Dr. Michelle Lee
Ivy-league Trained Plastic Surgeon in Los Angeles With Expertise in Gender-affirming Breast and Facial Surgery
Dr. Michelle Lee, MD is a board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon with high proficiency in aesthetic and reconstructive procedures for the breast and face. Widely regarded as being one of the finest plastic surgeons in the Los Angeles area, Dr. Lee possesses the perfect combination of skill, artistry, experience and compassion, which makes her ideally suited to performing gender-affirming surgery.
Dr. Lee's path to becoming a plastic surgeon began with art. After graduating from UCLA with a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and Piano Performance, she embarked on a decade-long career as a concert pianist, which informed not just her artistic sensibilities but also her mastery of performing at the highest level under pressure. Dr. Lee earned her medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania on a merit scholarship, an honor given to only a handful of medical students in the country. She then completed a rigorous six-year integrative plastic surgery residency at Case Western Reserve University, as well as fellowship training in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery at Harvard Medical School's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
Dr. Lee founded PERK Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills in 2019, after relocating her practice from Chicago. Many of her patients from her time in the Midwest and Northeast now travel to Los Angeles to enjoy a continuity of care with Dr. Lee. Her amazing bedside manner and incredible eye and technique have resulted in unanimous 5-star reviews across all major surgeon review platforms.
Dr. Lee is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. She serves on the editorial board for the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal and is also on the Breast and Aesthetics Section of the American Society of Plastic Surgeon's In-Service Committee. Her original research has been published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the flagship journal in the field, and other esteemed academic publications. Dr. Lee has also authored multiple textbook chapters focusing on optimizing outcomes in breast surgery, rhinoplasty, and facial rejuvenation. She has presented at surgical conferences around the world and was the recipient of the 2015 Rollin Daniel Award for best presentation in Rhinoplasty at the Annual Rhinoplasty Society Meeting.
Gender-Affirming Breast Augmentation in Los Angeles
While hormone therapy can increase breast volume somewhat, many trans women still seek to enhance the feminine shape and contour of their breasts. Using breast implants, and sometimes augmented by fat transfer, MTF Breast Augmentation provides a female breast shape and contour when hormone replacement therapy alone has not resulted in sufficient breast development.
As there are significant differences between cis and trans chest measurements, it's important to select a surgeon who has expertise in gender-affirming Breast Augmentation. Dr. Lee is highly experienced and skilled with Breast Augmentation in both cisgender and transgender patients and understands how these differences influence breast implant selection and surgical approach.
Facial Feminization in Los Angeles
Facial Feminization is a group of facial surgery procedures, as well as nonsurgical treatments, that transform more masculine looking facial features to bring them closer in shape, size and proportion to typical female facial features. Dr. Lee has deep experience with facial surgery and offers Hairline Correction, Brow Lift, Rhinoplasty, and Lip Lift procedures for her transgender patients. She also uses nonsurgical treatments to further augment feminization of the face.
"I love love love my new nose. I've been in this industry a long time and we've all seen a lot of bad nose jobs and you can tell it's a good one because you can't tell I had one. Before, my nose was wider, less refined, less feminine and now my nose is streamlined, I have a tip finally and it's much more feminine. Everything's changed: the way people approach me, the way people look at me. I'm presenting to the world how I feel on the inside and that's amazing."
— Arisce, world-renowned transgender supermodel, after having Feminizing Rhinoplasty with Dr. Michelle Lee.
Dr. Lee is affiliated with Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. Surgeries take place at Summit Surgical Center in Beverly Hills.
Surgery Requirements
Dr. Lee follows the WPATH Standards of Care for gender-affirming surgery. Patients need to provide a support letter from a qualified mental health professional, written to WPATH standards, and smokers must quit at least 6 weeks prior to surgery.
While not explicitly required, it is recommended that patients having Breast Augmentation or Facial Feminization undergo feminizing hormone therapy--unless medically contraindicated-- for a minimum of 12 months prior to surgery to improve surgery results.
Financing & Insurance
Dr. Lee accepts cash, credit card, check and medical financing (ie. CareCredit).
Booking a Consultation
Exact pricing for Breast Augmentation and Facial procedures can only be determined following a consultation. Dr. Lee offers virtual and in-person consultations for $300. (The consultation fee goes toward the cost of your procedure.) When you arrive for your consult, you'll be welcomed by the friendly, professional and efficient team at PERK. Dr. Lee will take the time to answer any questions you have and will thoroughly go over the risks and benefits, what your recovery will be like, and the expected outcomes for your procedure. To book your consult, please contact Dr. Lee here.
More information about Dr. Michelle Lee »