Dr. Saber’s Blog

Risky Plastic Surgeries I Won’t Perform or Recommend as a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

As with any surgical procedure, cosmetic surgery comes with a level of risk, and some plastic surgery procedures are riskier than others. As one of the top cosmetic surgeons in the Los Angeles area, I am always aware of the risks and potential complications of elective plastic surgery.

My goal is always to reduce the risk to my patients and help them make fully informed decisions. However, there are still some types of surgery I will not perform (and don’t recommend).

What are the risks of plastic surgery?

Any surgical or invasive procedure comes with some risk of complications. A trusted, board-certified plastic surgeon can reduce your risk, but some medical conditions put you at higher risk to begin with.

Surgical complications can include:

  • Blood clots
  • Hematoma (accumulation of blood)
  • Seroma (fluid buildup)
  • Blood loss
  • Unsatisfactory results (or a “botched” surgery)
Risky Plastic Surgeries I Won't Perform

What plastic surgeries do I not recommend?

First, I won’t recommend or perform cosmetic surgery if someone else is pushing you to do it, if you have unrealistic expectations, or if the surgery you’re pushing for won’t get you the results you want. Even a normally low-risk procedure can be counter-indicated if you’re looking to push it beyond the safe range.

Some of the procedures I flat-out won’t perform include:

Bicep or calf implants

These implants are popular with people who can’t develop these muscles through exercises like weightlifting. In this procedure, a surgeon makes an incision and inserts molded silicon implants, enhancing the bicep or calf.

These aesthetic procedures can have some benefits for people with congenital muscle deformities, but I don’t recommend them as a cosmetic procedure.

Like any implant procedure, bicep and calf implants come with the risk of implant displacement or rupture, which can result in an uneven or unnatural appearance.

High-volume Brazilian butt lift

The Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is popular with people who want to enhance the size and shape of their buttocks. It is extra popular because it is a “two-in-one” procedure. We use liposuction to remove unwanted fat from another area of the body and then enhance the buttocks with fat grafting.

However, BBL procedures are often considered “the most dangerous plastic surgeries.” The gluteal area is full of major blood vessels. If a surgeon goes too deep with the insertion, fat can enter the bloodstream and block the heart (fat embolism) or the lungs (pulmonary embolism), potentially resulting in death.

While I do perform BBLs with safe results, I will only perform them for patients looking for a low-volume boost. High-volume BBLs are more invasive and have a higher risk of fat embolism; I only perform high-volume BBLs under very specific circumstances.

Brazilian Butt Lift

Buttock implants

People who would like the buttock enhancements offered by BBLs but lack the body fat often opt for buttock implants. In this procedure, a surgeon places silicone implants via an incision between the cheeks.

Butt implants are difficult in that implants placed inside the muscle may look unnatural, but implants placed below the implant may cause sciatic nerve damage.

Permanent facial fillers

Permanent facial fillers are made from non-biodegradable materials such as liquid silicone, making them (as the name implies) permanent. As your facial features change with age, these fillers could lead to an unnatural appearance.

According to one study, 64.6% of patients with permanent fillers develop complications, and 15.3% have to have them removed.

Standard dermal fillers are long-lasting, but temporary, meaning you aren’t locked in to a permanent adjustment. There are also enzymes to reverse dermal fillers early if you’re unhappy with the results.

Unnatural eye lifts

The trendy “cat” or “fox” eye lift procedure aims to create an elongated, upward-slanting eye like that of a fox or cat.

Although it’s popular among A-listers and social media influencers, I do not perform or recommend the procedure for several reasons, including:

  • Potential nerve damage, resulting in numbness, tingling, or weakness around the eye
  • Possible changes to vision
  • The risk of eye shape or position asymmetry

In addition, the look is generally achieved with a thread lift (which I also don’t recommend!) and optimum results will only last about three weeks.

Cosmetic Procedure Thread Lift

Thread lifts

A thread lift, also known as a non-surgical facelift, lifts and tightens sagging skin on the face and neck using threads embedded in the skin. The threads are attached to tiny hooks and pull the skin tight. Optimum results last about three weeks (until the threads dissolve), but collagen production can hold the look somewhat in place for up to six months.

