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Dr. Melinda A. Costa, MD, FACS - Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in San Jose, California

Dr. Melinda A. Costa, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

San Jose, California
NPI: 1831346162· License: a103870 (CA) verify
Medical school: Univ Of Pennsylvania School Of Dental Medicine · Graduated 2006(~20 yrs since med school)
Industry payments (2024): $807 across 13 payments (what this means)
4.79(20 ratings)

In Dr. Melinda A. Costa's own words

How Dr. Melinda A. Costa describes their own approach, from their Instagram posts. Each statement links to the original.

Approach

  • Whether it’s the canvas or the OR, I focus on details that bring the face to life
  • Dr. Costa's focus, whether for a weekend sketch or a complex operating room case, is always on seeing to create balance and harmony of the face.
  • Precision and keen observation are fundamental principles of the doctor's medical practice.

Specialization

  • Dr. Melinda A. Costa's practice utilizes radiofrequency microneedling to treat conditions such as acne scars.
  • Dr. Costa performs lip lift procedures in-office.

Technique

  • During radiofrequency microneedling, Dr. Melinda A. Costa's practice adjusts the treatment depth, performing passes at different depths such as 1.2mm and more superficial levels.
  • Today we're going to do a procedure called radiofrequency microneedling using this device, Secret Probe

Technology

  • The needles go into the skin and this device is nice because it controls the depths down to the 0.5mm. You can go all the way down even to 3mm into the skin. And then it delivers radiofrequency energy or heat

Training & credentials

  • Dual-fellowship trained Adult & Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery

Recovery guidance

  • Dr. Melinda A. Costa's practice recommends radiofrequency microneedling treatments be done 4-6 weeks apart, with a series of three generally needed for optimal results.

Statements are quoted or closely paraphrased from Dr. Melinda A. Costa'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. Melinda A. Costa, MD, FACS, is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon practicing in San Jose, California. Dual-fellowship trained in Adult and Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery, Dr. Costa specializes in facial feminization, cleft lip and palate repair, facial reconstruction, and ear surgery. Dr. Costa views medicine as an art, with a core philosophy centered on creating balance and harmony of the face through precision and keen observation. Her approach to rhinoplasty often aims for a softly sloped dorsum with subtle tip rotation, enhancing facial balance and improving breathing. She performs in-office lip lift procedures to elevate the upper lip, adding volume and creating a more youthful, balanced appearance. For skin rejuvenation, Dr. Costa utilizes the Cutera Secret Pro device for Radio Frequency Microneedling, stimulating collagen and hyaluronic acid production with only 24 hours of downtime. Understanding the critical role facial fat plays in a youthful look, she also performs autologous fat grafting. Dr. Costa uses and personally recommends LUNAESCENT skincare products.

Connect with Dr. Melinda A. Costa on Social Media

SpecialtiesProceduresAverage CostReviewsIndustry PaymentsInsuranceLocationAffiliationsEducationFAQ

Specialties

  • Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Procedures & Services

Select a service to schedule an appointment · each is approximately 60 minutes

Procedure details

Everything on this page about each procedure Dr. Melinda A. Costa offers: pricing in context, what they've said about it, related videos and photos, and what patients ask.

Questions, Answers, and Information Directly from Dr. Melinda A. Costa

Sourced directly from Dr. Melinda A. Costa's social posts and replies.

Where does Dr. Costa perform lip lift procedures?
Dr. Costa performs lip lift procedures in-office.
Source →
What is a lip lift procedure and what results can be expected?
A lip lift procedure involves removing and tightening the skin right before the base of the nose to pull up and elevate the upper lip. This not only adds volume but also creates a more youthful appearance by improving balance and exposing more of the upper lip.
Source →
How does Dr. Costa's Radio Frequency Microneedling treatment work and what is the typical protocol?
Dr. Costa uses the Cutera Secret Pro device for Radio Frequency Microneedling. This technology delivers energy and heat to the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen and hyaluronic acid production. This process improves acne scarring and other concavities. A typical protocol involves a series of 3 treatments, spaced 4-6 weeks apart, with only 24 hours of downtime per session.
Source →
When are the results of rhinoplasty and genioplasty typically visible?
Results from rhinoplasty and genioplasty are generally visible at 3 months post-operation.
Source →
What is Dr. Costa's approach to lip reconstruction and what results can be expected?
Dr. Costa performs lip reconstruction, often involving the reduction of central upper lip tissue, with the goal of creating a more balanced, natural lip contour. Patients can expect improved shape, proportion, and a more refined appearance, with results observed at 6 weeks post-operation.
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What is autologous fat grafting and what results can be expected?
Autologous fat grafting is a procedure performed to restore volume and improve contour, particularly in areas like the lower eyelids and cheeks. Patients can expect improved under-eye smoothness, enhanced cheek fullness, and refined facial symmetry, leading to a more refreshed and balanced facial appearance, with results visible around four months post-procedure.
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What is Dr. Costa's philosophy and expected results for upper blepharoplasty (eyelid lift)?
Dr. Costa performs upper blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, to significantly improve the brightness and openness of the eyes. This procedure removes excess skin and aims to restore a rested, natural, and vibrant expression, always with the philosophy of achieving a refreshed look while maintaining the patient's natural appearance.
Source →
What specific areas does Dr. Costa's practice serve in the Bay Area?
Dr. Costa's practice is located in the Bay Area, serving the South Bay, including San Jose, Santa Clara, and Santana Row.
Source →

