Dr. David N. Sayah is widely recognized as one of the leading plastic surgeons in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, bringing more than 26 years of experience, significant research contributions, and an artist’s perspective to every patient interaction. As a board-certified plastic surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, he has devoted his career to advancing the field of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery while maintaining a strong commitment to personalized, patient-focused care. Dr. Sayah’s combination of elite surgical training, scientific expertise, and artistic insight allows him to create refined results that look natural, balanced, and never overdone.
Educational Background and Training
Dr. Sayah’s journey began at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry with numerous honors including Phi Beta Kappa, Latin Honors, and membership in the prestigious Honors Collegium. He remained at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, graduating at the top of his class and delivering the Hippocratic Speech at graduation—an honor reserved for the most distinguished graduates.
Surgical Training
- General Surgery Residency: NYU Medical Center, New York—extensive trauma and critical care experience
- Plastic Surgery Residency: UCLA Medical Center—one of the nation’s premier training programs
- Endoscopic Plastic Surgery Fellowship: Dr. Nicanor Isse—advanced minimally invasive techniques
“My medical education taught me that exceptional patient care requires more than technical skill,” reflects Dr. Sayah. “It demands a deep understanding of each individual’s unique concerns, goals, and the artistry to create results that enhance rather than alter their natural beauty.”
Research and Academic Contributions
Dr. Sayah has made significant contributions to plastic surgery research, particularly in wound healing and scar formation. His groundbreaking work on apoptosis in keloid tissue has been published in prestigious peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Surgical Research and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. This research directly informs his specialized treatment methods for difficult scars, offering patients advanced solutions unavailable at most practices.
He has presented findings at numerous national and international conferences and contributed chapters to authoritative textbooks, including “Endoscopic Rhytidectomy” in The Art of Aesthetic Surgery. His scientific work encompasses over 30 published abstracts covering microvascular surgery, free flap reconstruction, and innovative wound-healing discoveries.
Academic Appointments
- Former Clinical Faculty: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Former Clinical Faculty: University of Southern California
- Active Hospital Privileges: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Saint John’s Hospital, and UCLA Medical Center
Where Art Meets Medicine in Los Angeles
What truly distinguishes Dr. Sayah’s approach is his background as an accomplished oil painter and sculptor. This artistic foundation informs every surgical decision, allowing him to visualize and create facial proportions, body contours, and aesthetic refinements that appear harmonious and natural.
“Plastic surgery exists at the intersection of medical science and artistic expression,” explains Dr. Sayah. “My background in fine arts allows me to see beyond anatomical structures to the subtle nuances of proportion, symmetry, and beauty that create truly exceptional results. I perform liposculpture rather than simple liposuction, approaching each procedure as a sculptor approaches a masterpiece.”
This artistic sensibility extends to his use of advanced endoscopic techniques that minimize incisions, shorten recovery time, and maximize aesthetic outcomes. Dr. Sayah’s innovative approaches to facelift, rhinoplasty, and breast surgery have established new standards for natural-looking results.
International Experience
Dr. Sayah’s reputation extends well beyond California. Fluent in English, French, Spanish, Farsi, and Italian, he regularly treats patients traveling from the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and South America. His multilingual capabilities and cultural sensitivity ensure comfortable, personalized care for international patients who seek his specialized expertise.
His work has garnered significant media attention, with features on CNN, Dateline, and numerous international publications. He considers ethnic and cultural ideals of beauty when performing procedures, ensuring results that honor each patient’s unique heritage and aesthetic goals.
Professional Credentials
Board Certification and Memberships:
- Diplomate: American Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellow: American College of Surgeons (FACS)
- Member: American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Ambassador: American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Facility Standards:
- Director of Chrisalys’s fully accredited surgery center in Beverly Hills since 2002
- Maintains the highest safety protocols and state-of-the-art surgical technology
Comprehensive Surgical Expertise
Dr. Sayah’s extensive training encompasses the full spectrum of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures:
- Facial Procedures: Deep plane facelift, mini facelift, neck lift, brow lift, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty including complex revisions, ear surgery, and facial contouring
- Breast Procedures: Augmentation with natural and hybrid approaches, breast lift, reduction, reconstruction, implant revision and removal including en bloc technique, capsular contracture treatment
- Body Contouring: High-definition liposuction, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, Brazilian butt lift, body lift, arm lift, thigh lift, and strategic fat transfer
- Reconstructive Surgery: Complex reconstruction, advanced scar revision utilizing research-based techniques, and corrective procedures
- Non-Surgical Treatments: Injectable fillers, Botox, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, and comprehensive medical skincare
A Patient-Centered Philosophy in Plastic Surgery
Dr. Sayah embraces a comprehensive approach to aesthetic enhancement that extends beyond surgical procedures. He recognizes that true beauty and wellness emerge from the integration of healthy lifestyle choices, preventive medicine, and when appropriate, surgical intervention. His boutique practice setting allows him to provide the individualized attention that larger practices cannot offer, with Dr. Sayah personally overseeing every aspect of treatment from consultation through long-term follow-up.
Schedule Your Consultation in Beverly Hills
Dr. Sayah’s combination of exceptional credentials, extensive experience, research contributions, and artistic vision provides the foundation for outstanding surgical outcomes. During your consultation at Chrisalys, Dr. Sayah will take the time to understand your aesthetic objectives, evaluate your anatomy, and recommend a customized treatment plan designed to achieve natural, beautiful results.
Contact Chrisalys today to schedule your consultation and discover how board-certified expertise and artistic sensibility can help you achieve the confidence and appearance you desire. Patients throughout Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and around the world trust Dr. Sayah for transformative care that enhances natural beauty while preserving individuality.
