Choosing a plastic surgeon is one of the most personal decisions you can make. The outcome lives on your body sometimes permanently so the surgeon you choose matters more than almost any other factor in the process.
The United States performs more cosmetic procedures than any other country in the world. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), millions of surgical and minimally invasive procedures are performed annually, with demand continuing to grow each year. With that volume comes a wide spectrum of quality and not all surgeons operate at the same standard.
This guide cuts through the noise. Below, you’ll find the top 7 plastic surgeons in the US, selected based on board certification status, peer recognition, patient outcomes, and the depth of their procedural expertise. Whether you’re researching the best facial plastic surgeons in the US, looking for a rhinoplasty specialist, or trying to find the best plastic surgeons in the US for a body transformation, this list gives you a credible starting point.
What Sets the Best Plastic Surgeons in the US Apart?
Not every surgeon who performs cosmetic procedures is a plastic surgeon and that distinction matters enormously. Here’s what separates genuinely elite surgeons from the rest.
Board Certification and Hospital Privileges
The most important credential to look for is certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This is the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) for plastic surgery certification. It requires completing an accredited plastic surgery residency, passing rigorous written and oral examinations, and demonstrating a verifiable surgical case log.
The term “cosmetic surgeon” carries no equivalent standard. A physician can legally call themselves a cosmetic surgeon after minimal training in some states. This is why verification matters. You can confirm any surgeon’s board status directly at ABPS.org or through the ABMS physician verification tool.
Hospital privileges are equally important. When a surgeon holds privileges at an accredited hospital, it means a separate credentialing body has reviewed their training, experience, and outcomes and judged them safe to operate there. It’s an independent layer of vetting that protects patients.
Specialization and Procedure Volume
A surgeon who performs 300 rhinoplasties a year develops a level of precision and pattern recognition that a generalist simply cannot match. When evaluating any surgeon, ask how many procedures of your specific type they perform annually. For complex cases revision rhinoplasty, post-weight-loss body contouring, deep-plane facelifts volume matters even more.
Before & After Portfolio and Patient Reviews
A surgeon’s gallery is their most honest marketing. Look for consistency across many patients, not just a handful of impressive outliers. Results should look natural and proportionate, not exaggerated or uniform across different body types.
For verified reviews, platforms like RealSelf, Google, Healthgrades, and Vitals aggregate real patient feedback. The ASPS also publishes patient satisfaction data worth reviewing. When evaluating surgeons known for natural facelift results, pay close attention to how patients look 12–18 months post-surgery, not just the early “wow” shots.
Surgical Innovation and Technique Range
The best surgeons stay current. That means attending national conferences, participating in clinical research, adopting proven technologies like 3D imaging for consultation planning, and offering patients the full range of options from minimally invasive facial rejuvenation to complex post-weight-loss body work. Innovation paired with fundamentals is the combination to look for.
Top 7 Plastic Surgeons in the US
This list spans multiple specialties: facial surgery, rhinoplasty, breast surgery, and body contouring to reflect the full range of what patients are searching for. Every surgeon listed is board-certified by the ABPS, holds FACS designation, and has a documented record of peer recognition and patient satisfaction.
1. Dr. Rod J. Rohrich, MD, FACS in Dallas, TX
Practice: Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute
Dr. Rod Rohrich in Dallas, Texas is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished plastic surgeons in American history. He served as chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center and is a past president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He has published more than 500 scientific articles and book chapters and serves as editor-in-chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery the field’s leading peer-reviewed journal.
His clinical reputation is built on facial surgery. He is particularly sought after for rhinoplasty, facelift, and breast augmentation, and is known nationally for his precision work in facial anatomy. He has been named one of “America’s Best Doctors” for more than 20 consecutive years.
Patients come to Dr. Rohrich when they want someone who doesn’t just perform surgery they want the surgeon who helped define how the procedures are done. His results are consistently described as natural, balanced, and long-lasting.
| Credential | Detail |
| Board Certification | American Board of Plastic Surgery |
| Fellowship | Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS) |
| Publications | 500+ scientific articles and book chapters |
| Leadership | Past President, ASPS |
| Recognition | America’s Best Doctors, 20+ consecutive years |
2. Dr. Alan Durkin, MD, FACS in Vero Beach, FL
Practice: Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery
Dr. Alan Durkin in Vero Beach, Florida has built a reputation for natural-looking results across multiple procedure categories: breast augmentation, facelift, rhinoplasty, and body contouring. His boutique practice model means patients receive a level of personal attention that’s harder to find at high-volume urban centers.
He has been named a “Top Doctor” by Castle Connolly multiple years running and is a recognized educator and speaker at national plastic surgery conferences. He works with both silicone gel and structured saline implants for breast cases, tailoring his approach to each patient’s anatomy rather than applying a one-size approach.
