Name: Melinda A. Costa, MD, FACS
Last name: Costa
Gender: female
Began aesthetic medicine in: 2006
Years experience: 17
Primary Specialty: Plastic Surgeon
Business: Melinda A. Costa, MD
Address: 2516 Samaritan Dr.
Address suite: Ste. N
Phone: +1 408-659-6757
City: San Jose
State: California
Zip Code: 95124
Country: US
Statement: Dr. Melinda Costa is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and one of a handful of double-fellowship trained Craniofacial plastic surgeons in the United States, specializing in the most technically demanding facial surgery techniques, as well as one of only a few Pediatric Plastic Surgeons in the San Francisco Bay Area. Possessing a deft hand, an artistic eye, and years of rigorous surgical training experience, Dr. Costa provides outcomes to correct, restore, and enhance the face, breast, and body. Her Adult specialties include facial feminization, facelift, lip lift, blepharoplasty, and rhinoplasty with Pediatric specialties including neonatal ear molding, otoplasty, microtia repair (ear reconstruction), polydactyly, ear tags, congenital nevi, cleft repair, and juvenile breast deformities.
Dr. Costa is the Medical Director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Program at Good Samaritan Hospital, San Jose, CA. Under the leadership of Dr. Costa, the program has been accredited by the American Cleft Palate- Craniofacial Association (ACPA).
Patient-centric and a doctor first-and-foremost, she works closely and attentively with adult and pediatric patients to understand their individual goals before creating a customized procedure plan that maximizes positive health and aesthetic results.
She holds two degrees from the University of Pennsylvania: a BS in Biological Basis of Behavior with a minor in Fine Arts as well as an MD.
Dr. Costa completed her residency in plastic surgery in 2012 at University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and has held prestigious fellowships at USC/Shriners Hospital in Los Angeles (Global Health Pediatric Plastic Surgery) and Indiana University School of Medicine (Pediatric Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery), along with Tsao Global Health Pediatric Plastic Surgery Fellowship, Operation Smile, Inc.
Over the past 15 years, she has authored dozens of publications in the fields of wound healing, breast reconstruction, cleft repair, and fat grafting. Her passion for helping children has brought her across the world to places like Tanzania, where she’s worked as a volunteer surgeon with Operation Smile to deliver life-changing cleft procedures.
Dr. Costa has clinical privileges with Good Samaritan Hospital, San Jose, El Camino Hospital, Los Gatos and Mountain View, Regional Medical Center, San Jose and a myriad of private practice surgery centers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area including Los Gatos Surgery Center, Bascom Surgery Center, and Silicon Valley Surgery Center.
Dr. Costa is currently in private practice in San Jose, California, one mile from downtown Los Gatos, 50 miles south of San Francisco, in the medical corridor of Stanford Hospital Southbay, and Good Samaritan Hospital, San Jose, Ca. Dr. Costa is fluent in English and Spanish.
Dr. Costa Is Providing Telehealth Consultations – Contact Our Office To Schedule
Consulting Fees: 150$
Consultation note: Melinda A. Costa, M.D. offers comprehensive virtual and in-person consultations. During the consultation, Dr. Costa will discuss your goals. The Doctor will take care to put you at ease, answer your questions and ensure that any of your concerns are addressed.
Has Sponsored Offer : No
- Good Samaritan Hospital, San Jose, El Camino Hospital, Los Gatos and Mountain View, Regional Medical Center, San Jose and private practice surgery centers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area including Los Gatos Surgery Center, Bascom Surgery Center, and Silicon Valley Surgery Center
- Undergraduate:
- BA, Biological Basis of Behavior, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- BA, Fine Arts, Minor, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Medical: MD, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Residency: Plastic Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Fellowships: Tsao Global Health Pediatric Plastic Surgery Fellowship, Operation Smile, Inc, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Shriners Hospital, Los Angeles, California; Craniofacial Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
GPS coordinates on map: 37.2515607,-121.9508969
State: CA
Country: US
Map point: 37.3201,-121.8779984
- African American Rhinoplasty
- AlloDerm
- Arm Lift
- Asian Rhinoplasty
- Biocorneum
- Botox
- Botox for Hyperhidrosis
- Botox for Migraines
- Botox for TMJ
- Breast Augmentation
- Breast Fat Transfer
- Breast Implant Removal
- Breast Implant Revision
- Breast Implants
- Breast Lift
- Breast Lift with Implants
- Breast Reconstruction
- Breast Reconstruction Revision
- Breast Reconstruction with DIEP Flap
- Breast Reconstruction with Fat Transfer
- Breast Reconstruction with Latissimus Flap
- Breast Reduction
- BroadBand Light (BBL)
- Brow Lift
- Buccal Fat Removal
- Capsular Contracture Treatment
- Cheek Augmentation
- Cheek Lift
- Cheekbone Reduction
- Chemical Peel
- Chin Liposuction
- Cleft Lip And Palate Repair
- CO2 Laser
- Dermal Fillers
- Ear Surgery
- Earlobe Repair
