Dr. Luis Macias: The Surgeon Redefining Modern Aesthetics

In today’s fast-moving world of aesthetic medicine, where procedures trend overnight and patients arrive more informed than ever, a select few surgeons stand out for their blend of technical mastery, artistic precision, and forward-thinking innovation. Among them is Marina Del Rey plastic surgeon Dr. Luis Macias, whose work in facial, breast, and body surgery has made him one of the most sought-after names in the field.

Though his days are packed with surgeries, consultations, teaching, and research, he describes his schedule with a calm, matter-of-fact ease. “Mondays and Wednesdays are operative for me,” he explains. “Tuesdays and Thursdays I am seeing patients in the office. And then on Fridays I’m with my kids.” It’s a rhythm that keeps him grounded, even as his reputation continues to soar on an international scale.

Dr. Macias was born in Chicago, raised in Los Angeles, and shaped profoundly by his early service in the United States Marine Corps. As an avionics technician working on the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet, he reached the rank of sergeant before using the G.I. Bill to pursue his undergraduate and medical degrees at UCLA. That rare combination of discipline, mechanical expertise, and intellectual rigor became the backbone of his surgical career.

“What drew me to plastic surgery,” he recalls, “was that we basically learned how to operate in the body from head to toe and we had to be masters of anatomy. There was fine technical skill, and that’s what drew me to plastic surgery.”

His training took him to some of the most prestigious institutions in the country: the Mayo Clinic for residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery, the University of Pennsylvania for a fellowship in microvascular reconstruction, and later USC-Marina for advanced aesthetic training under renowned surgeon Dr. Grant Stevens. Today, he gives back to the next generation as the Aesthetic Program Director at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, teaching residents and fellows the art and discipline of aesthetic surgery.

But it’s his innovative approach to facial procedures, especially the facelift, that has become his signature. When asked what he’s most known for, he doesn’t hesitate: “Facelifts.”

At a time when social media popularizes buzzwords like “ponytail lift” or “Swift lift,” Dr. Macias is focused on techniques that deliver meaningful, natural, and lasting results. He often performs a deep-plane facelift combined with advanced deep-neck work, a technique increasingly recognized for its ability to refine the jawline and rejuvenate the entire lower face.

“What I tend to do is a deep-plane facelift and then also some deep neck work,” he explains. “Going underneath the platysma and getting rid of some of the fullness… you can get a little bit more of a chiseled jawline by doing that.”

He is also part of a new wave of surgeons embracing submandibular gland reduction—an approach that has existed for decades but only recently gained widespread acceptance due to advances in tools and safety. He lectures on this work nationally, helping peers incorporate the technique more confidently into their own practices.

Cultural attitudes toward cosmetic surgery have evolved dramatically over his career, something he attributes partly to media and partly to shifting generational attitudes. “Now everyone just kind of talks about it. It’s nothing. And it’s super accepted,” he says. From reality shows to social platforms, transparency has become the new norm, and patients are seeking procedures at younger ages than ever before.

One notable shift has been among male patients. “It used to be 98–2,” he says of the ratio of women to men in aesthetic surgery. “Now it’s 80–20. Men are accepting surgery at a much higher rate.” Websites now routinely include men’s sections, a once-novel concept that has become standard.

In addition to facial surgery, Dr. Macias is known for his extensive work in breast and body procedures, including his pioneering 360 Mommy Makeover, a comprehensive approach that combines breast augmentation, no-drain tummy tuck, and fat transfer to sculpt the body in a single operation. He also emphasizes the crucial role of skin preparation and postoperative care, noting that he often combines surgery with lasers and medical-grade skincare. “You don’t want a nice new couch and then have old torn-up leather on it,” he says. “You want that surface to look youthful as well.”

Looking ahead, he believes the future lies in regenerative medicine. “Stem cells, peptides… regenerative medicine is where it’s at,” he says. “The technology isn’t quite there yet, but it’s coming.”

Despite the complexity of his work, the heart of Dr. Macias’ philosophy remains simple: the blend of art and science must be seamless. “Five different surgeons can do surgery on the same person and get five different results,” he explains. “You have to know what to look for. The eye can only see what the mind knows.”

For Dr. Macias, that combination, deep knowledge, precise technique, and artistic vision, is what transforms surgery from procedure to craft. And it’s what continues to make his work stand out in an industry where excellence is measured in millimeters, but impact lasts a lifetime.