How A Plastic Surgeon With 10,000+ Facial Surgeries Approaches Aesthetics Completely Differently (And Why It Actually Matters For Every Treatment You Get)

You know that moment when you’re getting ready for a friend’s birthday dinner at Casadonna… and you catch yourself in that bathroom lighting… and you think, “Okay, maybe it’s time to do something about these forehead lines”? But then you remember your college roommate who got Botox last year and now permanently looks like she just saw someone put pineapple on pizza? Yeah. That’s the fear. Because here’s the thing nobody talks about at pilates class or while waiting for your oat milk latte at Pura Vida—most people who get Botox don’t look bad because Botox is bad.

They look bad because they went to the wrong person. And before you think we’re being dramatic… (we’re absolutely being dramatic, but we’re also RIGHT)… there’s a MASSIVE difference between getting injected by someone who took a weekend certification course at a Marriott conference room… and getting treated by someone who actually understands your face at a surgical level. Like, the difference between a $12 blowout and a cut at Studio RAūPO, but for your face. Let us explain.

The Thing No One Wants to Say Out Loud

The aesthetic industry has a bit of a problem. And it’s not just that everyone and their mother seems to be offering Botox now. (Seriously, there was a Groupon for it next to a deal for mini golf. MINI GOLF.) It’s that almost anyone can inject Botox. Nurses. Physician assistants. Your dentist. That girl from your Soul Cycle class who went to a training in Vegas. (Okay, maybe not that last one. But you get our point.) Here’s what typically happens: someone takes a quick training course. They learn the “standard injection points” from what’s basically a facial template. They start offering Botox at their med spa or clinic.

And when YOU walk in, they treat your face exactly like they treated the last 47 people. Same spots. Same units. Same approach. But here’s the plot twist: your face isn’t the same as everyone else’s. You have unique facial muscles. Different bone structure. Natural asymmetries that are totally normal, but need to be accounted for. (Like, one eyebrow that’s slightly higher than the other. Or that thing where one side of your smile is a little stronger. We all have it.) One of Dr. Eskenazi’s patients literally wrote in her review that she has “strong facial muscles” and it’s nearly impossible for anyone to get her Botox right without making her eyelids droopy. He nailed it on the FIRST session. That’s not luck, babe. That’s skill.

The 10,000-Hour Rule (But Make It 10,000 Surgeries)

You know how Malcolm Gladwell talks about needing 10,000 hours to become an expert at something? Whether it’s playing piano or hitting home runs? Well, Dr. Eskenazi didn’t just clock 10,000 hours. He performed over 10,000 facial surgeries. Early in his career, he was doing 15 to 25 facial reconstructions after skin cancer removals… every single week. That’s not a typo. Every. Week.

One of the beautiful things about plastic surgery is that we perform both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. We’re able to borrow tools from each arena to improve our skills in the other.

And here’s why that matters for YOU… when you’re learning to become a great cosmetic surgeon, it’s really hard to find patients who want to be your “practice reps.” (Would YOU want to be someone’s fifth facelift ever? Yeah, us neither.) But with reconstructive surgery? He was gaining skills on people who needed his abilities. Trying different techniques. Testing different sutures. Learning exactly where arteries tend to run. Where nerves are. How skin behaves in different areas of the face.

When you do it thousands of times, you begin to see patterns emerge.

And there’s just no substitution for that experience. A lot of surgeons have been around for a while… but in spite of what you see on social media, many aren’t actually as busy as they pretend to be. Dr. Eskenazi? He put in the reps. The REAL reps.

What “Surgical-Level Precision” Actually Means (Without the Scary Medical Jargon)

Okay, so here’s where Dr. Benjamin Eskenazi is different. And we promise this isn’t going to sound like a boring medical textbook. He’s a double board-certified plastic surgeon. Which means he didn’t just learn how to inject. He learned how to literally RECONSTRUCT faces. He worked with face transplant recipients during his fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. (FACE. TRANSPLANTS. Let that sink in while you finish your coffee.) And here’s why that matters when you’re just trying to look less tired for your husband’s company party. When you’re sitting in the chair—whether it’s for Botox, a facelift, or eyelid surgery—he’s not just thinking about the immediate fix.

