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A Guide To Highly Rated Plastic Surgery Centers & Surgeons 2025 (U.S.)

If you’re planning plastic surgery in 2025, choosing the right center and surgeon is the single most important decision you’ll make.

It affects your safety, your results, and how smoothly you recover—far more than any single technique or device.

Why ratings and experience matter

In plastic surgery, quality shows up in lower complication and revision rates, natural-looking results, and robust safety protocols (from anesthesia to infection prevention). The highest-performing centers also have multidisciplinary support—ICU, microsurgery teams, and specialist anesthesiologists—so if something unexpected occurs, you’re covered.

“Highly rated” should mean more than online stars. Look for independent credentials and recurring recognition from credible organizations such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) for board certification, and third-party lists like Newsweek’s America’s Best Plastic Surgeons and Castle Connolly Top Doctors that survey peers and patients. Cost transparency and accredited facilities also matter.

As you compare surgeons, examine before-and-after galleries for cases like yours, ask about case volume by procedure, and request data on revisions and complications. Elite surgeons are comfortable discussing outcomes and setting realistic expectations.

12 Leading U.S. plastic surgery centers in 2025

These academic and high-volume programs are widely recognized for excellence in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. Always verify the most current details and surgeon availability.

  1. Mayo Clinic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (Rochester, MN): Multidisciplinary powerhouse known for complex reconstruction and innovations like face transplantation. Program overview.
  2. Cleveland Clinic Plastic Surgery Institute (Cleveland, OH): Large integrated team with microsurgery expertise and rigorous safety systems. Institute page.
  3. Johns Hopkins Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (Baltimore, MD): Leaders in reconstructive microsurgery, breast reconstruction, and research-backed care. Department page.
  4. NYU Langone – Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery (New York, NY): Global reputation for craniofacial and aesthetic surgery, including pioneering transplant work. Department site.
  5. UT Southwestern Plastic Surgery (Dallas, TX): High-volume aesthetic and reconstructive program with outcomes-driven protocols. Department site.
  6. UCLA Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (Los Angeles, CA): Strong aesthetic expertise and complex reconstruction with university-level resources. Clinical program.
  7. Stanford Medicine Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (Stanford, CA): Innovation-focused with robust research and technology integration. Division site.
  8. MD Anderson Plastic Surgery (Houston, TX): Renowned for oncologic reconstruction and microsurgical expertise in a comprehensive cancer center. Clinic page.
  9. University of Michigan – Michigan Medicine Plastic Surgery (Ann Arbor, MI): Deep bench in breast, hand, and craniofacial surgery with quality-improvement leadership. Section site.
  10. UPMC Department of Plastic Surgery (Pittsburgh, PA): Large program noted for advanced reconstruction and academic output. Department page.
  11. Duke Plastic Surgery (Durham, NC): Strong outcomes focus and multidisciplinary collaboration across specialties. Clinic.
  12. Northwestern Medicine/Feinberg Plastic Surgery (Chicago, IL): Balanced aesthetic and reconstructive care with academic depth. Division site.

How to use this list: start with centers near you, confirm the specific surgeon’s expertise in your procedure, and verify facility accreditation (see tips below).

Highly rated U.S. plastic surgeons to know

The following surgeons are frequently recognized by peers and in independent listings such as Newsweek’s America’s Best Plastic Surgeons and Castle Connolly Top Doctors. Always confirm current board certification and that their focus matches your procedure.

