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Sarmela Sunder, MD Facial Plastic Surgery – Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery

Dr. Sarmela Sunder is a double-board certified, fellowship-trained Beverly Hills facial plastic surgeon whose pioneering techniques have gained global recognition from her patients, colleagues, and the media.

Highly-trained surgeon with the skills of an artist

Dr. Sunder studied at Johns Hopkins University and continued her medical education at Cornell Medical College. In addition to earning her medical degree, she spent years doing extensive research and published several articles in leading scientific journals. Her academic excellence took her to an elite residency program at Stanford University, culminating in her serving as Chief Resident. During her residency, she trained under the mentorship of a pioneer in Rhinoplasty who is a former president of both the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Sunder was able to merge her artistic ability with her passion for medicine when she was accepted to a prestigious fellowship accredited by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. She trained under an internationally renowned facial plastic surgeon and past president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

With over 13 years dedicated to studying the face and neck, she specializes in advanced techniques for optimal results for mid-face lifts, facelifts, neck lifts, eyelid lifts, and rhinoplasty. Her extensive training and educational background make her a true master in her field, and patients from around the world come to her for facial plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Sunder prides herself on providing patients with the most natural-looking surgical results possible. Combining her superb skills as both an artist and a surgeon, Dr. Sunder is able to achieve results that truly bring balance and harmony to her patients’ faces.

Background and education

Dr. Sunder believes that you should put your best face forward. She dedicated years of training to the face and neck, knowing that a surgeon should properly focus on one field in order to be truly exceptional. Her extensive training, combined with her innate sense of aesthetics, gives her a distinctive approach to patient counseling and management. Additionally, Dr. Sunder represents a woman’s perspective, allowing her to offer her patients a unique and exclusive experience.

Dr. Sunder began her training at the Johns Hopkins University, where she received dual degrees in Public Health and Anthropology and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with honors. Dr. Sunder continued her medical education at the world-renowned Cornell Medical College. Her academic excellence took her to an elite residency program at Stanford University, where she completed her internship in General Surgery, followed by a residency in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, culminating with her serving as Chief Resident. During her residency, she trained under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Goode, a pioneer in rhinoplasty and former president of both the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

A leader in the field of plastic surgery

Dr. Sunder is affiliated with Physicians Formula’s Physician Coalition advisory board of top doctors, who will help test, curate, and educate on beauty. She serves as the Vice President of the California Society of Facial Plastic Surgery, acting as a leader in cutting-edge advancements in the field.

Dr. Sunder is also a master injector with Allergan and travels regularly to speak at conferences around the world. As a globally recognized master injector, she trains fellow doctors and nurses on her innovative techniques. She has also been featured in the media on numerous occasions to speak on her greater understanding of facial plastic surgery and injectables. Recent features include Elle Magazine, KTLA, US NEWS, and more.

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Giving back

In addition to dedicating herself to her practice, Dr. Sunder has devoted time and effort toward humanitarian causes in various parts of India, Ecuador, and the Philippines. She performs cleft lip and cleft palate repairs as well as ear reconstructions for patients born without an ear (microtia repair). She is also a participant in Face to Face, a national program offering her services pro bono to victims of domestic abuse.

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Dedicated to her craft

Dr. Sunder, whose artistic talents were recognized from a young age, was able to merge her artistic ability with her passion for medicine when she was accepted to a prestigious fellowship accredited by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. She trained under internationally renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Vito Quatela, another past president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Sunder has the rare honor and privilege of being trained by two past presidents of this distinguished Academy. Besides writing multiple articles in leading scientific journals, she has authored or contributed to several book chapters, including a guide for surgeons to prepare for the facial plastic surgery board certification.

While Dr. Sunder’s exceptional training and impressive accolades position her among the most successful facial plastic surgeons in the nation, her patients have sought her out for the exclusive, personalized patient experience that her practice offers. Dr. Sunder’s attentiveness and accessibility are unparalleled because she firmly believes that an educated patient is a happy patient.

Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

2000 B.A. Anthropology The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

2000 B.A. Public Health The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

2004 M.D. Cornell University Weill Medical College, New York, New York

2004-2005 Internship (General Surgery) Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California

2005-2009 Residency (Otolaryngology) Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California

2009-2010 Fellowship (Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery) Vito Quatela, MD/University of Rochester, Rochester, New York

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2018 - Present Plastic Surgeon, Cassileth Plastic Surgery, Beverly Hills, CA

2011-2018  Plastic Surgeon, Persky Sunder Plastic Surgery, Los Angeles, CA

2011-2018  Plastic Surgeon, Sarmela Sunder MD, Los Angeles, CA

2004-2009 Otolaryngology-Head & Neck, Stanford Hospital & Clinics

BOARD CERTIFICATION

2010 American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck-Surgery
2010 American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

BOARD CERTIFICATION

2010 American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck-Surgery
2010 American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

