Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi, MD
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Otolaryngology, Plastic Surgery within the Head & Neck
Westlake Village, California
NPI: 1932397007· License: A116470 (CA) verify
Industry payments (2024): $49 across 3 payments (what this means)
4.91(49 ratings)
Consultation $250
In Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi's own words
How Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi describes their own approach, from their Instagram posts. Each statement links to the original.
Approach
- One of the most important parts of eyelid surgery happens before I ever touch the eyelid, and that is a good eye exam, testing your tear function
- And if we know the severity of the dry eyes before surgery, the goal is to optimize the health of your eyes before surgery so the tear film is as healthy as possible going into the healing process
- The better question is not, what can I do instead of surgery? The better question is, is this treatment helping my future result or making the path more complicated?
Specialization
- I look at whether fat transfer, laser treatment, or another complementary procedure may be appropriate
- The doctor performs Deep Plane Facelift, Deep Neck Lift, Deep Neck Contouring, Endoscopic Brow Lift, Facial Fat Transfer, and Lobuloplasty.
- Specializes in Deep Plane Facelift.
Consultation
- I spend a lot of time educating my patients at their consultations where I see signs of filler, and how it can possibly affect their surgery and outcome
- I also consider driving, neck movement, energy, how socially presentable you need to be and by when, what life events do you have planned, and how much flexibility you have if healing takes longer than expected
- Instead of starting with “Do I need a mini facelift?” I look at your overall aging signs - the amount of skin laxity, jowling, neck changes, volume loss, skin quality, etc., and what is causing these changes
Recovery guidance
- For most who are having full facial rejuvenation where I am combining multiple procedures with your facelift, most patients feel comfortable around 4 to 6 weeks
- A good eye exam allows us to ... plan recovery with fewer avoidable surprises
- Give yourself extra cushion, because healing doesn't always follow an exact schedule
Statements are quoted or closely paraphrased from Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi's own public posts and are their claims, not NavMDs' medical advice. Doctors can correct or remove any item via their claimed profile or support [at] navmds.com.
About
Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi is a Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon practicing in Westlake Village, California. With over 13 years of experience in Deep Plane Facelift, she specializes in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, including Deep Plane Facelift, Neck Lift, Eyelid Surgery, and Rhinoplasty.
Dr. Tansavatdi emphasizes a comprehensive approach, recognizing that the face and neck often age together. Her philosophy centers on achieving undetectable, natural-looking results by lifting and contouring the deep structures of the neck and face as one unit, rather than just removing skin. She believes there is no set age for surgery, with timing dictated by structural problems and patient readiness. During consultations, Dr. Tansavatdi evaluates tissue quality, structure, and laxity, examining the cheeks, jawline, jowls, and neck. She personalizes recovery plans by considering each patient's lifestyle, social timelines, and flexibility, ensuring they understand that healing is gradual and not always linear. Dr. Tansavatdi enjoys educating patients, believing knowledge empowers them to make optimal decisions for their care.
Connect with Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi on Social Media
Specialties
- Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Procedures & Services
Select a service to schedule an appointment · each is approximately 60 minutes
Questions, Answers, and Information Directly from Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi
Sourced directly from Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi's social posts and replies.
What factors determine facelift candidacy and timing?
Age alone is not the deciding factor for facelift candidacy. Some patients in their 30s and 40s may benefit from surgery earlier than expected due to significant weight loss, inherited structural features, or genetic factors. The timing of surgery is primarily dictated by the structural problem and how it can be effectively addressed, rather Sandhan a set age. For cases involving underlying anatomical issues causing a fuller face and chin, Dr. Tansavatdi may recommend a Facelift and Deep Contouring in the neck at a younger age than what is typically considered the 'norm'. Patient readiness, including mental, emotional, and physical preparedness for recovery, is also a crucial factor in deciding when to pursue surgery.
What is the typical recovery and downtime for a facelift and full facial rejuvenation?
Facelift recovery occurs in three main phases and is not linear, nor does it follow an exact calendar. For a Deep Plane Facelift alone, social downtime is often 2 to 3 weeks. For full facial rejuvenation combining multiple procedures, most patients feel comfortable being socially presentable around 4 to 6 weeks. However, feeling better and looking fully healed are different timelines. While major swelling subsides early, subtle swelling, numbness, firmness, incision changes, and tissue settling can continue improving for many months, with full refinement taking up to a year. Neck movement may be limited for several weeks, and heavier exercise does not resume immediately. Recovery timelines can vary based on individual patient factors (e.g., age, health) and whether other procedures like eyelid surgery or fat grafting are combined, which can lead to more swelling or additional healing considerations. Dr. Tansavatdi emphasizes planning ahead for big events and giving oneself enough recovery time without expecting every stage of healing to happen on a precise schedule.