Patients consistently highlight Dr. Durkin’s consultation style as a standout quality. He is known for walking patients through realistic expectations thoroughly, which results in high satisfaction rates and minimal surprise post-operatively.
| Credential | Detail |
| Board Certification | American Board of Plastic Surgery |
| Fellowship | Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS) |
| RealSelf Rating | 4.9 / 5.0 |
| Recognition | Castle Connolly Top Doctor, multiple years |
| Years in Practice | 20+ |
3. Dr. Sacha Obaid, MD, FACS in Southlake & Dallas, TX
Practice: North Texas Plastic Surgery
Dr. Sacha Obaid in the Dallas–Southlake, Texas area operates one of the highest-rated plastic surgery practices in the entire Southwest. He is especially known for breast augmentation, mommy makeovers, and body contouring after significant weight loss making him a top choice for patients seeking transformative results after major life changes.
He is one of a small group of US surgeons certified to use the full implant portfolios from Allergan, Mentor, and Sientra, giving his patients access to a broader range of options than most practices offer. His use of the dual-plane technique which positions implants partly beneath the chest muscle produces results that look and move more naturally than subglandular placements.
What makes Dr. Obaid particularly notable is his patient review record. He holds over 1,000 verified five-star ratings on RealSelf and has been named a RealSelf Top Doctor every year since the award was created. That volume and consistency is rare in any medical specialty.
| Credential | Detail |
| Board Certification | American Board of Plastic Surgery |
| Fellowship | Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS) |
| RealSelf Reviews | 1,000+ five-star ratings |
| Specialty | Dual-plane implant technique; post-weight-loss body contouring |
| Recognition | D Magazine Best Doctors; multiple national media features |
4. Dr. M. Bradley Calobrace, MD, FACS in Louisville, KY
Practice: CaloAesthetics Plastic Surgery Center
Dr. M. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville, Kentucky is one of the most respected breast surgery specialists in the country. His practice at CaloAesthetics draws patients from across the US who travel specifically for his expertise in primary and revision breast surgery.
What sets Dr. Calobrace apart is his direct involvement in the science behind the procedures. He has served as a principal investigator in multiple FDA breast implant clinical trials and has published over 30 peer-reviewed papers on breast surgery techniques. He has also trained hundreds of other surgeons in advanced breast augmentation and revision approaches, particularly with shaped anatomical implants.
Patients who want a surgeon operating at the frontier of breast implant research not just applying established techniques but actively advancing them consistently gravitate to Dr. Calobrace. His consultation process is known for being exceptionally thorough.
| Credential | Detail |
| Board Certification | American Board of Plastic Surgery |
| Fellowship | Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS) |
| Research | Principal investigator, FDA breast implant clinical trials |
| Publications | 30+ peer-reviewed papers |
| Recognition | Named among America’s top plastic surgeons by multiple national publications |
5. Dr. Ariel Rad, MD, PhD, FACS in Washington, D.C.
Practice: The Rad Center
Dr. Ariel Rad in Washington, D.C. holds both an MD and a PhD in biomedical science, making him one of very few plastic surgeons in the US to bring genuine research-level credentials into the operating room. He is dual-trained in plastic surgery and craniofacial surgery, which gives him a structural understanding of the face that most cosmetic surgeons don’t have.
His practice focuses on facial plastic surgery rhinoplasty, facelift, and minimally invasive facial rejuvenation. He is sought after for complex rhinoplasty cases, including revision procedures where anatomy has already been altered by prior surgery. His data-driven approach to surgical planning drawing on his research background to match techniques to individual anatomy produces results that are precise and consistently natural-looking.
He has been recognized in Washingtonian magazine’s Top Doctors list and is an invited lecturer at international plastic surgery conferences.
| Credential | Detail |
| Board Certification | American Board of Plastic Surgery |
| Degrees | MD, PhD, FACS |
| Specialty | Rhinoplasty; facelift; craniofacial-informed facial surgery |
| Recognition | Washingtonian Top Doctor |
| Focus | Complex rhinoplasty and evidence-based facial surgery |
6. Dr. Sean Doherty, MD, FACS in Boston, MA
Practice: Private Practice
Dr. Sean Doherty in Boston, Massachusetts is one of the Northeast’s most respected plastic surgeons, with a practice built on a combination of academic training and personalized care. He is affiliated with Harvard Medical School and has been recognized by Boston Magazine as a Top Doctor.
His practice covers breast surgery, body contouring, and facial rejuvenation. He integrates the latest cohesive gel implant and fat transfer techniques into his breast work, staying current with advances in materials and methodology. Patients who value both scientific rigor and a surgeon who takes time to listen consistently rate his communication and outcomes highly.