From Dr. Melinda A. Costa's Instagram

@melindacostamd →

Recent photos posted by @melindacostamd, Dr. Melinda A. Costa's own Instagram account. Each image opens the original post on Instagram.

Images © Dr. Melinda A. Costa / @melindacostamd, 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.

Technologies & brands Dr. Melinda A. Costa mentions

Devices, implants, injectables and products named in Dr. Melinda A. Costa's own posts and videos. A mention is not an endorsement; ask the office what they currently offer.

Skin tighteningSecret RF
LasersCutera

Patient Experience

Dr. Melinda A. Costa Review Summary

4.6
Dr. Costa receives stellar reviews overall! She has a perfect 5.0 rating from 8 patients, likely on her own website. Other platforms show similarly high scores, with a near perfect 4.9 on Google and 5.0 on RealSelf. Healthgrades shows a 3.9, bringing the overall average to a still impressive 4.6. This suggests patients are highly satisfied with her work.

Ratings from Other Platforms

healthgrades.com

3.9 out of 5

Based on 7 reviews

View on healthgrades.com

realself.com

5 out of 5

Based on 8 reviews

View on realself.com

Google Reviews

4.9 out of 5

Based on 44 reviews

View on Google Reviews
Dr. Melinda A. Costa, MD, FACS - Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in San Jose, California

Main Office

2516 Samaritan Dr Suite N, San Jose, California

(408) 659-6757

Book a Service Consultation

Each service is approximately 60 minutes.

+6 more

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)

$807

Payments

13

Compared to peers

Modest

Dr. Melinda A. Costa received $807 across 13 payments in 2024. That is higher than about 56% of the physicians here who received any industry payment. Most of it was categorised as food and beverage, and the largest single payer was BIOTISSUE HOLDINGS INC..

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

Please contact Dr. Melinda A. Costa's office directly for information about accepted insurance plans.

Phone: (408) 659-6757

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Location & Contact Information

Main Office

2516 Samaritan Dr Suite N

San Jose, California 95124

Get Directions

Office Information

Phone: (408) 659-6757

Where does Dr. Melinda A. Costa practice?

Doctor's Office

Main Office (Primary)

2516 Samaritan Dr Suite N, San Jose, California 95124

(8 reviews)

Hospital Affiliations

Hospital affiliations unknown

Do you know which hospitals Dr. Melinda A. Costa is affiliated with? This information helps patients understand where they might receive care.

Education & Experience

Education

University Of Pennsylvania

Certifications & Licenses

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Certified By American Board Of Plastic Surgery In Plastic Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make an appointment with Dr. Melinda A. Costa online?
This information is not available based on the provided details. It's recommended to check the doctor's website (costamd.com) or contact their office directly at (408) 659-6757.
Does Dr. Melinda A. Costa offer telehealth?
This information is not available based on the provided details. It's recommended to check the doctor's website or contact their office directly.
What do patients have to say about Dr. Melinda A. Costa?
Patients praise Dr. Costa for her skill and excellent results across various procedures. Reviews highlight successful facial reconstruction without visible patching, positive experiences with ear surgery and rhinoplasty, and life-changing outcomes for patients with tuberous breasts. Patients also appreciate her expertise in fillers (like Kybella) and the thoroughness of her pre-surgery consultations.
What areas of care does Dr. Melinda A. Costa cater to?
Dr. Costa specializes in adult and pediatric craniofacial plastic surgery. Her areas of expertise include facial feminization, cleft lip and palate repair, facial reconstruction, ear surgery (including earlobe repair and otoplasty), rhinoplasty, tuberous breast correction, and non-surgical treatments like Kybella and Vollure fillers. Dr. Costa also performs genioplasty to enhance overall facial balance, often alongside rhinoplasty. Her approach to rhinoplasty aims for a softly sloped dorsum with subtle tip rotation, and these procedures can also improve breathing. Her overarching philosophy, whether in art or surgery, is to create balance and harmony of the face. She understands the critical role facial fat plays in contributing to a youthful appearance, which informs her approach to procedures like fat grafting. Additionally, Dr. Costa uses and personally recommends LUNAESCENT skincare products.