S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 30 years of plastic surgery experience in Hawaii. In addition to performing more than 20,000 plastic surgery procedures, Dr. Schlesinger is a specialist in non-surgical procedures, including the liquid facelift.
Background & education
A native of Detroit, Dr. Schlesinger took his premedical studies at the University of Michigan and medical studies at the Medical College of Virginia, where he was the highest honor graduate. He served his surgical residency at Stanford University Medical Center and his plastic surgery residence at Oklahoma Health Science Center, where he is a visiting professor of surgery.
Professional societies & affiliations
Dr. Schlesinger is a member of the following professional organizations:
- Liquid Facelift Association of America (LFAA) – Member
- Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons (NWSPS) – Past President
- American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) – Member
- American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) – Diplomate
- American College of Surgeons (ACS) – Fellow
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) – Member
- American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc. (ASLMS) – Member
- American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) – Member
- Hawaii Medical Association (HMA) – Member
- Hawaii Plastic Surgery Society (HPSS) – Member
- Maui County Medical Society (MCMS) – Member
- Pan-Pacific Surgical Association (PPSA) – Member
To be an active member of the ASPS, Dr. Schlesinger had to have completed 4 years of medical school, 3 years of clinical training in general surgery, a residency of at least 2 years in an accredited plastic surgery hospital program, taken and passed intensive board exams, and have passed the scrutiny of his peers.
Awards
Dr. Schlesinger has received numerous awards and accolades, including:
RealSelf Top 100
The RealSelf Top 100 Doctor status is awarded to physicians who have shown dedication to high patient satisfaction, willingness to answer questions on RealSelf, and have unparalleled patient feedback—and less than 10% of doctors on RealSelf are designated as Top 100 Doctors. Dr. Schlesinger has been honored with this prestigious recognition since 2014.
Patients’ Choice
Patients’ Choice recognizes doctors who make a difference in the lives of their patients. This honor is given to those physicians who have received near perfect scores as voted by their patients. For 22 ratings, S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS has an average overall score of 4 stars.
Compassionate Doctor
This certification is part of ‘Patients’ Choice’ where patients rate and vote for their favorite doctors. Patients have expressed their esteemed opinion of this doctor’s bedside manner, identifying as one of America’s Most Compassionate Doctors.
He is also the recipient of the Hawaii Medical Association’s Physician of the Year for Community Service for the State of Hawaii.
Of the numerous doctors I researched and interviewed I found Larry Schlesinger to be best qualified for my needs. Dr. Schlesinger was just wonderful. He listened intently, explained clearly what to expect, and gave me the precise results I asked for. I have complete trust in his competence. I highly recommend him and plan to use him for any future treatments. He always has a way of making me feel great about myself. That’s important to me.—Actual Patient on RealSelf. Read more RealSelf patient reviews »
A mommy makeover specialist
Dr. Schlesinger’s major area of interest for women is the Mommy Makeover, which includes a combination of the following procedures: tummy tuck, liposuction, breast surgery to include lifts and augmentations, and/or labiaplasty or vaginal rejuvenation. For men, Dr. Schlesinger’s main concentration is gynecomastia, or male breast tissue removal. Dr. Schlesinger also specializes in eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty.
Personal statement from Dr. Schlesinger
Attention to our appearance can be regarded as shallow, but I believe it is reality.
I love aesthetic plastic surgery because it is all about helping people reach their greatest potential. When someone is happy about the way they look, their outlook about everything is improved. When we are unhappy about an aspect of our bodies, rather than suffer daily, we compartmentalize those feelings and waste psychological energy suppressing this negativity.
I have worked on a burn unit, I have repaired cleft lips, I have done trauma surgery in the OR and ER, and I have done aesthetic plastic surgery. My personality and my aesthetic sense is best utilized, however, when I work with people who want to stop wasting energy feeling inadequate about their appearance, and instead spend that energy on friends and family.
