Dr. Jaco Festekjian, MD, FACS

Expert Publications

• A rare case of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome after abdominoplasty.
• Inclusion of mesh in donor-site repair of free TRAM and muscle-sparing free TRAM flaps yields rates of abdominal complications comparable to those of DIEP flap reconstruction.
• Comparison of implant-based immediate breast reconstruction with and without acellular dermal matrix.
• Career satisfaction and burnout in the reconstructive microsurgeon in the United States.
• Implant-based immediate breast reconstruction in the previously augmented patient.
• Abdominal wall biloma: an unusual complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Media Releases

Get to know Plastic Surgeon Dr. Jaco Festekjian, who serves patients in Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Festekjian is a reputable plastic surgeon in practice with UCLA Plastic Surgery, located within Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He is also an attending physician at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and UCLA Health Encino Primary & Specialty Care.

His areas of clinical expertise include: reconstructive surgeries requiring microsurgery, such as breast reconstruction, as well as immediate and delayed breast reconstruction procedures, including DIEP, SIEA, SGAP, Muscle Sparing TRAM, and Latissimus flaps and breast implant based breast reconstruction. He also has research interests in the clinical arena, specifically in the area of breast reconstruction, breast augmentation, and breast reduction.

A 1993 graduate of the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Dr. Festekjian went on to perform his internship and residency in surgery at Kern Medical Center in 1994 and 1999, respectively. He followed this up with an additional residency in plastic surgery at the Indiana University School of Medicine in 2001.

After completing his fellowship in advanced aesthetic and microsurgery at The Mayo Clinic in 2002, Dr. Festekjian joined the Department of Surgery and was appointed Clinical Professor and Quality Officer in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

He has since established a thriving practice with an impeccable safety record. Cosmetic surgery expertise includes: abdominoplasty, breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, body contouring, facial cosmetic surgery, and dermal fillers.

Dedicated to surgical excellence, the doctor is board-certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). The mission of the ABPS is to promote safe, ethical, efficacious plastic surgery to the public by maintaining high standards for the education, examination, certification, and continuous certification of plastic surgeons as specialists and subspecialists.

To boot, he is board-certified in surgery by the American Board of Surgery (ABS). The ABS is an independent, non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded for the purpose of certifying surgeons who have met a defined standard of education, training, and knowledge.

Recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), Dr. Festekjian is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, and the California Society of Plastic Surgery.

Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty involving the restoration, reconstruction, or alteration of the human body. It can be divided into two main categories – reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery. A plastic surgeon’s primary responsibility is performing surgical and non-surgical procedures, and they use a variety of reparative and reconstructive techniques to get the job done. 

Among Dr. Festekjian’s most notable achievements include: Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2021; Patients’ Choice Award, 2015; Compassionate Doctor Recognition, 2015; Southern California Super Doctors®, 2010-2016; On-Time Doctor Award, 2015, 2016; Faculty Teacher of the Year, 2013-2014; Faculty Teacher of the Year, 2007-2008; and Faculty Teacher of the Year, 2003-2004; 

On a more personal note, he is fluent in both English and Armenian. 

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