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Dr. Sara Yegiyants

Home | Our Practice | Dr. Sara Yegiyants

Plastic Surgeon in Santa Barbara, CA
Meet Dr. Sara Yegiyants

Dr. Sara Yegiyants is a triple board certified female plastic surgeon in Santa Barbara with extensive surgical training and background in visual arts. A native of California, she attended the prestigious visual arts school where her interest in the aesthetic shape and form was solidified. After completing bachelor’s degrees in microbiology and chemistry, and a master’s degree in biological sciences, Dr. Yegiyants completed her graduate studies in medicine at Albany Medical College.  She underwent rigorous training in general surgery at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, completing a five -year program and board certification in general surgery. She then further honed her skills by completing a three -year residency in plastic surgery at the University of Illinois, Chicago and a fellowship in hand and microsurgery at the University of Miami.

Throughout her extensive and rigorous training in the fields of surgery and plastic surgery, Dr. Yegiyants was recognized for her clinical and research achievements.  She was selected twice as resident of the year during her training and won numerous prizes at national and state meetings for her achievements in plastic surgery research. She has published numerous articles in peer- reviewed journals and has presented her work at national and international meetings. With the combination of extensive, nine year postgraduate surgical training and an aesthetic training in the visual arts, Dr. Yegiyants offers advanced skills in restoring the body to an aesthetically pleasing form and function.

Dr. Yegiyants practices the full spectrum of plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery including facelift, neck lift, breast reconstruction, mommy makeovers, vaginal rejuvenation, rhinoplasty, and other surgical procedures. She is also highly skilled with non-surgical technology, spa treatments and skin rejuvenation.

Board Certification

 
 
Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery
 

 

Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery

Certified in Sub-specialty of Surgery of the Hand

Post-Graduate Training

Plastic Surgery Residency  University of Illinois Chicago, IL

Hand /Microsurgery Fellowship  University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital Miami, FL

General Surgery Residency Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles, CA

Education

MD Albany Medical College Albany, NY

MS/BS California State Polytechnic University Pomona, CA

Honors & Awards

Best Breast Paper in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal for “Matched cohort study of superomedial vertical scar breast reduction (100 breasts) and traditional wise pattern breast reduction (100 breasts): An outcomes study over three years”. Antony A, Yegiyants S, Hayes D, Wisel S, Morris D, Dolezal R, Cohen M. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013 Nov;132(5):1068-76, Chicago, IL

 Recipient 1st Place Illinois Society of Plastic Surgeons Senior Resident Conference, Chicago, IL

First Place. UIC Residency Program. Illinois Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Resident Bowl. Chicago, IL

First Place. UIC Residency Program. Illinois Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Resident Bowl. Chicago, IL

Recipient Second Best Presentation Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeon’s 38th Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL

Surgical Resident of the Year Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Medical Center Los Angeles, CA

Resident Research Award Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Medical Center Los Angeles, CA

Surgical Resident of the Year Kern Medical Center, Bakersfield, CA

Recipient Third Best Resident’s Paper Award, Southern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons

W. Brandon Macomber Prize “Senior student who best exemplifies genuine sustained interest and potential in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery” Albany Medical College, Albany, NY

Neil Lempert Prize “Outstanding ability and promise in the field of transplantation and immunobiology as demonstrated by superior clinical or research achievement” Albany Medical College, Albany, NY

Recipient President’s Travel Fund California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA

Dean’s and President’s Honor List California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA

A Conversation with Dr. Yegiyants

Where did you grow up?

Los Angeles

Tell us about your education and training.

Med school -Albany Medical Center

General surgery residency- Kaiser LA

Plastic surgery fellowship – UIC Chicago

Hand fellowship – University of Miami

What type of surgical procedures do you specialize in?

Revision breast surgery, breast reconstruction with nipple resensation, breast augmentation, breast reduction, mommy makeovers, rhinoplasty, facelift/necklift

What is your philosophy at your practice?

Boutique practice with a customized approach for each patient after a thorough understanding of their aesthetic goals. Extensively research and incorporate cutting-edge technology and surgical techniques.

Why did you become a plastic surgeon?

As a formally trained artist with a path in surgery, this was the natural “marriage” of arts and surgery.

What do you like most about being a plastic surgeon?

I get to operate on every part of the body. There is no cookie-cutter approach to plastic surgery, and I love being creative while relying on my extensive anatomic knowledge and artistry.

What methods did you employ to accomplish your goal of becoming a successful doctor?

 I envision the steps of surgery in my head before showing up to the operating room. Every move is refined to optimize efficiency and outcome.

What do you like to do in your leisure time when you are not operating or seeing patients?

I love the outdoors, and living in beautiful Santa Barbara, known as the American Riviera, affords a dream lifestyle. I love spending time with my girls.

What epiphany did you experience while studying to become a surgeon that led you to choose aesthetic surgery?

 I do both aesthetics and recon surgery.

What setbacks or obstacles did you encounter while pursuing your goals?

14% of board-certified plastic surgeons are women, and going through nine years of surgical training and balancing long hours of training with motherhood was challenging.

What three words best describe you?

