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Confessions of a Park Avenue Plastic Surgeon
New York City’s Park Avenue between 64th and 72nd Streets is the pinnacle for a plastic surgeon—if you can make it here, you’re at the top of your game. Home to the most renowned plastic surgeons—and clientele—in the world, it takes immense training and sacrifice to be successful on Park Avenue. Dr. Cap Lesesne, an internationally known plastic surgeon whose clients you would recognize from movies, TV, and the covers of magazines—supermodels, royalty, rock stars, and the very, very rich—now takes us behind the scenes to reveal the lives of his patients and the intimate reasons for which they call on his services.
Privy to his patients’ greatest insecurities, fears, and desires, Dr. Lesesne writes of making them over in the image of their favorite celebrities; being flown to a secret location to perform surgery on a queen and her lady in waiting; performing last-minute liposuction to perfect a model just seventy-two hours before a photo shoot; trying to turn back the clock for mega-rich dowagers who have started dating someone younger; and dozens of other fascinating cases. Dr. Lesesne also reveals his own struggles and challenges, and the toll his career has taken on his personal life.
A riveting insider’s account, Confessions of a Park Avenue Plastic Surgeon puts an astonishing new face on this booming industry.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
4 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Cap Lesesne
2 booksDr. Cap Lesesne is a top New York plastic surgeon, specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face on New York's fabled Park Avenue.
In his long and highly successful career, he has traveled the world to meet with a wide and fascinating variety of patients, many of whom frequently travel to New York to see him.
He graduated from Princeton, Duke Medical School, and Stanford and is a senior clinical professor of plastic surgery.
In his long and highly successful career, he has traveled the world to meet with a wide and fascinating variety of patients, many of whom frequently travel to New York to see him.
He graduated from Princeton, Duke Medical School, and Stanford and is a senior clinical professor of plastic surgery.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 15, 2018
Saran dari dr. Cap :
“It’s your body and your life, not to mention your peace of mind. Don’t be afraid to ask for the explanation.”
“If your doctor can’t explain clearly what’s going on, then he or she doesn’t understand the situation well enough. Get a new doctor.”
Dan jangan lupa :
“fat will always find new places to deposit.”
“It’s your body and your life, not to mention your peace of mind. Don’t be afraid to ask for the explanation.”
“If your doctor can’t explain clearly what’s going on, then he or she doesn’t understand the situation well enough. Get a new doctor.”
Dan jangan lupa :
“fat will always find new places to deposit.”
October 27, 2025
I inherited my mom’s books and this was her plastic surgeon. Reading this convinced me not to have that surgery I’ve been contemplating (for now).
June 25, 2020
Feeble justification of why I started reading this: I picked this up from my local Little Library. There were a few intriguing insights into the medical profession (the incredible hours of training, the artistry involved in plastic surgery, and the preponderance of men in this field) although it also reads very politically dated too, often veering into patronising, binary and sexist #whitemaleprivilege -based commentary. Best suited for plastic surgery obsessives.
January 1, 2013
Lightweight read left by a daughter. Kept me amused. The earth would be still turning if I has just thrown the book out when I found it. The sort of book you wouldn't miss if you left it on the bus.
April 25, 2012
The surgeon's life isn't as glamorous as George Clooney makes it out to be on ER!
January 12, 2013
Real, honest and unabashed; charming writing style and wonderful content.
April 17, 2024
It was the first paragraph on the back of this book that caught my interest.
'One of the world's top cosmetic surgeons reveals just how far the rich, the famous and the desperate will go to be beautiful.'
I read this in 2009, and wrote a review on my then blog about it:
Basically, the book is promoted as a "tell all", although it becomes quite apparent the "all" refers to procedures and techniques more than the people he has worked on. Not that, obviously, with doctor/patient confidentiality you would expect him to have a list of names in the book with their procedures written next to them, but considering the title, you would think there would be some more telling information in there.
In the beginning of the book, Dr Lesesne documents his journey, in quite some detail, in to becoming a plastic surgeon. I think, not knowing who he is, I found this a little tedious to read, but may interest those who work in the same or similar field.
