How to Choose the Best Breast Reduction Surgeon in Los Angeles: Credentials to Look For

Name: Steven Teitelbaum MD
Telephone: (310) 315-1121

The best breast reduction surgeon in Los Angeles is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, operates in an accredited facility, performs breast surgery routinely, and can show you consistent results in patients built like you. Those four checks will screen out most of the risk before you ever sit down for a consultation.

Few surgeons know the credentialing landscape better than Dr. Steven Teitelbaum, MD, FACS. A Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and past President of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, he has testified before the Medical Board of California on misleading board certification claims and lobbied for laws requiring doctors to disclose their training.

In this guide, Dr. Teitelbaum explains what breast reduction involves, which credentials matter, how to read before-and-after photos, what to ask at your consultation, and which red flags should send you elsewhere.

What Is Breast Reduction Surgery and How Does It Work?

Breast reduction surgery (reduction mammaplasty) removes excess breast tissue and skin, then reshapes and lifts what remains into a smaller, more proportionate breast. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons describes the same basic sequence: remove, reshape, and elevate.

In practice, the surgeon removes glandular tissue, fat, and skin through incisions around the areola and, depending on breast size, down the lower breast and along the breast fold. The nipple is moved higher while staying attached to its blood supply. Women commonly seek breast reduction for:

Back, neck, and shoulder pain
Bra strap grooving and discomfort
Skin irritation beneath the breasts
Difficulty exercising or finding clothes that fit

Dr. Teitelbaum's approach on his breast surgery page emphasizes both relief and proportion. Because technique, incision pattern, and the amount of tissue removed all vary by anatomy, the surgeon you choose shapes the result as much as the operation itself. That is why credentials matter so much.

Why Board Certification Is the First Thing to Verify

Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the first credential to verify because it confirms years of supervised surgical training and passing rigorous exams. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, its member surgeons hold ABPS certification (or Canadian equivalent) and have:

Graduated from an accredited medical school
Completed at least six years of surgical training after medical school, including a minimum of three years of plastic surgery residency
Passed comprehensive written and oral examinations
Committed to continuing medical education, including patient safety, every year

The ABPS is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). ASPS notes that no ABMS-recognized board has "cosmetic surgery" in its name. You can confirm a surgeon's status directly through the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Watch the wording, too. "Board eligible" generally means a surgeon has finished training but has not yet passed the certification exams. "Board certified" means the exams are passed. FACS (Fellow of the American College of Surgeons) is a separate honor that signals peer review of a surgeon's training, ethics, and professional standing. Dr. Teitelbaum is board certified in both Surgery and Plastic Surgery and carries the FACS designation.

The Difference Between a Plastic Surgeon and a Cosmetic Surgeon in California

In California, a "cosmetic surgeon" and a board-certified plastic surgeon can have very different training. A California Assembly committee analysis states plainly that any licensed physician in the state, from a plastic surgeon to a pediatrician, can perform cosmetic surgery.

California does limit how doctors advertise board certification. Under Business and Professions Code section 651, a physician may advertise as "board certified" only if the board is an ABMS member or an equivalent approved by the Medical Board of California. Dr. Teitelbaum testified before the Medical Board twice in 2005 on this exact issue and has lobbied for laws requiring doctors to disclose their education and certification. When a credential sounds impressive, ask which board issued it.

How to Evaluate Before-and-After Photos for Breast Reduction

Before-and-after photos are the best preview of a surgeon's breast reduction results, but only if you know what to look for. A surgeon's gallery shows their judgment about proportion, scar placement, and symmetry, so study it as carefully as their résumé. When reviewing a gallery, look for:

Patients who resemble you. Compare cases with a similar starting size, frame, and breast shape, not just the most dramatic transformations.
Consistency across many cases. A gallery of dozens of solid results says more than a handful of standouts.
Photos taken months after surgery. Scars and shape are not final for months, so prioritize photos taken 6 to 12 months after surgery or later, not just weeks.
Symmetry and nipple position. Nipples should sit at a natural height and point forward, and the two breasts should match closely.
Natural shape, not just smaller size. The goal is a breast that fits the body, not one that looks flat or boxy.
Matching angles and lighting. Before and after shots should use the same pose and lighting so the comparison is honest.

Dr. Teitelbaum's aesthetic is rooted in balance. As he puts it, an area that is treated must look beautiful on its own and also blend into the surrounding areas. You can judge that standard yourself in his breast surgery photo gallery.