For patients in the Northeast looking for a surgeon with an academic pedigree and strong hands-on results, Dr. Doherty is a clear standout.
| Credential | Detail |
| Board Certification | American Board of Plastic Surgery |
| Fellowship | Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS) |
| Affiliation | Harvard Medical School |
| Recognition | Boston Magazine Top Doctor |
| Specialty | Breast surgery; body contouring; facial rejuvenation |
7. Dr. Joseph R. Barnthouse, MD, FACS in Cincinnati, OH
Practice: Rejuvenate Plastic Surgery
Dr. Joseph Barnthouse in Cincinnati, Ohio is the leading plastic surgery voice in the Midwest, with a practice that draws referrals from across Ohio and surrounding states. He specializes in facial rejuvenation, facelift, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery as well as breast procedures, and is known specifically for results that look natural rather than operated on.
His focus on minimal-scar facial techniques and individualized facial anatomy assessment has earned him peer-nominated Top Surgeon recognition across multiple Ohio publications. Patients who want conservative, age-appropriate rejuvenation rather than a dramatic transformation consistently find his philosophy aligns with their goals.
| Credential | Detail |
| Board Certification | American Board of Plastic Surgery |
| Fellowship | Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS) |
| Specialty | Facelift; rhinoplasty; eyelid surgery; breast procedures |
| Recognition | Peer-nominated Top Surgeon, multiple Ohio publications |
| Known For | Natural facelift results; minimal-scar techniques |
Plastic Surgery Specialties – What Top US Surgeons Offer
The phrase “best plastic surgeon” means something different depending on what you need. A surgeon who is exceptional at rhinoplasty may not be the right choice for post-weight-loss body contouring. Here’s a breakdown of what to look for across the main specialty areas.
Rhinoplasty (Nose Jobs)
Rhinoplasty is widely considered one of the most technically demanding procedures in plastic surgery. The nose sits at the center of the face, and even a 1–2mm change in structure can significantly affect how the entire face reads. Surgeons who specialize in rhinoplasty typically limit a large share of their practice to nasal work specifically.
When evaluating a rhinoplasty specialist, look for surgeons who perform revision cases surgeons who fix other surgeons’ work tend to have a higher level of technical understanding. Dr. Ariel Rad and Dr. Rod Rohrich are both nationally recognized for their rhinoplasty outcomes.
Facial Rejuvenation and Facelift Surgery
The goal of a modern facelift is to look like a younger version of yourself not like you’ve had surgery. The techniques that achieve this, particularly the deep-plane facelift and SMAS-based approaches, involve repositioning deeper facial structures rather than simply tightening skin. Surgeons who take shortcuts at this layer produce the “pulled” look that patients want to avoid.
When reviewing before and afters for facelift surgery, look at how natural the neck-jawline transition looks and whether expressions appear relaxed. Dr. Barnthouse and Dr. Rohrich are known specifically for natural facelift results.
Body Contouring After Weight Loss
After significant weight loss whether through bariatric surgery or lifestyle change many patients are left with excess skin across the abdomen, arms, thighs, and breasts. Body contouring after weight loss involves a combination of procedures: tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), arm lift (brachioplasty), thigh lift, and sometimes a lower body lift.
This work is technically complex because it involves large surface areas, multiple incisions, and patients whose skin quality has changed significantly. Dr. Sacha Obaid is one of the most recognized surgeons in the US for post-weight-loss body contouring.
Breast Surgery
Breast surgery encompasses augmentation, lift, reduction, and revision and the best breast surgeons are skilled in all four. Choosing a surgeon based only on augmentation volume misses the bigger picture. A surgeon who understands lift and reduction techniques brings a more complete understanding of breast anatomy to any augmentation case.
Dr. Calobrace’s involvement in FDA clinical trials for breast implants makes him one of the most scientifically informed breast surgeons in the country. Dr. Durkin’s personalized approach and high RealSelf ratings reflect consistent patient satisfaction across a range of breast procedures.
How to Find the Best Plastic Surgeon for Your Procedure
Knowing the top names is a starting point. Here’s how to narrow down to the right surgeon for your specific situation.
Start with Board Certification Verification
Before anything else, verify your surgeon’s certification at ABPS.org or through the ABMS Certification Matters tool. This takes two minutes and confirms the single most important credential in plastic surgery.
Do not rely on a practice’s own website to confirm certification. Some practices use language like “board certified” to refer to boards that do not carry ABPS or ABMS recognition. Verify it independently.
Narrow by Procedure Specialization
Once you’ve confirmed board certification, look at what percentage of a surgeon’s practice your procedure represents. Most top surgeons publish this information on their websites. A surgeon who performs 80% rhinoplasty cases has a fundamentally different depth of experience than one who splits time across 10 procedure types.
Review before and after galleries critically. Look for patients with a similar starting point to yours not just the best-case outcomes. Consistent quality across diverse anatomy is the real sign of skill.
