Meet Hector Salazar-Reyes, MD, FACS,Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Hector Salazar-Reyes, MD, FACS

"I truly love to establish a strong relationship with my patients and strive to deliver the best quality of care. That is what keeps me going every day."

Dr. Salazar is a board certified plastic surgeon known for his exceptional patient care.

Consultations offered in:

English

,

Spanish

,

Italian

Don't Take Our Word for It, Trust 451 Verified Reviews of Hector Salazar-Reyes, MD, FACS

96.8% Patient Satisfaction

4.84
Based on 451 ratings
5 stars (403)
89.36%
4 stars (36)
7.98%
3 stars (5)
1.11%
2 stars (3)
0.67%
1 star (4)
0.89%
Mar 14, 2024
Dr. Salazar was very compassionate and listen to everything I wanted done*
Feb 23, 2024
I had complications with the scaring and fold from prior breast augmentation. He was very intellige…*
Feb 7, 2024
I am extremely satisfied with Dr. Salazar-Reyes work. My stomach not only looks million times better…*
Read more verified Hector Salazar-Reyes, MD, FACS reviews from RealPatientRatings® READ MORE VERIFIED LJC REVIEWS FROM REALPATIENTRATINGS®*

* These are actual patient comments verified by a 3rd party. The claims made represent the opinion of the review author.

One of San Diego’s Best Plastic Surgeons

Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes is an exceptionally knowledgeable and skilled plastic surgeon in San Diego, California. After dedicating 17 years of his life to achieving the best medical training in the U.S. and abroad, he has committed himself to providing the most thoughtful, evidence-based care.

Dr. Salazar’s patient philosophy is simple: provide beautiful results safely and ensure each patient feels well cared for, from their first appointment to their last. With this thoughtful, patient-centered approach, he has earned multiple recognitions as one of “San Diego’s Favorite” cosmetic surgeons in the annual Union-Tribune Readers Poll.

Logos for San Diego's Best/Favorite Union-Tribune Readers Poll for 2019, 2020, 2021, & 2022.
Logos for San Diego's Best/Favorite Union-Tribune Readers Poll for 2019, 2020, 2021, & 2022.

Credentials at a Glance

Education

Residency Training – Houston Methodist Hospital

General Surgery Internship – University of Illinois/Metropolitan Group of Hospitals

Doctor of Medicine (MD) – University of Baja California (Mexico)

Credentials

Board Certification – The American Board of Plastic Surgery; The Board of Plastic Surgery of Mexico

Fellow – American College of Surgeons

Licensure – Medical Board of California Physician and Surgeon

Select Society Memberships

The Aesthetic Society

American Society of Plastic Surgeons

California Society of Plastic Surgeons

San Diego Plastic Surgery Society

View Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes CV

Dr. Salazar's credential logos including American Society of Plastic Surgeons, California Society of Plastic Surgeons, The Aesthetic Society, & San Diego Plastic Surgery Society

Outstanding Training and Education

Dr. Salazar’s passion for plastic surgery began long before he decided to attend medical school. As a teenager, he saw the positive impact plastic and reconstructive surgery could have on a patient’s life and knew that it was the field for him. 

He earned his medical degree from the University of Baja California in Mexico, where he graduated summa cum laude and was honored nationally as “Medical Student of the Year” by EXP Magazine. The City of Tijuana also commended Dr. Salazar with an outstanding student award for “Social Commitment and Academic Excellence.” 

Dr. Salazar honed his skills as a primary care physician during his final year of medical school before completing his general surgery internship at the University of Illinois Metropolitan Group of Hospitals program. Following this, he served as a postdoctoral clinical research fellow in the Division of Plastic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine and was recognized by the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons for his clinical research efforts. 

Dr. Salazar completed his general and plastic surgery residencies at the world-renowned Houston Methodist Hospital, where the first silicone breast implants were developed. During this time, Dr. Salazar served as chief resident in both specialties and was recognized with service and most professional resident awards from Houston Methodist Hospital. 

He is proud to be certified by two plastic surgery boards—the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the Board of Plastic Surgery of Mexico—and to be a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). 

My entire experience with Dr. Salazar has been amazing. He has great bedside manner and answered every question I had, which was a lot. My breast augmentation went amazing! My results couldn’t be better. He gave me his cell number in case I ever had any problems or questions, and I was even surprised with flowers when I returned after surgery. I def recommend him for any of your surgery desires.

REAL PATIENT REVIEW

Special Clinical Interests 

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Salazar has a clear passion and respect for the field of cosmetic surgery. He loves seeing a patient’s confidence transform after a procedure. While he has a great breadth and depth of expertise, he finds the following procedures particularly rewarding to perform: 

Research and Publications 

Dr. Salazar has been published in numerous leading medical journals and has presented his findings nationally. He has also shared his research on the international stage, with engagements in Mexico, Germany, Greece, Canada, and Guatemala. 