Questions to Ask During a Breast Reduction Consultation in Los Angeles

The right questions at a breast reduction consultation reveal a surgeon's experience, judgment, and safety standards in under an hour. Bring this list with you:

Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
How many breast reductions have you performed, and how often do you perform them?
Which technique and incision pattern do you recommend for my anatomy, and why?
How much tissue do you expect to remove, and what cup size is realistic for my frame?
Where will my surgery take place, and is the facility accredited?
Who will administer my anesthesia, and what are their credentials?
What complications do you see most often, and how do you manage them?
What is your policy if I need a revision?
May I see before-and-after photos of patients with a starting point like mine?
How might surgery affect nipple sensation or a future ability to breastfeed?
Do you hold privileges to perform this procedure at a local hospital?

A confident surgeon welcomes these questions. Dr. Teitelbaum's philosophy is that patients should understand how the result, risks, and recovery differ among all their options before deciding anything. ASPS publishes a fuller list of breast reduction consultation questions worth reviewing as well.

Red Flags to Watch Out for When Choosing a Breast Reduction Surgeon

Red flags in a breast reduction consultation usually show up as shortcuts: in training, in safety, or in honesty. Breast reduction ranks among the most satisfying operations in plastic surgery. A 10-year study in the Annals of Plastic Surgery using the BREAST-Q questionnaire found that over 95% of surveyed patients were satisfied and would have the procedure again. Choosing the wrong surgeon is the easiest way to end up outside that majority.

Be cautious if a surgeon:

Cannot name an ABMS board. Vague or unfamiliar "board certified" claims deserve a follow-up question.
Offers one technique for everyone. Incision patterns and approaches should be matched to your anatomy, not to the surgeon's habit.
Skips the conversation about expectations. You should hear about scars, sensation changes, and recovery, not only the benefits.
Quotes a price far below the area's norms. Unusually low fees can mean savings on anesthesia, staffing, or facility standards.
Operates in an unaccredited facility. Ask who accredits the operating room and when it was last inspected.
Lacks hospital privileges. Hospitals vet surgeons before granting privileges, and privileges matter if a complication requires hospital care.
Pressures you to book. A same-day discount or deadline is a sales tactic, not a medical recommendation.

Dr. Teitelbaum puts it bluntly on his practice website: patients should not be talked into plastic surgery. Instead, he believes a frank discussion of potential outcomes should temper enthusiasm, so the decision is practical, rational, and right for the long term.

Why Dr. Steven Teitelbaum Is a Top Breast Reduction Surgeon in Los Angeles

Dr. Teitelbaum meets every standard in this guide, and in many cases helped write them. He has been in private practice in Santa Monica since 1995, more than 30 years, and specializes exclusively in aesthetic plastic surgery. His credentials include:

Training: Medical school at UCLA, a general surgery residency at Harvard, and plastic surgery training at USC, completing full residencies in both specialties
Certification: Board certified in Surgery and in Plastic Surgery (Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery), and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
Teaching and leadership: Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at UCLA, past President of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, and past President of the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation
Hospital privileges: At St. John's Hospital since 1995 and the UCLA Center for the Health Sciences since 2006
Peer recognition: Named among Newsweek's top plastic surgeons from 2021 to 2025, and a reviewer for both major plastic surgery journals

Safety is built into the practice. Surgery takes place in Dr. Teitelbaum's private AAAHC-accredited operating room, with anesthesia directed by Rita Moorman, MD, a Harvard-trained, board-certified anesthesiologist who has worked with him since 1995. The nursing team is intentionally overstaffed with experienced registered nurses.

His approach is conservative and honest. Dr. Teitelbaum will only perform what he believes is safe and aesthetically sound, and he would rather a patient seek care elsewhere than be surprised by a result. Read his patient testimonials and review the breast surgery gallery to see the results for yourself.

Ready to Meet a Board-Certified Breast Reduction Surgeon? Dr. Teitelbaum Can Help

Choosing a breast reduction surgeon comes down to verified credentials, a safe facility, consistent results, and a surgeon who tells you the truth. Dr. Teitelbaum has spent more than three decades advocating for exactly those standards, in the operating room, the classroom, and the California State Capitol.

If you are considering breast reduction in Los Angeles, schedule a consultation at Dr. Teitelbaum's Santa Monica office. Bring your questions, and expect thorough answers. Call (310) 315-1121 or contact the office online to get started.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.

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