How to Book a Virtual Plastic Surgery Consultation
Most top plastic surgeons now offer virtual consultations, which makes it easier to access nationally recognized surgeons regardless of your location. To prepare for a virtual consult, take photos in natural lighting from the front, side (both), and three-quarter angles. For facial consultations, neutral expressions and pulled-back hair give the clearest view.
During a virtual consult, surgeons typically assess your anatomy, discuss realistic outcomes, review your medical history for contraindications, and outline the procedural approach they would recommend. Come with a written list of questions. A good surgeon will welcome them.
Ask About Hospital Privileges
Even if your procedure will be performed in an outpatient surgery center, ask whether your surgeon holds privileges at a local accredited hospital. Hospital credentialing committees independently review a surgeon’s training, case history, and outcomes. A surgeon with hospital privileges has passed that review a surgeon without them may not have.
This question is appropriate to ask at consultation. Any surgeon worth working with will answer it directly and confidently.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the best plastic surgeon for a specific procedure?
Start by verifying board certification through ABPS.org or ABMS.org. From there, narrow your search by procedure specialization the surgeon performing the highest volume of your specific procedure type will generally have a stronger command of it than a generalist. Review before and after galleries carefully, read verified patient reviews on RealSelf and Google, and book consultations with at least two surgeons before deciding. You can browse a verified directory of board-certified plastic surgeons at Top Plastic Surgeons USA.
How do I book a virtual plastic surgery consultation?
Most top practices offer virtual consults through Zoom or a proprietary patient portal. To get the most out of a remote consultation, prepare your photos in advance front, side, and three-quarter views in natural lighting. Be ready to discuss your medical history, any prior procedures, and your specific goals. Surgeons will typically review your anatomy, explain what’s realistic, and outline the approach they’d recommend. Virtual consults don’t replace the in-person pre-op appointment, but they are an efficient first step for evaluating multiple surgeons before traveling.
Which plastic surgeons are known for natural facelift results?
Natural facelift results come from technique, not just talent. Surgeons who work at the deeper structural layers of the face the SMAS layer or deep plane produce results that move and age naturally rather than looking tight or windswept. When reviewing before and afters, look at the neck-to-jaw transition, the area around the ears, and whether the patient’s expressions appear relaxed. From this list, Dr. Joseph Barnthouse and Dr. Rod Rohrich are both specifically recognized for conservative, natural-looking facial rejuvenation outcomes.
Does my plastic surgeon need hospital privileges?
Hospital privileges aren’t legally required for outpatient procedures, but they are a meaningful credential to ask about. When a surgeon holds privileges at an accredited hospital, it means an independent credentialing committee has reviewed their training, surgical outcomes, and professional conduct and approved them to operate there. It’s an extra layer of vetting beyond board certification. If a surgeon cannot or will not answer this question clearly, that is worth noting.
Who are the best plastic surgeons in the US for rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is one of the most technically sensitive procedures in the specialty. The surgeons most recognized for rhinoplasty outcomes tend to dedicate a significant portion of their practice to nasal work specifically and regularly take on revision cases. From this list, Dr. Ariel Rad who is dual-trained in plastic and craniofacial surgery and holds both an MD and PhD is particularly sought after for complex rhinoplasty. Dr. Rod Rohrich is also nationally recognized for rhinoplasty precision and has published extensively on nasal anatomy and technique.
Who is considered the best facial plastic surgeon in the world?
This is genuinely subjective, and any claim to a single definitive answer should be treated with skepticism. Surgeons who appear consistently on global “best of” lists tend to come from the US, South Korea, and Brazil, and typically have a combination of high procedure volume, published research, and peer recognition. For US patients, the more practical focus is finding an ABPS-certified surgeon whose specific technique and aesthetic sensibility align with your goals. Board certification, procedure specialization, and verified patient outcomes are more reliable guides than any global ranking.
Conclusion
The seven surgeons on this list represent some of the strongest credentials, deepest specialization, and most consistent patient outcomes in American plastic surgery today. From Dr. Rohrich’s unmatched academic record and rhinoplasty legacy, to Dr. Calobrace’s FDA-level breast implant research, to Dr. Obaid’s extraordinary patient satisfaction volume, to Dr. Rad’s dual-doctorate precision each brings something distinct to the table.
“Best” is always relative to what you need. A surgeon who is exceptional for facelift work may not be the first call for post-weight-loss body contouring. What matters is matching your procedure, your anatomy, and your goals to a surgeon who has done exactly that kind of work hundreds of times.
Before booking any consultation, verify board certification independently at ABPS.org. It takes two minutes and confirms the most important credential in the process.
Ready to find a board-certified plastic surgeon near you? Browse our verified directory at Top Plastic Surgeons USA.