Artistically-raised, Scientifically-trained, Aesthetically-driven

dr. lee performing surgery

Dr. Michelle Lee is a board-certified and Ivy League-trained plastic surgeon behind some of the most natural-appearing facial surgeries in the industry.

Dr. Lee starred on E! Entertainment's Dr. 90210, where she was the only surgeon performing facial procedures, including facelifts, noninvasive facial rejuvenation, and rhinoplasty. Castle Connolly also selects her as one of the Top plastic surgeons in the country. Dr. Lee has over 20 peer-reviewed publications in plastic surgery published in the top plastic surgery journals. For a full list of Dr. Michelle Lee’s peer-reviewed publications, visit her Google Scholar profile. She created PERK plastic surgery to align with her philosophy that life is too short to settle for anything less than the most extraordinary version of yourself.

PERK practices integrative beauty where aesthetic maintenance and enhancement are part of a lifestyle continuum that includes self-care in all areas. We believe beauty is a collective experience; when we feel beautiful, we are more productive members of society. When we invest in ourselves, we invest in our community. 

A Specialist in Facial Rejuvenation

In facial surgery, millimeters matter, and outcomes must withstand scrutiny both presently and in the future. As such, Dr. Lee’s surgical philosophy is simple: The right procedure, for the right face, at the right time.

Her approach goes beyond surface-level correction. By focusing on the bigger structural changes that occur with aging, she restores balance, contour, and integrity to the face rather than simply tightening the skin.

  • Patients seek out Dr. Lee for her ability to:
  • Soften signs of aging without erasing identity
  • Restore harmony between the midface, jawline, and neck
  • Create results that evolve naturally with the patient over time

Introducing Dr. Michelle Lee

Dr. Michelle Lee Returns to Cleveland Clinic as Visiting Professor

In September 2025, Dr. Michelle Lee, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of PERK Plastic Surgery, returned to the Cleveland Clinic to deliver the 7th Annual MetroHealth Earle-Jordan Endowed Lectureship in Plastic Surgery. A decade after completing her residency there, Dr. Lee’s return as Visiting Professor marked a full-circle moment—celebrating mentorship, community, and the evolution of her craft.

Her lecture, “Choosing the Right Facelift for the Right Face,” emphasized the importance of individualized care, showcasing her philosophy that true artistry in facial rejuvenation lies in customization. Learn more about her approach in our facelift innovation blog. Beyond sharing surgical insights, Dr. Lee’s visit underscored her belief that plastic surgery is a lifelong exchange of knowledge, collaboration, and passion for advancing the specialty.

dr lee Returns to Cleveland Clinic as Visiting Professor

“I have witnessed Dr. Lee’s work firsthand. My conclusion? Without question, one of the most talented plastic surgeons in the country.”

DR. JEFFREY TS HSU, Board Certified,
Internationally Renowned Dermatologist

Harvard Medical School certificate

World-Class Education

Dr. Lee was educated at some of the world’s top universities and trained by pioneers in facial rejuvenation, aesthetic breast surgery, and migraine surgery. She earned her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania on a merit scholarship, an honor awarded to only a handful of medical students nationwide.

Dr. Lee then completed a six-year integrative plastic surgery residency at Case Western Reserve University, where she was mentored by Dr. Bahman Guyuron, an internationally renowned aesthetic face and the father of migraine surgery. After residency, Dr. Lee completed her fellowship at Harvard Medical School's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Always striving to stay up to date with cutting-edge developments as they unfold in real time, Dr. Lee is among the best female plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills, offering the latest innovations to her patients. Her drive for ingenuity and scientific progress is what allows Dr. Lee to stand out as one of the best plastic surgeons in Los Angeles, male or female.

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Before Medicine, There Was Music

Dr. Lee approaches aesthetic surgery through the lens of art. Prior to her career as a plastic surgeon, she was a concert pianist performing across concert halls around the world. Dr. Lee explains how her background in music translates to her life as a surgeon on Dr. 90210. 

Innovative Scientist

Dr. Lee is a dedicated scientist who is committed to advancing the boundaries of beauty and cosmetics while always prioritizing patient safety. She was the first surgeon in Illinois to use AirXpanders, an innovative technology that enables tissue expansion during breast reconstruction.

In addition to her pioneering work, Dr. Lee emphasizes patient safety in both her research and clinical practice.

In 2012, Dr. Lee published a case report on breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) in The Lancet, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious medical journals.

Currently, Dr. Lee serves on the editorial board of the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal, published by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Her original research has led to numerous publications in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the leading journal in her field, and she has contributed several chapters to textbooks focused on optimizing outcomes in facial rejuvenation, breast surgery and migraine surgery.

Dr. Lee has presented her research at both national and international conferences. She is also passionate about education and currently serves on the Breast and Aesthetics Section of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons In-Service Committee. 

Additionally, she is an active member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

A Thoughtful Approach to Facial Aesthetics

Aesthetic enhancement is not a single decision; it’s part of a broader, more intentional way of caring for yourself. Dr. Lee approaches facial surgery within this larger context by supporting overall wellness—nutrition, movement, skin health, and personal well-being.

Her goal is never to reshape you into an ideal, but to reveal what is already inherently yours. This includes a deep commitment to preserving cultural identity and natural facial characteristics. As an Asian plastic surgeon of Chinese descent, Dr. Lee brings a particularly thoughtful perspective to facial aesthetics, ensuring that every result honors each patient's unique structure, heritage, and identity.

Facial surgery is an intimate process, and she approaches it as such, building genuine relationships with her patients rooted in trust, respect, and open dialogue. As a board-certified female plastic surgeon in a field historically dominated by men, Dr. Lee offers a perspective that is both technically precise and deeply empathetic.

Her approach is collaborative and highly tailored, guided by a clear set of principles:

  • Do no harm
  • Ease suffering
  • Create beauty
  • Live and let live
  • Give more than you take

These are not abstract values; they are the standard by which every decision is made.

Patients choose Dr. Lee for more than her credentials or technical skill. At PERK Plastic Surgery, the experience is thoughtful and unhurried, designed around you, with an emphasis on:

  • Individualized, anatomy-driven planning
  • Natural, long-lasting outcomes
  • Transparent, education-first guidance
  • A supportive, relationship-centered experience

Watch Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon Dr. Michelle Lee on the Dr. 90210 TV Show on Hulu

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