Dr. Lisa Cassileth is a board-certified plastic surgeon and co-founder of Bedford Breast Center. She established the practice with Dr. Leslie Memsic to give breast cancer patients a single, coordinated team for surgery and reconstruction planning.
Dr. Cassileth specializes in breast reconstruction in Beverly Hills for women undergoing a mastectomy or lumpectomy. She also performs revision surgery for reconstructions that did not heal as planned.
Patients travel from across Southern California for breast reconstruction in Los Angeles because of the techniques she helped develop, including one-stage reconstruction and SWIM reconstruction, an approach that avoids implants.
To meet with Dr. Cassileth at our Beverly Hills office, call (310) 278-8590 or request a consultation.
Professional Accomplishments
In 2003, Dr. Cassileth launched her private practice, Cassileth Plastic Surgery, in Beverly Hills.
In 2025, the practice grew into The Practice Healthcare, a multi-specialty practice focused on women’s health.
She has performed breast reconstruction in Los Angeles for more than 20 years. At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, she was appointed the first female Chief of Plastic Surgery. She served two consecutive terms, from 2014 to 2018.
Dr. Cassileth also trains surgeons in the reconstruction techniques she developed. This helps these approaches reach other surgeons beyond Bedford.
Innovator of Breast Reconstruction Techniques
Dr. Cassileth developed the direct-to-implant technique, also known as one-stage reconstruction. After a mastectomy, many patients wake up with their reconstructed breasts already in place. This removes the months of tissue expander fills that traditional reconstruction requires, for patients who qualify.
She also developed SWIM breast reconstruction, which rebuilds the breast from your own skin and tissue without implants. It is offered at Bedford alongside breast surgeons such as Dr. Heather Richardson.
For breast reconstruction in Beverly Hills, Dr. Cassileth also performs revision surgery when an earlier reconstruction is affected by radiation or complications. The goal is to correct shape and symmetry.
Breast Reconstruction Procedures in Beverly Hills
Every breast reconstruction procedure in Beverly Hills begins with your medical history, your anatomy, and the result you want. At Bedford Breast Center, Dr. Cassileth offers four main approaches.
One-Stage (Direct-to-Implant) Breast Reconstruction
The implant is placed immediately after your mastectomy, in a single surgery. No tissue expanders or additional operations are needed.
Good candidates are usually non-smokers, or willing to quit for a few weeks before and after surgery, with smaller breasts and no prior radiation to the breast or chest wall. Most patients stay one to two nights at an aftercare facility and return to work within one to two weeks.
Read more about direct-to-implant breast reconstruction.
SWIM Breast Reconstruction (Implant-Free)
SWIM stands for skin-sparing, wise pattern, internal mammary perforator. In one operation, your surgeon removes the breast tissue and reshapes your remaining skin and fat into a new breast. No muscle is cut, and no tissue is taken from elsewhere on your body.
SWIM is particularly well suited to women with larger or sagging breasts. Plan on one to two nights at an aftercare facility, and avoid heavy lifting for about six weeks.
Learn how SWIM breast reconstruction works.
Breast Reconstruction Revision
Revision corrects an earlier reconstruction affected by capsular contracture, radiation changes, implant rupture, asymmetry, or older scarring.
Depending on the problem, options include implant exchange, fat grafting, scar revision, or a switch from implants to a flap-based approach.
See your options for breast reconstruction revision.
Reconstruction With Sensation-Preserving Mastectomy
This approach brings three stages into a single session, so you have only one recovery. Your breast surgeon removes breast tissue while protecting the nerves that supply sensation. Your plastic surgeon then reconnects them beneath the nipple and areola using nerve grafts, ideally during direct-to-implant reconstruction.
Most patients notice some sensation within six months, and it can keep improving for up to another year.
Explore reconstruction with sensation-preserving mastectomy.
Not sure which breast reconstruction procedure in Beverly Hills fits you? Dr. Cassileth reviews every option with you at your consultation and coordinates it with your breast surgeon’s plan for a nipple-sparing mastectomy or lumpectomy.