He’s thinking about:

• How your ENTIRE face works together (because treating just one area in isolation is amateur hour)
• Your natural proportions and how to enhance them without making you look like a completely different person at Whole Foods
• What happens when you combine surgical and non-surgical approaches for better results
• How you’re going to age over the next few years and what that means NOW

Most practitioners are playing checkers. Dr. Eskenazi is playing 3D chess while also mentally planning his workout routine and somehow still winning. It’s almost unfair how good he is at this.

Miami Bold vs. Effortlessly Beautiful (And Why You Don’t Have to Choose)

Let’s talk about Miami for a second. Because yes, we’re known for bold beauty. When you compare Miami to London or even New York, we’re definitely more… unapologetic here. But here’s what’s interesting.

There’s definitely a trend nationally right now towards a more natural and even understated aesthetic—what I would call “effortless beauty.”

That thing where people see you and just think you woke up like this. They assume your lifestyle choices are just that good. Not that you’re getting treatments. And look, Miami does give providers a bit more latitude to be bold. People here are more open about what they get done. But Dr. Eskenazi? He always steers patients toward natural results.

Because natural is timeless and evergreen. It defies trends.

Think about it.

Ten years ago, Kim K stepped out with that huge butt and put the BBL on the map. Five years ago during the pandemic, everyone was getting their buccal fat removed.

And now? With Ozempic and other GLP-1s changing the game, people don’t need buccal fat removal anymore. In fact, Dr. Eskenazi is now seeing patients who are DISTRESSED about facial volume loss from weight-loss medications.

These days, it’s not about removing fat. It’s really restoration and redistribution, with a particular focus on facial volume.

The aesthetic has shifted. And trends, they keep shifting. But a natural, balanced face? That never goes out of style.

The Filler Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About

Okay, real talk. We used to think filler was a magic bullet. Just pump some hyaluronic acid in there and call it a day. But in the last 2-3 years, Dr. Eskenazi has dealt with HUNDREDS of patients who’ve had migration, nodules, swelling, and other issues from filler. Bad filler walks into his clinic every day.

Even though many clinics won’t take these cases on because of the liability, I choose to manage it because nobody’s better qualified than I am to do this work.

(Not bragging. Just facts.) And here’s what he’s steering patients toward now instead of pumping more filler into faces… fat transfer. Using your OWN tissue to revolumize your face.

It has excellent safety data and incredible long-term results with a way lower side effect profile than hyaluronic acid fillers.

People aren’t coming in asking for it yet because it’s not “trending.” But trust him on this. It’s absolutely the future.

It’s Not Just About Your Face (Though Your Face IS Important)

Look, we’ve spent a lot of time talking about Botox and fillers. Because that’s probably what you’re Googling at 11 p.m. when you can’t sleep. But Dr. Eskenazi’s practice does WAY more than that. Body contouring after weight loss. Mommy makeovers for women who’ve had kids and want their pre-baby body back (or honestly, a BETTER version). Breast procedures—lifts, augmentations, revisions for implants that didn’t age well. Male body contouring. (Yes, guys. You’re allowed to want to look good too.)

Liposuction that actually looks natural and not like someone took an ice cream scoop to your stomach. Tummy tucks that get rid of that stubborn pooch that NO amount of Pilates will fix. (We’ve tried. It’s not happening.) The point is… whether you’re dealing with loose skin after Ozempic… or you had three kids and your body just isn’t cooperating anymore… or you’re a guy who’s been hitting the gym but can’t get rid of those love handles… Dr. Eskenazi has seen it. Done it. Perfected it. And he approaches EVERY procedure—surgical or not—with that same meticulous attention to detail. Your body is a system. Not a collection of isolated problem areas. And he treats it that way.

