Michael V Elam, MD

Love love love Dr Elam. Yes he apparently has a controversial past but I’m
Sure if you look at his stats you will see in his 40years of practice he has the majority of satisfied patients vs unsatisfied. I was working with an older lady who had perfect boobs. I asked her where they were done and she enthusiastically referred me to Dr Elam. He performed a boob job on me about 4 years ago and I have to say the way he shaped them was a work of art. They drop beautifully and you can’t even tell they are fake. I’ve sent my best friend to him and she is super happy with her boobs and im sending my aunt next. I know my family will receive the absolute best possible care from this dr. Also just a foot note. In comparison with other friends who had their boobs done elsewhere, they experienced extreme pain after the fact. I was bbqing in the 3^rd day post. Dr Elam taught me it does not have to be the most painful experience your life. When I was in pain the day after it was only for a moment because he quickly took control and personally managed my pain. Many Dr.‘s Let you suffer. Post surgery and discharge he called me later that night to check up on me and was very pleasantly waiting for me by front desk for the f/​u the next morning. I was no one special to this Dr. However he treated as such and I feel cared for me as he would have his family member. Dr. Elam boobs were so good I’ve had two kids since. I’ll be seeing you soon to touch up everything they destroyed! For others out there, if go to Elam, You won’t be sorry.

Dr. Elam and his staff save my life ! He is the best of the best I would never forget about how carefully and professional he was, I would recommend him to all my family and friends, thank you Dr Elem for spending 6 months taking care of me, day after day, week after weeks and months after months, you are a angel with out wings, I love you and your staff!!! Thank you so much,

I’ve know Dr. Elam for years as a friend/​customer of the gym I worked at. He was always kind and jovial in every encounter when we would see each other. What made me choose him as a doctor, was trust, and after seeing and meeting some of his other patients, they had what I wanted. I knew that since I was a hard sell, (I wasn’t sure about touching my face), he assured me and promised me that I would be thrilled with my results. Well needless to say, I am more than thrilled! He even threw in some laser while I was there which was an added bonus. The after care at the office was amazing, the staff made me feel like I was special and important and still do. He’s professional, caring and incredibly skilled as an artist as well as a doctor. I’m picky, and chose him and so glad I did!!!

Don’t base your judgement off reviews such as mine. If i were in your shoes i would call them and set up an appointment and you will see for yourself how fantastic Dr. Elam and his team is. Men interested in plastic surgery go here Dr. Elam’s focus is making you look as natural as possible and does a great job at it.

Look no further, Dr. Elam is everything you want in a Plastic Surgeon, he is a friendly, warm, caring individual with a caring staff and superb surgical team. My surgical procedure inlcuded several different surgeries at one time and I was blown away how easy the process was, the pain was very minimal and the results were better than I had expected. My experience has made me want to continue my journey with Dr. Elam and get my «old self» back and be happy when I look into the mirror. Thank you Dr. Elam.

I went to Dr. Elam for otoplasty and breast augmentation. He performed surgery on my right breast twice and now the right breast impant is painful, looks botched and has gone further lower. During the initial consultation I told Dr. Elam that both of my ears are large and he needs to make them small. He pinned my ears back but the ears still look large and they stick out. My ears are pinned back but he did not fix them properly. He sutured my ears but the sutures busted open and when I brough it to his attention he basically told me that the ears and the breast are my own fault and he asked me what I do to my right breast? When I consulted Dr. Elam three years ago, he divided my concerns into three seprate surgeries which he performed on me. The 3^rd surgery is basically done for no reason. All he needed to tell me that he does not know how to do otoplasty and he cannot fix the ears. All my concerns could have been addressed with two surgeries. In the past three years he collected over $ 40,000-$ 50,000 from me, however Jody his office manager keeps telling me that everything is done for free.
So, before you go to a plastic surgeon please do your research and listen to your intuition.

Dr. Elam and his entire staff are the most compassionate, helpful, and efficient people. I had a great experience working with them. The entire place after a while feels like home. Dr. Elam is a true artist and I wouldn’t go to anyone else. I’m very happy with my results so far. You won’t regret your experience here. My life has been forever changed and I couldn’t’ be happier. I feel and look the way I always wanted.

