Locations
Joseph A. Mele, III, MD, FACS
Walnut Creek, CA
Office
Walnut Creek, CA
Office
Walnut Creek, CA
About
Bio
Dr. Mele is board certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He completed his surgical internship at the University of California Davis Medical Center, his General Surgery Residency at San Joaquin General Hospital, and sub-specialized with a Fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco.
As a plastic surgery fellow in San Francisco, Joseph Mele, MD, acquired three years of intense postgraduate instruction in General Plastic Surgery, as well as specialized training in the areas of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, Micro Surgery, Burn Care and Rehabilitation, Hand Surgery, and the repair of Congenital Deformities (birth defects). Dr. Mele has volunteered on surgical missions to provide medical care for underprivileged children in Guatemala (Hospital de la Familia) and Argentina (Rotary International's Rotoplast).
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Plastic Surgery
Surgery
Doctor Q&A
768 Answers
910 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Nothing as good: Brava, a suction cup device, can give small increases in volume if worn as directed; however, breast augmentation with breast implants remains the mos... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Time: One of the cardinal signs of aging is the loss of facial fat. In general, what is an annoyance now, will become a blessing later. The facial fat is ge... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Still No.: The is still no magic pill that makes breasts grow. Unfortunately, the dietary supplement market is not well regulated. What is on the label may not b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Dry Skin: Most commonly dandruff is dry scalp skin. It can accumulate in the hair, and "flake" onto dark clothing. Dandruff shampoo can help control the problem... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Many possibilities: There are many reasons why breasts can lactacte without pregnancy. Some are benign, some need treatment. The best course of action is seeing you prima... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Yes: Here is a link to the FDA required notification in the Allergen web site: http://www.allergan.com/miscellaneous-pages/allergan-pdf-files/botox_med_gui... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Many reasons: By definition, normal hair growth is an average of a large group of people. About half the popular will grow slower and half faster than average. Norm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
For vaccinations, in general, men seem to have fewer side effect than women. When it gets down to the individual, reactions to medications and vaccina... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Facelift Recovery: The best position for sleeping during facelift recovery is on your back, with your head higher than your heart. A few pillows or a wedge can provide s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Yes, that's normal!: Breast come in every size and shape. Small breast can have big nipples and visa versa. Variety is the spice of life. That being said, cosmetic surgery... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Knee scars: Scar inside the knee is usually treated with physical therapy under the guidance of an orthopedic surgeon. Be certain to follow-up with your orthopedi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Done growing?: It depends on if your breasts are done growing, and how much discomfort they are causing. You are not too young to get a consultation with a board cer... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Mini : Mini tummy tucks (witch hazel) have less post operative pain that tummy tucks (witch hazel), but more than liposuction. Most patients take narcotics f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Absolutely, : Absolutely, a brow lift can be used to reduce the amount of skin on the forehead and advance the hairline forward. This technique is called the anteri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
It varies.: The amount of sweilling depends. How your body responds to the injury is one of the primary factors.
Tumescent liposuction helps decrease post operat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
A : A neck lift should not affect your vocal cords. If performed under general anesthesia, an kma can be used to avoid intubating through the vocal cords.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Stable weight best: The best answer is to have a stable weight. If you are planning on losing weight, do it first. Evaluate your neck again once you are at your new weigh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Yes!: Breast implants are used to enlarge the breasts. Whether you were born with small breast, no breasts or it is an acquired state, breast augmentation ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Yes: It is common to combine facelifts with other procedures. Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping)< eyelid surgery and brow lifts are the most common.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Base of spine.: The sacrum is a large flat trapezoidal bone, found at the base of the spine. It forms the posterior portion of the pelvis. There are four bones surrou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Breat Feeding Rec: Breast feeding is recomended for most women regardless of whether they have breast implants or not. Breast implants can sometimes decrease the amont o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Yes, : Yes, Perlane (dermal fillers) can be "removed" with hyaluronidase injections, but usually this type of treatment is unnecessary as the product is slow... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Absolutely: Except for complicated cases with ruptured silicone gel implants, it it usually possible to remove the skin excess with the breast implants and provid... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Elevess : Elevess is an ha (hyaluronic acid) filler like restylane, juvederm and perlane. These work best in the lower face, where we want to preserve animation... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
TexturedSubglangular: Textured implants in the subgladular plane, especially when there is little breast tissue, are more likely to show ripples and edges. Smooth round imp... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Until healed: Usually six weeks is enough time if you used a stump shrinker. The important point is that the amputation is fully healed and strong enough, and that ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
A : A mini tummy tuck exposes the muscles from the pubic area (at the incision) up the the belly-button. Muscle separation in this area can be addressed. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Technically : Technically a thigh lift and liposuction are two different procedures. When a thigh lift is performed, however, often liposuction is utilized to remov... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Breast Aug Crepitus: Crepitus is caused by air beneath the skin. This is very common after surgery. While it may feel achy, crepitus resolves quickly and spontaneously.
... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Absolutely: Neck liposuction is an excellent compliment to chin augmentation when the neck has a disproportionate amount of fat. The two procedures can be safely ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Educated guess: It is not unusual to get two different answers when using two different methods to determine gestation. Neither is exact, they are guesses based on hi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
No: The asps states: there is very limited scientific evidence on mesotherapy or injection lipolysis for fat reduction. The scientific evidence that does ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Please Do!: Normal exercise is unlikely to cause any problems with breast implants.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Yes, : Yes, the suture method does not Prohibit you from having an incisional approach if necessary in the future.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Dr. : Dr. Placik gives a good list, and there are more risks. Just because they can happen, does not mean they will, but considering them is part of making ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 58-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Expander extrusion.: Tissue expanders are placed during breast reconstruction to stretch the skin. A know complication of tissue expanders is expander extrusion. If the sk... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Eyelid Surgery: Blepharoplasty is eyelid surgery and can be performed for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons. The most common is to remove excess skin form the upper ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
No: Aesthetic and cosmetic mean the same thing. The words are used interchangeably, so any nuance has long been lost.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Most the time.: Breast buds occur in more than half of all men during puberty. They resolve in half of these men in a few years, and about a third of men will continu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 57-year-old female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
You are healing.: The nerves along the incision are cut with surgery. This often causes temporary numbness of the skin around the ear after a facelift. As these nerves ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
No. If you have redundant skin with rashes and recurrent infections, it may cover removing the skin, but not a true tummy tuck.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
The cost varies.: The cost varies by community, but should not be the primary determinant of the procedure. The lowest cost, can become the most expensive if revisions ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Yes. The facelift is one of the most common cosmetic plastic surgery procedures.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Nov 09, 2021
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Good question: The same could be asked of any breasts in 30 years. The only thing that can be guaranteed is change. Breast implants are not lifetime devices, which m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Some pain, some gain: While you will see many exercises, pills and supplements that claim to enlarge the breasts, most have little success or science behind them. There is ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Depends on the lid!: There are several techniques used for the eyelid lift. In general incision is made, the underlying fat pads are evaluated and countoured, and any exce... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
The muffin top is the skin and fat that bulge over the top of jeans. If the problem is fat weight loss or liposuction can help. If the problem is skin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered Oct 13, 2021
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Abdominoplasty mean abdomen changing. It tightens the muscle, removes excess skin and removes excess fat. It is a complete abdominal remodel and a cos... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Plastic Surgery: Gynecomastia, or male brast enlargement, is caused by an over development of the glandular breast tissue inthe breast. It is often also used to descri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Joseph Meleanswered
Plastic Surgery 34 years experience
Safe & Effective: All fda approved breast implants are safe and effective. Each type of implant has its own specific advantages and disadvantages, so you will want to d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
5
Recommendations
1.4K
Thank you notes
Sep 30, 2013
Great doctor! Intelligent, kind, understanding expert dedicated to service and charity care as well.
I give him my highest recommendation.
Jun 22, 2013
Very accurate and informative responses.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Mele is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was helpful! Doc is on vacation until the 20th. He said I could lift after a week.Wanted to double check abt benching
HealthTap member
Thanks for the prompt reply. I've met with professional doctor and have taken blood test to check my hormone. They found that the result is
HealthTap member
Thanks It is a flame burn butane torch valve exploded I have pictures it wont let me send em without paying. Is it not good to use Neosporin
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
UC Davis School of Medicine, CA
Graduated 1989MD
Residency
SAN JOAQUIN GENERAL HOSPITAL
Residency
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS MEDICAL CENTER
Awards
Rated A+ 1997-present, Better Business Bureau
Top Plastic Surgeons, Consumers Research Council of America
Bay Area Top Doctor, Doctors Improving Healthcare
Affiliations
California Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Publications
Laser Blepharoplasty - Is It Safe?
Treatment of Thromboembolic Complications of Fulminant Meningococcal Septic Shock
Chronic Hyperpigmentation From a Heated Mustard Compress Burn: A Case Report
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