UPLIFTED
An Interview with Dr. Ben Talei
Dr. Ben Talei isn’t your average plastic surgeon. The California native is the product of many impressive universities and medical facilities, including the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), University of California San Diego School of Medicine, University of Menéndez Pelayo, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Vascular Birthmark Institute of New York.
Dr. Talei is dual board-certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Having returned to California, he is now fully integrated within the Beverly Hills community. In addition to being a member of the Beverly Hills Health & Wellness Committee, Dr. Talei is also on staff at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Talei is the advisory chair for the Los Angeles County Medical Association.
At his Beverly Hills Center for Plastic & Laser Surgery, Dr. Talei continues to refine cutting edge techniques in plastic and reconstructive surgery, which sets him apart as one of the most skilled surgeons of the day. His work is as uplifting to patients as it is inspiring to fellow doctors. Visit www.beverlyhillscenter.com to learn more.
LB What originally drew you to the fields of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery?
BT From the age of five, I always knew I wanted to be a doctor. At first, I wanted to be a heart surgeon, then a neurosurgeon, and then I finally decided to become a head and neck cancer surgeon. Head and neck cancer surgery is extremely complex and delicate. As a cancer surgeon, I also specialized in the reconstruction of cancer surgeries. However, after a few years of people telling me they had cancer, it finally took its toll on me, and I decided at that point to focus more on reconstruction instead of the actual cancer treatment. The more time I spent with the plastic surgeons, the more I realized how much I love the detail, difficulty, and intricacies involved in facial plastics.
After specializing in facial plastic surgery, I also decided to specialize in pediatric plastic surgery and vascular birthmarks. This way, I was still treating tumors, but now they were benign tumors and mostly in kids.
LB In what ways are these fields different now from when you first began practicing?
BT Cosmetic surgery has become much more accepted and popular over the last decade. Social media has really helped bring natural procedures to light with all types of patients sharing their journeys. Cosmetic surgery, when done properly, has become something that people are proud to show off and talk about, and they have fun sharing it with others going through the same process. In the past, this was not the case due to plastic surgery having a terrible stigma.
LB What are your most requested procedures for both facial plastic and reconstructive surgeries?
BT The four most requested procedures people seek me out for are the Deep Plane Facelift, Weekend Neck Lift, Lip Lift, and Brow Lift. I have developed unique methods for these procedures that patients from around the world travel to the United State to see me [for].
LB Tell us about the Modified Upper Lip Lift.
BT The Modified Upper Lip Lift, also known as the Deep Plane Lip Lift, is a technique that I developed about seven years ago to address all the negative issues we have seen with lifting over the past 50 years. This technique is what made lip lifts popular all around the world. The evolution of my technique is the Cupid Lift, which is an acronym I used to describe the design of the lip. I am now able to alter the curvature and character of the lip more than ever before.
LB What new and/or advancing procedures are you most excited about currently?
BT The Weekend Lift is an impressive procedure for internal neck lifting that I wish I could do on myself. The only problem is I am the one who developed the procedure and there are not many people who would be able to do it on me. With this procedure, you can get a massive neck lift without removing any skin, and all the incisions are hidden behind the ear. I have also developed new techniques for Deep Plane facelifting that is being adopted across the country. One specific technique called “the Mastoid Crevasse” is truly a game-changer.
LB How do you adapt your methodology from patient to patient?
BT When I analyze a patient, I start thinking about the things I would like to do to them to make an impressive before-and-after photo that I would be proud of. I weigh that against what I think they would like for me to do for them and why it’s essential. It is really important to be able to meet your patient and treat them practically. Not everybody wants the same thing.
LB How does your approach stand apart from the norm?
BT The techniques I use are much more advanced than 99% of what you see around the world. Although in surgery, everything is an evolution and rarely has a doctor invented anything new on their own, several of the techniques I use are truly unique, and I love teaching others my discoveries. I am able to get the biggest changes possible in the most natural way.
LB How have you evolved with your career?
BT I try to improve my surgical techniques every opportunity I have. At the end of the day, I’m always proud of my results. But sometimes, the little voice in my head says that they are inadequate and that I can do better. I am my hardest critic because I consider myself a perfectionist.
Through my evolution, my screening process has become more meticulous. Having a healthy rapport with my patients is especially important because I genuinely form bonds with them and want them to have the best experience and results possible.
Editorial Director Lauren Barisic
Photographer Jim Jordan
Jim Jordan
Photographer
Jim is a world-class fashion and celebrity photographer. With an impeccable eye for beauty and detail, he developed his own style and quickly made a name for himself in the fashion industry worldwide. His remarkable and expanding portfolio includes photos of Hollywood A-listers such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Charlize Theron, Miley Cyrus, and James Brolin among many others. Jim has also shot for prestigious magazines including Vogue, Marie Claire, and Vanity Fair, to name a few.
