Dr. Lisa Cassileth, MD, FACS
The world's leading breast reconstruction surgeon. Inventor of the
Direct-to-Implant and SWIM Flap. Two-term Chief of Plastic Surgery at
Cedars-Sinai. Founder of Bedford Breast Center and The Practice Healthcare.
8,000 surgeries in and still refining techniques.
About Dr. Cassileth
Lisa Cassileth is a board-certified, Ivy League–trained plastic surgeon who made history as the first female Chief of Plastic Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She is also the inventor of two techniques now used worldwide: Direct-to-Implant reconstruction and the SWIM flap.
More than 20 years ago, she founded Cassileth Plastic Surgery with a vision to bring that same level of innovation, expertise, and patient-centered care to every person who walks through the door. Today, that vision has evolved into The Practice Healthcare, a multi-specialty ecosystem designed around women's health, spanning surgery, diagnostics, wellness, and longevity.
Procedures
Every procedure Dr. Lisa Cassileth performs passes through the same standards of planning, technique, and follow-up.
Every patient arrives with a different starting point. The work begins with your goals and an honest read of what it will take to reach them, whether that means refining a previous result, revising after your body has changed, or planning a more complex reconstruction. As cosmetic procedures have grown over the past decade, more patients are seeking revision and corrective surgery to refine earlier results, address complications, or achieve a more natural look.
Pioneering techniques like Direct-to-Implant and SWIM that have redefined what's possible after mastectomy.
Complex corrections other surgeons refer out. Capsular contracture, implant failures, asymmetry.
Augmentation, lifts, and reductions, refined over thousands of procedures.
Non-surgical options that protect your investment, extend your results, and optimize your recovery.
In the press
Dr. Cassileth is cited in national health coverage, most recently on the risks and regulation of injectable peptides.
What Are Injectable Peptides? Here’s Why Doctors Are Worried About the Latest TikTok Wellness Fad.
Peptides: what’s real, what’s risky and what’s next
RFK Jr. may make it easier to get peptides — but what do doctors think?
Peptides are getting the DIY treatment. Doctors are concerned.
Track record
From University of Pennsylvania through the founding of Bedford Breast Center and The Practice Healthcare. Three original published procedures. Two terms as Chief of Plastic Surgery at Cedars-Sinai. Five consecutive years on Newsweek's top lists.
MD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
Residency and fellowship in a combined general and plastic surgery program.
Launches Cassileth Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills.
Performs first Direct-to-Implant prepectoral breast reconstruction.
Founds 436 Beverly Hills, a QuadA Medicare-certified Surgery Center.
DTI outcomes published in Annals of Plastic Surgery.
Appointed first female Chief of Plastic Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Serves two consecutive terms.
Co-founds Bedford Breast Center with Dr. Leslie Memsic. Dr. Killeen joins The Practice.
SWIM flap technique co-developed with Dr. Heather Richardson and Dr. Kelly Killeen.
SWIM published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
MedSpa division launched. Practice expands non-surgical services.
Pocket Lift technique refined and in active clinical practice. Compassionate Doctor Award from Vitals.
Newsweek Top Plastic Surgeon and Top Surgery Center, five consecutive years.
Practice evolves into The Practice Healthcare, integrating surgery, breast health, wellness, and aesthetics.
Patient Advocacy group established for insurance navigation.
Study on implant size and flap-necrosis risk in Direct-to-Implant reconstruction published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
* Approximate date.
What sets her practice apart
Dr. Cassileth has spent decades mastering procedures, bringing in expert collaborators, teaching techniques, and building an on-site facility to handle any patient's needs.
Innovation
Direct-to-Implant breast reconstruction (2007, Annals of Plastic Surgery 2011). The SWIM flap (2020, Journal of the American College of Surgeons) with Dr. Heather Richardson. The Pocket Lift, an internal-support breast lift technique. Each was developed in response to a real clinical limit, then trained out to surgeons worldwide.
Reconstruction
Capsular contracture that keeps coming back. Failed reconstructions. Complex revision after radiation. Implant illness with significant tissue consequences. The most difficult breast revision cases find their way to Dr. Cassileth, and her practice maintains a 95% success rate treating capsular contracture.