What post-operative care does Dr. Tansavatdi recommend after surgery?
Dr. Tansavatdi recommends ongoing skincare maintenance and Botox (neuromodulator) treatments after surgery to maintain results.
What is Dr. Tansavatdi's philosophy on facial fillers?
Dr. Tansavatdi injects hyaluronic acid fillers herself and does not denounce their use, but she strongly recommends using them conservatively. She notes that excessive or repeated filler injections can lead to an unnatural appearance, filler build-up, and migration over time, potentially distorting the face. In her experience, fillers can last much longer than commonly thought, sometimes over 15 years. Fillers are intended to restore volume in areas of hollowing. During consultations, she educates patients about signs of filler and its potential impact on future surgery and outcomes, noting that certain fillers may need to be dissolved before a facelift.
What is Dr. Tansavatdi's philosophy on 'mini' procedures and procedure selection?
Dr. Tansavatdi emphasizes that the term 'mini' alone does not determine if a procedure is appropriate or guarantees a more natural result. Her philosophy is not to choose the smallest or biggest procedure possible, but rather the right approach that matches the patient's goals and anatomy. If concerns stem from deeper tissue descent or significant jowling, a less extensive surgery may not fully resolve the underlying cause. Even a smaller procedure must address the correct underlying problem to achieve the desired natural outcome.
How should patients consider cost when choosing a procedure?
While cost is a significant factor, Dr. Tansavatdi advises against making it the primary reason for choosing a procedure. Selecting a procedure based on price rather than what is necessary to achieve aesthetic goals and address anatomical concerns can lead to disappointment regarding expectations.
What are the limitations of a facelift, and what complementary procedures might be considered?
While a facelift effectively lifts descended tissue, it does not replace every type of volume loss or improve every skin-quality concern. Dr. Tansavatdi considers complementary procedures such as fat transfer or laser treatment to address these additional concerns and achieve comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
When are non-surgical treatments appropriate versus surgical options like a facelift?
Non-surgical treatments like fillers, skin tightening devices, or RF treatments are useful for specific goals such as restoring volume (fillers), improving skin quality (lasers), or enhancing texture/firmness. However, for significant laxity, tissue descent, jowling, or loose neck tissue, these treatments cannot address the underlying anatomical issues in a lasting way or achieve a noticeable yet natural outcome. A facelift is designed to address laxity, excess skin, and significant sagging in the face and neck by lifting descended tissue and restoring structure in ways non-surgical methods cannot. Dr. Tansavatdi also cautions that some tightening treatments can create scarring beneath the skin, which may complicate future surgery. Therefore, if a facelift is a consideration for the future, it is worthwhile to have that conversation before undergoing additional treatments. She encourages patients to ask: 'Is what I am doing now helping my future plan, or making the path more complicated?'
When is Botox appropriate for brow lifting, and what are its limitations?
Botox can be a great option for mild heaviness around the eyes primarily caused by muscles pulling the brows downward. It works by relaxing these muscles, allowing the forehead muscle to work more freely and create a subtle lift. However, there is a limit to how much lift Botox can achieve, as it does not physically reposition a brow that has already descended too far. Dr. Tansavatdi notes that Botox is not an incorrect treatment, but it is limited by what it can realistically correct.
When is a brow lift considered over Botox for eyelid heaviness?
If the outer brow has dropped lower than the inner brow, or if hooding extends past the outer corner of the eye, the issue may be the position of the brow itself, rather than solely muscle pull. In such cases, Botox may be insufficient, and a temporal brow lift or endoscopic brow lift may be a better option. The goal of a brow lift is to physically lift the brow structure itself, not just relax muscles. Dr. Tansavatdi emphasizes the importance of distinguishing whether eyelid heaviness comes from the eyelid, the brow, or both before choosing the appropriate treatment.
What pre-operative assessment is done for eyelid surgery, especially regarding dry eyes?
Before eyelid surgery, Dr. Tansavatdi prioritizes understanding the overall health of a patient's eyes, particularly their tear function. Eyelid surgery can temporarily make dry eye symptoms more noticeable during healing, and many patients may have undiagnosed dry eyes. This assessment is crucial, especially for women in perimenopause and menopause, as hormonal changes can be associated with dry eye. Symptoms like irritation, tearing, sensitivity, or fluctuating discomfort warrant attention before surgery. While having dry eyes doesn't automatically preclude surgery, a thorough eye exam is conducted to establish a baseline, understand the severity of dryness, optimize eye health pre-surgery, and plan recovery with fewer surprises. The eyelids contain meibomian glands that produce an oil layer for the tear film, which helps prevent tears from drying out.
From Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi's Instagram
@facesbydrt →Recent photos posted by @facesbydrt, Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi's own Instagram account. Each image opens the original post on Instagram.
Images © Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi / @facesbydrt, shown here with a link to the original post. Procedure labels are inferred from the post's caption and hashtags. If you are the account owner and want an image removed, contact support [at] navmds.com.
Patient Experience
Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi Review Summary
4.92
Dr. Tansavatdi has exceptionally high ratings across multiple platforms. With a 4.9 on Yelp and RealSelf, and a perfect 5 on Health.USNews, patients consistently praise her skills and results.
Ratings from Other Platforms
Tansavatdi Facial Plastic Surgery
2835 Townsgate Road, Suite 100, Westlake Village, California
Book a Service Consultation
Consultation fee: $250
Each service is approximately 60 minutes.
Industry Payments
Federal law (the Physician Payments Sunshine Act) requires drug and medical-device companies to report anything of value they give to a physician — consulting and speaking fees, research funding, travel, royalties, and even meals. Medicare publishes all of it in a public database called Open Payments. We show it here so you don't have to go looking for it.
Total received (2024)
$49
Payments
3
Compared to peers
Small
Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi received $49 across 3 payments in 2024. That is in the lower half for physicians here — totals this size are typically meals at sponsored talks. Most of it was categorised as food and beverage, and the largest single payer was Galderma Laboratories, L.P..
What this means for your care
- A disclosed payment is a business relationship, not evidence of wrongdoing, and it says nothing on its own about the quality of your care.
- Most payments are small. Across the physicians listed on NavMDs, the single most common category is food and beverage at industry-sponsored talks.
- Larger consulting, speaking or royalty payments mean an ongoing financial relationship with a company whose products your doctor may use or recommend. That is worth knowing about, and it is reasonable to ask about.
- A fair question to ask: “Do you have a financial relationship with the maker of the implant, filler or device you're recommending — and what alternatives did you consider?”
Source: CMS Open Payments, the federal database created by the Sunshine Act. View the full record on CMS Open Payments ↗
Insurance Information
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Location & Contact Information
Tansavatdi Facial Plastic Surgery
2835 Townsgate Road, Suite 100
Westlake Village, California 91361
Office Information
Where does Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi practice?
Doctor's Office
Tansavatdi Facial Plastic Surgery (Primary)
2835 Townsgate Road, Suite 100, Westlake Village, California 91361
(75 reviews)
Hospital Affiliations
Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center
Help improve our data. Confirm if Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi is affiliated with Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center.
Education & Experience
Certifications & Licenses
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Double Board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make an appointment with Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi online?
This information is not available based on the provided text. Check the doctor's website or contact their office directly to inquire about online appointment scheduling.
Does Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi offer telehealth?
This information is not available based on the provided text. Contact the doctor's office to determine if telehealth appointments are offered.
What do patients have to say about Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi?
Patients rave about Dr. Tansavatdi's surgical skills, natural-looking results, and positive impact on their confidence. Reviews highlight her expertise in various procedures, including facelifts, fillers, and eyelid surgery. Patients also appreciate her kind, professional demeanor and the overall excellent experience they have at her office.
What areas of care does Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi cater to?
Dr. Tansavatdi specializes in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Her areas of expertise include deep plane facelifts, neck lifts, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), rhinoplasty (nose jobs), and non-surgical nose jobs. She focuses on providing personalized care and utilizing state-of-the-art techniques to achieve optimal results for her patients. Dr. Tansavatdi's patient evaluation process for facelifts focuses on tissue quality, structure, and laxity. She assesses overall aging signs including skin laxity, jowling, neck changes, volume loss, and skin quality, examining areas like the cheeks, jawline, jowls, and neck to understand how changes relate. She also considers the patient's desired changes, medical history, and mental, emotional, and physical preparedness for recovery. When planning recovery, Dr. Tansavatdi takes a personalized approach, considering individual patient lifestyles, driving needs, neck movement, energy levels, social presentability timelines, planned life events, and flexibility for extended healing, rather than relying on broad downtime estimates. Recognizing that the face and neck often age together, Dr. Tansavatdi emphasizes a comprehensive approach, as treating only one area can result in an incomplete outcome. Dr. Tansavatdi aims for undetectable and natural-looking facelift results. She emphasizes that a natural result depends on precisely lifting and repositioning deep tissues to match a patient's anatomy and aging changes, rather than simply removing skin or relying on a 'mini' label. Her philosophy is to select an approach that aligns with patient goals and anatomy to avoid an outcome that looks pulled, obvious, or drastically different. The practice prefers to lift and contour the deep structures of the neck and face as one unit, rather than just removing skin.