LICENSURE

2005 License to practice medicine in the states of California and New York

HONORS AND AWARDS

2023 Top Doctor, Rising Star, Los Angeles Magazine

2022 Top Doctor, Rising Star, Los Angeles Magazine 2021 Top Doctor, Rising Star, Los Angeles Magazine
   
2020 Top Doctor, Rising Star, Los Angeles Magazine

2019 Top Doctor, Rising Star, Los Angeles Magazine

2018 Top Doctor, Rising Star, Los Angeles Magazine

2017 Top Doctor, Rising Star, Los Angeles Magazine

2016 Top Doctor, Rising Star, Los Angeles Magazine

2008 ResidentResearchAward,StanfordUniversityMedicalCenter

2003 Woman Leader of the Year Award, Cornell University Weill Medical College

MEMBERSHIPS IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

American Board of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery

American Association of Cosmetic Surgery

 American Medical Association

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS


PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Sunder S and Quatela VC. "Microtia: Diagnosis and Surgical Management ''. Current Diagnosis and Treatment - Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, 3rd Ed. Ed Anil Lalwani. New York: McGraw Medical, 2010

Sunder S and Hwang, P. "Anesthesia in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery". Anesthesiologist's Manual of Surgical Procedures, 4th Ed. Ed Richard Jaffe &Stanley Samuels. New York: Lippincott, Wiliams &Wilkinson, 2008.

Sunder S, Oshima K, Teo D, Senn P, Heller S. Bone-morphogenetic-factor 4 promotes neuronal differentiation of spiral ganglia cells. (Submitted for publication.)

Sunder S, Oshima K, Senn P, Heller S. Neuronal Differentiation of Spiral Ganglia Cells with BMP-4. Poster presentation at Annual Meeting of American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery, September 2007.

Sunder S, Mendelsohn AH, Berke GS, Damrose EJ. Complications of stenting in the treatment of upper airway stenosis. American Bronchoesophagological Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, April 26 - 27, 2007.

Sunder S, Yan Y, Damrose EJ. Impact of androgen therapy in a singer undergoing female to male gender reassignment. American Bronchoesophagological Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, April 26 - 27, 2007.
 

Sunder S, Yan Y, Damrose EJ. The use of calcium hydroxylapatite to alleviate aspiration in the near-total laryngectomy patient. American Bronchoesophagological Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, April 26 - 27, 2007.

Sunder S, Jackler RK, Blevins NH. Virtuosity with the mallet and gouge: the brilliant triumph of the "modern" mastoid operation.Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2006; 39: 6: 1191-210.

Sunder S, Yan Y, Damrose EJ. Qualitative study of vocal fold motion using stroboscopy. American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery Annual Meeting, Toronto, Ontario, September 18, 2006.

Thevarajah S, Carew ,J Selesnick SH. Bilateral squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2005 Jun; 132(6):960-2.

Thevarajah S, Polanecsky M, Scherl EJ, Frissora CL. Hormonal influences on the gastrointestinal tract and irritable bowel syndrome. Practical Gastroenterol. 2005; May:62- 74.

Thevarajah S, Huston TL, Simmons RM. A comparison of the adverse reactions associated with isosulfan blue versus methylene blue dye in sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer. Am J Surg. 2005 Feb;189(2):236-9.

Frissora CL, Thevarajah S, and Koch KL. GI Consult: Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Emerg Med 36(6):9-15, 2004

Simmons R, Thevarajah S, Brennan MB, Christos P, Osborne M. Methylene blue dye as an alternative to isosulfan blue dye for sentinel lymph node localization. Ann Surg Oncol. 2003 Apr;10(3):242-7.

Thevarajah Sand Krishnasatry KV. Acute mesenteric ischemia presenting as terminal ileitis, managed with angioplasty and stent placement. Presented at the Eastern Vascular Society Annual Meeting, May 2003 in New York, New York .

Simmons R, Thevarajah S, Brennan MB, Christos P, Osborne M. Methylene blue dye as an alternative to isosulfan blue dye for sentinel lymph node biopsy. Presentation at the Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Conference, March 2002 in Denver, Colorado.

Simmons RM, Burrel W, Thevarajah S, Brennan MB, Christos P and Osborne MP. Local and distant recurrence rates in skin-sparing mastectomies compared with non-skin-sparing mastectomies. Presentation at the Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Conference, March 2002 in Denver, Colorado.

