- Steven Hoefflin
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Steven M. Hoefflin, MD, FICS, FACS is a plastic surgeon, recognized for his procedures to celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor. Frequently published in books and medical journals, Hoefflin has been running a private practice in aesthetic plastic surgery for over thirty years in Santa Monica, California.[1]
Contents
Career
UCLA Medical Center
In 1972, Hoefflin graduated from the UCLA Medical School. He continued his education in general surgery and completed a residency training program at the UCLA Medical Center. [1]
Dr. Hoefflin became Assistant Clinical Professor of UCLA Medical Center in 1979. In 1989, he was promoted to Associate Clinical Professor, which he served until 2003.
Hoefflin served as Chief of Plastic Surgery at the UCLA Santa Monica Hospital Medical Center from 1982 until 1989. He also served as Chief of Plastic Surgery at Brotman Medical Center from 1980 to 1985.[1]
Hoefflin is the Immediate Past President of the Los Angeles Society of Plastic Surgeons. [1]
Celebrity plastic surgeon
Hoefflin has carried out cosmetic surgery on numerous celebrities and has been linked to Michael Jackson’s changing appearance since the early 1980s. Hoefflin grafted skin to Jackson’s scalp after the singer was burnt during the filming of a Pepsi commercial in 1984.[2] In 1979, Jackson had his first rhinoplasty after breaking his nose during a complex dance routine. However, the surgery was not a complete success, and Jackson complained of breathing difficulties that would affect his career. He was referred to Dr. Hoefflin, who performed Jackson's second rhinoplasty as well as more throughout his career.[3]
Hoefflin has given stand up comedienne, Phyllis Diller, a breast reduction, tummy tuck, two nose jobs, cheek implants, a browlift, eyelift, two facelifts, and a chemical peel.[2]
Allegations of professional misconduct
In 1997, Hoefflin was accused of unprofessional conduct towards celebrity clients by four former colleagues. It was alleged that Hoefflin pulled the blanket off of a woman while she was unconscious on the operating table, and "spread and lifted her legs in a vulgar manner." Hoefflin's colleagues also claimed that Hoefflin once disrobed a male client, and upon exposing the patient's genitals, stated, "you know, he has never used it."[4]
Additionally, it was alleged that Hoefflin tricked Michael Jackson into believing he had received a nose job by putting Jackson under anaesthetic, and then fast-forwarding the clocks.[5] It was also claimed that upon Elizabeth Taylor arriving for a face-lift, Hoefflin stripped her naked and described her as "the old stuff".[5]
Hoefflin has asserted that the charges were made by two doctors who were renting office space at his Santa Monica, California office — Dr. James Hurvitz - and Dr. Wallace Goodstein whom Hoefflin claimed were addicted to prescription drugs.[4][6] Hoefflin filed a lawsuit for $20 million dollars against the two doctors for defamation.[7] According to Hoefflin, in August 2001, the four former employees who originally made the allegations issued apology letters to Hoefflin and paid a cash settlement.[8]
Client list
- Michael Jackson[4]
- Janet Jackson[4]
- La Toya Jackson[9]
- Elizabeth Taylor[4]
- Joan Rivers[4]
- Tony Curtis[4]
- Sylvester Stallone[4]
- Ivana Trump[4]
- Pamela Anderson[10]
- Angie Everhart[10]
- Zsa Zsa Gabor[10]
- Phyllis Diller[2]
- David Gest[11]
Personal life
Hoefflin married his first wife, Linda Manus, while still in college. They had two sons, Jeff and Brad, before divorcing in 1976. Hoefflin stated that as a doctor building a practice, "I just did not have time to nurture a relationship." Brad, who suffers from a degenerative neurological disease, lives with Hoefflin and his second wife, Pamela Wilson, at their home in Bel Air.[2]
Hoefflin is an avid sky diver and vegetarian who, in 1996, bared his torso in a bodybuilding magazine.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d http://www.hoefflin.com/
- ^ a b c d e "Under scrutiny", People.com.
- ^ Taraborrelli, p. 205–210
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Knives are out for star surgeon", NY Daily News
- ^ a b "The ugly face of beauty", The Independent.
- ^ O'Neill, Ann W. (November 12, 1997). "Doctor Files Suits Alleging Defamation". The Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1997/nov/12/local/me-52909.
- ^ O'Neill, Ann W. (November 12, 1997). "Doctor Files Suits Alleging Defamation". The Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1997/nov/12/local/me-52909.
- ^ "Plastic Surgeon Dr. Steven M. Hoefflin is Cleared and Vindicated of All Legal Claims Against Him", The Hoefflin Center for Plastic Surgery.
- ^ "Facing the music", Time Magazine.
- ^ a b c "Of livers, hearts, kidneys — and Don Johnson's organ", The Independent.
- ^ "Elvis, Marilyn Monroe... John Travolta?", MSNBC.
Bibliography
- Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2004). The Magic and the Madness. Terra Alta, WV: Headline. ISBN 0-330-42005-4.
External links
Categories:- Living people
- American vegetarians
- American plastic surgeons
- University of California, Los Angeles alumni
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