  • Rod J. Rohrich, MD (Dallas, TX) – Aesthetic breast, nose, and face; extensive publications and education leadership. Profile.
  • Andrew Jacono, MD (New York, NY) – Facial plastic surgery with emphasis on deep-plane facelift and rhinoplasty. Profile.
  • Steven Teitelbaum, MD (Santa Monica, CA) – Aesthetic breast surgery with focus on safety and natural proportion. Profile.
  • James M. Stuzin, MD (Miami, FL) – Facelift and facial rejuvenation; long-standing educator in aesthetic surgery. Profile.
  • Samir Mardini, MD (Rochester, MN) – Complex reconstruction and facial transplantation at Mayo Clinic. Profile.
  • Eduardo D. Rodriguez, MD (New York, NY) – NYU Langone chair; craniofacial and reconstructive leader, including transplant. Profile.
  • Jesse C. Selber, MD (Houston, TX) – MD Anderson microsurgery and complex oncologic reconstruction. Profile.
  • Jeffrey M. Kenkel, MD (Dallas, TX) – Body contouring and facial aesthetics at UT Southwestern. Profile.
  • Michele A. Manahan, MD (Baltimore, MD) – Aesthetic and reconstructive surgery at Johns Hopkins; quality-improvement focus. Profile.
  • Caroline Glicksman, MD (Sea Girt, NJ) – Aesthetic breast surgery and patient-safety advocate. Profile.

Tip: Your “best” surgeon is the one whose everyday focus matches your exact goal—e.g., primary rhinoplasty vs. revision rhinoplasty, deep-plane facelift, or implant exchange with capsulectomy.

Typical plastic surgery costs in 2025

Pricing varies by region, surgeon expertise, anesthesia, and facility fees. Use these ballpark ranges to plan, then ask for an itemized quote. National benchmarks are tracked by the ASPS and real-world patient data from RealSelf Cost Guides.

  • Facelift (deep plane/SMAS): $12,000–$25,000+
  • Rhinoplasty: $7,000–$15,000+ (revision can exceed $18,000)
  • Blepharoplasty (eyelids): $4,000–$9,000
  • Breast augmentation: $6,000–$12,000 (implant type and facility affect price)
  • Breast lift or reduction: $8,000–$16,000 (insurance may cover reductions in some cases)
  • Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): $9,000–$18,000
  • Liposuction (by area): $3,000–$10,000+
  • Brazilian butt lift (BBL): $8,000–$16,000 (seek surgeons with strict fat-grafting safety protocols)
  • Mommy makeover (combined procedures): $15,000–$40,000+

Ask whether quotes include surgeon fee, anesthesia, facility, garments, implants, and all follow-ups. Top centers favor transparent, bundled pricing and clear revision policies.

How to verify credentials and safety

Check the surgeon

  • Board certification: Verify ABPS certification here: ABPS lookup. Membership in ASPS and The Aesthetic Society often indicates additional vetting.
  • Hospital privileges: Ensure the surgeon has privileges to perform your procedure at a hospital; it’s an added safety check.
  • Discipline history: Review state records via the FSMB DocInfo database.

Confirm the facility

  • Accreditation: Look for AAAASF, AAAHC, or Joint Commission. You can verify AAAASF facilities here: facility finder.
  • Anesthesia team: Board-certified anesthesiologist or CRNA, with clear airway and VTE prevention protocols.

Evaluate fit and communication

  • Review procedure-specific before/after cases similar to your age, anatomy, and goals.
  • Ask about typical recovery timelines, complication rates, and revision policies—get numbers, not generalities.
  • Ensure you feel heard; alignment on aesthetic style is crucial for satisfaction.

FAQs and smart shopping tips

  • How many consultations? See 2–3 surgeons to compare plans and pricing. Bring the same photos and questions to each visit.
  • Can I finance? Many centers offer financing; prioritize safety and skill over the lowest monthly payment.
  • Are combined procedures safe? In healthy, optimized patients and accredited settings—yes, within reasonable operative times. Discuss risks and staging options.
  • Red flags: No hospital privileges, no board certification, hard sales tactics, “too good to be true” pricing, or reluctance to discuss risks.

The bottom line

In 2025, the best plastic surgery experiences come from pairing a highly rated center with a highly focused surgeon whose everyday work matches your procedure. Use the centers and surgeons above as a vetted starting point, verify credentials, compare detailed plans—not just prices—and choose the team that demonstrates safety, transparency, and consistently excellent outcomes.