Team
Specialty surgeons across breast, body, and face. Full-time clinicians, MedSpa practitioners, gynecologists, and breast health experts, recruited so longevity, recovery, and aftercare all live under one roof with the same team that did the surgery. The result: the team knows you and your whole body well enough to advise what's right for you, not what's standard.
Who she treats
Capsular contracture that keeps returning. Reconstruction that failed or was complicated by radiation. Implants a patient wants removed, with the tissue consequences that follow. Asymmetry or a result from a prior operation that did not hold.
These are the cases that reach Dr. Cassileth, most often after another surgeon's operation, and the ones her practice is built around. The work begins with an honest read of what is possible and what it will take to get there.
Recovery
Recovery is run by the same team that performed the surgery, on a protocol Dr. Cassileth refined over thousands of cases. Lymphatic work, scar management, skin protocols, hyperbaric oxygen, and a private recovery option with Immortelle Med at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills. Every service is on-site and coordinated directly with your surgeon.
The recovery program →Featured cases
The structure
Dr. Cassileth built a structure where a patient can move from imaging and diagnosis through reconstruction and long-term care without leaving a coordinated system. Three entities, one team.
Co-founded with Dr. Leslie Memsic in 2015. Imaging, genetic evaluation, nipple-sparing mastectomy, and oncology coordination. The diagnostic side that hands off directly to reconstruction.
Breast reconstruction, complex revision, and the procedures she pioneered, performed in an on-site, accredited surgery center.
The structure she founded around women's health: surgery, MedSpa, wellness, gynecology, and longevity, with the same team across all of it.
Reviews
Verified Google Reviews.
“Dr. Cassileth, Dr. Brown, Star, McKenzie, Fallon and all of The Practice team were so professional, listened to my concerns and the level of expertise was masterful. I had reconstructive surgery on 10/1/2024 and I appreciate the follow-up calls to ensure my continued healing and well being.”
“This is a very talented doctor. God bless her, and hopefully she inspires others in the medical community. She saved my life.”
“I cannot recommend Dr. Cassileth and her team enough. She is the most competent, impressive and skilled doctor that I have ever met.”
“Dr. Cassileth is absolutely the best. She is at the very top of her field in regards to diagnosing issues and finding the right path forward.”
“I am beyond grateful to have had Dr. Cassileth as my breast reconstruction surgeon for my double mastectomy. Never in a million years did I think I could feel this whole again.”
“I’m from San Diego and initially struggled to find a doctor for a double mastectomy who aligned with what I was looking for. Dr. Cassileth was worth every mile of the drive.”
“Dr. Cassileth is hands down the best reconstruction surgeon in LA (and dare I say, the world). Her whole team is top of the line.”
“I rarely write reviews, but I have had such an incredible journey with brilliant surgeon Dr. Lisa Cassileth and her team that I had to share it.”
“I am very happy that I chose Dr. Cassileth for my surgery. Her whole team is very knowledgeable and have provided so much support through the process.”
“I cannot recommend Dr. Cassileth enough. The staff is by far the most incredible group of women I have ever experienced in any medical setting.”
“In May of 2022 I underwent an elective double mastectomy with reconstruction, and in February of 2023 a fat graft. Every step has been beyond my expectations.”
“I am pleased to provide a truthful review for Cassileth Plastic Surgery. What a fantastic experience from start to finish.”
“Absolutely perfect experience. As a physician I did extensive research and several consultations prior to selecting Dr. Cassileth. She exceeded every expectation.”
“I had the pleasure of going to Dr. Cassileth and her incredible team for a significant breast reduction. The result is everything I hoped for.”
“Dr. Cassileth and her team are truly incredible. It is obvious they take great care for their patients — they care about every detail.”
“It is quite uncharacteristic of me to write a review, but because of the exceptional care, professionalism and service I felt compelled.”
“An angel must have guided me to Dr. Cassileth and her remarkable team at Cassileth Plastic Surgery.”