If performed repeatedly, scar tissue can form. Results from a thread lift are short-lasting, unpredictable, and sometimes asymmetrical. There are much safer, more long-lasting, reliable procedures to remove sagging, excess skin and improve the appearance of the face.

Why choose Dr. Saber for safe plastic surgery?

Dr. Sepideh Saber, MD, FACS, offers a sensitive female perspective for patients of all ages, genders, and orientations. Patients from all walks of life have praised their outcomes and how her caring, thoughtful approach to cosmetic surgery increased their self-confidence and self-esteem. She is board-certified and a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Saber graduated from Stanford University’s world-renowned medical school and did her plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at the University of Southern California. She then completed a fellowship at New York University in the highly challenging and delicate area of hand surgery and microsurgery.

Dr. Saber excels in a wide range of cosmetic surgery procedures, including breast reduction, rhinoplasty, breast lift, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), and breast augmentation.

To request a consultation, call (877) 205-4100 or schedule a consultation online.

The practice of Dr. Saber is located in Encino, CA for patients throughout the Los Angeles area. We are also convenient to Encino, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Burbank, Glendale, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, Northridge, North Hollywood, Malibu, Topanga, Canoga Park, Reseda, Valley Glen, Chatsworth, West Hills, Winnetka, Universal City, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Downtown Los Angeles, Silverlake, and Echo Park.

Dr. Saber graduated from Stanford University’s world-renowned medical school and did her plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at the equally lauded University of Southern California. She then completed a fellowship at New York University in the extremely challenging and delicate disciplines of hand surgery and microsurgery.

Dr. Saber offers a more sensitive, female perspective for patients of all ages, genders, and orientations. Former patients from all walks of life have praised not only their treatment outcomes but her caring, thoughtful approach to a wide array of appearance and health-related matters.
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    Dr. Sepideh Saber, MD, FACS

    👩🏻‍⚕️ Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
    🏫 Stanford/USC/NYU Trained
    🏥 Encino, CA | Book a Free Consult
    ☎️ (833) 215-0500
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    ✨ Our patient is 4 weeks post Tummy Tuck and Breast Reduction.

Her scars are a bit fresh. Overtime they will heal and become less visible. ✨

Give us a call to set up a complimentary consultation with #DrSaber who will create a customized plan for you!
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    Cheers to a weekend without rain! 🥳
    ✨ Our patient is 3 months post-op from our Tummy Tuck and Fat Transfer for her Breast Lift procedure. 

She wanted to avoid implants, so we opted in for the subtle augmentation. 
We are absolutely thrilled with her results✨

Give us a call to set up a complimentary consultation with #DrSaber who will create a customized plan for you!

____________________________
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    ✨ Our beautiful patient came in for our Otoplasty procedure. Her after photo is only 3 weeks Post-Op. We are absolutely thrilled with her results!✨

Give us a call to set up a complimentary consultation with #DrSaber who will create a customized plan for you!

____________________________
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⭐️To set up a consultation:⁠
🔸 Call : (833) 215-0500⁠
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🔸 saberplasticsurgery.com
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    Osvaldo, your happiness brings a smile to our faces too! It's nice knowing that our care has had a positive impact. 😊 

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    Happy Saturday 🫶🏼

  • What patients say about Dr. Saber

    4.8
    Over 16 Reviews

    I was fortunate to find Dr. Saber after researching board-certified surgeons who specialize in breast cancer reconstruction revision surgery. I knew I was in good hands from the moment I spoke with the lovely and efficient Marlene, Dr Saber's office manager. Dr Saber patiently listened to my concerns and, after examining me, explained what I could realistically expect the outcome to be from another surgery. She also explained to me that she would need to review my previous surgery notes before we could discuss a possible further surgery, which I found comforting and highly ethical. I also discussed a couple of other procedures that I would like done, including fat removal from my large upper arms that had caused me great embarrassment for several years. Dr. Saber is an excellent surgeon who is incredibly kind and genuine. She truly understands the female body and the emotional aspect of body insecurities yet, she is transparent about what can and cannot be done and takes time to discuss realistic expectations and outcomes. My breast reconstruction revision surgery will take place in the New Year, but in the meantime, I have the most fabulous upper arms that I recently flaunted in a strapless dress (something I have not done in years). Dr Saber is truly one of a kind, and I still cannot believe how fortunate I am to have found her. I highly recommend Dr Saber.

