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Dr. Steven Teitelbaum, MD - Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Santa Monica, California

Dr. Steven Teitelbaum, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Santa Monica, California
NPI: 1356471882· License: G76466 (CA) verify

31+ years of experience · self-reported

Industry payments (2024): $1,038 across 21 payments (what this means)
4.69(716 ratings)

In Dr. Steven Teitelbaum's own words

How Dr. Steven Teitelbaum describes their own approach, from their Instagram posts. Each statement links to the original.

Approach

  • The reason is that they give the surgeon the greatest flexibility to show their full artistic judgment and surgical technique because we can so reshape the breast
  • But I had to open myself up to what a lot of brilliant young surgeons were telling me. And I didn't want to become this old fogey, just completely stuck into an old world. I watched other people before I did it, and I'm slowly evolving and embracing it
  • Dr. Steven Teitelbaum is cautious about widely adopting new techniques, even when he sees advantages, because his current methods consistently produce good results and are supported by 25 years of data and experience.

Specialization

  • Breast lifts and breast reductions are my favorite procedures to do

Technique

  • So here's what I think you can do at pre-pectoral augmentation. And if you do it precisely with the cautery and you don't over dissect and you don't put in a big implant, you are preserving with a lowercase p, a large amount of tissue with that dissection
  • I always joke that the criticisms of the balloon are the BL shit, you know, blunt and blind and bloody. It's none of those three
  • With a reduction, we have all of that and then we also can remove volume

Training & credentials

  • We have those standards in our society, so as board-certified plastic surgeons and members of the Aesthetic Society, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, we have those rules and guidelines
  • This runs counter to everything I've done and been taught and believed in for 30 years in one. Everything was direct visualization and cautery. But direct visualization and cautery was because I thought anything blunt or blind was sacrilege

Cost & consultation

  • Dr. Steven Teitelbaum's practice provides a refund to patients for materials or procedures that are ultimately not used.

Recovery guidance

  • Dr. Steven Teitelbaum and his practice are known for providing a fast-track 24-hour recovery for patients undergoing dual-plane augmentation.

Safety

  • It's single use. I haven't heard of re-sterilization, but I suppose they're always going to be people just like with funnels that will try to sterilize things

Statements are quoted or closely paraphrased from Dr. Steven Teitelbaum'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. Steven Teitelbaum, MD, is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon practicing in Santa Monica, California. He specializes in cosmetic plastic surgery, performing procedures such as breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, breast implant revision, breast fat transfer, body lift, nipple reduction, and tummy tuck. With a background in general surgery, he is also a UCLA professor and a past President of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Teitelbaum values honest conversations in plastic surgery and takes an evidence-based approach. He critically evaluates new techniques, noting that outcomes like faster recovery and no narcotics, often marketed as breakthroughs, were already achievable for surgeons proficient in proper dual plane operations. While part of the initial training for the Preservé procedure, he committed to not marketing it until he had a full year of follow-up data. He finds breast lifts and reductions to be his favorite procedures, consistently yielding high patient satisfaction. His approach involves listening carefully to patients, meticulously assessing their anatomy, and applying his full artistic and technical skills, finding great satisfaction in happy patient outcomes.

Connect with Dr. Steven Teitelbaum 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. Steven Teitelbaum offers: pricing in context, what they've said about it, related videos and photos, and what patients ask.

Average Cost of Surgery

Healthcare costs shouldn't be a mystery. Below, you'll find crowdsourced data on the actual costs of surgeries performed by Dr. Steven Teitelbaum, submitted anonymously by the patient community. Use this as a guide to better anticipate your own expenses. Please note that final costs can vary based on your specific medical needs.

Nipple Reduction

$1,000

Breast Lift

$18,000

Above typicalTypical in Santa Monica: $7,125–$9,250 (median $8,075, 8 reports) compare ↗

Breast Augmentation

$19,001

Above typicalTypical in Santa Monica: $6,925–$11,894 (median $8,250, 44 reports) compare ↗

Breast Fat Transfer

$24,000

Above typicalTypical in California: $9,000–$19,500 (median $15,000, 10 reports) compare ↗

Body Lift

$47,000

About typicalTypical in California: $18,000–$47,000 (median $22,500, 5 reports) compare ↗

Help us keep this data current and accurate. If you've had a procedure with Dr. Steven Teitelbaum, please take a moment to contribute your cost information.

Questions, Answers, and Information Directly from Dr. Steven Teitelbaum

Sourced directly from Dr. Steven Teitelbaum's social posts and replies.