Patient Reviews and Results
Here is how one patient described her breast reconstruction in Beverly Hills with Dr. Cassileth:
“I was under the care of a dream team; Dr. Richardson from Bedford Breast Center performed my double mastectomy and Dr. Cassileth performed the Direct to Implant Reconstruction. These women are the best in their field, they are innovative, they are evolving and they are the team you want. Who knew I could get a nerve graft to maintain nipple sensation? Who knew I could opt for healing peptides to accelerate my healing process? I felt like I got behind the velvet rope and had access to the level of medical care that LeBron James has!!” — Fiona C.
“I have had breast cancer twice and I can honestly say I wouldn’t have been able to get through it without the support of the whole staff at the Bedford Breast Center. The first doctor I spoke to after my first diagnosis was Dr. Memsic and she completely calmed me down. She is not only a great surgeon, but an amazing human being. I also had Dr. Cassileth as one of my plastic surgeons. Her attention to detail and perfectionism are outstanding. Any time someone comes to me asking for referrals, I send them to the Bedford Breast Center. The office is clean and warm and the staff are fantastic.” — Stacey R.
“I am one week post-op from my preventative double mastectomy with Dr. Richardson and I couldn’t be any happier! Who would have thought that I would have BETTER boobs after a mastectomy? Well, Dr. Richardson and Dr. Cassileth gave me perfect breasts. Undergoing a double mastectomy is no easy journey- but Dr. Richardson was there the whole way cheering me along and guiding me. I love her! They have an amazing team (shout out to Nora!) – they are so kind and you feel so welcome and safe there. If you are thinking about having a double mastectomy – I without a doubt would recommend Dr. Richardson. I can’t express how amazing she is and how happy I am. I feel beautiful and whole again.” — Sara A.
You can see results from each breast reconstruction procedure in Beverly Hills that Dr. Cassileth performs in our before-and-after gallery and read more stories on our testimonials page. Dr. Cassileth was named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in plastic surgery from 2019 to 2024.
Personal Life
Dr. Cassileth lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their three children.
Certification & Training
- Board Certified: American Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellow: American College of Surgeons
- Residency and Fellowship: Combined general and plastic surgery training program, 1997 to 2003
- MD: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
- BS: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Hospital Positions
- Former Clinical Chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery (two terms): Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Assistant Clinical Professor: UCLA Medical Center
Memberships & Associations
- Member: American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Member: Los Angeles Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Los Angeles County Medical Association
- California Medical Association
Awards & Distinctions
- Received the “Women of Action” Award from the Israel Cancer Research Foundation
- Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Cum Laude
- Best of Beverly Hills Award, 2012
- Castle Connolly Top Doctor, Plastic Surgery, 2019 to 2024
Philanthropy
Dr. Cassileth gives back to her community as an advisory board member for nonprofit organizations, including Fertile Action and Children Mending Hearts.
FAQs About Breast Reconstruction With Dr. Cassileth
Does Insurance Cover Breast Reconstruction After a Mastectomy?
In most cases, yes. The federal Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act requires group health plans that cover mastectomy to cover reconstruction, surgery on the other breast for symmetry, prostheses, and complications. Some church and government plans are exempt. Review your insurance and payment options before breast reconstruction in Beverly Hills.
Can You Get Breast Reconstruction at the Same Time as a Mastectomy?
Yes. Immediate reconstruction takes place right after your mastectomy. Dr. Cassileth’s one-stage, direct-to-implant approach places the implant in a single surgery, so many patients wake up with their reconstruction in place. It is not suited to patients with prior radiation to the breast or chest wall, so your surgeon reviews your options.
Does Dr. Lisa Cassileth See Patients From Los Angeles?
Yes. Dr. Cassileth sees patients from Los Angeles and across Southern California at Bedford Breast Center, 436 N Bedford Dr, Beverly Hills. Many women choose her for breast reconstruction in Los Angeles because one team plans both the cancer surgery and the reconstruction. Call (310) 278-8590 to book a consultation.
Can a Failed Breast Reconstruction Be Fixed?
Often, yes. Revision surgery can correct capsular contracture, radiation changes, implant rupture, asymmetry, and older scarring. Options include implant exchange, fat grafting, scar revision or a switch to a flap-based approach. Dr. Cassileth specializes in complex revisions, and a consultation shows which breast reconstruction procedure in Beverly Hills suits your case.
