meet dr. rifkin
Dr. William J. Rifkin
Fellowship-Trained Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon in New York City
Dr. William J. Rifkin is a fellowship-trained aesthetic plastic surgeon in New York City specializing in natural, refined surgery of the face, breast, and body. His approach is rooted in proportion, precision, and a detailed understanding of anatomy, with a particular emphasis on facial rejuvenation and natural-looking results.
“The best results look refreshed, balanced, and entirely natural. Elegance without exaggeration.”
Academic & Training Highlights
Undergraduate Education
Tufts University
Medical School
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Plastic Surgery Residency
NYU Langone Health
Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship
Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship
Research Fellowship
Face transplantation research under Eduardo D. Rodriguez, MD, DDS
Academic Work
70+ peer-reviewed publications and book chapters
Education & Surgical Training
Born and raised in New York City, Dr. Rifkin developed an early interest in both the science and artistry of plastic surgery. He earned his undergraduate degree from Tufts University before receiving his Doctor of Medicine with honors from the New York University Grossman School of Medicine.
He completed his plastic surgery residency at NYU Langone Health’s Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery—the #1 ranked plastic surgery residency program in the country during his time there—where he received rigorous training in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. His experience includes advanced facial rejuvenation procedures as well as complex microsurgery, craniofacial surgery, breast reconstruction, and hand surgery.
During his training, Dr. Rifkin also completed a dedicated research fellowship in face transplantation under the mentorship of Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, contributing to academic efforts surrounding some of the most complex facial reconstruction cases performed to date. This experience provided a unique foundation in both the technical and conceptual understanding of facial anatomy, healing, and identity.
Following residency, he further refined his expertise through an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship, where he received advanced, high-volume training in aesthetic surgery of the face, breast, and body, with a particular emphasis on achieving natural, durable, and elegant results. He ultimately joined Dr. David A. Hidalgo in practice at 655 Park Avenue, where the practice emphasizes thoughtful, patient-centered care and elegant, natural-appearing results
Surgical Philosophy
Dr. Rifkin believes that exceptional aesthetic surgery begins with a deep understanding of each patient’s unique anatomy and goals. His approach is rooted in proportion, balance, and identity preservation to achieve natural-looking results that stand the test of time.
Refined aesthetic surgery. Natural, elegant results
Facial Rejuvenation
While Dr. Rifkin performs aesthetic surgery of the face, breast, and body, his practice has a particular emphasis on and passion for facial rejuvenation, including the deep plane facelift. His background in facial anatomy, reconstructive surgery, and face transplantation research provides a unique foundation for aesthetic facial surgery.
Facelift & Necklift
Blepharoplasty
Brow Lift
Fat Grafting
Research, Publications, and Academic Work
Dr. Rifkin has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in leading surgical journals and has received multiple national awards for his research, including honors from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and regional and national surgical societies. His work includes research in face transplantation, facial reconstruction, aesthetic facial surgery, breast surgery, wound healing, and surgical outcomes. His academic background reflects a commitment to evidence-based care, innovation, and surgical excellence.
70+ Publications
National Research Awards
Why Dr. Rifkin
Judgment matters in aesthetic surgery.
“The best aesthetic surgery depends on knowing what to change, what to preserve, and when restraint matters most.”
Aesthetic surgery is not only a technical operation. It is a series of decisions about proportion, balance, anatomy, and identity. Small choices in planning and execution can determine whether a result looks natural, refined, and durable over time.
Dr. Rifkin’s approach is shaped by rigorous plastic surgery training at NYU Langone Health, advanced academic work in facial anatomy and reconstruction, and fellowship-level aesthetic surgery training focused on the face, breast, and body. His background in face transplantation research adds a deeper understanding of facial structure, healing, and the details that make each patient’s appearance unique.
For patients considering aesthetic surgery in New York City, the goal is not to create an overdone or generic look. The goal is thoughtful, anatomy-driven improvement that feels balanced, elegant, and true to the individual.
Fellowship-trained Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon
NYU Langone Plastic Surgery Training
Academic Foundation in Facial Anatomy and Reconstruction
Considering aesthetic surgery?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Rifkin to discuss which options may be appropriate for your anatomy, goals, and timing.