What is Dr. Teitelbaum's stance on surgeon qualifications for Preservation Breast Augmentation?
Dr. Teitelbaum emphasizes that board-certified surgeons should perform the Preservation Breast Augmentation technique, disagreeing with claims that non-board-certified surgeons can perform it.
Source →
What are Dr. Teitelbaum's views on implant size limitations for Preservation Breast Augmentation?
Dr. Teitelbaum disagrees with claims regarding strict implant size limitations for the Preservation Breast Augmentation technique, suggesting a more nuanced approach.
Source →
What is Dr. Teitelbaum's perspective on the pricing of Preservation Breast Augmentation?
Dr. Teitelbaum disagrees with criticism regarding the pricing of the Preservation Breast Augmentation technique, implying he finds it appropriate for the value or complexity.
Source →
What key question should patients ask when considering Preservation Breast Augmentation?
Dr. Teitelbaum advises that every patient considering Preservation Breast Augmentation should ask whether they are paying a premium for the outcome itself or for a branded technique.
Source →
Does real science support Preservation Breast Augmentation?
Dr. Teitelbaum states that real science exists concerning Preservation Breast Augmentation.
Source →
What is Dr. Teitelbaum's view on the marketing of Preservation Breast Augmentation?
Dr. Teitelbaum believes that the marketing surrounding Preservation Breast Augmentation has gone too far, suggesting a cautious approach to promotional claims.
Source →
What is the approximate cost of the Preservation Breast Augmentation kit?
The Preservation Breast Augmentation kit costs approximately the same as a single breast implant.
Source →
How does the Preservation Breast Augmentation kit impact manufacturer revenue?
Dr. Teitelbaum notes that the use of the Preservation Breast Augmentation kit effectively doubles the revenue for the manufacturer with each use.
Source →
What are Dr. Teitelbaum's 'red flags' for evaluating plastic surgeons on social media?
Dr. Teitelbaum identifies several 'red flags' when evaluating plastic surgeons on social media, including surgeons who exclusively post early results and practices that rely heavily on out-of-town patients who may not be aware of the local reputation or 'scuttlebutt'.
Source →
What are the common outcomes and benefits of breast reduction surgery?
Breast reduction surgery typically results in breasts that are perkier and lighter, and it often alleviates pain, allowing patients to wear a greater variety of clothing, facilitating working out, and ultimately making them look and feel more beautiful and self-confident.
Source →
Who are common candidates for breast reduction surgery?
Common candidates for breast reduction include teenagers whose breast size inhibits athletics, causes discomfort, or attracts unwanted attention. Another peak time for breast reduction is after menopause, when breast size can increase even in very fit women.
Source →

From Dr. Steven Teitelbaum's Instagram

@drsteventeitelbaum →

Recent photos posted by @drsteventeitelbaum, Dr. Steven Teitelbaum's own Instagram account. Each image opens the original post on Instagram.

Images © Dr. Steven Teitelbaum / @drsteventeitelbaum, 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. Steven Teitelbaum Review Summary

4.6
Dr. Teitelbaum receives consistently high ratings, averaging 4.6 out of 5 stars. Patients praise his surgical skill, natural-looking results, and attentive care.

Ratings from Other Platforms

yelp.com

4.5 out of 5

Based on 137 reviews

View on yelp.com

realpatientratings.com

4.7 out of 5

Based on 1972 reviews

View on realpatientratings.com

Google Reviews

4.6 out of 5

Based on 40 reviews

View on Google Reviews
Dr. Steven Teitelbaum, MD - Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Santa Monica, California

Main Office

1301 20th St #350, Santa Monica, California

(310) 315-1121

Book a Service Consultation

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)

$1,038

Payments

21

Compared to peers

Moderate

Dr. Steven Teitelbaum received $1,038 across 21 payments in 2024. That is higher than about 71% of the physicians here who received any industry payment. Most of it was categorised as food and beverage, and the largest single payer was ABBVIE 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 ↗

Patient Awards

Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Insurance Information

Please contact Dr. Steven Teitelbaum's office directly for information about accepted insurance plans.

Phone: (310) 315-1121

Help us improve this profile

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Location & Contact Information

Main Office

1301 20th St #350

Santa Monica, California 90404

Get Directions

Office Information

Phone: (310) 315-1121

Where does Dr. Steven Teitelbaum practice?

Doctor's Office

Main Office (Primary)

1301 20th St #350, Santa Monica, California 90404

(95 reviews)

Hospital Affiliations

Hospital affiliations unknown

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

Education & Experience

Certifications & Licenses

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Certified By The American Board Of Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make an appointment with Dr. Steven Teitelbaum online?
This information is not available based on the provided context. Please check the doctor's website (drteitelbaum.com) or contact their office directly at (310) 315-1121.
Does Dr. Steven Teitelbaum offer telehealth?
This information is not available based on the provided context. Please check the doctor's website or contact their office directly.
What do patients have to say about Dr. Steven Teitelbaum?
Patients rave about Dr. Teitelbaum's skills and results. They describe him as a 'true artist' who provides 'first-class service' and achieves 'beautiful, natural results with minimal scarring.' Patients also highlight their satisfaction with breast augmentations, fat transfers, and body lifts, noting minimal scarring and flawless healing.
What areas of care does Dr. Steven Teitelbaum cater to?
Dr. Teitelbaum's areas of care include cosmetic plastic surgery, specializing in procedures such as breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, breast implant revision, breast fat transfer, body lift, nipple reduction, and tummy tuck. He also has a background in general surgery. He notes that outcomes like faster recovery and no narcotics, often marketed as breakthroughs for newer techniques, were already achievable for surgeons proficient in proper dual plane operations. His perspective on breast augmentation often involves navigating the conflict between established, proven experience and newer, developing techniques. He values honest conversations in plastic surgery, highlighting specific panel discussions on breast implants as examples of this transparency. Demonstrating a cautious, evidence-based approach, he committed to not marketing new procedures like Preservé until he had a full year of follow-up data. He critically evaluates surgical techniques, for instance, by questioning what advantages balloon dissection offers over precise cautery dissection. He notes that breast lifts and reductions consistently yield high patient satisfaction, a key focus in his practice. His approach to breast lifts and reductions emphasizes listening carefully to patients to understand their desires, meticulously assessing their anatomy, and applying his full artistic and technical skills.