Dr. Karen Horton is Internationally Board-Certified in Plastic Surgery by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, specializing in aesthetic/cosmetic surgery for women and men. Since 2006, Dr. Horton’s boutique Pacific Heights San Francisco Plastic Surgery private practice focuses on providing personalized care with meticulous attention to detail in a warm, welcoming and unintimidating professional environment.

Regardless of whether surgery is cosmetic or reconstructive, Dr. Horton’s practice is centered on providing BEAUTIFUL, NATURAL looking and long-lasting results. “Dr. Karen” is also a Plastic Surgery patient herself, and she shares it all! Learn all about her own Mommy Makeover experience in her blog series.

Trained in the United States and Canada, Dr. Horton completed a Bachelor of Science with Honors (BScH) and Master of Science (MSc) in Molecular Biology/Cancer Research degree in Kingston, Ontario, Canada before embarking on her medical career. After graduating Medical School (MD) at the University of Toronto, Dr. Horton was trained in a Plastic Surgery integrated residency program for five years, becoming Board-Certified in Plastic Surgery as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) in 2005.

She moved to the Bay Area to complete her Fellowship in Reconstructive Microsurgery in San Francisco and became Board-Certified in Plastic Surgery in the United States as well. Dr. Horton is designated a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and Diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). She currently serves as a Plastic Surgery Oral Examiner for ABPS and a Peer Reviewer of scientific articles for the Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Read Dr. Horton’s curriculum vitae (CV) for her most recent professional society memberships, awards, presentations, publications and volunteer work.

A breast cancer surgeon’s daughter, Dr. Horton followed in her father’s footsteps, caring especially for women facing breast cancer by offering advanced breast reconstruction options during the first two decades of her career – including sophisticated microsurgical techniques to reconstruct the breast using the body’s own tissue; avoiding sacrifice of major muscles of the body, and nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate prepectoral single-stage breast implant reconstruction.

Dr. Horton is no longer a Participating Provider for any insurance. However, we continue to serve breast cancer survivors by offering complex breast revision surgeries to women who have completed their cancer treatment and desire improved symmetry to their reconstruction or improved aesthetics to their breasts. We offer financing for self-pay surgeries through third party programs, and can provide guidance to patients in initiating an insurance claim for reimbursement after surgery.

A mother of twins herself, Dr. Horton specializes in “Mommy Makeover” procedures to rejuvenate the breasts, abdomen and body of women who have had children and who wish to regain their pre-pregnancy form. She has particular interest and experience in cosmetic breast surgery, including breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction and complex revision breast surgery.

An invited guest speaker at meetings throughout the United States, Dr. Horton educates, empowers and informs her colleagues and the public about Plastic Surgery. She has published review book chapters on breast surgery, presented clinical papers at national and international scientific meetings, and has won research awards. Featured on television shows, local newscasts and podcasts, Dr. Horton discusses the latest techniques in Plastic Surgery. Her surgical results with accompanying patient journey descriptions are featured on Dr. Horton’s “before and afters” Instagram account.

Outside of surgery, Dr. Horton pursues physical fitness and is committed to staying in her very best shape with Pure Barre, which she has practiced for over a decade, and skiing throughout the winter months in Lake Tahoe. She encourages all her patients to become physically active before surgery, and to strive toward their weight loss and fitness goals prior to undergoing any major surgery. She lives in Marin county with her husband and fraternal twin daughters. For a sneak peak of Dr. Karen’s life in the office/operating room and outside of surgery, follow her @drkarenhorton Instagram account.

Dr. Horton is dedicated to utilizing her experience and abilities to provide compassionate care that meets or exceeds patient expectations. She treats patients as if they were a dear friend or family member, and can gently say ‘no’ if patients are not a good candidate for surgery, explaining why and educating about her concerns in detail.

Read Dr. Horton’s Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Horton is an Active Member of the Following Professional Societies:

• The Aesthetic Society (American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery)
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• American College of Surgeons
• California Society of Plastic Surgeons
• American Medical Association
• California Medical Association
• International Confederation for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
• International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery