Dr. Ben Talei

Head & Neck Surgeon

Guest | A native of California, Dr. Benjamin (Ben) Talei graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in physiological sciences, receiving both college and departmental honors. While studying at the University of Menedez Pelayo in Spain, Dr. Talei worked for the Sisterhood of Blood Donors and the Red Cross promoting blood donations in Andalucia, Spain.
He then received his medical degree at one of the nation’s top medical schools – University of California, San Diego School of Medicine (UCSD). Dr. Talei was nominated to the Gold Humanism Honor Society after having donated immense amounts of time and energy to the free clinic in San Diego, along with other charitable foundations.

Dr. Talei then completed his residency training in head & neck surgery at Columbia University Medical Center, Cornell University Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital. There, he worked with some of the most prominent facial plastic surgeons, including his primary mentor Dr. Steven Pearlman. Dr. Talei then served as chief in his residency at Columbia University and Cornell University. He also served as a fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

Following his residency training, Dr. Talei became one of the unique group of surgeons in the country to complete two separate fellowships in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. First, he completed one of the most revered and prestigious fellowships in the country at the New York Center for Facial Plastic & Laser Surgery. Simultaneously, he offered his skills and training while serving as voluntary staff and teacher for the resident head and neck surgeons at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine. Dr. Talei then furthered his training with Dr. Milton Waner at the Vascular Birthmark Institute of New York, a part of Lenox Hill and Manhattan Ear, Eyes and Throat Hospitals. There he treated the most rare and devastating vascular birthmarks and congenital anomalies while refining his techniques in pediatric facial plastic surgery. Dr. Talei is dual board certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Following his pursuit to educate growing surgeons, Dr. Talei has become an International Professor for facial plastic surgery for the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico which is one of the top plastic surgery training programs in the country along with a rich history of education. Surgeons from all around the world visit the Beverly Hills Center on a weekly basis to learn Dr. Talei’s techniques. Integrated fully into the Beverly Hills community, Dr. Talei is a member of the Beverly Hills Health & Wellness Committee. Dr. Talei is also the Advisory Chair for the Los Angeles County Medical Association (LACMA).

Dr. Talei is also an avid author and speaker. He has been invited to speak at national meetings and has contributed significantly to medical literature with his research and publications in medical journals and textbooks. His publications on advanced face and neck lifting techniques and revision rhinoplasty are used to teach doctors nationwide. As a sub-specialist in deep plane facial rejuvenation, facelifting and minimally invasive rhinoplasty, Dr. Talei frequently accommodates visiting surgeons in order to teach them more advanced surgical techniques. The modified upper lip lift also known as the deep plane upper lip lift is also a procedure pioneered and perfected by Dr. Talei, as he performs more than any surgeon in the world. He is most well-known for his rapid healing times, very natural, long-lasting results and impeccable facial aesthetic. Dr. Talei has a dedicated expertise to the face, and he has been featured on E! News, Fox, NBC and Inside Edition, amongst a host of other editorials. Dr. Talei is also a member of the editorial board of Modern Aesthetic magazine.