- Eyelid Retraction Repair
- Eyelid Surgery
- Facelift
- Facelift Revision
- Facial Fat Transfer
- Facial Feminization Surgery
- Facial Reconstructive Surgery
- Forehead Reduction
- Fractional Laser
- Genioplasty
- Glycolic Peel
- Gynecomastia Surgery
- Inspira Breast Implants
- Jaw Reduction
- Juvederm
- Kybella
- Latisse
- Lip Fillers
- Lip Lift
- Lip Reduction
- Lip Repositioning
- Lip Surgery
- Liposuction
- Liposuction Revision
- Lower Facelift
- Lumpectomy
- MACS Facelift
- Male Tummy Tuck
- Mini Facelift
- Mini Tummy Tuck
- Mohs Surgery
- Mole Removal
- Mommy Makeover
- Natrelle Breast Implants
- Neck Lift
- Nipple Surgery
- Panniculectomy
- Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)
- Rhinoplasty
- Salicylic Peel
- Scar Removal
- Septoplasty
- Sientra Breast Implants
- Skin Lightening
- Skin Rejuvenation
- TCA Peel
- Tummy Tuck
- Tummy Tuck Revision
- Umbilical Hernia Repair
- V Line Surgery
- Volbella
- Vollure
- Voluma
RealSelf Info
- Outstanding Paper Presentation, Craniomaxillofacial Session, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2014
- Resident Scholar, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, 2010
Rating: 5.0
Profile views: 1872
Answer count: 33
Review count: 8
5 star count: 3
Total star count: 3
Star rating: 2.9365390298238
Anonymous votes: 0
Offer count: 0
Profile created: Jul 26, 2018
Profile modified: Jul 21, 2022
Profile promotion: No
Profile inactive: Yes
Premier status: Free
Tier: Free-Unclaimed
RealCare Promise: No
Directory link: Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
RealSelf’s PRO: No
Doctor Designation Start Time: Mar 18, 2021
Doctor Designation End Time: Jan 1, 2033
Locations
- San Jose, CA, US. GPS coordinates: 37.3201,-121.8779984
Latest ratings of treatments
- Earlobe Surgery (Oct 2020) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Ear Surgery (Sep 2023) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Rhinoplasty (Sep 2023) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Earlobe Surgery (Oct 2020) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Kybella (Sep 2020) – Overall rating: 5/5 (Wait times: 5/5, Doctor’s bedside manner: 5/5, Phone or email responsiveness: 5/5, Payment process: 5/5, Time spent with patient: 5/5, After care follow-up: 5/5, Staff professionalism & courtesy: 5/5, Answered questions: 5/5)
- Facial Reconstructive Surgery (Jan 2020) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Facial Reconstructive Surgery (Jan 2020) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Facial Reconstructive Surgery (Jan 2020) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Earlobe Surgery (Oct 2020) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Vollure (Apr 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Breast Reconstruction (Mar 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Breast Reconstruction (Mar 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Vollure (Apr 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Kybella (Sep 2020) – Overall rating: 5/5 (Wait times: 5/5, Doctor’s bedside manner: 5/5, Phone or email responsiveness: 5/5, Payment process: 5/5, Time spent with patient: 5/5, After care follow-up: 5/5, Staff professionalism & courtesy: 5/5, Answered questions: 5/5)
- Ear Surgery (Mar 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Ear Surgery (Mar 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Ear Surgery (Mar 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Ear Surgery (Mar 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Dark Circles Under Eye Treatment (Mar 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Dark Circles Under Eye Treatment (Mar 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Eyelid Surgery (Dec 2020) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Eyelid Surgery (Dec 2020) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Dark Circles Under Eye Treatment (Mar 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Dark Circles Under Eye Treatment (Mar 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
- Dark Circles Under Eye Treatment (Mar 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
Doctor’s answers
Apr 30, 2021
A rhinoplasty can help address your concerns. From your photo, it appears that you have a bump on the bridge of your nose. This bump can be taken down. Any asymmetry of your nasal bones can be addressed, and the nasal bones can be moved to a more symmetric position. If you would like the tip of your nose to have a more refined appearance, this can be done as well during the rhinoplasty procedure. I hope this helps. Sincerely, Melinda Costa, MDAmerican Board of Plastic…
Apr 30, 2021
The areas of flattening just to the sides of your nasal ala can be treated by a few methods. Filler can be used, either using your own fat or an off the shelf filler, or you can have cartilage grafts placed, or paranasal implants can be placed. Silicone works well and can be secure with small screws to prevent movment of the implant. The implant tends to be more reliable than fat, as some of the fat graft will be absorbed, and filler, which is a temporary solution. I…
Apr 30, 2021
A rhinoplasty would correct the bump on your nose by reducing the bony and cartilage portion causing the bump on your nasal bridge. If enough of a reduction on the bridge is done, it is standard procedure to make cuts in the nasal bones to bring them towards the center. I wonder if you ever had a fracture of your nasal bones, to cause them to be tilted to one side, or if this is something that has always been present with you. Either way, the bones can be manipulated to be…
Apr 30, 2021
I’m sorry that you are having this problem. If the scar or scars are thick, steroid injection can be used to help soften the scars. This is done as in office procedure under local anesthesia. If the scars are not thick, then a scar revision can help. This may likely be able to be done as an in office procedure under local anesthesia as well. I hope this helps. Sincerely, Melinda Costa, MDAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery, CertifiedAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons, Member
Apr 30, 2021
From the photographs you provided, it appears that you have a very natural appearing result. It is normal for there to be a small amount of space between the top of the ear and the head. I would not recommend to revise the result because it looks natural and normal. If you really want your ears brought in more at the top, it can be done with a revision. I hope this helps. Sincerely, Melinda Costa, MDAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery, CertifiedAmerican Society of Plastic…
Apr 30, 2021
If you remove the earrings, they will leave a piercehole or close over If they leave a piercehole, you can have this closed when she is older. This procedure can be done in the office under local anesthesia. Your daughter will need to be old enough to sit still for the procedure. That procedure will leave a scar.If the holes close over, there will be a scar. Scars on the ear tend to heal well. Your daughter is young, so if you remove the earrings now, they will tend to scar…
Apr 30, 2021
You will likely want to have a conservative reduction of your ear lobes, avoiding an aggressive reduction, to keep the earlobe in balance with the rest of your ear. You will want to discuss this with your surgeon in advance. You may want to have this disucssion with a mirror, manipulating your earlobe in order to make a decision on the amount of reduction. You are your surgeon will want to make sure you are both on the same page and have a clear plan for the amount of…
Apr 30, 2021
The risk of death or brain damage from general anesthesia in healthy individuals is extremely low, at approximately 0.00001%, or 1 in 100,000.I hope this helps.Sincerely, Melinda Costa, MDAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery, CertifiedAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons, Member
Apr 29, 2021
If I was your surgeon, I would proceed with a revision. The top third of your ears are not balanced with the lower 2/3 of your ears. The revision would be aimed at bringing in the top third of your ear and possibly a small amount of the middle.
I hope this helps, Sincerely, Melinda Costa, MDAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery, CertifiedAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons, Member
Apr 29, 2021
You have a relatively mild asymmetry with respect to the amount of protrusion of your ears. You also have a very natural looking result. Whether to proceed with a revision depends in part on how much the asymmetry bothers you. In general, when we look at others in conversation, this kind of asymmetry would not generally be noticed. Ears that protrude quite a bit are noticed in conversation. Natural looking ears with mild asymmetry tend to go unnoticed. This is something that…
Apr 29, 2021
It is absolutely possible to change the surgical plan on the day of surgery. However, it’s best that you and your surgeon are on the same page prior to the day of surgery. I would reach out to the office to schedule a phone call or some kind of communication with your surgeon.
Sincerely, Melinda Costa, MDAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery, CertifiedAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons, Member
Apr 29, 2021
Your earlobes can be released from the scar that is pulling them down, which will treat your pixie ear situation. You can have your face lifted at the same time, and will want to do so, as your skin will need to be moved up to correct your earlobes. Sincerely, Melinda Costa, MDAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery, CertifiedAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons, Member
Apr 29, 2021
Ears are designed to naturally stick out from our heads. If you have a revision to bring your ears right next to your head, it will not look natural. Your right ear looks natural, and from what I can see of your left ear, it does not protrude too much. Sincerely, Melinda Costa, MDAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery, CertifiedAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons, Member
Apr 20, 2021
You have a significant amount of laxity, or loose skin, at your lower face and neck. If you had to choose between a face and neck lift or laser, I would strongly consider the lower face and neck lift. That will provide the most immediate, dramatic result for you. You want to make sure you address your lower face and not only your neck. The CO2 laser, or any laser, for that matter, does not have to be done at the time of the face and neck lift. You can have the surgical…
Apr 20, 2021
Latest Before And After Photos
Last updated on 11/25/2023