As far as I’m concerned Dr. Elam’s office is the happiest place on earth! Move over Disneyland! LOL! I say this because first and foremost Dr. Elam is so incredibly talented and is DOUBLE board certified in Cosmetic Surgery and Otolaryngology (E.N.T.). In addition to his obvious talent and qualifications… he also happens to have the most wonderful bed-​side manner, the moment I met Dr. Elam there was an instant trust… love him! His staff is equally as amazing, knowledgeable, and customer service oriented… not to mention GORGEOUS! Just walking in there will definitely inspire you to want to enhance your own natural beauty! On a another very important note… Dr. Elam has his own «in-​house» Surgery Center… think ROCK STAR status… very private and the best part is you’re not at the mercy of an outside surgery center and their schedule… when you’re scheduled for surgery at 6:30 in the morning, Dr. Elam’s staff is ready and waiting to get you prepped and ready to go… SEAMLESSLY and PROFESSIONALLY!
I regularly see Dr. Elam for Botox, and have a bit of Radiesse in my cheeks, and a touch of Juvederm in my lips. I love my results!!! So natural and beautiful that I have also recommended friends and family members who have all had an amazing experience as well. For instance… in January, my Mom had an Endoscopic Browlift with fat transferred to her cheeks, full-​body liposuction (she has always been athletic and tiny but in recent years had developed fat pockets due to being menopausal, that she just could not get rid of on her own despite her diet and exercise routine), Co2 Laser to her face, Botox, a little Radiesse to the fine lines around her mouth, and a touch of Juvederm to her lips! The overall effect has been LIFE CHANGING, she easily looks 10+ years younger and NATURAL… most everyone around her… family, friends, and long-​term clients don’t know she’s done a thing… she just sits back and happily takes all of the compliments on how «radiant», «young», «fresh», and «well rested» she looks! Needless to say she is THRILLED with how she looks and will be going back to Dr. Elam for a lower facelift to address her jowl and neck concerns, in the next 6 mos. to a year in order to complete her transformation. In the very near future, my best friend and Sister are planning to have surgery with Dr. Elam as well!
As you can probably tell, I can’t say enough about Dr. Elam and his staff… it’s clear that they all genuinely care and are focused on the happiness of their patients!

I have seen Dr. Elam for the past 5 years! He is the best out there! I have referred him to my closest family members. He did my dad’s septoplasty/​rhinoplasty for his chronic headaches and breathing problems. My dad is thrilled he can breath better than ever and his headaches are gone. Also, my Grandma who had a facelift and eyelid surgery. she was 73 yrs old at the time of her surgery. She looks AMAZING and continues to see the wonderful Dr. Elam for maintenance like botox and fillers. He also did a beautiful breast lift on my best girlfriend and she also is very happy and still sees Dr. Elam for botox and fillers. I have nothing but great things to say about Dr. Elam. He has the most caring bedside manner and great attention to detail. He also, makes every patient feel so important. All of his surgeries look natural. Dr. Elam did a revision breast augmentation on me and you would never know I have breast implants they look so natural. I continue to refer Dr. Elam to everyone I know who is interested in any cosmetic enhancements. He is amazing and you too will love him!

The staff is very friendly and professional but the work I had done was not done well. I had my breast implants done with dr Elam and he believes they look great and perfect and should not be changed. I’ve gone to several other Doctors and and I’ve been told a lot was done incorrectly. My breast implants are not even. One size is significantly larger. I understand breast are not identical buy this is significant. Also the incision is uneven. One is higher than the other. I have pain in my left side still after two year and some numbness in other areas.
Perhaps he is a good doctor but beast implants may not be his strongest skills.
I wish I had gone to another doctor to get my breast done.
It’s not cheap to go here so please seek other better doctors before choosing dr Elam for breast implants.

This review is long over due. Words can’t describe how truly grateful I am that I found Dr. Elam. I was referred to Dr. Elam by several of my clients who had Rhinoplasty. I went to Dr. Elam just wanting to be a better version of myself, and I couldn’t be HAPPIER! I’ve had my Nose done, Buccal Fat removal in my cheeks, and Lipo contouring on my neck. My results are AMAZING! Everything went so well, 10 months later I had Liposuction on my Stomach and sides, lol. Not to mention he does my Botox every few months. No complaints! Dr. Elam is truly Amazing, and I can’t leave out the girls, Jody, Lupe and Kari! You all ROCK! Thank you!!!

Dr Elam is incredible and his staff is so caring and beautiful. I had my nose and chin done by him and I love my nose soo much! He’s also ah-​mazing with any injections! I don’t trust anyone else especially w my lips. I love the natural look and he is the best. Very personable, you feel like you’re talking to an old friend. :) love him.

I found Dr Elam and his staff to be very kind and professional. I came in for a liposuction consult and am at a baseline already very self conscious about my body. The office staff made me feel very comfortable during my consult and preop pictures. They made me feel positive and optimistic about my future, instead of down on myself for being overweight. I woke up feeling fine after the surgery and my recovery was easy– I took pain pills and rested for a few days then after that I was back to work and walking around (in my stealth spanks). You can’t see my incisions at all and I absolutely love the way I look:):):) So much so that I have already referred several friends of mine to dr Elam for lipo and they have all been happy as well. I highly recommend going to see him, at the very least for a free consultation.

