After graduating from the University of California at Davis with honors in Electrical and Computer
Engineering, Dr. Mele was awarded the prestigious Regents' Scholarship to attend the University of California, School of Medicine.
Dr. Mele completed his surgical Internship at the
University of California Davis Medical Center, his General Surgery Residency at San Joaquin General Hospital, and is Board Certified by the
American Board of Surgery.
After
completing training in General Surgery, Dr. Mele sub-specialized with a Fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Saint Francis
Memorial Hospital in San Francisco, He is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and Member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.
As a plastic surgery fellow, Dr. Mele acquired three years of intense postgraduate
instruction in General Plastic Surgery, as well as, specialized training in the areas of Cosmetic/Aesthetic 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).
Dr. Mele is a member in good standing of the American Society of
Plastic Surgeons, the International Confederation of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, the California Society of Plastic
Surgeons, The American Medical Association, The California Medical Association, The Alameda Contra Costa Medical Association and is a
Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has published articles on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and has presented his research
at national state and local plastic surgery conferences.
Curriculum Vitae
Birthplace: Oceanside, New
York
Citizenship:
United States
Office Address:
1515 Ygnacio Valley
Road, Suite B
Walnut Creek, Ca 94598-3005
P: 925.943.6353
F: 925.977.6989
1980-1989: M.D.: School of Medicine - University of California Davis, Ca
1989-1990: Intern, General Surgery: University of California
Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, Ca
1990-1994: Resident, General Surgery: San Joaquin General Hospital - Stockton, Ca
1993-1994: Chief Resident, General Surgery: San Joaquin General Hospital - Stockton, Ca
1994-1997: Resident, Plastic Surgery: Saint Francis Memorial Hospital - San Francisco, Ca
Bothin Burn Center, July- Sept., 1994 & Jan. - Mar.,
1995
Hospital de la Familia, Nov. 3-20, 1994, Nuevo Progresso, Guatemala.
Microvascular Surgery, Jan.-June, 1996, Buncke Clinic, San
Francisco, Ca
Rotoplast, Feb. 6-23, 1997, Mendoza, Argentina
1996-1997: Chief Resident, Plastic Surgery: Saint Francis Memorial Hospital - San Francisco,
Ca
1983: Computer Systems Programmer, Kaiser Medical Methods Research - Oakland, Ca
1983-1984: Music Director, Radio Station KDVS, Davis, Ca
1984-1985: Vice President, Associated Students, University of California, Davis, Ca
1985: Founder, Associated Students, University of California, Davis, Tipsy Taxi,
Davis, Ca
1986: Research Assistant, University of California,
Davis Medical Center Orthopedics Lab
1985-1989: Treasurer,
University Of California, Davis School of Medicine Class of 1989
1990-present: Medical Board of California
License
1995-2005: American Board of Surgery Certificate (#40303)
1999-2009: American Board of Plastic Surgery Certificate
(#5649)
1980-present: CPR Provider
1999-present: National Board of Medical Examiners
1990-present: Drug Enforcement
Agency
1990-1998: Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider
1995-present: Certified on multiple laser for: resurfacing, hair removal,
vascular lesions, pigmented lesions and tattoo removal
1996-present: Integra� Artificial Skin Certificate (#960253)
1997-present:
Curative Courseware - John Muir Wound Care Center
2000 - present: N-Lite laser certification for non-ablative wrinkle
reduction.
Privileges:
Active
Staff* - John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek, CA
Active Staff - Mt. Diablo Medical Center - Concord, CA
Active Staff - San Ramon Regional Medical Center - San Ramon,
CA.
* 2001-2003 - Chairman of the Division
of Plastic Surgery
Philosophy:
We understand that considering cosmetic or reconstructive
surgery is an important and personal decision. Thank you for considering Dr. Mele as your Plastic Surgeon. We look forward to acquainting
you with our practice and the individualized care you can expect.
Our goal is to provide you with an excellent overall experience. We will always plan to
minimize your wait, schedule your surgery at a date and time most convenient for you, and maintain your privacy during the duration of your
care.
Procedures
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation at our office near San Francisco in Walnut Creek can
help those dissatisfied with the size or shape of their breasts. Have you ever wished for a fuller, more rounded bust line? You are not
alone. Breast implants have helped many women feel more beautiful, feminine, and confident with their appearance. During the most common
type of breast augmentation performed at our practice in Walnut Creek, Dr. Mele makes a small incision - either in the crease of the breast
or at the edge of the areola - and gently inserts saline or silicone gel implants beneath the pectoral muscles, which hold the breast
implants firmly in place. He then carefully stitches the incision closed. The breast augmentation procedure usually takes place under
general anesthesia. The final result is a beautiful new bust line you will love! Breast augmentation can also be used in conjunction with
other cosmetic surgery treatments such as liposuction, rhinoplasty, or botox. If you are interested in breast implants and live in the San
Francisco area, contact us about breast augmentation in Walnut Creek today.
