Jose Vargas
In the heart of Beverly Hills, where precision meets artistry, Dr. Leif Rogers, MD, FACS, has emerged as one of the foremost plastic and reconstructive surgeons in the country. With a medical degree from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and elite training at institutions like the University of Pittsburgh and Lenox Hill Hospital, Dr. Rogers combines rigorous academic preparation with real-world surgical excellence.
He is not only board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery but also a recognized thought leader in both cosmetic and reconstructive domains. His passion for innovation, education, and patient well-being has placed him on the frontlines of surgical evolution — from complex microsurgical breast reconstruction to regenerative medicine and cutting-edge non-invasive treatments.
With an expansive portfolio that spans DIEP flaps, full body lifts, and facial feminization surgery to non-surgical enhancements like Renuva, Morpheus8, and Ultra Clear, Dr. Rogers tailors his approach to every individual. His Beverly Hills practice is a sanctuary of trust, transformation, and top-tier care.
What truly distinguishes Dr. Rogers is not just his surgical dexterity but his human touch — recognized by honors such as the Compassionate Doctor Recognition and repeated features in Pasadena Magazine. He believes in empowering his patients to reclaim confidence and comfort in their bodies, whether they’re recovering from trauma, battling cancer, or simply striving to enhance their natural beauty.
Dr. Rogers’ clinical mastery is rooted in years of research on anorexia nervosa, wound healing, breast cancer, and tissue engineering — all of which have informed his holistic, thoughtful approach to surgery. Though once deeply immersed in microsurgical techniques, he now champions regenerative medicine and minimally invasive methods, which he believes are the future of healthcare.
Beyond his work in the operating room, Dr. Rogers is a respected global educator. As a luminary trainer for BodyTite and FaceTite, and a featured expert on shows like The Doctors, Dr. Oz, and Good Morning Britain, he is a trusted voice in the ever-evolving conversation about beauty, health, and medical ethics.
Whether it’s a subtle non-surgical contour, a complex reconstructive challenge, or an aesthetic refinement, Dr. Rogers approaches every case with integrity, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Interview with Dr. Leif Rogers
1. Dr. Rogers, you’ve built an impressive career in both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. What initially inspired you to pursue this dual path in medicine?
I actually don’t consider it a dual path. In Plastic Surgery we are taught various reconstructive techniques. Applying these reconstructive techniques to cosmetic concerns really is just a natural progression of the skills. I enjoy doing both cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries because to me it is all a continuum and all the surgeries end up with the same goal, a healthy, happy patient who feels comfortable in their own body.
2. You completed extensive training at prestigious institutions like Columbia University and the University of Pittsburgh. How did those experiences shape your approach to patient care today?
These university hospitals were amazing places to train. We were exposed to a wide variety of medical conditions and we’re able to become proficient to the surgical treatment of them all. These programs were exceptionally rigorous and demanded a lot of our time, energy and brain power. They had very high expectations of us, which drove us to excel. I believe that all these things in combination, resulted in the best training programs I could’ve asked for.
3. With a background in advanced microsurgical and reconstructive techniques, how do you integrate these skills into your cosmetic procedures to achieve natural-looking results?
The skills that I acquired to become proficient in microsurgery and reconstructive procedures, I still use in a number of different ways. Although I don’t perform microvascular anastomosis of blood vessels in my current practice, the motor skill sets that I acquired and the understanding of delicate tissues enables me to perform many intricate procedures that I otherwise would not have had the experience for. Understanding the anatomical structures, as well as how one can manipulate them to achieve a result in a reconstructive sense, gives me immense insight into how I can achieve superior results in aesthetic procedures.
4. Your research has spanned critical areas like breast cancer, anorexia nervosa, and tissue engineering. How has your academic work influenced your clinical practice over the years?
Research and clinical practice are truly very different things. However, my experience in clinical and basic science research gives me a better understanding on how to critically think about the techniques I use and the results that I get. It makes me a very critical person. This is partially by training and partially by birth. Being able to critically and honestly evaluate my outcomes, gives me an advantage in the sense that one can only truly improve if you can see the data points clearly, and be able to identify the cofounders that may obscure the picture.
5. What is Renuva and how does it work?
Renuva is actually quite amazing. It’s an injectable treatment made from a matrix containing the same growth factors, collagen, and proteins found in the body’s own fat. Once injected, it acts like a scaffold that the body gradually replaces with its own fat cells.
Because the final result is the patient’s own fat, the effects are long-lasting—typically eight years or more. And since it’s natural fat, it looks and feels completely natural to both the patient and the touch.
6. Breast reconstruction is a significant part of your practice. Could you walk us through some of the most advanced techniques you offer, such as the DIEP flap or the SIEA flap?
I offered the DIEP and SIEA flaps among others for many years. Over the last few years, I have focused more on other techniques for breast reconstruction. The reason for this is that I have discovered and developed techniques that I feel are superior in many ways, as well as apply to more patients. Microsurgical free flaps are a true technical achievement of modern medicine, however, tissue grafting, and Regenerative Medicine is the future. I’ve discovered that using a person‘s own tissues without the need for major surgery with major recovery is more fitting and effective for most of my breast reconstructive patients. Breast reconstruction with autologous fat with and without the use of breast implants is an excellent solution for 95% of all patients who need breast reconstruction. So now if a patient desires a microsurgical free flap, I refer them to my colleagues with the expectation of doing the artistic fine-tuning after.