Dr. Elam and his staff are amazing! He is very professional and has an artistic eye for balancing facial features. Every time I come in they are very welcoming and friendly and I LOVE the fact that they work around my busy schedule. I got a chin implant to enhance my side profile and boy did he do an amazing job, it looks so natural and healed quickly that everyone at work can’t figure out what’s different about me. I’m the ultimate selfie Queen now! ;)

I have had sinus problems for years. I found out I had a deviated septum and needed surgery. I didn’t like my nose cosmetically so I figured I would have a full septo– rhinoplasty to fix the inside and outside of my nose. I looked at thousands of pictures of noses. Most before and after pictures, even other pristegious Newport beach doctors, I did not find impressive. I am a huge perfectionist and wanted the perfect nose. The after pictures did not have the nose I was looking for. Until I found Dr. Elam.
Once I met Elam and his staff, I knew he was the one. Jody and Lupe are angels! They make you feel so comfortable. Jody explained everything to me and put my mind at ease. I felt safe having my beauty and health in the hands of Elam.
Dr. Elam is a rhinoplasty genius. He has 35+ years of experience, and it shows in his work. He is not only a great surgeon, but he is a true artist. I could not have asked for a more perfect nose. I would highly recommend Dr Elam and his staff.
I am about 9 months post op and I am so happy with my decision. I haven’t had any si I still see Elam for post op visits and Botox. I don’t trust anyone else with my face other than him now.
When I first started researching Elam I of course saw the Lawsuit in 1991. IT WAS 24 YEARS AGO, WHO CARES! There are 2 sides to every story, and there is definitely another side to this story too. Ask anyone at the office about it– they will tell you what really happened…

I went to Dr. Elam based on all the online hype at the time, only to discover (the hard way) that the praise was undeserved.
I paid $ 10,000 cash in advance for full body sculpting, which was botched and necessitated several painful corrective operations, that were also unsuccessful.
Now I am left with an asymmetrical midsection, and a wavy leg (which was normally shaped pre-​Elam). When I brought Elam’s attention to the poor results, instead of acknowledging the issue, he shrugged his shoulders refusing to take responsibility, then dashed out of the room.
Elam (and his staff) turn on the charm when promoting their expensive procedures, but this surgeon can be incredibly petulant, when faced with the damage he was responsible for creating.
From our initial meeting, I sensed that something was a bit «off» by the fact that a nurse was always present during all consults and follow-​up visits (red flag?).
Timing is everything; I wish that I had discovered this article about Elam having his LICENSE REVOKED before going to him. I could have avoided a lot of pain, financial loss, and deformity.
It usually takes a major infraction or series of infractions for a doctor to have his license revoked.
«Revoking a doctor’s license is the harshest penalty the state agency can impose, and it did so in only 45 of the roughly 2,300 malpractice cases it investigated last year.»
PLEASE READ THIS:
According to the L.A. Times article, in order to return to his practice, Elam had to be monitored (which explains a witness stationed in the room during ALL meetings).
Additionally, Elam had to complete an ethics course.
AN ASIDE: To the public’s loss, Proposition 46, did not pass. It was the California ballot measure to conduct random drug-​testing of doctors and raise the cap on «pain and suffering» damages in medical malpractice lawsuits. The safety of the public is too often compromised due to inept and unethical practitioners.
We live in a world where as many as 440,000 Americans die each year because of preventable medical mistakes, according to the Journal of Patient Safety. The federal government estimates that more than 500,000 health care professionals are abusing drugs or alcohol. Meanwhile, the nation’s fastest growing illicit narcotics problem is prescription drug abuse.
Conduct your due diligence and don’t depend on anonymous reviews. It’s best to get personal recommendations from someone you know and trust. Ideally, former patients whose results (for the same procedure) you can see in person. («Before and After» photographs are easily Photo-​shopped and they usually are!)