 Ambitious, Caring, Determined

What mentors do you currently have or have you had during your career that made a lasting impact on you?

 “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Isaac Newton 

I have had several amazing mentors who have shared their knowledge and techniques, which has shaped my approach and understanding of plastic surgery.

How did your journey to be a plastic surgeon change you internally?

It’s a beautiful thing when passion and career come together. Realizing my goal and having a career I am passionate about has confirmed that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

Why do patients choose you as their plastic surgeon, and what makes you different and unique?

I firmly believe in doing only what’s best for the patients and will often turn away patients where I don’t think a procedure will benefit or is necessary. I love keeping up with the latest advances in surgical techniques or new technology and offer those in my practice. I care deeply about my patients.

Reviews

Publications

  1. The versatility of the platysma musculocutaneous flap: Our experience with 35 cases Over a 10 year period. Yegiyants S, Kalimuthu R. In progress
  2. Matched cohort study of superomedial vertical scar breast reduction (100 breasts) and traditional wise pattern breast reduction (100 breasts): An outcomes study over three years. Antony A, Yegiyants S, Hayes D, Wisel S, Morris D, Dolezal R, Cohen M. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013 Nov;132(5):1068-76
  3. The management of post-operative nausea and vomiting: Current thoughts and protocols. Sweis I, Yegiyants S, Cohen M. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2013 Jun;37(3):625-33
  4. Outcome of components separation for contaminated complex abdominal wall defects. Yegiyants S, Tam M, Lee DJ, Abbas MA. Hernia. 2012 Feb;16(1):41-5. Epub 2011 Jul 24
  5. Axillary recurrence is low in patients with breast cancer who do not undergo completion axillary lymph node dissection for micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes. Rayhanabad J, Yegiyants S, Putchakayala K, Haigh P, Romero L, DiFronzo LA. The American Surgeon. 2010 Oct; 76 (10): 1088-1091
  6. Traumatic peripheral nerve injury: a wartime review. Yegiyants S, Dayiciogly D, Kardashian G, Panthaki ZJ. J Craniofac Surg. 2010 Jul;21(4):998-1001
  7. Long term follow-up in patients with breast cancer who have metastasis in a sentinel node: Is completion axillary lymph node dissection required for regional control? Yegiyants S, Romero L, Haigh PI, DiFronzo LA. Arch Surg. 2010 Jun;145(6):564-9
  8. Endovascular repair for common iliac artery occlusion secondary to blunt abdominal trauma: Case report and review of literature. Sinha R, Yegiyants S, Inaba K, Demetriades D. Injury Extra. 2009; 40(11):249-250
  9. The surgical care improvement project (SCIP) initiative to reduce infection in elective colorectal surgery: Which performance measures affect outcome? Nguyen N, Yegiyants S, Kaloostian C, Abbas MA, DiFronzo LA. The American Surgeon. 2008; 74(10):1012-1016
  10. Operative strategy can reduce the incidence of major bile duct injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Yegiyants S, Collins JC. The American Surgeon. 2008; 74(10):985-987
  11. Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred management of acute cholecystitis. Casillas R, Yegiyants S, Collins JC. The Archives of Surgery. 2008; 143(6):533-537
  12. The effect of methamphetamine use in trauma patient outcomes. Yegiyants S, Abraham J, Taylor W. The American Surgeon. 2007; 73(10):1044-10466
  13. Management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma with positive fluid on CT scan without solid organ Injury. Yegiyants S, Lahoud G, Taylor W. The American Surgeon 2006;72:943-946
  14. Treatment of Haemophilus influenzae type b Meningitis in Infant Rats. Yegiyants S. Master’s Thesis. 2000. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA

E-Publications

  1. Mandible fractures. Yegiyants S, Patel P. psenetwork.org July 2011
  2. Management of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Sweis I, Yegiyants S, Cohen M. www.plasticsurgery.hyperguides.com. June 2011

Book Chapters

  1. Anatomy of the Breast, Axilla, and Chest Wall. Yegiyants S, Kalimuthu R in Breast Disease, Comprehensive Management. Editor Adam Riker. Springer 2015.
  2. Upper extremity reconstruction. Yegiyants S, Panthaki ZJ in Dermatologic Surgery. Editor K. Nouri. Wiley- Blackwell 2013.
  3. Neoplasms of Upper Extremity. Yegiyants S, Panthaki ZJ in Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery: The Essentials. Editor S. Thaller et al. World Scientific 2012.
  4. Congenital Hand Disorders. Yegiyants S, Panthaki ZJ in Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery: The Essentials. Editor S. Thaller et al. World Scientific 2012.
  5. Dupuytren’s Contracture. Yegiyants S, Panthaki ZJ in Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery: The Essentials. Editor S. Thaller et al. World Scientific 2012.
  6. Coccidioidomycosis of the cervical spine. Yegiyants S, Basnyat P, Garcia E, Baqi S, Johnson R, Meyer W, Wrobel C. Coccidioidomycosis: Sixth International Symposium. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. New York, NY 2006