The “Natural Look” Myth We Need to Handle Right Now

Can we talk about something for a second? Everyone thinks “natural” just means using less product. Like somehow 20 units is “natural” and 30 units means you’re going to look like a Real Housewife. (No shade to the Housewives. They’re living their truth.) But that’s not how it works. Sometimes you actually need MORE product in certain areas to get a balanced result. It’s like contouring. You don’t just use less bronzer to look natural… you use it in the RIGHT places. And here’s the thing Dr. Eskenazi wants you to know:

For me, it’s not that I prioritize natural-looking results above all else. I really prioritize giving you the result that you’re looking for, within what I would consider the range of acceptable outcomes. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. I specialize in giving patients the outcomes that they want when they walk into my office.

Because if he gives you what he thinks is ideal, and you don’t love it? He’s created a dissatisfied patient. And that’s not the goal. So if you come in wanting implants that are bigger than what he’d personally choose, but they’re still safe and reasonable for your frame? He’ll help you. If you want something that’s going to stretch your skin too thin and cause complications down the road? He’ll tell you no. And explain why. The “natural look” actually comes from three things:

1) Treating your face as a complete system

Not just isolated problem areas. If you only treat your forehead but ignore your brows, you might end up with that weird “heavy” feeling. Like someone’s sitting on your eyebrows. (Sexy.) Dr. Eskenazi looks at your WHOLE face. Front view. Profile. That weird three-quarter angle that somehow shows up in every group photo. And creates a treatment plan that keeps everything in harmony.

2) Understanding YOUR specific anatomy

Remember that patient Andrea we mentioned? Strong facial muscles. Hard to treat. Most injectors make her forehead feel like a cement block. Dr. Eskenazi figured it out immediately. Because he understands facial anatomy at a level that comes from years of surgical training. Thousands of reconstructions. He’s not guessing. He’s not following some Instagram tutorial. He’s customizing based on your unique structure. It’s bespoke Botox, basically. (Can we trademark that? Bespoke Botox™?)

3) Thinking long-term

Here’s something most people don’t consider: your face is going to keep aging. (We know. Rude.)

People are very transactional. We only think about the now. We think about getting this procedure done and what we’re going to look like in 3 months for that wedding.

But Dr. Eskenazi thinks about what your face will look like in 2 years. 5 years. 10 years. He’s seen patients who had their buccal fat removed 15 years ago… and now need fat grafted BACK into their faces. He’s seen people who’ve had procedures that burned bridges and created irreversible outcomes. So he steers you away from bad decisions. And helps you make choices that’ll serve you well for decades. Not just for that one event next month.

What Happens Next (The Actual Consultation Process)

Here’s how it works at Avabello Aesthetics. You schedule a consultation. Maybe you’re considering a breast augmentation, but you’re scared of looking “overdone.” Or you want a tummy tuck but don’t want that super tight, obvious look. Or you’re thinking about liposuction, but you’ve seen people who look weirdly lumpy afterward. Dr. Eskenazi gets it.

He will sit down with you. And he’ll show you the RANGE of what’s possible. From subtle refinement to more dramatic transformation. All based on what YOU want. Not what’s trending on Instagram this week. He asks about your concerns. What do you see when you look in the mirror? What bothers you in photos? Because photos are revealing. When you get photographed candidly at a wedding, from angles you don’t normally see yourself, that’s when you notice things. Then he examines your face. (In a professional, “I’m analyzing your facial structure” way. Not in a weird way.) And then he actually EXPLAINS what he’s thinking.

What you’re going to get is a range of options. Some surgical and non-surgical. And within those different options, you’re going to get a range of outcomes.

Some more aggressive. Some less. But it’s all based on YOUR individual concerns and desires. Your anatomy. What your body is capable of handling. He’s not trying to sell you a package deal or convince you to do something you don’t want. He’s trying to figure out what’s actually going to work for YOU. And if Botox isn’t the right answer? He’ll tell you that too. Even if it means you walk out without booking anything. (Though honestly, after meeting him, most people book. Because finding someone this good AND ethical is rare.)