7. You’re known for being both a skilled surgeon and an educator, serving as a luminary and international trainer for platforms like BodyTite and FaceTite. What do you enjoy most about mentoring other physicians?
I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others. I’ve always been that way. I don’t do it just in the world of medicine. I do it in every way I can. In fact, I do it so much my wife tells me to shut up sometimes. To me knowledge is a thing to be shared not to be hoarded. I also love acquiring new knowledge, and the more knowledge I share the more new knowledge I obtained from others. Call it my love language.
8. Facial rejuvenation is an ever-evolving field. In your opinion, what are the most exciting advancements today in surgical and non-surgical facial procedures?
The truth is there isn’t a lot new in surgical technique for facial rejuvenation, though there are techniques that have become popular or have been applied in new and interesting ways. The deep plain facelift which is a decades old technique has become very popular, and in general I think that is a good thing. Now that the technique is widely taught, it can be done safely, and allows for natural results with lower risk in most cases, and easier recoveries. The hemostatic mesh is a wonderful technique for positioning skin and reducing postoperative complications. When it comes to the non-invasive techniques however, the world is constantly changing. Regenerative Medicine is exploding in popularity and efficacy. The energy technologies are getting better and better. Combination therapies are being devised on a regular basis helping practitioners achieve results that they otherwise would never have dreamed of. The future of facial rejuvenation belongs to minimally invasive techniques and regenerative therapies, however, surgical procedures will not be obsolete for quite some time.
9. You offer a comprehensive list of non-invasive treatments as well. For patients seeking subtle enhancements without surgery, which procedures do you find deliver the most impactful results?
I feel the combination therapies tend to give the best results. This means pairing different therapies in either a single session or in multiple sessions over time. This can be different energy technologies, injectables, and regenerative therapies. Renuva has been an incredible treatment for my patients. It improves volume and skin quality, encouraging growth of new fat cells. Pairing this with energy technology, such as Morpheus8 and Ultra Clear have been very powerful as a rejuvenating combination treatment. Exosomes and PDRN have also seen great results in my practice. What’s made the biggest difference are the regenerative therapies when paired with energy technologies.
10. Given your extensive experience with trauma reconstruction and cancer-related surgeries, how do you balance the emotional and physical needs of patients undergoing these life-changing procedures?
I have to say, what I do is a gift and I look forward to it every day. Being able to improve a person‘s life is what makes me happy. It’s a win-win. Of course the circumstances for reconstructive patients can be much more dire, but the outcome for me is similar. A happy patient who’s happy with themselves and feels physically whole and whatever way they need to.
11. You’ve appeared on major media outlets like The Doctors, Dr. Oz, and Good Morning Britain. How important do you believe public education is in the realm of plastic and reconstructive surgery?
Public education is incredibly important today. In the age of free information and social media education is everywhere yet hard to come by. We no longer know who to trust or what to believe. I strive to disseminate information that is as accurate and truthful as possible. Not my truth, but the truth. I do my very best to keep my opinions grounded to reality unswayed by emotional bias. If I give you the data points, then you can all form your own opinions, more accurately.
12. With your affiliations at Cedars-Sinai, Saint Johns Health Center, and Huntington Hospital, how does collaboration with these institutions enhance the level of care you can provide?
No longer affiliated with.
13. You’ve received recognition such as the Compassionate Doctor Award and have been a Top Doctor in Pasadena Magazine. What personal qualities do you believe patients appreciate most in a surgeon?
In medical school, we were all taught the three A’s: affable, able, available. In addition to that I found what makes people happy is to be treated with respect, caring, and understanding. It also doesn’t hurt to feel like a VIP, and to have a surgeon who is more critical of the results than you as the patient.
14. Technology plays a huge role in modern aesthetics, from VASER Shape to Profound RF. How do you stay ahead of technological trends to offer the best outcomes to your patients?
Technology keeps advancing. I stay abreast by going to meetings regularly and staying in touch with my various sales representatives. They often are aware of new companies as they become notable sooner than I am. Knowing the research is also helpful, however, often the topics of study won’t be applicable to clinical care for a number of years. Knowing those studies, however, will keep my ears open to developing therapies, this helps me more quickly assess whether these therapies have merit.
15. As someone active in organizations like The Aesthetic Society and The American Society of Peripheral Nerve, how important is continuous learning and peer collaboration in your field?
Not active.
16. Looking ahead, what innovations or shifts in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery are you most excited about, and how do you envision the future of your Beverly Hills practice evolving?
The future of not just aesthetic medicine but all medicine is regenerative therapies. Mark my word, the regenerative sciences will change the face of modern medicine similarly to how AI is changing how we use technology. Unfortunately, medicine moves much more slowly than technology so it will be many decades before we are able to harness the true power of Regenerative Medicine. It is here, though, already, though it may only be in its infancy. We all need to keep learning and changing the way we practice medicine or the world will leave us behind. The future can be scary since change in general is scary, but it is exciting too. There are many obstacles to negotiate, but I believe the human race will ultimately find its way to the bright future it deserves.
