Instead of plastic surgery in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills, many patients opt for surgical expertise, combined with a recovery in paradise. The Montecito Center for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Santa Barbara offers exactly that: a plastic surgery experience unmatched in the Los Angeles area, yet close enough to allow the convenience of being just a short trip from home.

Dr. Robert Sheffield and Dr. Adam Lowenstein have chosen Santa Barbara as the home for the Center because it offers the best of all worlds- legendary beauty, a relaxed atmosphere, top notch culture, and unsurpassed luxury for their patients and their patients’ families to enjoy. Known for his national efforts in plastic surgery education and patient care, Dr. Lowenstein's programs at Plastic Surgery's largest yearly meetings are among the best attended and most acclaimed each year. Despite being courted by some of the most highly regarded plastic surgery institutions in the country, Dr. Lowenstein's choice of Santa Barbara has afforded him the ability to create an aesthetic surgical experience like no other.

"I felt that the highly touted experience of plastic surgery in Beverly Hills and Manhattan seemed less personalized than I wanted to offer. My practice has always emphasized the individuality of the patient experience, from the pre-operative visit through the surgery, that is uniquely tailored to the patient's needs. Here in Santa Barbara, I can provide a postoperative experience embellished with personalized service at an outstanding resort. I enjoy my reputation for the one-on-one education of the patient and their family, as well as the results from my work. I'm not interested in being a Beverly Hills "personality".  I want my patients to achieve their goals." -Dr. Lowenstein

The experience of plastic surgery in Santa Barbara offers many advantages. Aside from the individualized care and expertise of Drs. Lowenstein and Sheffield, recovery in a variety of outstanding environments is available. Following surgery in the Center's state of the art surgical suite, the unique environment of Montecito allows access to the Four Seasons Resort or the Montecito Inn, where patients may enjoy personal care nursing to assist in their recovery. The same services may be had at less expensive options of the Fess Parker Resort and other similarly beautiful accommodations. Patients may alternatively recover at the outstanding Bacara Resort- renowned for it's luxurious environment. These facilities allow Dr. Lowenstein to enjoy "house calls" to check on his patients and their families. Friends and loved ones also have access to all of the wonderful food, entertainment, and luxurious fun that Santa Barbara offers.

Our patients also enjoy the discretion of our Center that allows rest and respite from the unwanted attention that they may be subjected to in the Los Angeles area. Proximity to their home in L.A. allows patients to have continued access to Dr. Lowenstein's personalized care long after their surgery is complete. "I love to see my patients and I ask them to stop in whenever they return to town. Seeing them happy long after surgery is one of the best rewards that my profession affords me." -Dr. Lowenstein

back to top

Dr. Sheffield and Dr. Lowenstein's goal is to achieve a natural, non-operated look.
They see this as a contrast to plastic surgery "cultures" of many of the flashy environments such as Manhattan or Beverly Hills. "I did my aesthetic training at Lenox Hill Hospital on Park Avenue, where patients like to show off their plastic surgery. While I'm sensitive to the patient's wishes, that's not my preferred style. I enjoy the operative nuances that provide youthful enhancement while preserving a natural appearance. That's my emphasis here in Santa Barbara. That's why patients seek me out." -Dr. Lowenstein

The Montecito Center for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is a contrast to the "quantity-oriented" facilities that can now be found in so many metropolitan areas. These businesses encourage employed physicians to do as many cases as possible- often at budget prices. While the volume of procedures allows them to lower overhead, it also necessitates reducing personal attention. At the Montecito Center, patients should expect an hour or more consultation with the physician, with individual evaluation and planning based on the patient, not on a template. "No two patients are alike. Why would I do exactly the same operation on two different patients with different body types, different expectations, and different wishes? Every patient deserves a complete understanding of the procedure they are having. And in the operating room, the extra time that I spend performing this or that little trick to make things that much closer to perfect- that's the best part of each operation for me." -Dr. Lowenstein

After the first consultation, both Dr. Lowenstein and Dr. Sheffield encourage patients to take time to think carefully about the discussions that they have had and to ask as many questions as possible. A second consultation is provided to anyone who wishes to go over things again, ask more questions, or perhaps bring friends or family to learn about the plastic surgery options. There is a great deal of educational materials on this website, but there is no substitution for one-on-one interaction with your surgeon. During the pre-operative period, each patient must feel comfortable with his or her physician and with the procedure that is planned.

back to top

Recent events in Beverly Hills have brought much attention to safety issues in plastic surgery. These issues have always been at the forefront of our considerations at our Center.  Both Dr. Lowenstein and Dr. Sheffield strongly encourage patients to seek out properly trained, properly certified surgeons who are diplomats of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and members of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, thus ensuring a background of unequalled education and outstanding ethical standards. More information about these certifications may be found here.

back to top