Anatomy, Artistry, and Individuality: Inside LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery

Gene K. Lee, MD, MPH, FACS, is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and founder of LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, where his practice places particular emphasis on facelift, neck lift, and individualized facial rejuvenation. His approach to the aging face brings together reconstructive training, an appreciation for proportion and craftsmanship, and a commitment to preserving the features that make each patient recognizable.

Born in Los Angeles and raised largely in Seoul, Dr. Lee developed an appreciation for fashion long before he held a scalpel. He was drawn to the craftsmanship behind a well-made garment, particularly the attention designers devote to proportion, detail, and finish. That sensibility continues to inform his approach to aesthetic surgery: creating meaningful improvement while preserving harmony with each patient’s natural features.

That interest continues to inform his approach to aesthetic surgery: creating meaningful improvement while maintaining harmony with the patient's natural features.

At LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery, a boutique Beverly Hills practice, that attention to detail informs surgical planning and patient care. The name itself reflects Dr. Lee's two worlds. "LA" honors Los Angeles, while "Môem" draws from the Korean word for body. For Dr. Lee, the detail is meaningful because his philosophy begins with seeing the face and body as part of an individual's overall identity.

From Reconstruction to Refinement

Dr. Lee's path to aesthetic surgery was shaped by extensive surgical training. He completed residency training in General Surgery at the University of Southern California, followed by Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery training at USC. During his plastic surgery residency, he held chief resident roles across USC-affiliated hospitals and surgical services, including Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Keck USC Hospital, and Los Angeles General Medical Center, among others. He also earned a Master of Public Health from Harvard University.

His reconstructive experience included facial trauma, burns, and cleft lip and palate surgery. That work taught him to understand the face not simply as an aesthetic structure, but as a complex relationship between form, function, expression, and identity.

"Reconstructive surgery taught me how closely facial form, function, and identity are connected," Dr. Lee says. "That perspective informs every aesthetic decision I make."

For patients considering facial rejuvenation, that perspective can shape how surgical decisions are made. Rather than working toward a generic ideal, Dr. Lee evaluates what has changed, what remains distinctive, and what degree of correction is appropriate for the individual.

A Focus on the Aging Face

Facelift and neck lift surgery are central to Dr. Lee's facial practice. His approach considers the face and neck as connected areas of aging, with attention to tissue position, facial volume, skin quality, and the patient's natural features.

A facelift may address changes such as jowling, lower facial laxity, and descent of deeper facial tissues, while a neck lift can address concerns involving the neck and jawline. But not every patient requires the same combination of procedures. Dr. Lee's goal is to understand which aspects of aging are actually present before recommending a treatment plan.

"My goal in facial rejuvenation is to help patients look refreshed while preserving the features and expressions that make them recognizable," Dr. Lee explains.

Depending on a patient's anatomy and goals, complementary procedures may also have a role. Eyelid surgery can address changes around the eyes, while a brow lift may improve brow position and the upper face. Facial fat grafting can restore volume in areas affected by age-related hollowing, and skin resurfacing can address surface concerns such as texture, fine lines, or sun damage. These procedures are not automatic additions to a facelift or neck lift. They are considered when they address a specific component of facial aging and contribute to a balanced overall plan.

This layered approach reflects the way Dr. Lee evaluates facial aging. Tissue position, volume, and skin quality can change at different rates, so meaningful rejuvenation may require attention to one or several of these components depending on the individual.

Where Art Meets Surgery

Ask Dr. Lee what he admires most in fashion, and he does not talk about trends. He talks about discipline.

"What I admire in fashion is the discipline behind the finished piece: the attention to proportion, the craftsmanship, and the care devoted to each detail," he says. "I bring that same dedication to my work as a surgeon."

That philosophy extends into facial surgery, where small anatomical differences can influence both the surgical plan and the way a result integrates with the rest of the face.

His goal is meaningful improvement that remains harmonious with the patient's features, with the degree of change guided by anatomy and individual preferences. It is a surgical philosophy rather than a promise about a particular outcome. The objective is to make thoughtful changes that respect the patient's identity rather than applying the same template to every face.

Personal attention and honest communication are equally important. Dr. Lee takes time to understand what a patient hopes to change, what they want to preserve, and how comfortable they are with the degree of transformation being considered.

Choosing a Facelift Surgeon With Confidence

For patients considering facial rejuvenation, choosing a surgeon involves more than comparing procedures or techniques.

First, patients can look for appropriate board certification and relevant surgical training. Dr. Lee is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, two separate professional credentials that reflect different aspects of his qualifications.

Second, patients can ask how a surgeon evaluates the aging face. A thoughtful consultation should consider anatomy, tissue position, volume, skin quality, facial proportions, and individual goals rather than focusing on a procedure in isolation.

Third, patients should expect realistic discussions about what surgery can and cannot accomplish. Facial rejuvenation is individualized, and an appropriate plan depends on the patient's anatomy, priorities, and the specific changes they want to address.

For patients traveling to Beverly Hills from outside the Los Angeles area, communication and continuity of care become particularly important. A thorough consultation can help establish expectations and clarify the treatment and recovery process before surgery.

A Complementary Approach to Breast Surgery

While facial rejuvenation is a central focus of LA MÔEM, Dr. Lee also performs aesthetic breast surgery, applying the same attention to proportion, individualized planning, and patient preferences that guides his facial work.

His breast practice includes procedures such as breast augmentation and breast lift, with treatment plans tailored to each patient's anatomy and aesthetic goals. The connection to his facial philosophy is not about treating every procedure the same way, but about applying the same principles of careful planning, balance, and individualization.

A Practice Built on Individuality

The philosophy behind LA MÔEM brings together several influences: rigorous surgical training, reconstructive experience, an appreciation for anatomy, and a lifelong interest in craftsmanship.

For Dr. Lee, those influences converge in the way he approaches facial rejuvenation. The face is not treated as a collection of isolated features. It is evaluated as a whole, with changes in structure, volume, skin, and proportion considered in relation to one another.

That perspective is particularly relevant to facelift and neck lift surgery, where the technical procedure is only one part of the decision. The larger question is how the correction fits the individual.

LA MÔEM's boutique Beverly Hills setting reflects that philosophy. The practice emphasizes careful planning, clear communication, and attentive care, with Dr. Lee's reconstructive background informing a personalized approach to aesthetic surgery.

Begin Your Consultation

For patients considering facelift, neck lift, or other forms of facial rejuvenation, the process begins with understanding what is changing and what they want to preserve.

A consultation with Dr. Lee provides an opportunity to discuss those priorities, evaluate the face and neck as a whole, and determine whether surgery or complementary treatments are appropriate. The goal is not to impose a particular aesthetic, but to develop a plan that reflects the patient's anatomy, preferences, and desired degree of change.

For more information, visit LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery and explore Dr. Lee's approach to facial rejuvenation, facelift, neck lift, and other aesthetic procedures.

Best Facelift Surgeon In Beverly Hills For 2026

Dr. Gene K. Lee has been named Best Facelift Surgeon in Beverly Hills of 2026 by Best of Best Review, recognizing his individualized approach to facial rejuvenation at LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery.

Explore More About LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery

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Editorial note: Credential and award logos can be incorporated as visual elements if the publication receives approved, high-resolution assets from LA MÔEM. The requested reward/award should be added once it has been officially granted, as Dr. Lee requested.