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About Dr. Hilinski

Dr. Hilinski is a graduate of Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. Following graduation from Harvard, he completed a surgical internship as well as residency in Head and Neck Surgery at the prestigious University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center.

Dr. Hilinski was then chosen for a Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery fellowship in Chicago, IL sponsored by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Since starting practice in San Diego, CA, Dr. Hilinski developed a special interest in complex cosmetic ear surgery. Initially, most patients sought him out for otoplasty, or ear pinning, surgery. As this segment of his practice burgeoned, he began doing more and more advanced cosmetic ear surgery, like macrotia scapha ear reduction. As his reputation increasingly grew, Dr. Hilinski became recognized online as one of the nation’s only plastic surgeons who has dedicated experience in managing scapha enlargement deformities. As of today, he is one of the very few plastic surgeons in America who offers this incredibly specialized type of cosmetic ear surgery.

“Five stars are not enough, if I could give a million, I would. I had macroctia (large ears) and I was so embarrassed of them all my life I never ever tied up my hair in public. Then I found Dr. Hilinski in San Diego after I read many great reviews about his absolute dedications to his clients and the wonderful miracles he performed. I looked at his before and after photos and I was in complete awe with all the amazing results. His work really speaks for itself.  Next thing I knew, I was driving over 300 miles to have my surgery. What Dr. Hilinski did to my ears exceeded my expectations. He has the hands of God. I will never ever let any other surgeon touch me, Dr. Hilinski is the only doctor I have 110% trust in. I will never find a more down to earth, sweet, caring, and talented doctor. Thank you Dr. Hilinski for changing my life!

Dr. John Hilinski’s Background

Medical Education

  • Medical Doctorate (M.D.)
    Harvard Medical School
    Boston, MA

Surgical Training

  • General Surgery Internship
    University Of California, San Diego Medical Center
    Department of General Surgery
    San Diego, CA
  • Head and Neck Surgery Residency and Chief Residency
    University Of California, San Diego Medical Center
    Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery
    San Diego, CA
  • Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship
    University Of Illinois, Chicago Medical Center
    Chicago, IL

Research Training

  • National Institutes of Health Research Fellowship
    University Of California, San Diego Cancer Center
    Division of Head and Neck Surgery
    San Diego, CA

Clinical Appointments

  • Staff Surgeon
    Sharp Memorial Hospital
    San Diego, CA
  • Staff Surgeon
    Scripps Clinic And Green Hospital
    Division of Head and Neck
    La Jolla, CA
  • Clinical Faculty Instructor
    Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
    Division of Head and Neck Surgery
    University Of California, San Diego Medical Center
    San Diego, CA
  • Clinical Faculty Instructor
    Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
    Department of Surgery
    Veterans Administration Medical Center
    La Jolla, CA
  • Clinical Instructor (Past)
    Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
    Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
    University Of Illinois, Chicago Medical Center
    Chicago, IL

Political Appointments

  • Appointment by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
    California Health Facilities Finance Authority
    Sacramento, CA
    2007-2008

Memberships / Affiliations

  • The Rhinoplasty Society
  • California Society of Facial Plastic Surgery
  • American Academy Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery
  • American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • San Diego County Medical Society
  • California Medical Association
  • Association for Medical Ethics

Presentations

  • “Polymethylmethacrylate Injections: My Long-term Experience.” Advanced Aesthetics &
    Cosmetic Dermatology Los Angeles, The Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey, CA, January 27-29, 2017.
  • “Facial Contouring with Poly-L-Lactic Acid.” Advanced Aesthetics & Cosmetic Dermatology Los
    Angeles, The Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey, CA, January 27-29, 2017.
  • “Nasal Tip Rhinoplasty: Common Problems and My Evolving Approach.” Aesthetic Surgery
    Grand Rounds, University of California, San Diego, Division of Plastic Surgery, August 24, 2016.
  • “Peri-Oral Cosmetic Enhancement: My Approach.” The 3rd Ultimate Aesthetic Training Workshop,
    The Four Seasons Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA, May 14, 2016.
  • “Facial Contouring with Sculptra.” The 3rd Ultimate Aesthetic Training Workshop, The Four Seasons
    Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA, May 14, 2016.
  • “Bellafill Facial Reshaping.” The 3rd Ultimate Aesthetic Training Workshop, The Four Seasons Hotel,
    Beverly Hills, CA, May 14, 2016.
  • “Use of Blunt-tipped Cannulas for Injectable Fillers.” The Ultimate Aesthetic Training Workshop,
    The Luxe Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA, October 10, 2015.
  • “Facial Reshaping with Poly-L-Lactic Acid.” The Ultimate Aesthetic Training Workshop, The Luxe
    Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA, October 10, 2015.
  • “Use of Polymethylmethacralate in Facial Contouring.” The Ultimate Aesthetic Training
    Workshop, The Luxe Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA, October 10, 2015.

