Who Are The Best Plastic Surgeons In The United States

Plastic surgery is one of the most personal decisions a person can make — and choosing the wrong surgeon can turn a life-changing moment into a life-altering mistake. The United States is home to some of the world’s most skilled, credentialed, and innovative plastic surgeons, but with nearly 8,000 practicing plastic surgeons nationwide, finding the right one requires more than a Google search.

The best plastic surgeons in America aren’t just technically gifted. They combine surgical mastery with an artist’s eye, a teacher’s patience, and a physician’s discipline. Names like Dr. Rod J. Rohrich, Dr. Garth Fisher, and Dr. Babak Azizzadeh are synonymous with excellence — not because of celebrity clients, but because of peer recognition, outcomes data, and decades of board-certified practice.

The Gold Standard: What Defines “Best”

Before naming names, it’s worth understanding the measuring stick. Not every surgeon who calls themselves a “cosmetic surgeon” holds the same credentials, and that distinction can be the difference between a safe procedure and a dangerous one.

Board Certification: The Non-Negotiable

The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) — the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) for plastic surgery — sets the bar. To achieve ABPS certification, a surgeon must graduate from an accredited medical school, complete at least five years of surgical experience (including a plastic surgery residency), and pass both written and oral comprehensive exams. During the oral exam, candidates must present their own recent cases — there’s no hiding behind theory.

According to the 2024 “State of Aesthetics” report, 66% of patients consider board certification the single most important factor when selecting a plastic surgeon. That number speaks volumes.

Peer Nominations, Not Just Patient Reviews

Each year, Newsweek in partnership with Statista surveys thousands of medical professionals — surgeons, clinic administrators, and healthcare experts — to compile its definitive “America’s Best Plastic Surgeons” ranking. The 2025 edition recognized 459 surgeons across six specialties: breast augmentation, facelift, rhinoplasty, liposuction, eyelid surgery, and, for the first time in 2025, tummy tuck. These rankings are grounded in peer nomination, quality scores, and certification data — making them one of the most credible annual lists in the field.

America’s Most Celebrated Plastic Surgeons

These surgeons represent the pinnacle of their specialties. Each has earned recognition through peer nominations, media features, academic contributions, or multiple decades of surgical excellence.

Facial Surgery Leaders

Breast Surgery Specialists

Multi-Specialty Icons

Dr. Garth Fisher of Beverly Hills stands in a category of his own. With 30+ years of practice, a clientele that includes Fortune 500 executives, royalty, and global celebrities, and the distinction of launching ABC’s Extreme Makeover, he brought plastic surgery into mainstream conversation. He is listed in Best Doctors in America’s Foremost Surgeons — an honor given to fewer than 1% of U.S. doctors.

Dr. Sanjay Grover, meanwhile, was one of only twelve surgeons in the entire country to receive Newsweek recognition across all four categories — Rhinoplasty, Facelift, Liposuction, and Breast Augmentation — simultaneously. That kind of cross-specialty mastery is exceedingly rare in a field where most surgeons deliberately narrow their focus.

Dr. Julius Few of Chicago holds certification by the ABPS and membership in the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. His practice spans face, breast, and body — complemented by a full-spectrum non-surgical skincare clinic.

The Cities That Lead the Nation

Geography matters in plastic surgery. The most elite surgeons cluster in cities where demand, competition, and academic resources are highest.

• Beverly Hills / Los Angeles, CA — The undisputed capital of cosmetic surgery, home to surgeons like Dr. Fisher and Dr. Azizzadeh, with decades of celebrity-driven innovation
• New York City, NY — A hub for facial specialists and reconstructive microsurgeons, driven by proximity to world-class academic hospitals
• Dallas, TX — Home to Dr. Rohrich and a thriving community of ABPS-certified surgeons affiliated with UT Southwestern and Baylor College of Medicine
• Nashville, TN — Emerging as a center of breast surgery excellence, led by pioneers like Dr. Maxwell
• Chicago, IL — Known for precision-based practices like Dr. Few’s, with academic ties to Northwestern University

How to Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon for You

Finding the best surgeon isn’t about chasing celebrity names — it’s about matching your specific procedure, risk tolerance, and expectations to a surgeon who has demonstrated mastery in exactly that area.