    Linda DeCarlo November 29, 2023

    I don’t have enough wonderful words to describe Dr Saber and Marlene! I had a tummy tuck done this year and from start to finish the entire experience was amazing. Marlene is always so helpful and works so hard to make every detail a breeze for you. When I had my consultation with Dr Saber I was at a point of complete agony with my body. She instantly took that stress and frustration off my shoulders! As a woman not being heard by doctors for years I left that consultation with happy tears knowing I had finally found my Dr. It was a major surgery and I felt completely zen and at peace going in because she really does make you feel that safe. I didn’t think I would ever look the way I do now! She gave me the gift of having the body I kept fighting for. I will never stop recommending her.

    Monica Prusa October 9, 2023

    I saw Dr. Saber when I broke my wrist. I ended up having to have surgery. She did an excellent job and I am healing nicely. She was very professional, but was also very kind and compassionate. I would highly recommend her!!

    Sandy Schaupp September 13, 2022

    I LOVED DR SABER!!! There are a few reasons why I chose her. One was because she’s a female Doctor that was my goal who also did a good job (which I was able to confirm with all her before and after photos) and what sold me was my safety in mind. She made me feel like I was in the best hands ever along with Marlene who coordinated everything THANK YOU LADIES! Dr Saber helped me get back the body I have always desired. I had a lot of stomach fat from weight gain and I lost weight so a lot of my weight was in my front lower and upper abdomen. Now I have a super beautiful curvy body like an hourglass after a tummy tuck and lipo she did. She understood the assignment hahaha . I’m 32 years old no kids just wanted to enjoy my younger body looking and feeling beautiful and she really took good care of me. Even after hours I had an emergency due to my fault but she was there and got back to me very quickly and I’m very grateful. I also think her work says a lot because I stopped taking pain medication on the 3rd day after surgery and was fine with very minimal pain I was able to tolerate the healing process. Highly recommend going with her I just had a wonderful experience and would do it all over again if I had too. Maybe after I have kids. Thanks Dr Saber and team <3

    STEPHANIE d July 15, 2022

    Dr.Saber is by far one of the best plastic surgeons. I love how she takes her time to explain any procedure to the patients understanding. She always makes sure to answers any and all questions.From fillers to body contours she’s the one you want.

    Katherine Melara February 15, 2022

    Dr Saber is amazing! She is caring and very informative. I went in for fillers and she explained procedure step by step. I highly recommend her and look forward to future visits.

    Amanda Vazquez December 18, 2020

    Dr. Saber was friendly, knowledgeable and professional. She took time to listen, answer all my questions and was forthright in her recommendations. Her staff was friendly and helpful. I was very happy with the results and plan on going back. If you are looking for a first rate professional experience look no further she is the doctor for you!

    T R December 18, 2020

    Dr. Saber is one of a kind plastic surgeon with a heart of gold. She is a well verse plastic surgeon that puts her patient's needs before anything else. She genuinely cares about every single patient, and her work speaks for itself. I notice every post-operative result on her Instagram (@saberplasticsurgery) the patients have this glow that radiates through. I have been going to Dr. Saber for my Botox for the past 3 years, and love the results every time. I know who I will be going to for any future plastic surgery needs, and will confidently refer family and friends to Dr. Saber for any Botox, fillers, and plastic surgery consultations.

    Rudy Garcia December 16, 2020

    I have nothing but great things to say about Dr. Saber! I am so pleased with my results from a breast augmentation she performed on me back in late June! She answered all my questions and concerns before and after my surgery. She’s very easy to get in contact with and she’s so nice. She made feel so comfortable throughout the whole process. 100/10 Lover her work!!

    Amanda Villegas October 15, 2020

    Dr Saber is hands down the best surgeon! She took her time answering my questions and explained procedure in detail. After doing liposuction six months ago, I am extremely happy with my results and I appreciate her so much.

    Marlene Cosentino October 15, 2020

    Dr. Saber is so kind and thorough with her patients! She is an amazing doctor and genuinely cars about everyone she comes in contact with. I would recommend her to anyone for any hand surgery or cosmetic procedure.

    Rachel Meach October 15, 2020