Unlike general surgery, where the success of a procedure is more easily measured, aesthetic results are subjective and measured by the patient. It was Yogi Berra who said, “If you don’t know where you are going, chances are you won’t get there.” Nowhere in medicine is this statement truer than in aesthetic plastic surgery. To ensure the desired result, good aesthetic surgeons establish a relationship with their patients, inquire about goals and fears, and collaborate.
RealSelf is an amazing website that allows patients to evaluate surgeons on their pre and post-operative photographs, their expertise in certain areas, and their humanness. It also allows surgeons to better understand patient objectives, and at times learn from other surgeons.
I am grateful to be practicing aesthetic plastic surgery in America, in Hawaii, in a period where aesthetic plastic surgery has transitioned from a secretive privilege for the wealthy to being available to all of us.
Dr. Schlesinger is a doctor unlike any other. He’s caring and genuinely concerned for every patient and every aspect of their care. He is a man of his word; when my results were slightly less than perfect he did a revision free of charge. His skill level and dedication are unmatched. He is a one of a kind surgeon and no words will fully do him justice. Dr. Schlesinger is the surgeon you want to do your procedure, I cannot thank him enough for my results and the time and effort he put into my case.—Actual patient on RealSelf. Read more RealSelf patient reviews »
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
Post Doctoral Medical Education
Residency
Plastic Surgery Residency (1st & 2nd years) Oklahoma Health Science Center Chief Resident, Plastic Surgery 1978-1980
Stanford University Medical Center Department of General Surgery (2nd & 3rd years of General Surgery) 1975-1977
Internship
General Surgical 1st year General Surgery Residency) Tripler General Hospital, Honolulu, Hawaii 1971-1972
Medical MD
Medical College of Virginia • Research-Medical Student participation in medical education 1970-1971
• Voting Member of Admission Committee Medical College of Virginia 1969-1971
• Position at graduation: Highest Honor Graduate
1967-1971
Premedical
University of Michigan, B.A. (Psychology) 1959-1963
Research Assistant, Metabolic Research Laboratory (J. Conn, M.D.) University of Michigan Medical Center: (Biochemical extraction of Aldosterone) 1962-1963
Research Assistant at Mental Heal Research Institute (Study of psychomotor drugs) 1961-1962
HONORS
• Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Fraternity 1969-1971
• President, Brown-Sequard Chapter 1970-1971
• Sigma Zeta Scientific Honorary Society 1971
• Alpha Sigma Chi Medical Leadership 1971
• Honorary A.D. Williams Scholarship 1970
• International Studies (Six months at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, England) 1970-1971
• H.H. Ware Award (Highest Honor Graduate, Medical College of Virginia) 1971
MEDICAL LICENSURE
State of Hawaii, #2660
State of Texas, #E1737
BOARD CERTIFICATION
American Board of Plastic Surgery, November 15, 1985
American Board of Addiction Medicine, April 2009
MEDICAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS
• Past President, Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons
• American College of Surgeons (FACS)
• American Medical Association – Lifetime Member
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
• American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc.
• American Society of Addiction Medicine
• Hawaii Medical Association
• Hawaii Plastic Surgery Society
• Maui County Medical Society
• Pan-Pacific Surgical Association
FACULTY APPOINTMENTS
Visiting Professor in Surgery, University of Oklahoma
PUBLICATIONS
Pang, J., Jackowe, D.J., Schlesinger, L., Parsa, F.D. “ Tissue Mummification following Exposure to a Ruptured Hydrogel Breast Implant”. Plast Reconstr Surg. 125: 118, 2010.
