Dr. Steinsapir's training is in both oculofacial and cosmetic surgery. He attended medical school and internship at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Following this, he trained in ophthalmology at The University of Chicago, which has a very strong tradition of eye plastic surgery. He went on to complete a two-year fellowship in orbital surgery and research at UCLA's Jules Stein Eye Institute followed by a one-year fellowship in oculofacial plastic surgery also at the Jules Stein Eye Institute. UCLA is widely recognized as having one of the best oculofacial plastic surgery fellowships in the country with very strong training in cosmetic and restorative surgery. After this he completed two more years of fellowship training in cosmetic surgery with a well-known cosmetic surgeon in Rancho Mirage. The discipline of microsurgery from ophthalmology as well as detailed knowledge of how to take care of the eye, the most precious facial structure, has been invaluable training, creating the basis for one of the premier practices of oculofacial and cosmetic surgery in the country.

About Dr. Steinsapir, M.D.

The public has been somewhat mislead regarding who is qualified to perform cosmetic surgery. For example, many are under the impression that board certified general plastic surgeons are the most qualified to practice cosmetic surgery. However, their training is primarily reconstructive with less emphasis on cosmetic surgery. Certainly, general plastic surgeons are expected to be the best qualified to perform breast surgery and body wall procedures. Yet the cosmetic subspecialties of facial plastic surgery and oculofacial surgery arguably provide stronger training pathways for the specialized cosmetic surgeries such as rhinoplasty (cosmetic nose surgery) and blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery). Ultimately, there are many valid pathways to the competent practice of cosmetic surgery. With few exceptions, they all involve board certification in a surgical specialty, such as general plastic surgery, ophthalmology, or otolaryngology, and fellowship training in eye plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery, or cosmetic surgery. In Dr. Steinsapir's case, he did separate fellowship training in both oculofacial plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery.

How does one find a good surgeon? Credentials are not enough. Aesthetic, and to a large measure, reconstructive surgery is about technically executing an artistic vision. Looking carefully at before and after pictures is one of the best ways to judge this skill. Remember to ask yourself: Do I like what I see? Look through these pages, study his before and after pictures and decide for yourself.