Yearly Archives: 2025

Earlier this month, the Align Surgical team proudly showed up—and showed out—at the 75th Annual Meeting of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS). With a presence that spanned research presentations, panel moderation, new member inductions, and meaningful conversations across the field, Align was deeply embedded in every corner of this landmark event. Here’s what …

Helping Redefine What Quality Care Means in Gender-Affirming Surgery We’re proud to share that Dr. Thomas Satterwhite and Dr. John Henry Pang of Align Surgical Associates have contributed to a major international study published in JAMA Network Open. The study introduces the GENDER-Q—the first comprehensive, validated tool that helps us better understand how gender-affirming care …

Dr. Gurjala, a board-certified plastic surgeon at Align Surgical Associates, recently hosted an Instagram Live on top surgery. During the discussion, Dr. Gurjala breaks down how to define your embodiment goals, how to communicate them to your surgeon, and how to avoid common pitfalls—giving you the knowledge to shape your best outcome. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTIBDiODlcI Caption/subtitle instructions: …

Facial features can play a key role in how we see ourselves and how we are perceived by others. For the transgender community, gender-affirming surgeries help align outer appearance with a person’s gender identity. Orthognathic surgery is one example of a transformative surgery that can make a significant impact on gender expression and self-confidence. What …

Dr. Satterwhite, a board-certified plastic surgeon, hosted an Instagram Live discussion with author of Tits Up, Sarah Thornton, on the cultural, medial, and personal meanings of breasts. https://youtu.be/ylp4pG7kLfACaption/subtitle instructions: To turn on subtitles, turn on closed captioning (CC icon), located at the bottom right of the video. To change the language, go to settings > …

For transgender individuals, reconstructive procedures are essential medical interventions that go beyond aesthetics. These surgeries can restore function, correct anatomical concerns, and enhance overall well-being. Because of their complexity, choosing a surgeon with specialized expertise and a deep understanding of both the technical and emotional aspects of care is essential. The Importance of Choosing the …

Transgender people across the United States are facing increasing threats to their rights, safety and identities. These challenges affect real people: our friends, family and neighbors. Everyone deserves dignity, respect and the freedom to live authentically. The good news? There are actionable, meaningful steps we can take to help support the transgender community. Advocate for …

Dr. Dev Gurjala, a board-certified plastic surgeon, hosted an Instagram Live discussion on surgical innovation and single-scar phalloplasty, addressing pre- and post-op concerns and answering frequently asked questions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_z2uuAFcdECaption/subtitle instructions: To turn on subtitles, turn on closed captioning (CC icon), located at the bottom right of the video. To change the language, go to settings …

We know that many of us may be feeling the weight of what’s happening in our country right now, whether it’s the impact of new policies or the challenges posed by recent wildfires in California. It’s completely valid to feel a range of emotions—restlessness, anxiety, fear or sadness — in the face of these difficulties. …

As a gay, bi-racial (Black and Filipino) man, I’ve always felt a deep calling to care for disadvantaged and marginalized patient populations. Initially, I was drawn to transplant surgery—my dream was to become a pediatric transplant surgeon—but during medical school, I became fascinated by plastic and reconstructive surgery. In my third year of Plastic Surgery …