Presentations at Scientific Meetings

  1. The versatility of the platysma musculocutaneous flap: Our experience with 35 cases Over a 10 year period. Yegiyants S, Kalimuthu R. Senior Resident Competition, Illinois Society of Plastic Surgeons, June 2013, Chicago, IL
  2. Matched cohort study of superomedial vertical scar breast reduction (100 breasts) and traditional wise pattern breast reduction (100 breasts): An outcomes study over three years. Yegiyants S, Hayes D, Wisel S, Morris D, Dolezal R, Cohen M, Antony A. Senior Resident Conference, American Society of Plastic Surgeons. December 2012, Chicago, IL
  3. Breast aesthetics. Kalimuthu R, Yegiyants S, Krueger B. The Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons 50th Annual Scientific Meeting, April 2012, Chicago, IL
  4. Modification of pectoralis major myocutaneous advancement flap. Yegiyants S, Kalimuthu R. The Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons 50th Annual Scientific Meeting, April 2012, Chicago, IL
  5. Postoperative nausea and vomiting: Guidelines for the plastic surgeon. Yegiyants S, Sweis I, Cohen MN. The Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons 50th Annual Scientific Meeting, April 2012, Chicago, IL
  6. Comparison of superomedial pedicle vertical scar reduction mammaplasty and traditional wise pattern reduction over two-years: A matched cohort study. Yegiyants S, Hayes D, Wisel S, Morris D, Dolezal R, Cohen M, Antony A. The Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons 50th Annual Scientific Meeting, May 2011, Chicago, IL
  7. Outcome of components separation for contaminated complex sbdominal wall defects. Yegiyants S, Tam M, Lee DJ, Abbas MA. American College of Surgeons 95th Clinical Congress, October 2009, Chicago, IL
  8. Long term follow-up in patients with breast cancer who have metastasis in a sentinel node: Is completion axillary lymph node dissection required for regional control? Yegiyants S, Romero L, Haigh PI, DiFronzo LA. Pacific Coast Surgical Society, February 2009, San Francisco, CA
  9. The “Critical View of Safety” is superior to intraoperative cholangiography for prevention of major bile duct injury. Yegiyants S, Tejirian T, Collins JC. Pacific Coast Surgical Society, February 2008, San Diego, CA
  10. The surgical care improvement project (SCIP) initiative to reduce infection in elective colorectal surgery: Which performance measures affect outcome? Nguyen N, Yegiyants S, Kaloostian C, Abbas MA, DiFronzo LA. Southern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, January 2008, Santa Barbara, CA
  11. Operative strategy can reduce the incidence of major bile duct injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Yegiyants S, Collins JC. Southern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, January 2008, Santa Barbara, CA
  12. Axillary lymph node dissection is not required for regional control in patients with breast cancer who have micrometastasis in sentinel node. Yegiyants S, Kaminski A, Guenther JM, DiFronzo LA. Kaiser Permanente Third Annual National Surgical Symposium, July 2007, Napa, CA
  13. The effect of methamphetamine use in trauma patient outcomes. Yegiyants S, Abraham J, Taylor W. Southern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, January 2007, Santa Barbara, CA
  14. Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred management of acute cholecystitis. Casillas R, Yegiyants S, Collins JC. Western Surgical Association Annual Session, November 2007, Los Cabos, Mexico
  15. Management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma with positive fluid on CT scan without solid organ injury. Yegiyants S, Lahoud G, Taylor W. Southern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, January 2006, Santa Barbara, CA
  16. Segmental absence of bowel gas combined with other abdominal CT signs increases the diagnostic accuracy of hollow viscus injury in blunt abdominal trauma. Yegiyants S, Gupta A, Chung R. Southern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, January 2006, Santa Barbara, CA
  17. Coccidioidomycosis of the cervical spine. Yegiyants S, Basnyat P, Garcia E, Baqi S, Johnson R, Meyer W, Wrobel C. Kern Medical Center Research Forum, May 2006, Bakersfield, CA
  18. Efficacy of P6 liposomal vaccine compared to inactivated non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae(NTHi) mixed with different adjuvants in NTHi challenged weanling rats. Said N, Ernst WA, Yegiyants S, Song L, Fujii G, Adler-Moore JP. American Society of Microbiology 101st General Meeting, May 2001
  19. Decreased NTHi infection following P6 liposomal vaccination of weanling rats. Said N, Ernst WA, Yegiyants S, Song L, Fujii G, Adler-Moore JP. Fourth International Vaccine Conference, March 2001, Los Angeles, CA
  20. Comparison of liposomal amikacin with amikacin for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in neonatal rats. Yegiyants S, Said N, Tulpinski J, Song L, Adler-Moore JP. American Society of Microbiology 100th General Meeting, May 2000, Los Angeles, CA
  21. Elicitation of a systemic infection in neonatal and weanling rats produced by NTHi. Said N, Yegiyants S, Song Lm Tran V, Adler-Moore JP. Twelfth Annual California State University Biotechnology Symposium, January 2000, Los Angeles, CA
  22. In vitro susceptibility of Haemophilus influenzae type b to amikacin, liposomal amikacin, or ceftriaxone, used alone or in combination. Yegiyants S, Adler-Moore JP. American Society of Microbiology 99th General Meeting, May 1999, Chicago, IL

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