Amir Karam

Amir KaramDr

3.8(8 reviews)100, 11943, El Camino Real, San Diego County, San Diego, CA 92130

Profile

Dr. Amir Karam brings an impressively high level of experience to his practice, having devoted his career to the mastery of facial plastic surgery and rejuvenation. As one of the top surgeons in the country, Dr. Karam is proud to have established the Carmel Valley Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Center in San Diego in 2008.

Dr. Karam is double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as the American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. He has published over 20 peer-reviewed research articles, has contributed to more than 25 surgical textbook chapters on facial plastic surgery, and has co-authored his own surgical textbook, Rejuvenation of the Aging Face.

Throughout his career, Dr. Karam has performed over 6,000 successful procedures, operating on clients across the globe. Once he discovered a number of ways by which he could improve the traditional facelift procedure, he developed his trade marked Vertical Restore and Vertical Prevent techniques, designed to address laxity and the facial shape changes associated with aging, with customized fat transfer as an innovative way to permanently replace facial volume.

Dr. Karam has since spent the last 20 years honing his craft, enabling him to offer a level of expertise in facial surgery that few practitioners can bring to the table.

While many don’t necessarily enjoy the pressure and responsibility that comes along with facial plastic surgery, Dr. Karam thrives in the environment and finds that it keeps him driven to deliver results that are truly innovative and soar above and beyond his patients’ expectations.

Locations (1)

San Diego, CA

100, 11943, El Camino Real, San Diego County, San Diego, CA 92130

Procedures (59)

Reviews (8)

3.8

8 reviews

5
63%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
38%
5.0
Dec 31, 2024
I am incredibly impressed with my entire experience at Carmel Valley Plastic Surgery. From the moment I walk in, I'm greeted warmly by Jake and Morningstar - their customer service and positive attitude are truly unmatched. Anthony, the patient coordinator, has been outstanding. When I made a scheduling mistake; Anthony & Jake personally ensured everything was sorted out seamlessly. Tonia’s skill, her up-to-date knowledge, and her technique as an aesthetic RN are the best I've encountered, exactly what I was looking for. The office's philosophy of helping patients achieve beautiful, natural results while preserving the integrity and health of their skin and features is why I booked my first appointment and why I keep coming back every few months. All of the staff go above and beyond. I can't say enough good things about this place.

lauren ilacqua

5.0
Dec 31, 2024
I am incredibly impressed with my entire experience at Carmel Valley Plastic Surgery. From the moment I walk in, I'm greeted warmly by Jake and Morningstar...

Lauren I.

1.0
Jul 23, 2024
I regret to share my deeply disappointing experiences with Dr. Karam over multiple procedures spanning several years. My journey began in 2020 with a fat transfer to address facial hollowing. Despite initial promises, the results quickly faded, leaving me with no noticeable improvement. I was told from staff and Dr. Karam that results would improve over time. Two years later, I saw no positive changes at all. Upon asking for another fat transfer, I was declined as he said he does not do revisions (although it says he does in the contract). My results not only did not get any better, they got worse. Because I was so unhappy with the results, I considered a vertical restore to fix the issues with the lower half of my face, and upper and lower bleph to help with my eyes. It was not until I asked about doing a different procedure that I was able to talk to Dr. Karam again. Makes sense...if I'm paying more money, he will meet with me. He ended up telling me that he was no longer doing fat transfer without a vertical restore because the results weren't good. If the results were not good, then he should have offered to do a fat transfer again. He did not. In 2022, I underwent a vertical restore procedure and blepharoplasty. Unfortunately, these interventions also failed to meet expectations. My eyes now appear worse than before, with increased droopiness and wrinkles. A subsequent consultation with an eyelid specialist revealed that Dr. Karam's work was subpar, irreparable, and that he is a surgeon who consistently does revisions for Dr. Karam's sloppy work. Throughout this process, I've faced significant challenges in obtaining adequate follow-up care. Post-operative appointments were with nurses, not Dr. Karam himself. When I asked to meet with Dr. Karam, the response I always got was that he is "in surgery" and cannot meet. He is so busy doing so many surgeries that he does not have the time for any post-op care at all which is completely NEGLIGENT. My attempts to schedule reviews via phone and email with the doctor have been repeatedly unsuccessful, leaving me feeling dismissed and unheard. After paying for your procedure, you are nothing but a number and you will be treated as such. It's like the DMV of plastic surgery.I will never be doing a procedure with Dr. Karam ever again. I caution potential patients to look beyond his exciting social media presence and large following, and carefully research patient outcomes. His popularity on social media does not make him the best doctor. His prices reflect his popularity, not his work. In my experience, the high costs associated with Dr. Karam's procedures did not translate to any results or attentive aftercare. After four years and multiple surgeries, I deeply regret my decision to pursue treatment with this practice.To those considering cosmetic procedures, I strongly advise thorough research and skepticism of overwhelmingly positive reviews. My hope in sharing this experience is to prevent others from enduring extreme disappointment, no results, and financial loss.

Francine Peters

1.0
Jun 28, 2024
Pleasant enough fellow, but do not be guided by this. He should not be a plastic surgeon. Unfortunately, he created a condition of cobra neck because he aggressively removed too much fat under my chin. Something he recommended I do in addition to a face lift. This is very hard to correct thus I am left with it. I look older than I did prior to the facelift and the area looks simply odd. In general, his work distorted my appearance rather than enhance it. I no longer looked like myself and not in a good way. I thought I had vetted him enough but how can a non-surgeon really know? He covers his tracks to ensure those who have had problems will not surface. He simply lacks the skill and eye for a good result. His marketing is deceptive. I have seen other patients of his, and they don't look great. Either they look "done" or it looks like nothing was done without improvement. It has been hard to look in the mirror since the procedure some years ago. It is especially difficult to see video of my face in action. Having him work on my face is one of my biggest regrets in my life.

Laughing Monkey

5.0
Aug 30, 2023
Dr. Karam and his team were amazing from start to finish! I am 5 months out from my vertical restore, lip lift and fat transfer, and I could not be happier...

Paige S.

1.0
Oct 19, 2022
Dr. Karam did my upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty surgery for a total of $27,000 +plus $4,500 operation room fee. He did not even measure my. He...

Emmy C.

5.0
Sep 15, 2021
Dr. Karam is a fantastic surgeon who consistently produces the highest-quality results with the least amount of discomfort or disruption to one's life! Those are the reasons I sought Dr. Karam and he more than rewarded our faith in him! That his staff, certainly including Taylor, was always incredibly patient, caring and easy to work with far exceeded our expectations! Simply, we could not be happier with my results and what we have experienced with Dr. Karam and his staff! Dr. Karam and his outstanding staff are the absolute best!

Ben Crawford

5.0
Jul 3, 2015
Dr. Karam is a great plastic surgeon in San Diego. He's cool confident and well-informed. His staff is very friendly and always smiling. They were really knows what he is doing and has very wonderful bedside manner. I wasn't even nervous at all for surgery. My surgery completed without any problem. I really impressed from Dr. Karam and his staff.

J S Fitness