Plastic Surgery Practice Advisor, Editorial Advisory Board, 2005
Zafirlukast (Accolate): A New Treatment for Capsular Contracture, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2002;22:329-336
Using the Contour Profile for Breast Augmentation, Issues & Answers, Mentor, Fall 1996, pp: 4-5
Report of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons’ Committee on Physicians’ Health, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, February 1993, pp: 373-374
Liposuction of the Lumbar Roll Area, Aesthetic Surgery, Comparing Notes, Fall 1994, pp: 22
Use of Reston Foam in Liposuction, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 1993 17:49-51
Liposuction of the Upper Back, Lipoplasty Society Newsletter, Lipoplasty Society of North America, Summer 1992, 9:18-19
Suction-Assisted Lipectomy of the Upper Arm: A Four Cannula Technique. In: Miller SH, et al, Yearbook of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Mosby Year Book, Inc. Chicago, 1992, pp: 171-3
Two Arcane Areas in Liposuction: the Banana and the Sensuous Triangle. In: Swanson NA, et al, The Yearbook of Dermatologic Surgery, Mosby Year Book, Inc. Chicago, pp: 185-6
Two Arcane Areas in Liposuction: the Banana and the Sensuous Triangle, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 15:175-180, 1991
Suction-Assisted Lipectomy of the Upper Arm: A Four Cannula Technique, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 14:271-274, 1990
Remember the Twist Lipoplasty Society Newsletter, Lipoplasty Society North America, Fall 1990, p. 17
Surgilube for Easy Insertion of Polyurethane-Covered Prostheses, Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 84(6):1006, December 1989.
A Modest Proposal, Journal of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, England, October 1970
PATENT
# 6951869
Use of Leukotrine Receptor on Antagonist for Treatment of Scaring
AWARDS AND TITLES
• American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award
• RealSelf 100 Award 2014 – present
• Allergan Black Diamond Award
• Hawaii Medical Association Physician of the Year 2000, 2000-2001
• Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons, President 1998-1999
• Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons, Vice President 1995-1996
• American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 1994
• Walter Scott Brown Award – Best Video Tape “Benelli Mastopexy”
• American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Presidential Citation Award 1992-1993
• American Medical Association, Physician’s Recognition Award 1981-2011
HOSPITAL AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
• ASAPS Aesthetic Fellowship, Co-Program Director, Sponsored by the University of Southern California and Maui Memorial Medical Center, 2000-2003
• Maui Memorial Hospital, Maui, Hawaii, Chairman, Physicians Activity Review Committee 1998-2000
• American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Member Ad Hoc Committee, Code of Ethics 1992-1993
• Maui Memorial Hospital, Maui, Hawaii, Chairperson, Ethics Committee 1992 – 1999
• Chief, Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, 1992 – 1999
• Hawaii Medical Society, Chairman, Committee on Physicians’ Health, 1991 – 2005
• Maui Memorial Hospital, Chairman, Committee on Physician’s Health 1991 – 1999
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Chairperson, Committee on Physicians’ Health 1991-1994
• Maui Memorial Hospital, Maui, Hawaii, Chief, Department of Surgery – 1983 – 1984
• Maui Memorial Hospital, Maui, Hawaii, Member – Department of Surgery, 1980 – Present
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Helped establish Maui Drug Court, 1998-2001
Medical Director, Clinic for the Homeless, Maui, Hawaii, Instrumental in the formulation of this clinic association with the Salvation Army 1992-1993
NON-PROFIT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
President, Friends of the Maui Drug Court
President, Friends of Project Hope
President, Hawaii Physician’s Health Committee
SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATIONS
1. February, 2010 Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons Kauai, Hawaii ”Tricks and Secrets that have served me in the past 35 years.”
2. January, 2010 29th Hawaii Plastic Surgery Symposium, Honolulu, Hawaii “Tricks and Secrets that have served me in the past 35 years.”