Breast Lift
Women who are self-conscience about the effects of age on their breast can renew
their confidence with breast augmentation through a breast lift in Walnut Creek near San Francisco. Breast implants are often used in
conjunction with this procedure, and Dr. Mele will listen to your concerns and recommend the proper course of treatment. Gravity,
significant weight gain or loss, or the effects of pregnancy and nursing can all cause breasts to lose firmness and elasticity, sagging
over time. Many women feel a corresponding loss of confidence with this loss of firmness. Breast lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that
can help restore your breasts to their original youthful appearance. During a breast lift, Dr. Mele makes either an anchor-shaped incision
beneath the breast or a small circular incision around the areola. He then removes excess tissue and skin, tightens and lifts the remaining
tissue, and repositions the nipples more centrally. Breast lift can also be performed with breast implants near San Francisco at our Walnut
Creek facility, to give the bust a fuller, more rounded appearance. To find out if breast lift is right for you, call and schedule a
consultation with Dr. Mele, a premier San Francisco area breast augmentation plastic surgeon.
Breast Reduction
Overly large and heavy breasts are often a source of
physical discomfort and back pain for women. They can also leave a woman feeling self-conscious about her appearance. Breast reduction at
the San Francisco area office of Dr. Mele in Walnut Creek is a cosmetic procedure designed to reduce the volume and appearance of breasts,
leaving the patient with a more proportionate and flattering bust line. Like a breast lift, in the breast reduction procedure, Dr. Mele
uses an anchor-shaped incision beneath the breast to remove excess skin, fat, and glandular tissue. He then tightens up the remaining skin
around the smaller, newly shaped breast. As with other breast contouring procedures, breast reduction is performed under general
anesthesia. If you are interested in learning more about breast reduction in the San Francisco area, contact our Walnut Creek office today
to schedule a consultation.
Breast
Reconstruction
Women who have undergone mastectomies (surgical removal of the breast) to fight breast cancer or who suffer from
congenital breast deformities often feel extremely self-conscious and unhappy with their appearance. Many of these women elect to have
breast reconstruction surgery - a complex, multi-stage process in which the breast augmentation surgeon can reconstruct both the breast
mound and the nipple. Dr. Mele performs breast reconstruction in the San Francisco area using either breast implants or the patient's own
transplanted tissue at his upscale facility in Walnut Creek. Breast reconstruction is a highly individualized process and Dr. Mele would be
happy to sit down with you to discuss your particular case. To find out more about breast reconstruction surgery, please contact breast
augmentation surgeon Joseph Mele, MD, near San Francisco in Walnut Creek today.
Inverted Nipple Correction
Inverted nipples, in which the nipple either lies flush with the
surrounding areola or actually pulls inward like a dimple, can cause both breast feeding and self-confidence problems. This condition is
caused by a shorter than normal milk duct passing between the wall of the chest and the nipple. By rearranging the local tissue, Dr. Mele
can reconstruct an outward facing nipple, often leaving the milk duct intact in the process. For more detailed information on how inverted
nipple correction can help you, please contact our San Francisco area cosmetic surgery office to schedule a consultation in Walnut
Creek.
Areola
Reduction
Large areolas can be both unflattering and a source of personal insecurity for a woman. They are either an inherited
trait or result from the stretching of tissue by heavy breasts, weight gain, or pregnancy and breast-feeding. Areola reduction, a fairly
simple procedure in which the cosmetic surgeon removes a narrow layer of epidermis along the outer ring of the areola, can often be
performed in one short procedure under local anesthesia. To find out more about areola reduction, which can be used in conjunction with a
breast reduction procedure, contact our San Francisco area practice in Walnut Creek today.
Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction)
Gynecomastia, a condition in which
fatty deposits accumulate on a man's chest giving the appearance of small breasts, is a seldom-discussed but surprisingly common problem.
Even active men who eat well and exercise regularly may not be able to eliminate these deposits. Men with this condition often feel a deep
sense of shame and embarrassment over their bodies. Gynecomastia, however, is easily treatable through male breast reduction. By means of
discreet incisions made in the underarm or areola, Dr. Mele can surgically remove excess fat and tissue from the chest, either with a
scalpel or through liposuction, and achieve a firmer, more masculine looking physique. For more information on the male breast reduction
treatment in the San Francisco area, contact our cosmetic surgery practice in Walnut Creek today.
Testimonials:
"You are great!!!
Here is my long overdue thank you. You are very talented and a truly warm and caring doctor. I am so very happy you are in the career that
you are. People need doctors like you". �LL
"I wish to thank you for the excellent surgery you performed�There are no signs of the fifty stitches you had to place in the skin.
You no doubt have won many friends with your skilled surgery". - FA
"Just a short note of thanks for the great job you did�I really appreciated your generosity and concern in
my after care. Once again thank you sincerely". -XD
"Your patience and gentle care is greatly appreciated". -KM
"Thank you for your kindness". - NZ
"Can't get over how you fixed me up, Joe! Now I must decide who that exact right person to kiss will be.
�Thank you so very much". -DB
"I look in
the mirror and see a new face - a face that you molded with your fine sensitive hands - it is amazing�I thought I would let you know how
great I feel and how great you make me feel". -KT
"Thanks for your super fine treatment�.I really appreciated the excellent care you gave me". -NT
"I love my new look, and it is a new experience to try on
clothes in cute boutiques". - ND
"Well, I
just want to thank you for being who you are and to let you know that I'm one of those people whose life is just a little happier because
you're in the world. My family and I will always be grateful to you for doing my surgery. I'm doing really great". -HX �
"Lives have changed for the better and I thank you for this from the bottom of my heart". -NN