FINE magazine's Best Doctors Guide

You don't want to settle for anything but the best doctors in San Diego. It's so valuable to have an expert in the area you want help in. Let's start with our first expert below.

Amir M. Karam, MD Best Facial Plastic Surgeon

Founder of Carmel Valley Facial Plastic Surgery

Our face is our most important physical feature.  It is, by far, the part of the body that people look at the most. It defines our appearance, image, and the first impression we make on others.

 The influence that our face plays on our self-confidence and attitude cannot be overstated. Looking our best feels good! When something feels "off," whether from genetics, age, accident, or a previous cosmetic procedure, we become preoccupied and self-conscious because of it.  Even if others do not notice it, we do, and this awareness has a deep impact on our lives.

Tired of living with a feature on your face that makes you unhappy? You don’t have to! You can change the shape of your nose, lips or eyes, or turn back the clock to return to your youthful appearance. In fact, these days you can opt for a range of procedures that can prevent your face from aging!

Instead of focusing on one type of procedure, Dr. Karam focuses on one part of the body: the face.

San Diego’s Dr. Amir Karam, of Carmel Valley Plastic Surgery, is a unique cosmetic plastic surgeon. Instead of focusing on one type of surgery or procedure, he focuses on one part of the body: the face. Dr. Karam offers an array of surgical and non-surgical procedures, all designed to help men and women find confidence and happiness in their appearance.

"The number one reason that people come to Carmel Valley Facial Plastic Surgery in San Diego is for the natural looking results," says Dr. Karam. "If a procedure is done well, from a minor one like a Botox injection, all the way to a nose job or a facelift, no one will be able to tell that you’ve had something done. People will ask you if you’ve done something with your hair, or if you had a good night’s sleep. They will know that you look better, but won’t know exactly why. This is the sign of a successful cosmetic surgery. It’s also why our patients are so happy, and why so many of our new patients come to us through referrals."

With so many cosmetic procedures available today, Dr. Karam believes that his patients should understand their choices before deciding on a procedure. To help educate everyone with an interest in cosmetic procedures, Dr. Karam has written many books and papers about facial rejuvenation, including his newly completed book that will be released in the spring -- Refreshed: 50 Secrets to a Naturally Younger Looking Face.

Dr. Karam says, "When it comes to procedures for aging, the new trend in cosmetic surgery is procedures that prevent aging. "If you begin earlier – before others even notice that you are aging, the results can be spectacular. Instead of correcting signs of aging, you can prevent aging to the point where others believe that your face never changes!"

Dr. Karam enjoys helping others find confidence in their appearance, whether it’s through rhinoplasty (a nose job), a minor injectable procedure like Botox, or cutting edge procedures that most people have never heard of, such as a facial fat transfer.

"When a procedure takes self-consciousness away, the results are amazing! I have seen people walk out of my office – even after a minor "lunch-time" procedure – with a completely different attitude. Cosmetic procedures can have profound positive effects on our social, professional and personal relationships, even our own personal happiness," he added.

"The best part about cosmetic surgery is that there’s no hurry. Do your research, understand the different procedures and find the right doctor. Make sure it feels right before moving ahead," says Dr. Karam.

List of Services

• BOTOX/Fillers
• Fat Transfer
• Facelift/Necklift/Browlift
• Blepharoplasty
• Rhinoplasty
• Chin Implants
• Chemical Peels
• Hand Rejuvenation

Questions for Dr. Karam? Visit his website at www.DrKaram.com or call  (858) 259-3223 for a complimentary consultation. Click here for a more recent article on Amir M. Karam, MD Click Here 

Motwani LASIK Institute

Founded by LASIK surgeon Dr. Motwani

[Dr. Manoj Motwani]

Treating thousands of patients by helping them regain their vision through LASIK vision correction, Dr. Manoj Motwani has been performing laser vision correction in San Diego since 1999. Building a reputation as one of the best laser eye surgeons over the last 14 years, the doctor’s professional reviews are outstanding, and a large percentage of his practice, according to Dr. Motwani, revolves around referrals. ‘Referrals have proven to be our best source simply because people who are looking for something as important as having their eyes corrected ask friends and family where they had the best experience, he says. Dr. Motwani understands the anxiety and fear associated with LASIK surgery. ‘After all’, he says, ‘it’s their eyes, and they need to have a lot of trust and confidence in the surgeon who is performing the procedure and the laser.’

‘As a surgeon’, he says, you’re always on the lookout for what’s best for your patients and your practice. However, with all the gimmicks and competing claims out there, it can be hard to get to the truth.’

Dr. Motwani’s center is in UTC-La Jolla, and visitors remark not only on the warmth and beauty of the office but also on the friendliness of the staff. "I feel strongly that a patient should not only be treated with warmth and care but should also have the opportunity to learn as much as they want about this procedure.  My center is an expression of my personal philosophy."

Having used many of the lasers and refractive equipment in the United States over the past decade and a half, Dr. Motwani has chosen everything he uses carefully.  One of the lasers at his center is the Alcon Wavelight Allegretto Wave Eye-Q 400 system, which is widely considered to be one the best available.  "The Allegretto is one of the fastest and most accurate lasers we have in the world, and it makes the procedure easier for the patient and the surgeon," says Dr. Motwani.  "What I do is select procedures for each patient myself, based on what I believe they need, and what will work best for them.  I see myself not only as a healer and an educator but as someone who has the opportunity to make each of my patients’ lives better and richer by giving them great vision and the ability to see better than they ever have before."

His center usually advises patients to come in for a complimentary consult, and even patients who have been told they were not candidates before often can be treated now.  "There is a lot of misinformation out there about LASIK, and I feel my job is to cut through the confusion and help people understand what’s possible for them.  Hyperopia, Astigmatism, Myopia, and even the need for reading glasses can be helped, and with the new devices we have it’s often easier than ever for the patient."

Dr. Motwani also recognizes the need for affordability in these Great Recession times. "I’m not the least expensive, but I make sure I’m not the most expensive.  I want everyone to be able to afford the wonderful gift of vision" he says, and his center offers interest-free financing to go along with complimentary consults.

Motwani LASIK Institute - LASIK Eye Surgery 

4520 Executive Drive #230

San Diego, CA 92121

(858) 554-0008

drmotwani.com