Why Avabello Isn’t Just Another Med Spa

Dr. Eskenazi doesn’t actually refer to Avabello as a med spa. He calls it an aesthetic clinic. And there’s a difference.

When I think of a med spa, I think of a place where you can find somebody who’s available, who has good knowledge in a few specific things. You can go treat yourself and engage in some self-care.

Med spas are fine. There are over 18,000 of them across the country. And if you’re just looking for simple Botox and you’re on a budget and want something super convenient… there’s probably one in your neighborhood. But here’s what makes Avabello different: it’s plastic surgeon-owned and operated. Dr. Eskenazi is there every day. Involved in every single treatment. Every single patient encounter.

You’re getting a plastic surgeon’s eye on every single treatment plan here, even the non-surgical treatments.

And because he has such an intricate understanding of anatomy… because he can mesh his knowledge of surgical AND non-surgical treatments… he’s thinking about beauty from a holistic perspective—the full spectrum. It’s not always surgery. Just because he CAN do surgery doesn’t mean he finds a surgical solution to every problem. And that’s what really separates Avabello from the rest.

There’s an old saying: when you’re holding a hammer, the whole world looks like a nail.

And that applies to a lot of med spas. They’ve got Botox, filler, maybe a couple lasers… so every problem that walks through the door has to be solved with those tools. Whether they’re the RIGHT tools or not. Especially at private equity-backed med spas that need to sell a ton of treatments to stay profitable. Maybe they just bought a device that isn’t as good as the rep promised. It’s sitting in the back gathering dust. You walk in with a problem. And suddenly, THAT device is the solution. Not because it’s the best option for you. But because they need to justify the purchase.

Dr. Eskenazi doesn’t operate like that. He’s not trying to force you into one lane. If you come in asking about non-surgical skin tightening… but what you REALLY need is a facelift… he’ll tell you. (Even though it’s a harder conversation to have.) And if you come in convinced you need surgery… but there’s a non-surgical option that’ll get you 80% of the way there with way less downtime… he’ll tell you THAT too. Some patients need a full mommy makeover. Others just need some strategic Botox and maybe a breast lift down the road. He’s not attached to any specific outcome. Just the RIGHT outcome for YOU.

When you come into Avabello and you meet me, I’m always going to help you find the very best treatments for whatever your concerns are. And by the way, if that’s not a treatment I offer, I’ll send you to the person that offers it.

The Psychological Side Nobody Talks About

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Plastic surgery and aesthetic treatments have this reputation for being… superficial. Like it’s only for people who lack depth. And Dr. Eskenazi thinks that’s really unfair.

I personally don’t consider myself to be a very vain person, but I care about what I see when I look in the mirror. I work out. I eat healthy. My clothes fit well. I pay time and attention to my style and to my body and to my health. Why shouldn’t I pay time and attention to how I look?

Exactly. In Miami, self-care is the standard. And aesthetic treatments? They’re PART of self-care. Getting Botox is no different than getting a manicure or a massage. It’s a way to feel great about yourself. We live in a time where the risks are relatively low and the benefits are high. Just because you have three kids or a stressful job doesn’t mean you have to look haggard and run down all the time. And here’s something Dr. Eskenazi says to his biohacker patients… (because Miami is basically the epicenter of biohacking right now)…

What’s the point of living to be 120 years old if you feel like you’re 40, but your face looks like you’re 120 and is hanging off your bones?

People aren’t going to respect you as having the energy of a 40-year-old if you look like a great-great-grandfather. He sees guys at the gym in their 60s or 70s who are absolutely RIPPED. Doing pull-ups. Low body fat. Super fit.

That guy has the energy and the body of a 40-year-old. I’ll bet he wishes he had the face of a 40-year-old.

If you’re spending time and money every day at the gym… getting your labs checked every three months… maybe on TRT or peptides or a special supplement stack… why would you put in all that effort but NOT spend time rejuvenating your face? To Dr. Eskenazi, it all goes hand in hand.

