Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Kimberly Lee.
Hi Dr. Lee, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thanks for having me. Originally from the Bay Area, I am a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in Beverly Hills.
I know it may sound a little cliche, but I wanted to go into medicine because I wanted to help people. There are many ways to help others, but I wanted to be able to do it in a way where I wasn’t too removed and where I could enjoy the fruits of my labor. Medical school for me wasn’t just about learning facts and figures. It was about making sure I learned as much as I could in a way where the dots connected because one day that knowledge could make a difference in someone’s life. I always thought I would go into primary care or specialize in cancer, but surgery sparked my interest in a way nothing else could…I could use my dexterity to help others. I also realized early on that it wasn’t only about learning facts but it was the attention to detail that truly made a difference in outcomes, especially with surgery, and this attribute was an ideal match with my meticulous personality.
One of the most intricate and difficult parts of the body is the head and neck because of all the complex nerves. Even throughout most of my residency, I thought I would specialize in cancer of the head and neck, even though I very much enjoyed the aesthetics of the face. One day, when I was Chief Resident, I was emergently called to help a woman whose face was mauled by a bear. This was a turning point in my career as this particular case required me to think quickly on my feet and extrapolate all of the surgical techniques that I had accumulated to repair this woman’s face as best I could. It was this particular surgery that changed the trajectory of my career pathway, just as I was able to change hers.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life is full of obstacles and challenges, and the path in medicine is no different. At the end of training, you’re surgically capable but there’s so much more to learn when it comes to actually ensuring a smooth experience for patients and running a practice.
Like anything, I think it’s important to learn everything from the bottom up. When I first started my practice, I wanted to know what people were asking for and what questions they were asking on the phone before coming in for a consultation, so there were times where I answered phone calls. A lot of times what’s obvious or common sense to me isn’t the case for others so I really had to think about how to teach the staff about customer service, protecting patient’s privacy, and thinking ahead as to what each patient might need.
When our practice was small, I had more time to spend with patients to get to know them. As our practice grew from word of mouth, it was important to transition in a way to ensure that our patients received the same level of attention and care. At the end of the day, you can’t do everything, so it’s important to find good people who are amazing at what they do so that I can concentrate on what I need to do for my patients.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgery Center?
As a facial plastic surgeon and national trainer for injectables (such as botox and fillers), I specialize in rejuvenation of the face and neck. My philosophy is to create a balanced and natural appearing result that fits the rest of your face with the highest quality of care. Women comprise only 15% of facial plastic surgeons. Women generally know what women want and don’t want. A lot of the things are done behind the scenes to ensure my patient’s safety and to ensure the highest quality of care for my patients–from anesthesiologist selection to instrument quality. These are things that patients shouldn’t have to think about but rather areas that I should take care of to ensure the best results for my patients.
I also feel that it’s important to keep my finger on the pulse with the latest and greatest cutting-edge advances in my field and that means adapting to bring the latest techniques and technology to the patients. Sometimes newer doesn’t always mean better so it’s important to vet things out. My philosophy is to never be the first person to do something and certainly not the last, but I don’t want my patients to be guinea pigs for anything. The face isn’t an area that can be easily covered up so it’s best to trust your face to a specialist.
How do you think about happiness?
I cherish the relationships I have with my patients and I see them as people who are loved by their friends and family and who seek to enhance their quality of life by rejuvenating themselves so the outside matches their youthful inside. Fulfilling this enhancement gives me great joy and getting to know my patients and their lives is a privilege and a perk of this field. I truly feel like most of my patients are people I consider my friends and family. The relationships I get to develop in my profession is why I chose it in the first place. Unlike other areas of medicine with limited patient interaction, such as radiology, my relationships with my patients make me happy.
Pricing:
Everyone has a budget, whether it’s $1 or $100,000, but cost shouldn’t be the deciding factor when choosing your doctor, especially when it comes to your face. In the world of aesthetics, you get what you pay for and experienced doctors who are skilled in their trade aren’t going to be cheap. It’s important to find a doctor who shares your aesthetic eye and who you feel most comfortable with and if you can’t afford him/her, I often recommend to save up and do it the right way. Oftentimes patients select a less expensive doctor or cut corners only to come back and pay more to get it fixed. Sometimes the problem can’t be fixed, and the emotional trauma that comes with it is just not worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kimberlyleemd.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkimberlylee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeverlyHillsFacialPlasticSurgeryCenter/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/drkimberlylee
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kimberly-j-lee-md-beverly-hills
Image Credits
Dr. Kimberly Lee by Peter Nguyen Studio