“I call Cassileth Plastic Surgery my happy place. From the moment I walked in the door, the patient care has been exceptional.”
“Dr. Cassileth, Dr. Brown, Star, McKenzie, Fallon and all of The Practice team were so professional, listened to my concerns and the level of expertise was masterful. I had reconstructive surgery on 10/1/2024 and I appreciate the follow-up calls to ensure my continued healing and well being.”
“This is a very talented doctor. God bless her, and hopefully she inspires others in the medical community. She saved my life.”
“I cannot recommend Dr. Cassileth and her team enough. She is the most competent, impressive and skilled doctor that I have ever met.”
“Dr. Cassileth is absolutely the best. She is at the very top of her field in regards to diagnosing issues and finding the right path forward.”
“I am beyond grateful to have had Dr. Cassileth as my breast reconstruction surgeon for my double mastectomy. Never in a million years did I think I could feel this whole again.”
“I’m from San Diego and initially struggled to find a doctor for a double mastectomy who aligned with what I was looking for. Dr. Cassileth was worth every mile of the drive.”
“Dr. Cassileth is hands down the best reconstruction surgeon in LA (and dare I say, the world). Her whole team is top of the line.”
“I rarely write reviews, but I have had such an incredible journey with brilliant surgeon Dr. Lisa Cassileth and her team that I had to share it.”
“I am very happy that I chose Dr. Cassileth for my surgery. Her whole team is very knowledgeable and have provided so much support through the process.”
“I cannot recommend Dr. Cassileth enough. The staff is by far the most incredible group of women I have ever experienced in any medical setting.”
“In May of 2022 I underwent an elective double mastectomy with reconstruction, and in February of 2023 a fat graft. Every step has been beyond my expectations.”
“I am pleased to provide a truthful review for Cassileth Plastic Surgery. What a fantastic experience from start to finish.”
“Absolutely perfect experience. As a physician I did extensive research and several consultations prior to selecting Dr. Cassileth. She exceeded every expectation.”
“I had the pleasure of going to Dr. Cassileth and her incredible team for a significant breast reduction. The result is everything I hoped for.”
“Dr. Cassileth and her team are truly incredible. It is obvious they take great care for their patients — they care about every detail.”
“It is quite uncharacteristic of me to write a review, but because of the exceptional care, professionalism and service I felt compelled.”
“An angel must have guided me to Dr. Cassileth and her remarkable team at Cassileth Plastic Surgery.”
“I call Cassileth Plastic Surgery my happy place. From the moment I walked in the door, the patient care has been exceptional.”
Awards & recognition
Peer-selected awards from Castle Connolly, Newsweek, Los Angeles Magazine, and the Vitals Compassionate Doctor Award, recognition from the institutions that vet the field.
Publications
Published work in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Annals of Plastic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and others, spanning breast reconstruction, hand surgery, and craniofacial genetics.
SWIM Flap: Skin-Sparing, Wise Pattern, Internal Mammary Perforator Breast Reconstruction.
Cassileth LB, Killeen KL, Richardson HH.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons 230(5):e21–e26.
One-Stage Immediate Breast Reconstruction with Implants: A New Option for Immediate Reconstruction.
Cassileth L, Kohanzadeh S, Amersi F.
Annals of Plastic Surgery 69(2):134–8.
Vascular Malformation within the Flexor Tendon Sheath.
Cassileth LB, Chang B.
Journal of Hand Surgery 28(1):153–6.
Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Unicoronal Synostosis and Mutations of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3: A Preliminary Report.
Cassileth LB, Bartlett SP, Glat PM, Gripp KW, Muenke M, Zackai EH, Whitaker LA.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 108(7):1849–54.
Identification of a Genetic Cause for Isolated Unilateral Coronal Synostosis: A Unique Mutation in the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3.
Gripp KW, McDonald-McGinn DM, Gaudenz K, Whitaker LA, Bartlett SP, Glat PM, Cassileth LB, Mayro R, Zackai EH, Muenke M.
Journal of Pediatrics 132(4):714–6.
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