3. November, 2009 Third Annual Conference “Disruptive Physician and Criminal Justice System Meets Addiction Medicine”, presenter and organizer, Queens Hospital, Honolulu, Hawaii
4. May, 2009 “Asian Rhinoplasty, a 4-Area Technique” presented at ASAPS annual meeting
5. November, 2008 Second Annual Conference “Disruptive Physician”, Queens Hospital, Honolulu, Hawaii
6. May, 2008 “Non-Caucasian Rhinoplasty” presented at ASAPS annual meeting
7. November, 2007 First Annual Conference Disruptive Physician, program director and presenter, Queens Hospital, Honolulu, Hawaii
8. October, 2007 “Benelli Masoplexy” presented at ASPS annual meeting
9. September, 2006 “Benelli Masoplexy” presented at ASPS annual meeting
10. The Impaired Physician and the Hawaii Medical Association January 2006 Committee on Physician Health – Kapiolani Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
11. “Healing the Wounded Healer” The Impaired Physician and the Hawaii Medical Association November 2005
12. Committee on Physician Health – Maui Memorial Hospital, Maui, Hawaii
13. “Healing the Wounded Healer” American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting September 2005, Chicago, Illinois
14. “Simultaneous Areolar Mastopexy and Breast Augmentation”
15. American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons April 2004, Vancouver, Washington
16. “Non-Caucasian Rhinoplasty” American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting October 2003, San Diego, California
17. “Benelli Mastopexy” American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting October 2002
18. “Benelli Mastopexy” American Society Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons April 2002
19. “Benelli Mastopexy”American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting May 2001, New York City, New York
20. “SAMBA Breast Augmentation” Medical College of Virginia April 2001, Richmond, Virginia
21. “Non-Caucasian Rhinoplasty” Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons Meeting February 2001, Kauai, Hawaii
22. “Non-Caucasian Rhinoplasty” The Plastic Surgery Company Meeting May 2000, Orlando, Florida
23. “Use of Human Growth Hormone in the Plastic Surgery Practice” Rocky Mountain Plastic Surgery Society February 2000, Kauai, Hawaii
24. “The Plastic Surgery Company”, “Benelli Mastopexy” American Society of Plastic Surgeons October 1999, New Orleans, Louisiana
25. “Simultaneous Areolar Mastopexy / Breast Augmentation”, “Circumareolar Mastopexy” Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons January 1999, Wailea, Hawaii
26. “Live Surgery Telecast: External Ultrasonic Liposuction” American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons October 1998, Boston, Massachusetts
27. “Benelli Mastopexy” American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons September 1997, San Francisco, California
28. “Circumareolar Mastopexy” Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons January 1997, Whistler, Canada
29. “Transaxillary Partially Sub-pectoral Endoscopic Assisted” “Breast Augmentation, Utilizing the Contour Profile Implant” American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons November 1996, Dallas, Texas
30. “Circumareolar Mastopexy” Canadian Society For Aesthetic (Cosmetic) Plastic Surgery September 1996, Quebec City, Canada
31. “Endoscopic Breast Augmentation” “Modified Benelli Mastopexy – How to do it and How to Avoid Complications” Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons 34th Annual Meeting January 1996, Whistler, Canada
32. “Transaxillary Partially Sub-Pectoral Endoscopic-Assisted Breast Augmentation” International Doctors In Alcoholics Anonymous August 1995, New Jersey
33. “Impaired Physician vs. Organized Medicine” American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery July 1995 International Symposium on Endoscopic Plastic Surgery, Newport Beach, California
34. “Transaxillary Partially Sub-Pectoral Endoscopic Assisted Breast Augmentation Utilizing the Contour Profile Implant” University of Hawaii Medical School (3rd & 4th year students) May 1995, Honolulu, Hawaii
35. Impairment and Recovery in the Medical Community, Maui Medical Society May 1995, Maui, Hawaii
36. “Impairment and Recovery in the Medical Community” Hawaii Academy of Family Physicians February 1995, Honolulu, Hawaii
37. “Impairment and Recovery in the Family Practice Community” Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons January 1995 33rd Annual Meeting, Lanai, Hawaii
38. “Modified Benelli Mastopexy” Wilcox Memorial Hospital November 1994, Kauai, Hawaii
39. “Chemical Dependency and Physicians” ASPRS Annual Scientific Meeting September 1994, San Diego, California
40. “The Impaired Plastic Surgeon” Association of Plastic Surgeons Assistants September 1994, San Diego, California