He has conducted extensive research on reconstructive surgery and enhancing functional and aesthetic outcomes for patients. Patient safety and education are also reflected in his research—a throughline that can be seen in all aspects of Dr. Salazar’s professional life. 

Safety First, Always 

In addition to his research efforts, Dr. Salazar has served on multiple committees focused on increasing public education and awareness of plastic surgery and ensuring the safest possible patient outcomes.  

He served on the Surgical Education Committee at Houston Methodist Hospital and has more recently been re-appointed to the Patient Safety Committee for The Aesthetic Society and the Public Education Committee for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  

Dr. Salazar is devoted to staying current on the latest plastic surgery techniques. He also loves learning about the newest cosmetic technology and devices. However, he remains critical of them until he is sure that he has found the safest, most effective options to offer his patients. 

My experience with Dr. Salazar and his staff is amazing. Very friendly and cares about you. He answered all my questions and concerns, and really took the time to discuss what’s best for me and my body. The process for the surgery was really fast, he was on time and started right away. I recommend Dr. Salazar and his staff, they will take care of you.

ACTUAL PATIENT REVIEW

Professional Commitment 

Dr. Salazar is a member of The Aesthetic Society, a prestigious organization that is highly selective with its membership. Only plastic surgeons who demonstrate a high level of skill, experience, and expertise in aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine are inducted into this society. 

Some of Dr. Salazar’s other memberships include the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons, the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the American Medical Association. Dr. Salazar is also the President-Elect of the San Diego Plastic Surgery Society. 

Outside of his duties as a plastic surgeon, Dr. Salazar has held numerous teaching appointments. He has served as a clinical instructor and clinical assistant professor at Midwestern University’s Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine.  

Prior to this, he was an instructor for the Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation, and Education’s General Surgery Training Program, where he taught residents advanced tissue handling. He also led a course on first aid and early detection of diseases in children as an assistant professor at UNIFRONT, a professional and educational institute in Mexico. 

A Unique Global Perspective 

Dr. Salazar has lived, studied, and trained in three countries, giving him a well-rounded perspective of his field. He is also trilingual, offering consultations in English, Spanish, and Italian so that patients have multiple options to express themselves when they come in to see him. 

Although he loves to travel, it’s not always about sightseeing or exploring another culture. In some cases, it’s about helping underserved populations get the care they need. Dr. Salazar has worked with the Cronin/Christus Foundation to provide reconstructive surgery for patients in Chihuahua, Mexico. 

On one unforgettable trip, Dr. Salazar helped a young man with a severe cleft lip and cleft nose who had endured 17 years of antagonism and self-consciousness. He describes the experience below in his own words: 

We performed a complex reconstruction that required two surgeries. At a follow-up visit, I discovered not only a well-healed lip and nose but a bright, cheerful gentleman who was already dating a girl from his high school. Miguel touched my heart in a very special way. I confirmed what I have always believed: well-performed plastic surgery can have a huge impact on function and appearance, yes, but also on quality of life.

DR. SALAZAR

Dr. Salazar: A Plastic Surgeon With a Love of Culture … and Viticulture! 

Get to know Dr. Salazar on a personal level.

Why plastic surgery?

Plastic surgery allows me to get to know my patients and help them transform their lives for the better like no other field of medicine.

A true world traveler

I love to explore different cultures and traditions from all over the world. My favorite destinations so far include Dubai, Shanghai, Paris, and Rome.

Simple Saturdays

My wife Ingrid and I cherish the rare Saturday when we don’t have commitments to our work (Ingrid devotes her time to many humanitarian and charity organizations). We’ll have a long breakfast with our son, Hector, followed by a day at the beach or riding scooters around town.

Moonlighting sommelier

Apart from my work and my family, wine is my passion. While living in Italy prior to medical school, I studied the language, customs, and art of wine-making. I’m proud to be a long-time member of La Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, the world’s most prestigious brotherhood of wine.

In a way, carefully ‘shaping’ the grape to create the perfect resonance of color, aroma, texture, and flavor is analogous to the transformation a patient can undergo in the hands of a skilled surgeon.

Époisses & Château d’Yquem

It should surprise no one that my favorite dessert is wine and cheese, specifically Époisses de Bourgogne, a soft French cheese, with Château d’Yquem, a lovely sweet wine from Bordeaux.

Dr. Salazar-Reyes tends to the vineyard

Make Your Dream Real With Dr. Salazar-Reyes

If you would like to meet Dr. Salazar in person, please  request your free consultation  online or call  (858) 452-1981.  

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