Dr. Anthony Berlet Brings Artistry & Empathy to the Operating Room

In an era when cosmetic surgery is more mainstream than ever, Dr. Anthony Berlet stands out not just for his surgical precision, but for the deeply human and artistic philosophy that guides his practice. With more than 30 years of experience and a reputation that stretches from northern New Jersey to New York City’s Fifth Avenue, Dr. Berlet has built a career on transformation—not just of the face or body, but of confidence and self-perception.

“Changing someone’s appearance for the better—it really is life changing,” Dr. Berlet said during a recent conversation. “I get excited by the results as much as the patient does. It’s a gift that they’ve come to me, and we share that excitement together.”

A double board-certified plastic and general surgeon, Dr. Berlet is known for a wide range of procedures including facelifts, eyelid surgeries, and rhinoplasty. But what makes him distinct is his unique blend of science and artistry. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in architectural design, he applies the structural principles of architecture to his surgical techniques—a philosophy he says gives his work balance and form.

“The classic line from Mies van der Rohe is ‘form follows function,’” he explained. “When I rebuild a nose now, it’s not just shaving cartilage and hoping for the best. It’s about structure, continuity—from bone to cartilage, tip support—it’s a sculptural process.”

That sculptural sensibility is matched by empathy. While his practice is now 98% cosmetic, Dr. Berlet began with reconstructive work—reattaching limbs, repairing trauma, and performing complex skin cancer reconstruction. “That work really helped hone my skills. You have to be precise when you’re preserving a nose or rebuilding a face. It trains your eye and your hand.”

Today, he performs three facelifts and up to ten eyelid surgeries a week. “Eyelid surgery is probably my specialty,” he noted. “A lot of plastic surgeons avoid it, especially lower lids. But I’ve done thousands. I know that anatomy inside and out.”

Berlet’s patient base spans generations, backgrounds, and motivations. Some are looking for subtle rejuvenation. Others, like a bartender he’s treated since her 40s, are seeking longevity in youth-centric industries. “She’s 82 now and still working at a bar,” he said with a smile. “It’s pretty incredible.”

And then there are the cultural shifts: men, once reluctant, are increasingly seeking out procedures. “About 20% of my patients are men now,” he shared. “Eyes are big—those tired bags. But more and more, it’s also the jawline, the neck, the face. Men are finally getting comfortable with the idea that self-care isn’t just for women.”

Another growing trend? Implant removal. “I’ve actually stopped putting in breast implants altogether,” Dr. Berlet said. “There’s a syndrome where women feel off—tired, foggy, unwell. We take the implants out, do a lift, and they tell me a week later they feel awake for the first time in years. Even their labs normalize.”

Dr. Berlet is also refreshingly candid about the realities behind the mirror. “Everyone ages differently,” he said. “Some people need eyelid surgery in their 20s. For others, a facelift makes sense in their 50s. But there’s no one-size-fits-all. The key is personalization.”

And while newer, non-invasive technologies grab headlines, Dr. Berlet sees most of them as supplementary. “There are always new lasers and injectables, but nothing replaces good surgical technique,” he said. “You can’t build a beautiful result on bad foundations. It’s why I spend so much time studying form and structure. The work should look natural. You should still look like you.”

He’s not just saying that for effect. In 2009, Dr. Berlet curated a New York art exhibit titled I Am Art, which explored plastic surgery as a modern art form. It earned coverage in The New York Times and reflected a deeper belief that beauty, function, and emotional resonance are all part of the same canvas.”

That philosophy is something he shares with his wife, who now works alongside him, helping produce patient-focused content and documenting the journey of transformation. “She’s Ivy League smart, super charismatic, and she’s always been fascinated with what I do,” he said. “She helps me tell these stories. And for patients willing to share, it can be powerful—empowering even—for others to see that this is not about vanity. It’s about feeling good in your own skin.”

At its core, Dr. Berlet’s work is an ongoing collaboration with the human form—fueled by empathy, guided by precision, and shaped by an artist’s hand.

“I love what I do,” he said. “I feel like I’m never working. I don’t even know what I’d do with myself if I wasn’t doing this.”

For many of his patients, the feeling is mutual.