What “Aging Gracefully” Actually Means

Dr. Eskenazi’s mom said something to him once that really stuck. She told him she goes to spin class every day with people half her age. And she’s absolutely crushing it in the studio. Working out harder than they are.

And then when I’m done, I go in my car, flip down my visor, and I see an old lady when I look in the mirror.

To Dr. Eskenazi, aging gracefully means your outside and inside are aging at the same pace. If you’re meticulous about your diet and exercise… if you’re doing sauna, cold plunges, red light therapy, hyperbaric oxygen… then you should evaluate what you’re doing for your skin health too.

It’s always way easier to maintain what you have than to go back way down the line and treat what you’ve lost.

Historically, his practice was a lot of boomers in their 60s and up who’d never done anything. They’d show up pushing 70, wanting to leave looking 55. And he could do that. But here’s the new paradigm: why ever look 70 in the first place?

If you can come see me when you’re 30 or 40 or 50, and I can keep you looking 30 or 40 or 50 as you age into your 50s and 60s and 70s… to me, that’s a win.

You start getting preventative treatments now. Before or during middle age. And then as you chronologically age into your 60s, 70s, and beyond… you look amazing. Because you’ve been keeping up.

The future of beauty is that we don’t need to turn back the clock at all. We just stall it where it is. Every day you get a day older, but your face looks the same.

That’s the holy grail. And that’s what they’re pursuing at Avabello.

The Three Reasons People Look “Overdone” (And How to Avoid Becoming That Person)

Let’s get real about why some people look… let’s say “refreshed by a windstorm.” It usually comes down to one of three things:

1) The injector doesn’t understand facial proportions

They treat each area like it exists in a vacuum. So you end up with results that look technically fine… but also somehow OFF. Like when you see someone and you can’t quite figure out what they did, but you know they did something. And not in a good way.

2) They’re using techniques from 2015

The aesthetic field evolves faster than TikTok trends. What was considered “best practice” five years ago might be completely outdated now. (Remember when everyone wanted those super plumped lips? Yeah. We’ve evolved.) Dr. Eskenazi is a Key Opinion Leader for major pharmaceutical companies. Which is a fancy way of saying: he TEACHES other providers. He’s literally helping develop the techniques that will become standard in the future. You’re getting tomorrow’s technology today. Without the DeLorean.

3) They’re not thinking long-term

Your face is going to keep aging. (Still rude.) So the way you treat it NOW affects how it ages later. Dr. Eskenazi thinks about your face in terms of YEARS. Not just “how can I make you look good for Natalie’s wedding next month.” That’s the difference between someone with a surgical background and someone who learned how to inject at a weekend seminar.

The Safety Thing We Should Probably Discuss

We know, we know. Nobody wants to think about complications when you’re just trying to look cute for your anniversary trip to Tulum. But let’s talk about it for a second. Things CAN go wrong with injectables. Infection. Severe pain. Asymmetry. Or in rare cases… vascular occlusion. (That’s when filler blocks a blood vessel, and it’s as bad as it sounds.) Most injectors have a protocol for handling complications. They’ll refer you out. Tell you to go to the ER. Maybe panic a little. But when you’re being treated by a SURGEON… someone who’s handled complex facial reconstructions… someone who worked on face transplant patients… and someone who literally consults for pharmaceutical companies on filler complications… you’re in completely different hands. Dr. Eskenazi doesn’t just know how to PREVENT problems. He knows how to fix them if they happen. That’s the kind of peace of mind that’s worth way more than saving $50 at some random med spa. Just saying.

Why Those “Cheap Botox” Places Are Playing Russian Roulette With Your Face

Look. We get it. We all love a good deal (hello Rakuten browser extension). But those “Botox party” deals and discount med spas? There’s a reason they’re cheap. Less experienced injectors. Rushed appointments. Assembly line treatment. Your face gets the same approach as literally everyone else who walked in that day. And sure, you MIGHT get lucky and have a decent result.