I had a full body liposuction two weeks ago. I’m still sore but already noticing contouring and lost a few ponds. Dr Elam is a great surgeon

This review is SOLELY based on a septo/​rhinoplasty CONSULT.
Background: I have done my research on potential rhinoplasty procedure for about 2 years now. It was not until the beginning of 2014 in which I started a new type of seach on real self, ratemds (online). Dr Elam had mostly great reviews from past clients with some complaints of being «overly cocky», «poor surgical results» and «terrible after affects post op.»
As with all MDs in this field, there are always procedures that may not go as planned and it is clearly stated the results are proposed and never guaranteed (always a risk). I understand this. Therefore, I never per-​judge prior to consults.
I liked some of his after photos on different patients and booked for a free consult and inquire about the special $ 4,999 rhinoplasty deal on real self.
Consult day: 6÷3÷14 @ 130p (took some photos of the office)
I entered his office and was greeted by the pretty, barbie doll like lady (sorry I do not recall her name) at the receptionist desk. She was very friendly with service and provided me with necessary paperwork for patient information.
As I fill out my information, I see a couple of patients preparing to leave and overheard a staff ask the client to rate them on the internet. No real name required, no photos required, just state how satisfied with the treatment she was (reasonable request for a good service). I did not think much of it.
I was called in 5−10minutes after my appointment time. I was guided by a staff member which led me into one consult room. A few moments later, Dr Elam popped in for a minute requesting I move to the room next door. The original staff lady who guided me into the first room was there. Looked a bit surprised I was supposed to be in the room she was in. Dr Elam requested for her to lower the black back drop on the wall behind the examination table (maybe for photos). He asked me to sit on the examination table in front of the black back drop and asked me what he could do for me today.
As he examined my nose and started to state the changes (he wanted), implant, narrowing of the nostrils… I found this to be very cookie cutter.
I began to explain I would like a taller bridge composed of rib grafting (natural rhinoplasty). He immediately said he did not do that. I was shocked/​surprised, and asked why not? He then asked me why I would want to do that anyways? I told him I wanted something natural to prevent possibility of rejection (man made implant). He then proceeded to say, asian people only see the bad, infected implants and that’s why we don’t like it.
To put it eloquently, he tended to generalize the asian stereotype. I clarified stating, I do not know of any close friends who have had infections due to implants. My reason for wanting the rib graft is to achieve natural results without having it look like I had a stick as a nose bridge. He assured me again, this was not going to happen. But, if I wanted to do the rib graft approach, he had two surgeons he would highly recommend.
He almost immediately picked up the phone to dial Dr Shamoun upstairs who does rib grafts for a more natural rhinoplasty. I quickly declined the gesture as I needed to do further research on this doctor he recommended. I definitely appreciated that aspect of the consult. Thanked him for being straight forward and proceeded to the exit. The barbie lady was confused as I had only been in a few minutes and asked if everything was okay. Then, as I walked out, another staff also questioned why the consult was so swift. I told her he does not do rib grafting for rhinoplasty and that’s it. She quickly asked in a concerned manner, did he at least refer you to someone? I said, yes. She seemed relieved by this response.
Overall, this was the worst consult I have ever been to due to the poor MD attitude and possible prejudice against asians. I do however, appreciate him telling me his limitations regarding the surgical procedure. However, it could have definitely been presented in a more professional manner.
Closing statement: Many past clients love this guy as presented with mostly positive reviews for treatments and procedures. If you are an asian who wants a really prominent, fake looking implanted, caucasian nose bridge, he is definitely your MD. If you are an asian like myself who is looking for a natural approach, do not waste your time booking a consult. You will leave shocked with high blood pressure.

Update — just saw Dr. Elam again for a juvaderm lip touch up. Amazing, courteous staff. My only complaint is I cannot afford a nose job and that’s a personal problem.
Thanks again!

For as long as I can remember I wanted to change the shape of my nose. It was one trait left to me by my biological father. So when I started looking around for a plastic surgeon, I was very excited about making the change, but also nervous about ‘going under the knife’. I was looking for a Dr whom I could trust my face to 100% and know that the results will be exactly what I’m looking for. I went to a couple consultations, including Dr Elam. I must admit, it took me 2 years to finally decide on going through with the surgery because it would be my 1^st surgery Ever — I was nervous.
But I chose Dr Elam exactly for the reasons I listed above: I felt I could trust him & I knew he had years of experience doing rhynoplasties (as well as other plastic surgery procedures). He also was the 1^st Dr who told me I had a Deviated Septum which could be fixed during the surgery.
His team was also very helpful in every aspect of my surgery (Molly, Shelly, Dan). Dr Schwab (the anesthesiologist) was great! He & Dr Elam have been working together for over 30 years now, so I knew I was in good hands there. Nevertheless, I was very nervous going in, but after I layed on the operating table — the next thing I knew the nurse was telling me it was over!
I cannot thank Dr Elam enough! I absolutely Love my new nose! Everyone compliments my new look already. & it’s only been a month since my surgery! My recovery has been very smooth & quick. I would Definitely recommend him! =)