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Dr. Johnson Lee

Gender-Affirming Surgery for Transgender Women in Beverly Hills

Dr. Johnson Lee, MD is a Johns Hopkins–trained, board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills who specializes in gender-affirming surgery for transgender women. With nearly a decade of experience performing feminizing procedures, Dr. Lee focuses on helping patients align their physical features with their gender identity through facial, breast, and body feminization surgery.

Dr. Lee first became involved in gender-affirming surgery through his participation in the LGBTQ+ community and has since dedicated a large portion of his practice to caring for transgender patients. His surgical philosophy emphasizes natural-looking results, individualized treatment planning, and open communication throughout the transition process.

Many of Dr. Lee’s patients pursue multiple procedures as part of a comprehensive feminization plan. By addressing facial structure, body proportions, and secondary sex characteristics together, he works to create balanced results that support each patient’s long-term goals.

Dr. Lee performs surgery in Beverly Hills and is affiliated with Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.

Education, Training and Surgical Background

Dr. Lee earned his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, one of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world.

He completed an integrated plastic surgery residency at Albany Medical Center in New York, where he received extensive training in both reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. Following residency, he pursued advanced fellowship training in oculoplastic and aesthetic surgery under the direction of Dr. Mark Codner in Atlanta.

This fellowship focused on eyelid, brow, and upper facial procedures—areas that are especially important in facial feminization surgery.

Dr. Lee has also participated in international surgical training and research through programs at:

• Chang Gung Hospital in Taiwan
• MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston
• The Villa La Paz Foundation in Peru

He remains active academically and has contributed instructional material to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, demonstrating advanced eyelid surgery techniques.

Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS)

Facial feminization surgery modifies facial features that strongly influence gender perception. Many transgender women pursue FFS as one of the most impactful steps in their transition because subtle facial differences can strongly affect how gender is perceived in daily life.

Dr. Lee’s approach to facial feminization focuses primarily on soft-tissue facial procedures, emphasizing balance and natural facial proportions rather than aggressive structural alteration.

By combining procedures that address the upper, mid, and lower face, he aims to produce cohesive results that soften facial features while preserving each patient’s individuality.

Brow Lift

The brow and forehead region play a major role in gender perception. A brow lift elevates and reshapes the brow position to create a more open, feminine upper facial appearance. Subtle adjustments to brow height and contour can reduce heaviness in the brow region and soften the overall facial expression.

Hairline Advancement

Many transgender women have a higher or more angular hairline. Hairline advancement surgery lowers and reshapes the frontal hairline by advancing the scalp forward. This reduces forehead height and helps create a rounder, more typically feminine hairline contour.

Hair Transplant

Hair transplantation is often used to refine the hairline and improve density along the temples and frontal hairline. Strategic follicle placement can soften facial framing and create a smoother, more rounded hairline shape.

Hair transplantation may be performed alone or combined with hairline advancement to improve overall hairline aesthetics.

Lip Lift

A lip lift shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip, increasing tooth show and enhancing lip definition. This procedure can help create a more youthful and feminine lower facial appearance.

Breast Augmentation for Transgender Women

Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed gender-affirming procedures for transgender women.

While hormone therapy can produce some breast development, many patients seek surgery to achieve fuller breast volume, improved projection, or better overall shape.

Dr. Lee performs breast augmentation using silicone implants and carefully plans implant size and placement to match each patient’s chest anatomy and body proportions.

Goals of breast augmentation surgery may include:

• Increasing breast size and projection
• Creating a rounder breast contour
• Improving cleavage
• Achieving better symmetry and proportion with the torso

Surgical planning is individualized to ensure natural-looking results that complement the patient’s frame.

Body Feminization Surgery

Body feminization procedures reshape the torso and lower body to create more traditionally feminine proportions.

For many transgender women, body contouring procedures help address masculine fat distribution patterns and create a more defined waist-to-hip ratio.

Dr. Lee performs a range of body feminization procedures designed to reshape the waist, hips, and torso.

Body Contouring and Liposuction

Targeted liposuction can reduce fullness in areas such as the abdomen, waist, and flanks. By sculpting these regions, body contouring can create a narrower waistline and a more feminine silhouette.

Buttock Augmentation

Buttock augmentation increases projection and volume in the gluteal region, helping to create fuller hips and a more curvaceous lower body. This procedure can enhance the overall waist-to-hip ratio and contribute to a more balanced feminine silhouette.

Rib Remodeling (Waist Contouring Surgery)

For some transgender women seeking more dramatic waist definition, rib remodeling surgery may be considered.

Rib remodeling modifies the lower rib structure to reduce waist circumference and enhance the waist-to-hip ratio. This procedure can help create a narrower waistline as part of a comprehensive body feminization plan.

Because rib remodeling is an advanced procedure, Dr. Lee carefully evaluates each patient to determine whether it is appropriate for their anatomy and goals.

This surgery is offered only after detailed consultation and individualized surgical planning to ensure patient safety and natural-looking results.

Consultations with Dr. Lee

Dr. Lee offers both virtual and in-person consultations for transgender women considering facial, breast, or body feminization procedures.

Consultation fee: $250

Typical timelines:

• Consultation wait time: approximately two weeks
• Surgery dates: typically available 4–6 weeks after consultation

Between 50–75% of Dr. Lee’s patients are transgender or nonbinary, and his practice is structured to provide a welcoming and gender-affirming environment.

Gender-affirming practices include:

• Inclusive intake forms that allow patients to specify name, pronouns, and gender identity
• Consistent use of chosen name and pronouns in all communication
• A nondiscrimination policy inclusive of gender identity and expression
• Staff training in transgender cultural competency
• Gender-neutral restroom access

Languages spoken at the practice include English and Spanish.

Costs, Financing and Insurance

Most gender-affirming procedures performed by Dr. Lee range between $8,000 and $25,000, depending on the procedure and whether surgeries are combined.

A consultation is required to provide an accurate surgical estimate.

The practice accepts:

• Cash
• Credit cards
• Medical financing (including CareCredit)
• Insurance

Dr. Lee is in-network with Blue Shield of California and accepts many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. The practice also works with Aetna and other insurers.

BCBS Medicare plans may be accepted, and Medi-Cal may be available on a case-by-case basis. Out-of-state Medicaid plans are not accepted.

The office also provides a dedicated insurance concierge who assists patients with insurance verification, authorizations, and coverage coordination.

Surgery Requirements

Dr. Lee is a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and follows the WPATH Standards of Care.

Each patient undergoes an individualized evaluation before surgery. Pre-operative requirements are determined based on the patient’s medical history, physical examination, and surgical plan.

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