Today we would like to introduce you to Ali Sepehr, MD.
Ali, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in The Valley and then attended UCLA for 8 years (undergrad and Medical School). First year, I tried to commute from home and quickly learned the meaning of traffic. To any of your readers that have to take the 101 to the 405S every day, let me just say, I feel your pain. So I moved to West LA for 7 years.
I always wanted to become a doctor, and specifically practice Facial Plastics. Growing up, I was your classic left brain/right brain person, excelling in science and simultaneously having a passion for a variety of art. The foundation of Facial Plastic Surgery is science, and you have to know it to keep your patients safe. However, that is not sufficient for outstanding outcomes. Before you can achieve the most beautiful results, you have to be able to see the change that each face needs, and it’s different for every individual. By walking into our office patients are saying they’re not satisfied with a particular feature. When they look at pictures or in the mirror, something is bothering them, and it’s not letting them feel comfortable in certain situations. They are seeking something that will help them become more self-confident. To serve them well and help them obtain the optimum result, you need the ability to envision the ideal change. You need “that eye” to be a superb Facial Plastic Surgeon. I got where I am today and completely enjoy every minute because it allows me to merge science with my creativity and vision for the beautiful.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
We were about to launch our practice during the massive recession, at a time when the statistics said half of the plastic surgeons were closing their doors.
By the way, the medical school never prepared us for starting a business, not a course or even a single lecture. It was concerning, to say the least, but I knew the only way to deliver the type of service and care that exceeded expectations from start to finish was to work in my own practice. The beginning was not easy. The first 4 months I worked 7 days a week to get things running somewhat smoothly, but they were still not as good as I wanted.
For several years, I worked 6 days a week. The irony was the more I made other people look refreshed, rested and rejuvenated, the more I looked weary, worn-out, and wasted. However, it has been rewarding the entire time, because all that hard work witnessed a practice steadily grow, flourish, and thrive. As for me, I’m no longer drained, plus a little botox and filler go a long way.
Please tell us about OC Facial Plastics.
Our practice specializes in Facial Plastic Surgery. That is to say, we focus on Plastic Surgery from the neck up. In the operating room our expertise is in a handful of surgeries: namely Face and Neck Lift, Forehead and Brow Lift, Upper and Lower Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty), Rhinoplasty, and Revision Rhinoplasty. In the office, we also concentrate on a few procedures: namely, Botox, Fillers, Laser Resurfacing, Lip Lifts and Ear Lobe Repair.
We are most proud of our patients. Most of our patients find us from word-of-mouth referrals or are repeat clients. They know that what sets us apart from other doctors is our philosophy to keep you looking like an improved version of yourself. In other words, our emphasis is a natural appearance. We firmly believe that the best results should go unnoticed, and your face shouldn’t scream plastic surgery. There are those who are going for “The Real Housewives” look and they find other doctors. We are proud because our patients help set us apart; the ones who share our philosophy find our office on the corner of natural and beautiful.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
We would have started our practice in Newport Beach. However, we found ourselves embarking on a new enterprise during the recession, when there were concerns about the economy, no light at the end of the tunnel, and articles about plastic surgeons shutting down shop left and right. At that time, a safe opportunity presented itself in Irvine so that seemed less risky.
However, we knew our ultimate location was going to be in Newport Beach, to where we’ll relocating in a couple of months. Thankfully, the practice is thriving and we are very busy, but that makes scheduling the move very daunting. We’ll just have to strive to make the transition as seamless as possible.
Contact Info:
- Address: 360 San Miguel Dr. Ste 409
Newport Beach, CA 92660 - Website: www.orangecountyfacialplasticsurgery.com or www.ocfacialplastics.com
- Phone: (949) 371-MYMD (6963)
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocfacialplastics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ocfacialplastics/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/drsepehr
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-oc-center-for-facial-plastic-surgery-irvine-5
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