Or you might end up looking like you’re perpetually surprised by the price of avocados. (Which, to be fair, IS surprising. But still.) One patient mentioned she actually SAVED money with Dr. Eskenazi because he used fewer units but got better results. That’s efficiency. You’re not paying for more product. You’re paying for SKILL. For someone who knows exactly where to place it for maximum effect. It’s like the difference between buying a designer dress on sale versus buying a cheap knockoff. One is smart shopping. The other is… a gamble.

What “Natural” Actually Looks Like (Spoiler: People Should Just Think You’re Well-Rested)

Here’s the thing about GOOD Botox. People shouldn’t be able to tell you got Botox. They should just think you look… refreshed. Glowy. Like you just came back from a week in Positano. (Even if you’ve just been stress-eating popcorn and watching Netflix.) NOT like you can’t express human emotion. NOT like you’re a different person. Just like a slightly elevated version of yourself. The version that got eight hours of sleep and drinks enough water and doesn’t have two kids and a demanding job. (You know. The imaginary version.) That’s what Dr. Eskenazi’s patients rave about.

Natural but balanced. Exactly what I was hoping for. I feel more confident than ever.

Nobody’s out here talking about how frozen they look. Because that’s not the goal. The goal is for your husband to say, “You look great, did you do something different?” And you can just smile and say, “New moisturizer.”

The Celebrity Thing (Without the Name-Dropping)

You’ve probably seen those Instagram accounts. “Celebrity injector to the stars!” Cool. But here’s what they don’t tell you. A lot of those “celebrity” clients look… questionable. Because the injector is more focused on getting dramatic before-and-afters for social media than making someone look naturally beautiful. Dr. Eskenazi works with high-profile clients too. (There’s literally a whole section on his website about privacy and discretion for entertainment industry clients.)

But you know what those clients want? To NOT look like they’ve had work done. They need to show up on set, on red carpets, in 4K cameras… and look flawless but REAL. That’s a completely different skill set. And it’s the same skill set that benefits you. Whether you’re going to a movie premiere or just trying to look good in your daughter’s Instagram stories.

What You Should Actually Look For (The Checklist)

If you take nothing else from this article… here’s what actually matters when choosing someone to work on your face or body:

• Medical credentials. Are they a doctor? What kind? What’s their training background? A plastic surgeon has a completely different level of anatomical knowledge than someone who took a certification course.
• Specific experience. Whether you’re dealing with strong facial muscles that make Botox tricky, or you’re worried about breast asymmetry, you need someone who’s FIXED this exact problem before. Not someone who’s going to Google it while you’re in the bathroom.
• Consultative approach. Do they listen? Ask questions? Customize their approach? Or are they just running you through their standard protocol like you’re on a conveyor belt?
• Realistic expectations. If someone promises you’ll look 20 years younger from one treatment… run. Good providers are honest about what’s actually possible.
• Long-term thinking. Are they just trying to get you in and out? Or are they considering how you will age and what that means for your treatment plan over time?

Dr. Eskenazi checks ALL these boxes. Which is why his testimonials read less like Yelp reviews and more like love letters.

Ready to Actually Get This Right?

If you’re in Miami Beach, Aventura, Bal Harbour, or anywhere in South Florida… and you’ve been thinking about FINALLY doing something about whatever’s bothering you—whether that’s forehead lines, stubborn fat that won’t budge, loose skin after weight loss, or a body that just doesn’t feel like yours anymore after kids (but you’re nervous about looking overdone or choosing the wrong person)—schedule a consultation with Dr. Eskenazi.

No pressure. No hard sell. Just an honest conversation about what’s possible for YOUR face. You can book online at Avabello Aesthetics or call the office directly. Either way. Your face deserves better than a cookie-cutter approach from whoever had an opening at 3 p.m. on a Tuesday. Let’s get you the results you’ve actually been looking for. The ones where people just think you look… really, really good. And you can keep your skincare secrets to yourself.

Dr. Benjamin Eskenazi, MD, FACS is located at Avabello Aesthetics, 555 Washington Ave., Suite 360, Miami Beach, FL 33139. Phone: (305) 798-4656. For more information, visit their official website.