Is a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon trained at The Cleveland Clinic that specializes in face, breast, and body procedures.
Dr. Rafael A. Couto is a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon trained at The Cleveland Clinic that specializes in face, breast, and body procedures.
His passion for plastic surgery, innovation, and scientific research allowed him to learn from internationally recognized plastic surgeons and make great clinical and scientific contributions in his field.
He has lectured and published on over 50 occasions on topics pertaining to cosmetic surgery, pediatric plastic surgery, and congenital anomalies, as well as reconstructive surgery after cancer.He has volunteered in numerous mission trips in Latin America and Puerto Rico, providing reconstructive surgeries to children with congenital deformities. As the medical director of Couto Plastic Surgery, his goal is to enhance the aesthetic look and functionality of each of his patients in a natural and safe manner through the use of cutting edge surgical and non-surgical techniques and minimally invasive technology.
Education and Training
Dr. Rafael A. Couto completed his bachelor’s degree at Boston University and obtained his doctorate in medicine (M.D.) at University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. During his medical studies, he was selected to complete a clinical fellowship in lymphedema and vascular anomalies and executed a clinical translational research at the prestigious Children’s Hospital Boston at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Couto completed his plastic and reconstructive surgery training at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio, under the chairman and expert in facial aesthetic surgery, Dr. James E. Zins. This institution is considered #2 in the world by Newsweek and Becker’s Hospital Review and among the top hospitals in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. He was fortunate to join the Department of Plastic Surgery, which was responsible for both the first face transplant in the United States, and years later, the youngest face transplant performed to date. During this time, he gained extensive experience in aesthetic surgery, craniofacial surgery, reconstructive surgery, microsurgery, and surgery of the hand and wrist. He worked closely with international leaders in surgery and helped perform operations only offered at a handful of centers in the world. In his last year of training, he served as Chief Resident and enjoyed helping many patients achieve their goals with surgery or injectables in his own cosmetic clinic.
Dr. Couto then completed a fellowship in advanced aesthetic plastic surgery, minimally invasive technology, and cosmetic medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas under Drs. William P. Adams, Jr and Jeffrey M. Kenkel—globally recognized experts in cosmetic surgery. This program is one of the few American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) endorsed fellowships in the world, and consequently, one of the most prestigious aesthetic surgery training programs in the nation. During this time, he was privileged to work alongside and learn from numerous renowned experts in the field of aesthetic plastic surgery, with a distinct focus on the face, nose, breasts, body, and skin rejuvenation.
In July of 2020, Dr. Couto moved back to his homeland of Puerto Rico with his wife and goldendoodle and opened his private practice. In his free time Dr. Couto enjoys playing beach tennis and golf, spending time with his family and bbqing. Presently, Dr. Couto is part of the medical faculty of the San Jorge Children’s Hospital Foundation in San Juan, where they perform reconstructive operations on children and adolescents with craniofacial deformities.
Medical Training at a Glance:
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Couto specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery of the face, breast, and body. He also performs non-surgical cosmetic procedures, such as injectables and skin resurfacing.
Because of his strong passion for facial rejuvenation, Dr. Couto has co-authored multiple scientific articles and book chapters about facelift and necklift. Furthermore, Dr. Couto has been previously selected as a faculty member of the annual American Society Plastic Surgery (ASPS) facial rejuvenation course led by Dr. James E. Zins.
Dr. Couto trained under the guidance of Dr. William P. Adams Jr., a giant in the field of breast cosmetic surgery. He specialized in complex cosmetic breast surgery, including breast revisions and congenital breast anomalies. Together with Dr. Adams, Dr. Couto has published various papers on cosmetic breast surgery in the main journals and textbooks of this field.
Cleveland Clinic Foundation is one of the major surgical centers of the world; therefore, complex surgical cases are the usual for their surgeons. Dr. Couto was part of thousands of complex cosmetic and reconstructive operations, specializing in oncologic skin, breast, musculoskeletal, and head & neck reconstruction.
Natalia was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After completing a Bachelors of Science in Nursing at the University of Miami, she began her journey working as a registered nurse along with Dr. Couto. Today, besides being a nurse, she is our practice manager. Nati’s favorite part of working at Couto Plastic Surgery is developing good and trusting relationships with the patients and guiding them along their entire process with us. Outside of work, she enjoys going to the beach, exploring different parts of the island and being with friends, family and her dogs.
Lymari completed her Bachelor’s in Nursing at NUC University College and earned her Technician’s Degree as a Surgical Assistant at IBC, adding up to 17 years of experience in the healthcare field. She is passionate about seeing the physical changes on all the patients she has been able to collaborate and serve. In her free time, she practices dancing and loves to go for walks with her inseparable dog, Grettha.
I graduated in aesthetics in 2016 from the Antille College of Health, where prior to my studies in aesthetics I graduated in therapeutic massage. As I grew as a professional I discovered that I love educating and helping others develop their potential in this field. My goal is to create a safe space for each of our patients where they can undergo their facial treatments with the certainty that they will be completely satisfied with the results. I love to dance, travel and I am a super dog lover.
Nichole is our medical assistant and content creator. She graduated from Mercy College in New York with a Biology degree and has 3+ years of experience on research in neuroscience. Her future goals consist in furthering her education as a physicians assistant. She is very hardworking and ensures that our patients are comfortable. Outside of work, Nichole is a growing artist/painter and passionate athlete.
Gabriela is our medical assistant. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico where she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Her work in the clinic gives her the support and tools to continue her preparation and start her career in the medical field. She focuses on providing high quality service to our patients and in turn, creating pleasant memories with each one of them. She values spending quality time with her loved ones and family in her free time.
Adriana is our practice administrator and she is an essential part of Couto Plastic Surgery. With a Bachelors in Finance and Business Administration from The Catholic University of America and over 11 years of experience in business, marketing and team leadership. For Adriana, the most important part of the job is making patients feel like family, while ensuring their visits to the clinic go as smooth as possible. Thanks to all of her hard work we are able to focus all of our attention on our patient’s needs. Off duty, Adriana loves the beach, spending time with her friends and planning trips with her family.
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