41. “Addiction and Recovery In the Plastic Surgery Community” ASPRS Annual Scientific Meeting September 1994, San Diego, California
42. “Circumareolar Mastopexy” Lipoplasty Society of North America September 1994 12th Annual Meeting, San Diego, California
43. Panelist “Non-General Anesthesia considerations for Lipoplasty and Body Contouring” ASPRS Annual Scientific Meeting September 1993, New Orleans, Louisiana
44. “Circumareolar Mastopexy” The Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons August 1993, 32nd Annual Meeting, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
45. “Chipmunk Cheek Syndrome” American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery April 1993 26th Annual Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts
46. “Use of Reston Foam in Liposuction”, “Liposuction of the Sensuous Triangle”, “Liposuction of the Upper Back”, “Liposuction of the Upper Arm, A Four Cannula Technique”, “Benelli Mastopexy” University of Pittsburgh Department of Surgery April 1993, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
47. “American College of Surgeons Committed on Physicians’ Health” Pacific Institute of Chemical Dependency January 1993, Honolulu, Hawaii
48. “The Impaired Physician” Kuring-Gai District Medical Association June 1992, Kapalua, Hawaii
49. “Breast Surgery American Style”, “Diagnosis and Treatment of the Impaired Physician” County Engineers Society January 1992, Hilo, Hawaii
50. “Cosmetic Surgery in the 1990’s” Pan Pacific Conference January 1992, Honolulu, Hawaii
51. “Benelli Mastopexy” The Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons September 1991, Victoria, British Columbia
52. “Dorsal Lipoplasty” Lipoplasty Society of North America September 1991, Seattle, Washington
53. “Dorsal Lipoplasty” Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeons Meeting July 1991, Beverly Hills, California
54. “Use of Reston Foam in Lipoplasty”, “Benelli Mastopexy” Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons September 1990, Kauai, Hawaii
55. “The Double Bubble Effect After Breast Augmentation”, “The Benelli Mastopexy”, “The Sensuous Triangle In Liposuction”, and “Treatment of Baldness by the Brandy Hairlift Technique” Rocky Mountain Association of Plastic Surgeons March 1990, Wailea, Hawaii
56. “Correction of Glabellar Frown Lines” Maui Community College Nursing Students November 1989, Maui Memorial Hospital, Wailuku, Hawaii
57. “Treatment of Acute Flame and Scald Burns” Lipoplasty Society of North America October 1989, 7th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California
58. “Liposuction of the Upper Arm, the Banana, and the Sensuous Triangle” The Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons September 1989, 28th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington
59. “Treatment of Glabellar Frown Lines with muscle graft and Corrugator Obliteration” Wilcox Hospital April 1989, Kauai, Hawaii
60. “Liposuction of the Upper Arm, A Four Cannula Technique”, “Treatment of Acute Burns” ASPRSN Western District Annual Meeting March 1989, Keynote Address, Lahaina, Hawaii
61. “The Plastic Surgery Nurse of the Nineties” University of San Francisco Medical Center February 1989, Attending Residents, San Francisco, California
62. “Transaxillary Breast Augmentation with Meme Implants” Lipoplasty Society of North America Symposium October 1988, Toronto, Canada
63. “Interlipo Lipoplasty” The Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons September 1989, 27th Annual Meeting, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
64. “Breast Augmentation Maui Style, a Transaxillary Approach to Meme Implants”, “Interlipo Lipoplasty” The Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons September 1987, 26th Annual Meeting, Bleneden Beach, Oregon
65. “Marketing the Plastic Surgical Practice”, “Surgery with Knitting Needles”, “Suction-Assisted Lipectomy Review of 400 Patients” The Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons September 1986, 25th Annual Meeting, Alberta, Canada
66. “Treatment of Lamb’s Nipple Deformity”, “Body Sculpturing and Cosmetic Surgery” Hawaii Association of County Officials June 1986, 17th Annual Meeting, Kahului, Hawaii
67. “Body Sculpturing and Cosmetic Surgery” Maui County Fire Department and Paramedics May 1986, Wailuku, Hawaii
68. “Treatment of Acute Flame and Scald Burns” West Hawaii Medical Society May 1986 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
69. “Treatment of Acute Burns” West Hawaii Medical Society March 1986 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
70. “Liposuction” The Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons September 1985 24th Annual Meeting, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
71. “Axillary Breast Augmentation Using Meme-Type Implants” Wilcox Hospital July 1985, Kauai, Hawaii
