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Dr. Johnson Lee

Facial Masculinization & Top Surgery Surgeon in Beverly Hills

Dr. Johnson Lee, MD is a Johns Hopkins–trained, board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills who provides gender-affirming surgery for transmasculine and nonbinary patients. With nearly a decade of experience performing gender-affirming procedures, Dr. Lee focuses on surgical approaches that help patients achieve a more traditionally masculine facial structure, chest contour, and overall body proportions.

Dr. Lee was introduced to gender-affirming surgery through his involvement in the LGBTQ+ community and has since dedicated a significant portion of his practice to caring for transgender patients. His approach emphasizes individualized planning, careful surgical technique, and natural-looking results that support each patient’s long-term transition goals.

Dr. Lee performs surgery in Beverly Hills and is affiliated with Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.

Education, Training and Surgical Background

Dr. Lee earned his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, one of the most respected medical institutions in the world.

He completed an integrated plastic surgery residency at Albany Medical Center in New York, where he received extensive training in reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery. He later pursued fellowship training in oculoplastic and aesthetic surgery under the direction of Dr. Mark Codner in Atlanta, focusing on surgical procedures involving the eyes, brow, and upper face.

This training provides a strong foundation for facial procedures that influence gender perception, including hairline modification, facial contouring, and facial hair transplantation.

Dr. Lee has also participated in clinical training and research internationally through programs at Chang Gung Hospital in Taiwan, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and the Villa La Paz Foundation in Peru.

He continues to contribute to the surgical field through educational work and publications, including instructional material on eyelid surgery featured in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open.

Facial Masculinization Surgery

Facial masculinization procedures modify facial features to create a stronger, more traditionally masculine appearance. For many transmasculine patients, changes to the hairline, facial hair growth, and overall facial framing can significantly influence how gender is perceived.

Dr. Lee’s facial procedures focus on refining facial structure while preserving each patient’s unique features. Surgical planning often addresses several areas of the face together in order to create balanced results.

Common facial masculinization procedures in Dr. Lee’s practice include hairline reconstruction and beard transplantation.

Hair Transplant for Trans Men

Hair transplantation plays an important role in masculinizing appearance for many transmasculine patients.

For some individuals, facial hair transplantation—often called beard transplantation—can create or enhance beard and mustache growth when hormone therapy alone does not produce sufficient density. Carefully placed grafts can help define jawline contours and contribute to a more traditionally masculine facial appearance.

Hair transplantation may also be used to address scalp hair concerns, including male pattern hair loss.

Testosterone therapy can contribute to temple recession or thinning at the crown in some patients. Hair restoration surgery can rebuild density, restore hairline structure, and maintain a fuller, more traditionally masculine hairline while continuing hormone therapy. Strategic follicle placement is used to produce natural growth patterns and long-term results.

In California, gender-affirming hair restoration procedures are increasingly recognized by insurance providers, and coverage may be available depending on the patient’s insurance plan.

Top Surgery (Chest Masculinization)

Chest masculinization surgery—commonly called top surgery—removes breast tissue and reshapes the chest to create a flatter, more masculine contour.

Dr. Lee performs several top surgery techniques depending on a patient’s anatomy and surgical goals.

The double incision technique is commonly used for patients with moderate to larger chest volume. This approach allows removal of breast tissue, contouring of the chest wall, and repositioning or resizing of the nipples to achieve a masculine chest shape.

For patients with smaller chest volume and good skin elasticity, the peri-areolar technique allows tissue removal through incisions around the areola. This method may produce less visible scarring while still achieving a flat chest contour.

Body Masculinization Surgery

Body masculinization procedures reshape the torso to reduce traditionally feminine fat distribution and create a straighter, more angular body profile.

Through targeted liposuction and contour refinement, Dr. Lee can reshape areas such as the waist, hips, abdomen, and flanks. These procedures help reduce curves and support a more masculine torso silhouette.

Body masculinization procedures are often performed at the same time as top surgery, allowing patients to address multiple areas during a single surgical plan.

Consultations with Dr. Lee

Dr. Lee offers both virtual and in-person consultations for patients considering masculinizing surgery.

Consultation fee: $250

Typical scheduling timelines include:

• Consultation wait time: approximately two weeks
• Surgery dates: typically available 4–6 weeks after consultation

Approximately 50–75% of Dr. Lee’s patients are transgender or nonbinary, and the practice is structured around gender-affirming care.

Gender-affirming practices include:

• Intake forms allowing patients to self-identify name, pronouns, and gender identity
• Use of chosen name and pronouns in all verbal and written communication
• A clearly posted nondiscrimination policy inclusive of gender identity and expression
• Staff training on transgender cultural competency
• Gender-neutral restroom access

Languages spoken at the practice include English and Spanish.

Costs, Financing and Insurance

A consultation is required to determine the exact cost of surgery.

The practice accepts:

• Cash
• Credit cards
• Medical financing (including CareCredit)
• Insurance

Dr. Lee is in-network with Blue Shield of California and accepts many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. The office also works with Aetna and other insurers.

BCBS Medicare plans may be accepted, and Medi-Cal may be available on a case-by-case basis. Out-of-state Medicaid plans are not accepted.

The office provides a dedicated insurance concierge to assist patients with insurance verification, authorizations, and coverage coordination.

Surgery Requirements

Dr. Lee is a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and follows the WPATH Standards of Care for gender-affirming surgery.

Each patient undergoes an individualized evaluation prior to surgery. Pre-operative requirements are determined based on the patient’s medical history, physical examination, and surgical plan.

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