Step-by-Step Selection Framework

1. Verify ABPS board certification — Visit the ABMS website directly to confirm. Do not rely solely on a surgeon’s website claims
2. Check your state medical board — Look up licensing status and any disciplinary actions
3. Confirm the surgical facility is accredited — Procedures performed in accredited settings carry significantly lower complication rates
4. Study before-and-after galleries — Focus on results for patients with your body type and the exact procedure you’re considering
5. Read peer-reviewed recognition — Look for Newsweek or Statista rankings, ASPS membership, and academic publications
6. Request a consultation — A top surgeon will ask more questions about your goals than you ask about their techniques. If they don’t, walk out
7. Seek personal recommendations — The 2024 “State of Aesthetics” report highlights recommendations from friends and family as a top patient decision factor

Red Flags to Watch

• No ABPS certification (other “board certifications” may not meet ABMS standards)
• Pressure to book during the first consultation
• Reluctance to share before-and-after photos
• No clear discussion of risks or recovery timelines
• Surgery offered in a non-accredited facility

2025 Trends Shaping the Industry

The field isn’t standing still. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) identified seven top trends shaping 2025, including a notable shift toward smaller breast implants, the arrival of new implant technologies, and growing interest in using a patient’s own fat and platelets (autologous procedures) for more natural, long-lasting outcomes. The best surgeons are already integrating these advances — another reason staying current with peer-recognized rankings matters.

Key Takeaways

• Board certification by the ABPS — recognized by the ABMS — is the single most important credential to verify before choosing any plastic surgeon in the United States
• Newsweek and Statista’s annual ranking evaluated 459 of America’s best plastic surgeons across six specialties in 2025, based on peer nominations, quality scores, and certification data
• Dr. Rod J. Rohrich, Dr. Garth Fisher, Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, and Dr. Joshua Zimm are among the most consistently recognized surgeons for facial procedures, while Dr. William P. Adams Jr. and Dr. G. Patrick Maxwell lead in breast surgery
• Beverly Hills, New York City, Dallas, and Nashville anchor the top-tier plastic surgery landscape in America
• The best outcomes come from matching your specific procedure to a surgeon’s documented specialty — not simply selecting the most famous name

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I know if a plastic surgeon is truly board certified in the US?

The only way to be certain is to verify directly through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) website, which maintains an official database of certified surgeons. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the sole ABMS-recognized board for plastic surgery — any other “board certification” may not carry the same rigorous standards.

What is the difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon?

A plastic surgeon certified by the ABPS has completed a formal plastic surgery residency and passed comprehensive oral and written exams. The term “cosmetic surgeon” is not a protected title, meaning doctors from unrelated specialties can use it without ABPS-equivalent training. Always confirm your surgeon holds ABPS certification for elective aesthetic procedures.

Who are the best plastic surgeons for rhinoplasty in the United States?

Surgeons consistently recognized for rhinoplasty excellence in America include Dr. Rod J. Rohrich (Dallas), Dr. Joshua Zimm (New York), Dr. Sanjay Grover (multi-state), and Dr. Andrew Jacono (New York), all of whom have received Newsweek peer-nomination recognition in this category.

How much does plastic surgery cost with a top-rated surgeon in the US?

Costs vary widely by procedure, surgeon seniority, and location. A facelift with a top-ranked surgeon in Beverly Hills or New York can range from $15,000 to $50,000+, while rhinoplasty typically runs $8,000 to $25,000. Surgeons featured on Newsweek’s Best lists generally charge a premium that reflects experience, facility quality, and post-operative care.

Can I trust online reviews when choosing a plastic surgeon?

Online reviews are a useful starting point, but they should not be your primary filter. Peer-nominated rankings from Newsweek/Statista, ASPS membership verification, academic publishing records, and state medical board standing provide far more objective signals of surgical quality and safety than patient star ratings alone.

What questions should I ask during a plastic surgery consultation?

Ask your surgeon about their ABPS board certification status, the number of times they’ve performed your specific procedure, where the surgery will take place (and whether that facility is accredited), what complications they’ve encountered, and whether you can speak with previous patients. A confident, experienced surgeon welcomes every one of these questions.

Why are some of America’s best plastic surgeons only recognized in certain states?

Newsweek and Statista’s rankings evaluate surgeons only in the 20 states with the highest concentration of plastic surgery professionals. This means exceptional surgeons in smaller markets may not appear on national lists — which is another reason to prioritize ABPS certification, local peer recommendations, and documented specialty outcomes over list placement alone.