RealSelf

6 Reasons Gen Z Looks Older Than Previous Generations, According to Derms and Plastic Surgeons - February 23, 2024

17 Under-the-Radar Skin-Care Brands Developed by Leading Derms, Chemists, and Plastic Surgeons - July 7,2022

The Best Skin-Rejuvenation Treatments for Those Who Don’t Want Filler - March 21, 2022

4 Reasons to Get Lip Fillers - Jan 28,2021

The "Fastest-Growing Neurotoxin" in the U.S. Markets Itself as "Clean." Docs Reveal What That Actually Means - October 30, 2020

What Can Microinfusion Facials like Aquagold Really Do For Your Skin? Experts Weigh In on the Influencer-Favorite Treatment - May 27,2020

14 Plastic Surgeons Reveal the Procedures They’re Considering for Themselves—and Who They’d Trust to Perform Them - January 9,2020

The Return of the CO2: Why These Next-Level Lasers are Making a Comeback-April 10, 2020

5 Signs You’re a Good Candidate for a Facelift—and 4 Signs You’re Not - October 4, 2019           Off-Label Is the New Black: The Weird New Ways Doctors Are Using Filler - September 26,2019

Allure

What's the Ideal Age for a Facelift? - March 6, 2024

4 Facelift Alternatives, According to Skin Experts- February 4, 2022

Everything You Need to Know About Lip Filler Before Making an Appointment -December 14, 2021

More Millennials Are Opting for Surgical Brow Lifts Over Noninvasive Treatments -April 9, 2021

The Demand for Plastic Surgery Is Booming Despite an Ongoing Pandemic. Why? - October 27, 2020

Juvéderm Voluma XC, a Popular Cheek Filler, Is Now FDA-Approved for the Chin - June 22, 2020

How Cosmetic Doctors Are Approaching Injectables in a World That Calls forMasks - May 22, 2020

The Hollywood Reporter

50 Reasons We (Still) Love Hollywood - January 26, 2024

TZR

How To Choose The Right Plastic Surgeon- January 3, 2024

Everything You Need To Know About The Buzzy Eyelid Lift Procedure- March 25,2022
            
The Next Best Thing To Botox — For People Who Can’t Go Under The Needle- June 28, 2021

Shape

Your Best Shot - March 1, 2021

DailyMail

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon reveals the ideal age to get a facelift - and how to tell if YOU are a good candidate for the pricey procedure - December 12,2023

I'm a plastic surgeon - and here's the surprising way YOU can make your Botox injections last LONGER - September 10, 2023

Teddi Mellencamp, 40, reveals she got a neck lift because she felt 'insecure' about sagging skin but has to defend her choice to trolls: 'Would you prefer I lie?' - May 10, 2022

PEOPLE

Teddi Mellencamp Decided to Get a Neck Lift Because She 'Couldn't Change' How It Looked 'on My Own' - May 13, 2022

Teddi Mellencamp Defends Her Decision to Get a Neck Lift: 'Would You Prefer I Lie?' - May 9, 2022

Cision

RoC® Skincare Unveils New Derm Correxion® Line at AAD - March 21,2022

Haute Beauty

Discover SofwaveTM: Your Pathway To Youthful Brows, Submental, And Neck Contouring - September 19,2023

BAZAAR

 What Are Skin Boosters? Everything to Know About the New Injectable - May 31,2023

Glamour

 Violet Grey Founder Cassandra Grey Drops Her Skin-Care Routine - October 26,2021

Women’s Health

Teddi Mellencamp Just Shared Graphic Neck Lift Surgery Photos—What To Know About The Procedure, Including Cost - May 11,2022

US Weekly

‘RHOBH’ Alum Teddi Mellencamp Defends Her Decision to Get a Neck Lift: ‘Would You Prefer I Lie?’- May 11, 2022

Fox News

Former 'RHOBH' star reveals she had a neck lift: 'Transparent with my journey' - May 10, 2022

InStyle

The One Product or Treatment Dermatologists Recommend for the Most Common Aging-Skin Concerns- June 23,2021

The "Fastest-Growing Neurotoxin" in the U.S. Markets Itself as "Clean." Docs Reveal What That Actually Means. - July 1, 2020

Physicians Formula

Physicians Formula Creates A Coalition Of Leading Physicians Focused On Skin Health - August 1, 2018

NEWBEAUTY

Teddi Mellencamp Responds to Disapproving Fans About Necklift Surgery - May 10 ,2022

BYRDIE

 Is the Nonsurgical Nose Job "Over"? Plastic Surgeons Weigh In - Dec 6,2021

 Everything You Need to Know About Threading Face Lifts- June 28, 2021

VoyageLA

Meet Dr. Sarmela Sunder of Sunder Plastic Surgery- Sept 22, 2021

Prevention

How to Examine Your Skin for Cancer in 5 Steps, According to Dermatologists- June 4,2021

Well + Good

When Is the Right Time To Get Botox? Here’s What To Expect in Your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and Beyond - March 22, 2021

KTLA

Cosmetic Treatments & The Vaccine - Dec 28, 2020

A New Injectable Treatment for Frown Lines With Dr. Sarmela Sunder- Aug 28, 2019

Yahoo!

Top Doctors Reveal How to Rejuvenate Tired Eyes - May 7, 2019

Marie Claire

 The Puff Piece- Nov 2018

LANGUAGES

Conversational in Spanish and Tamil

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