Editorial Review

  • Reviewer for JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, 2007-present.
  • Reviewer for Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2014.
  • Reviewer for International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2011.

Book Chapters

  • Hilinski JM, Cohen SR. Soft Tissue Augmentation with Artefill. Facial Plastic Surgery. Thieme
    Medical Publishers, Volume 25 (2): 114-119, 2009.
  • Hilinski JM, Cohen SR. Volumetric Use of Injectable Fillers in the Face. Techniques in Aesthetic
    Plastic Surgery Series: Facial Rejuvenation with Fillers. Eds. Cohen and Born. Elsevier Ltd, 2009.
  • Hilinski JM, Toriumi DM. The Ageing Face. Scott Brown’s Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck
    Surgery. 7th Edition. May 2008.

Publications

  • Collins J, Harvey J, Hilinski JM, Reconstructing the Gauge Earlobe Defect, JAMA Facial Plast Surg.
    Published online December 18, 2014.
  • Hilinski JM, Beros A, Watson D. Spreader grafts in rhinoplasty, Plastic Surgery, Emedicine World
    Medical Library, Emedicine.com, May 2008.
  • Hilinski JM, Revis DR, Seagle MB. Skin Resurfacing: Chemical Peels, Otolaryngology and Facial
    Plastic Surgery, Emedicine World Medical Library, Emedicine.com, May 2008.
  • Mobley SR, Hilinski JM, Toriumi DM. Tissue adhesives in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery,
    Facial Plastics Clinics of North America, 10(2002): 147-154.
  • Hilinski JM, Kim T, Harris JP. Post-traumatic pseudocerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, Otology and
    Neurotology, September 2001; 22(5).
  • Beros A, Hilinski JM, Moe KS. Gracilis muscle free tissue transfer, Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic
    Surgery, Emedicine World Medical Library, Emedicine.com, June 2001.
  • Byrne P, Hilinski JM, Hilger P. Facial nerve repair, Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery,
    Emedicine World Medical Library, Emedicine.com, May 2001.
  • Hilinski JM, Moe KS. Vertical dome division in rhinoplasty, Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic
    Surgery, Emedicine World Medical Library, Emedicine.com, June 2001.
  • Johnsson A, Zeelenberg I, Min Y, Hilinski J, Berry C, Howell SB, Los, G. Identification of genes
    differentially expressed in association with acquired cisplatin resistance, British Journal of Cancer,
    2000 Oct; 83(8): 1047-1054.
  • Wong JG, Hilinski J, Los G. Analysis of SSH libraries generated from ATRA treated UMSCC10b cells,
    Journal of Investigative Medicine, vol. 47 (2): 61A, Feb 1999.
  • Hosseinzadeh M, Hilinski J, Turner WJD, Harris JP. Meniere disease caused by an anomalous vein
    of the vestibular aqueduct, Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 1998; 124: 695-
    698.
  • Gliklich RE, Hilinski JM. Longitudinal sensitivity of generic and specific health measures in chronic
    sinusitis, Quality of Life Research, 4:27-32, 1995.

Articles and Publications

Soft Tissue Augmentation with ArteFill
Dr. Hilinski recently coauthored a book chapter focusing on use of Artefill for volume enhancement of the face.
Facelift Surgery for the Ageing Face
Dr. Hilinski and coauthor Dr. Dean Toriumi have recently published their book chapter on the ageing face and facelift surgery.
Mini-Lift Offers Major Results
Ever give your face and neck a little tug while looking in the mirror? Like what you see? Maybe not, but many accept what their reflections reveal as their destiny.
The Verafil Lip Enhancement
For years now, women have been searching for the ideal procedure to provide them with fuller, plumper, shapelier lips.
Surgical Tissue Adhesives
Surgical tissue adhesives continue to evolve as an important technology for the facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Twelve years ago there was little routine use of these…
Examining The Doctors
Today it seems as though there is a medical or dental treatment to suit just about every need or desire. But even if procedures are FDA-approved and ensure low risks…

Curriculum Vitae

Form more information on Dr. John Hilinski’s education, qualifications and experience, view his curriculum vitae (CV).

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