But the worst thing I found about reading this book, to be honest, is how it made me feel about myself afterwards. Dr Lesesne talks in detail about the ageing process. What goes first (the neck apparently) and what traits he feels need to be addressed etc. It made me look at myself in the mirror with a much more detailed and judgmental eye than what I did before reading this book, which isn't a good thing.
A number of times, I almost gave up on the book. But I don't like to do that anyway, so I pushed through. I did find it slightly useful though at the time: I had a large mole removed from my ear, and because of its position, my dermatologist suggested I see a plastic surgeon. Dr Lesesne does give a good deal of information in the chapter entitled 'Failures (and What to Ask a Surgeon)' on how to go about finding the right surgeon, and what qualifications they should have (and it incorporated Australia's relevant details). So there you go. All was not lost.
'One of the world's top cosmetic surgeons reveals just how far the rich, the famous and the desperate will go to be beautiful.'
I read this in 2009, and wrote a review on my then blog about it:
Basically, the book is promoted as a "tell all", although it becomes quite apparent the "all" refers to procedures and techniques more than the people he has worked on. Not that, obviously, with doctor/patient confidentiality you would expect him to have a list of names in the book with their procedures written next to them, but considering the title, you would think there would be some more telling information in there.
In the beginning of the book, Dr Lesesne documents his journey, in quite some detail, in to becoming a plastic surgeon. I think, not knowing who he is, I found this a little tedious to read, but may interest those who work in the same or similar field.
But the worst thing I found about reading this book, to be honest, is how it made me feel about myself afterwards. Dr Lesesne talks in detail about the ageing process. What goes first (the neck apparently) and what traits he feels need to be addressed etc. It made me look at myself in the mirror with a much more detailed and judgmental eye than what I did before reading this book, which isn't a good thing.
A number of times, I almost gave up on the book. But I don't like to do that anyway, so I pushed through. I did find it slightly useful though at the time: I had a large mole removed from my ear, and because of its position, my dermatologist suggested I see a plastic surgeon. Dr Lesesne does give a good deal of information in the chapter entitled 'Failures (and What to Ask a Surgeon)' on how to go about finding the right surgeon, and what qualifications they should have (and it incorporated Australia's relevant details). So there you go. All was not lost.
September 5, 2025
Confessions of a Park Avenue Plastic Surgeon was alright. Honestly it was a fun, gossipy read. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, which makes it easy to flip through, and you really do get a peek into the glamorous but also kind of odd world of high society cosmetic surgery. Some of the stories are outrageous and a bit over the top, but that’s what makes it entertaining. At times it feels a little repetitive and not super deep, but if you want a behind the scenes look at what people will do in the name of beauty, it delivers.
March 6, 2022
Autor opowiada o swojej karierze jako chirurga plastycznego, o tym, co go skłoniło do wyboru takiej ścieżki kariery. Opisuje też jakim operacjom poddają się różne osoby, a także różne perypetie z tym związane. Książka fajna, choć od czasu jej powstania pewnie wiele się zmieniło, może poza jedną rzeczą - chętnych na takie operacje czy zabiegi nie brakuje ;)
January 16, 2023
Some interesting stories in here, but also some serious transphobia (even for being written years ago, it was pretty extreme) and some other problematic angles. Expected it to a degree from a plastic surgery memoir but still.
October 12, 2019
Not earth-shattering but a fairly good read. Focused on passion, talent, dedication, yet lacked balance. Knowledge of and acceptance of self bring joy, fulfillment, peace!
July 2, 2025
Body horror
August 25, 2007
As a psychologist-to-be, I've decided to expand my literary repertoire to include works that aren't centered specifically around psychology (as I think everything that involves humans involves psychology).
To be short and to the point, this book is fascinating. Dr. Lesesne has experienced everything from transsexuals wanting to get breast implants on his back for his lover to fondle to having patients being murdered by his colleagues to dating Katie Couric to being stalked by patients.
He even offers psychological tidbits that I think deserve further researh including his suggestion that perhaps some plastic surgeons may have pursued this profession in order to control women. What's also interesting is how the most rewarding compliment he gets from a patient is, "I trust you." It's very similar to the relationship between a therapist and her/his client.
I'm still against plastic surgery, but I understand that other people do get them and if I get clients one day who are considering going under the knife, I'd love to have some background knowledge of the field.
