Dr. Mark Mofid is a board-certified San Diego and La Jolla based plastic surgeon who specializes in providing natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Dr. Mofid is certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and he is an alumni of Harvard University and John Hopkins University. He was honored with an advanced craniofacial research fellowship at The John Hopkins University School of Medicine after completing his medical degree, and he then went on to pursue
his residency, eventually earning his place as a full-time surgeon. Dr. Mofid is currently a faculty member and Associate Clinical Professor of the University of California’s Division of PlasticSurgery at their San Diego campus, as well as a practicing surgeon at several hospitals in the San Diego and La Jolla area.
Dr. Mofid provides a number of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures to his patients, including both facial and body reconstructive surgery. His areas of specialization include breast reconstructive surgery and facial reconstructive surgery following the removal of skin cancer. His publications focusing on facial and breast reconstruction and buttock enhancement have been published in internationally-known journals like Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and he has also been invited to present at medical conferences both within the United States and abroad. Having practiced since 2004, he is one of San Diego’s top choices when it comes to natural-looking plastic surgery.
How did you get started in this business? What inspired you to start this business?
Mark Mofid: I was originally inspired to begin my specialization in plastic and reconstructive surgery after witnessing firsthand the dramatic effects of cosmetic surgery on a patient’s self-esteem.
How do you make money?
Mark Mofid: I am a cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon serving the San Diego and La Jolla areas. I specialize in facial reconstructive surgery, and I’m well-known throughout the country for my meticulous attention to detail before, during, and after every procedure.
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
Mark Mofid: Like most business owners that you speak to, investments are made in infrastructure, supplies and equipment. In our case, we built a state of the art, Medicare and AAAASF certified operating room to accommodate our patients in a safe, convenient and private setting. The costs associated with our newest lasers and other treatments have made it only recently possible to generate profits thanks to our loyal and passionate clients who have done wonders referring their friends and family members to us.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
Mark Mofid: Every resident has had one or two nights when he or she questions whether or not it’s all worth it. Medicine truly is a calling; if you go into it for the wrong reasons, you won’t last through your first year of residency. It’s going back to my roots and thinking about the commitment I’ve made to make a difference in the lives of my clients that gets me out of bed in the morning.
How did you get your first customer?
Mark Mofid: My first cosmetic surgery following my residency was a full body and buttock lift- a patient that followed me to San Diego from Baltimore. This procedure was just starting to gain traction in the United States, so I spent weeks preparing to ensure I could give a perfectly natural result. With additional training that I gained in Brazil and thousands of lifts, body and gluteal enhancements later, I can safely say that I’m a professional!
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
Mark Mofid: My work really is my best advertisement. I take very seriously the size of the patient’s body, and I refuse to place implants that I feel will be too large- no matter how much arm twisting I receive. It’s this commitment to quality that allows me to rest easy at night knowing that I’ll never be the subject of a “plastic-surgery-gone-wrong” biopic.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
Mark Mofid: I recently had to refuse to increase the size of a longtime patient’s implants. She wanted to enlarge to a size that I didn’t feel comfortable performing; after a certain size, implants in the glute area can become dangerous and riddled with complications. Understandably, she was upset. However, the health of the patient is always at the forefront of my mind; though it pained me, I had to refuse.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
Mark Mofid: My commitment to innovation. Even after years of practice, I’m constantly trying new things and seeing what works better and looks more natural. One of my most recent projects was designing a Low Profile Round Gluteal Implant, which provides a much more natural-looking alternative than standard silicone gluteal implants. If you aren’t willing to take stock of your problems and set time aside to research and develop a solution, you are doing a disservice to your patients and your own potential.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Mark Mofid: The moment when a patient calls me after a surgery to tell me that they feel like themselves again after a procedure. There is a common misconception that cosmetic surgery is only for the vain or those looking to become a Hollywood celebrity- this is simply not true. Many of my patients come to me seeking a more normal life after a bout with skin cancer- I pride myself on giving them their confidence and sense of self back again.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
Mark Mofid: Moving forward with my medical practice, I would of course like to bring more smiles to the San Diego area, but I would also like to help fight against the hopelessness that some cancer survivors may feel. I want everyone who is suffering from skin cancer who requires reconstructive surgery to know that there is hope for the future.
What business books have inspired you?
Mark Mofid: The most inspirational business book I’ve read in the past year was Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. The book is about what makes a team bond strong, which is crucial in medicine. From your anesthesiologist to the receptionist that sets your appointments, every member needs to feel special and fulfilled, like their role is important. And in medicine, the ability to work together can mean the life or death of a patient.
What is a recent purchase you have made that’s helped with your business?
Mark Mofid: I’m loving the Headspace app- I can’t start my day without it. Headspace is a mindfulness and meditation app that allows you to get started and clear your mind in as little as a few minutes a day. I used to think that I had no time to meditate, and yoga classes always leave me with my head in the clouds; the Headspace app is perfect for beginners and experts in meditation alike. I use it to get myself into a clear space of mind both before I begin my day and before I prep myself for a procedure to fully focus on my work.
What should patients look for in a surgeon?
Mark Mofid: The number one thing you should be looking for is a surgeon who is realistic, well trained and certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Someone who makes you promises that are larger-than-life will very rarely be able to deliver.