Meet Tania Hassanzadeh, Md | Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tania Hassanzadeh, Md and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tania, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is ever-present in my daily life as a Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon. Any procedure I perform involves a patient entrusting his or her face into my hands—the most visible part of anyone’s body—and in surgery, even entrusting me with his or her life while under general anesthesia. As the adage goes for doctors in medical training, surgery is “high risk, high reward.”

In plastic surgery especially, most procedures are elective, meaning the patient does not NEED surgery as a cure or treatment for a life-threatening disease. Instead, the goal of this kind of surgery is to improve quality of life. If the outcome fails to meet expectations, it is a letdown. Even worse are horror stories when improper technique is used or if a patient’s medical history is inappropriately screened beforehand. For these reasons, plastic surgery can be thought of as even higher risk.

With that said, becoming a surgeon has been my passion since I was very young. My heart was set on becoming a doctor when I was just 5 years old, and a surgeon since the 6th grade. I always loved working with my hands, and I aspired to use my technical skills to affect healing. The face demands artistry and a keen eye to detect subtle nuances for the best result, and in my opinion, the face most closely aligns with one’s character and soul. This is why I chose to focus on facial surgery as my expertise.

Accomplishing this dream required risk too! Applying to medical school for admission, with a roughly 40% admission rate, is a barrier for many students. Next, the match process into a training program is another filter. For example, there are only 65 spots in the United States and Canada for Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery fellowship! Not to mention board exams and the training environment of any surgical specialty. It entails grit and a lot of hard work, and opening oneself to the risk of failure. But I feel fortunate for my path to medicine and plastic surgery every day and the resilience it has instilled in me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Prior to moving to Los Angeles, I was an Assistant Professor at Boston University Medical Center in Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery. My work was equal parts aesthetics and reconstruction. To this end, I ran a facial plastic surgery clinic, taught junior surgeons in the operating room, and oversaw care for nearly all traumatic facial injuries for our department.

One of my most memorable patients suffered a gunshot to his face: the bullet entered one side of his jaw and exited the other, destroying all in its path. I even retrieved the bullet casing from his cheek, where it had lodged. Until then, I’d never operated on a gunshot victim before! On top of that, I was leading two resident surgeons through his reconstructive procedure.

High stakes situations like this in uncharted territory are not uncommon for me, but I find it’s an exciting challenge. I thrive under pressure, especially in the operating room. And I’ve always succeeded by remaining confident in my skills and preparation, and doing what’s best for my patient.

Today, I am proud to be working in Beverly Hills alongside a huge role model of mine, Dr. Sheila Nazarian. The most difficult part of getting here was surgical training. By virtue of the Match, surgeons are thrown into a residency program anywhere in the country for 5-7 years, filled with a slew of personalities in a pressure cooker of stress and exhaustion. On top of that, residents work the longest hours and have the most arduous overnight call during their training. Through it all, I prioritized relationships with my patients, family, and the hospital team, and on my hardest days, they lifted me up.

What I always hear sets me apart from other doctors is my bedside manner. To me, my patients are no different from friends and family. Their trust is sacred! This is why everyone I treat has my cell phone number, and I reach out regularly to check in. And I never offer a treatment unless I can guarantee it’s safe and effective. My work is not done until we’re BOTH happy with your outcome!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There’s so much to love about LA! Having just moved back after being away for 14 years, I’m in the process of re-learning my favorite spots. If I had a friend visiting for a week, I’d be sure to take them to Manhattan or Redondo Beach for sunshine and waves! And while we’re at the beach, we’d go shopping at the waterfront boutiques in Downtown Manhattan Beach, or Riviera Village in Redondo Beach, for unique, handmade gifts. After that, we’d catch a Lakers or Dodgers game for high-energy sports, tailgate at USC, or take a trip to Disneyland! At night, I’d plan to go out on the town anywhere in West Hollywood. I think TomTom and Perch are so fun for drinks and atmosphere.

Given I work in the heart of Beverly Hills, I’m very familiar with the Golden Triangle—and seeing Rodeo is a must! With pit stops at 208 Rodeo or THE Blvd for lunch with a view, or Laduree to transport oneself to Paris. And it goes without saying, all my friends come see me at Nazarian Plastic Surgery on Spalding Drive for a med spa escape!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who have supported, loved, and mentored me; I don’t even know where to begin! These include teachers and professors, nurses, medical staff, family, and friends. In my recent history, my fellowship director, Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel, and his partner and wife, Dr. Onir Spiegel, have been huge inspirations. I watched myself grow exponentially under their direction, and I remain grateful to them for their ongoing mentorship and friendship.

Importantly, I am forever indebted to my family, especially my amazing uncle and my phenomenal mother. I am an only child and first-generation Persian American; my family immigrated to the United States after the Revolution in Iran. After my father passed away when I was 14 years old, my mother became my pillar of strength. She has gone out of her way to support me and put me ahead of herself—be it by helping me move cross-country (FOUR times!) —visiting me wherever I lived every several weeks, or patiently listening as I vent daily over the phone. My uncle has also loved and supported me in every way possible since the day I was born. I am so lucky to have them both!

Instagram: @faceaestheticsmd

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tania-hassanzadeh-222787161/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565804002217

Other: TikTok: @faceaestheticsmd