The only thing would make this book even more interesting is if it included first-hand stories from the patients themselves. I'd love to read a book of case-studies of those who have had plastic surgery.
To be short and to the point, this book is fascinating. Dr. Lesesne has experienced everything from transsexuals wanting to get breast implants on his back for his lover to fondle to having patients being murdered by his colleagues to dating Katie Couric to being stalked by patients.
He even offers psychological tidbits that I think deserve further researh including his suggestion that perhaps some plastic surgeons may have pursued this profession in order to control women. What's also interesting is how the most rewarding compliment he gets from a patient is, "I trust you." It's very similar to the relationship between a therapist and her/his client.
I'm still against plastic surgery, but I understand that other people do get them and if I get clients one day who are considering going under the knife, I'd love to have some background knowledge of the field.
The only thing would make this book even more interesting is if it included first-hand stories from the patients themselves. I'd love to read a book of case-studies of those who have had plastic surgery.
August 17, 2013
I liked the book. It is a memoire of a plastic surgeon. There are not too many 'revelations' about celebrity clients. They are merely hinted at.
There are times when the book reads like a documentary. He lists the steps a person seeking plastic surgery should go through, the ways in which a client should assess a surgeon. There is a chapter titled "Failures (and what to ask a surgeon)".
He even had a section in which he mentions skin-care.
"Some of the best skin I've ever seen belongs to women who cleanse with cold water and soap, then apply a mild moisturizer on the dry spots."
He recommends use of sunscreen lotion with SPF greater than 20, and re-application every two hours.
Exfoliate the skin regularly, he says. He even recommends microdermabrasion - spraying of fine crystals at the skin to loosen dead tissue.
Hmm.. I confess, I found this part of the book quite interesting.
As for the rest, he writes about his education, how he got into plastic surgery. He has some interesting anecdotes to narrate.
There are times when the book reads like a documentary. He lists the steps a person seeking plastic surgery should go through, the ways in which a client should assess a surgeon. There is a chapter titled "Failures (and what to ask a surgeon)".
He even had a section in which he mentions skin-care.
"Some of the best skin I've ever seen belongs to women who cleanse with cold water and soap, then apply a mild moisturizer on the dry spots."
He recommends use of sunscreen lotion with SPF greater than 20, and re-application every two hours.
Exfoliate the skin regularly, he says. He even recommends microdermabrasion - spraying of fine crystals at the skin to loosen dead tissue.
Hmm.. I confess, I found this part of the book quite interesting.
As for the rest, he writes about his education, how he got into plastic surgery. He has some interesting anecdotes to narrate.
October 6, 2013
I have always loved books by doctors which reveal their non-clinical and humane perspectives , the person more than the doctor , since being a doctor imparts such weight and fixed perceptions , not to mention the anticipation of responsibility ( I am a doctor , myself ) . This was a breezy but interesting read , which I found myself hooked onto , right from the introduction whence it's understood that this author-doctor is not just interested in his cases , but his patients , as well !!!
August 15, 2009
i liked this book. i always love hearing about gross, weird physical stuff but this gave me a new perspective on plastic surgery. i always judged people who under went the knife because media makes everyone seem so typical. after reading this book i realized that its all a matter of a good surgeons taste.
June 22, 2009
Started reading this about a year ago and found it very interesting, with the techniques and motives of getting plastic surgery done. Got distracted and busy in the middle, finally picking it up again.
September 11, 2009
Plastic surgery has taken on a new meaning. It's not about looking "fake", but about improving your assets and self confidence in the process. I guess you can't be too vain to begin with, however! Then you may take it too far...
September 17, 2013
I bought this book because it was a bargain buy (4$) at Barnes and Noble and was pleasantly surprised to find it an entertaining and not too informational read due to Cap Lesesne MD's "dishy" tone.
August 25, 2009
Interesting for the anecdotes and trying to figure out who is who. I didn't really find myself liking the author as a person though. Especially fun to read in a doctor's office waiting room.
April 2, 2013
Bit of light entertainment. Light and easy to pick up and put down. More a series of antidotes than a story.
September 9, 2012
This was just what I needed.
May 12, 2017
FANTASTIC. Loved his sense of humor.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews