voluptuous result. The gallery pics on his website are an accurate representation of his aesthetic in my experience, and my results are consistent with this "sexy but elegant" look. If you are seeking an overly large result noticeable from 3 blocks away, I would venture a guess that this doctor may consider that against his artistic/medical sensibilities. Pricing - I cannot speak to where this office's prices fall in the LA range as I was not interested in selecting a surgeon based on cost and thus didn't call around for comparison. I saved for almost 2 years to finance this revision and then I chose a doctor based on recommendations/qualifications. I can say however that it was worth every single penny to me as I am thrilled with my new shape. Photos - I have a professional level career, so I will not be posting or emailing pictures of my tatas on the internet - regardless of how fabulous they are now. If you look at Dr. Teitelbaum's website, my starting point was as bad or even worse than the worst "Before" pic and my results are just as good or more beautiful than the best "After" pic. (Just ask my husband who can't stop raving about how great I look!) Final Comments - I could not be happier with my experience/results with Dr. Teitelbaum and his dedicated team. I would highly recommend scheduling a consultation with him to anyone looking for a natural yet fantastic breast augmentation or in need of a complicated implant revision. And if Dr. Teitelbaum or anyone from his wonderful team reads this review, know that I'm sending you thanks from the bottom of my heart for your kind, professional care.

$19,001Breast Augmentation

Modest476826

True Artist Doctor + Very Happy Patient

My experience with Dr. Teitelbaum exceeded any and all expectations I've ever had of plastic surgery. I've always been somewhat skeptical of any procedures but I wanted a small breast augmentation pretty much my whole life. The quantity and quality at which they perform instilled a lot of confidence in me, from the confidence that was exuded from the office. The consultation, procedure and healing all happened so fast or truly amazes me. Dr. Teitelbaum is a master of his craft and a true artist.

Breast Lift

Affectionate2278

First Class Service

Dr. Teitelbaum’s office is nothing but first class Service. From the call to schedule my consultation all the way through the actual surgery. Dr. Teitelbaum is very confident in his work which will make you feel like you are in good hands. I have been in the cosmetic industry for 30 years, so I am very familiar with all the aspects of a surgeons office including the operating room. The information you get regarding your procedure and what you need to do preoperatively and throughout the process is outstanding. Vicki the surgical coordinator walked me through everything I would need to know and followed up consistently. Dr. Rita Mormon the anesthesiologist called me the day before to review what to do prior to my arrival. When I arrived the day of surgery everything went very smoothly. I was amazed that Dr. Teitelbaum had sutured all of my incisions internally so I did not have any sutures to be removed. In all the years working in the operating room I have never seen a doctor take the time to do this type of suturing. This will result in a much better scar. If you were considering your procedure with Dr. Teitelbaum look no further. His will be the right choice!!

Breast Augmentation

ammc12

Wanted a small & natural breast augmentation (less than 200cc)

I am so pleased with my experience and results with Dr. Teitelbaum. I did my research and he was the Dr. I felt most comfortable with. From the beginning he listed to what I wanted without him persuading me to do something different. I wanted a small and natural breast augmentation (less than 200cc) and he said that those results could be easily achievable and would look great! When I got there for the surgery all the staff was very kind, answered all of my questions and put me at ease as I was a little nervous. The nurses tell you everything you need to know and walk you through each step. Surgery went well I left the clinic feeling a little groggy from anesthesia but then took a nap and woke up feeling great, I was amazed. I had no pain, just the normal tension of the tissues stretching. They followed up with me that day and the next day for the post-op consultation everything was looking great! I am 2 months out and I couldn’t be happier! They look sooo natural! I still feel like myself but more confident in my body. They dropped and fluffed and it looks as if these were my breasts all along! Dr. Teitelbaum did an excellent job. I definitely recommend!

$47,000Body Lift

cry310

9 days post op lower body lift & I'm healing flawlessly

Was referred by a friend with incredible results who also knows 4 woman with incredible results. I am extremely happy with my results and final outcomes, frankly more beautiful and natural than I ever imagined when I decided to go for it finally. I went in for a mommy makeover after 4 children who are now young adults. He wasn’t pushy in the consultation and really took the time to give me options and then left it completely up to me. I ended up getting a breast lift and lower body lift aka 360 tummy tuck. I started with the breasts since the surgeries had to be separate procedures and the results were better than I ever expected. My nipples size was reduced and I opted for the internal bra because I have thin skin. Two months later I did my lower body lift. I am 9 days post op and am healing flawlessly. I am up and around (bent over some still) and my drains were removed 5 days post op. I am still surprised by the easier than imagined recovery and the results are a work of art. All of my scars (Breast, stomach/abdominal) and beautiful, thin, and well executed. The scars on my nipples and belly button are nonexistent. The staff is exceptional and helpful. You really don’t need to look any further, you’ve found the proper choice for your mommy makeover.

$18,000Breast Lift

Friendly602491

He gave me beautiful, natural results with minimal scarring

Fantastic and skilled surgeon; wonderful nursing staff who helped me feel well prepared for my surgery. Virtually no pain the first week after surgery. Was able to shower the day after surgery (my 1st postop was the day after surgery when they removed my bandages) and there were no bandages for me to deal with personally, only steristrips which they removed for me at the office a week or 2 after my surgery (per my request - it's good to know that you can request this if you're considering the procedure). Beautiful, natural results with minimal scarring. One thing to note: my nipples were quite sensitive starting the 2nd week after surgery, and lasting another 2-3 weeks. Not a big deal, but it would have been good to expect that so I that wasn't surprised or concerned about it since it's a typical phenomenon and not problematic. All in all, I am thrilled with my experience and results and would return to Dr S. in a heartbeat if I were considering any other procedures.

$1,000Nipple Reduction

LAFemale1980

No scarring and the nipple texture is much softer than before

I got nipple reduction on both breasts as part of my breast augmentation and am very happy with the results. I had very large nipples to begin with but after breastfeeding two kids, they looked even worse with the deflated breasts. I was always self conscious wearing bathing suits because the nipples would protrude. My doctor did a fantastic job with the nipple reduction, there was no scarring and the texture of the nipples is much softer than before. I no longer have the issue of protruding nipples under bathing suits and I'm very happy with the results.