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 highly trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in refined facial, breast, and body procedures, with advanced surgical training from the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Driven by a deep commitment to excellence, innovation, and scientific advancement, he has trained alongside internationally recognized leaders in plastic surgery and has made meaningful clinical and academic contributions to the field.
He has lectured and published more than 50 times on aesthetic surgery, pediatric plastic surgery, congenital anomalies, and reconstructive surgery following cancer treatment.
His dedication to service extends beyond the operating room through numerous medical mission trips across Latin America and Puerto Rico, where he has provided reconstructive surgery for children with congenital deformities.
As medical director of Couto Plastic Surgery, Dr. Couto is devoted to helping each patient achieve natural-looking, elegant results while enhancing both aesthetic appearance and function through advanced surgical techniques, non-surgical treatments, and minimally invasive technology.
Dr. Couto currently serves as vice president of the Aesthetic Foundation, the academic and research arm of The Aesthetic Society. In this leadership role, he actively advances scientific research, innovation, technology, and education that support excellence and safety in aesthetic surgery and medicine. His commitment to collaboration and continuous learning reflects a lasting dedication to elevating the specialty for both patients and practitioners.
Education and Training
Dr. Rafael A. Couto completed his bachelor’s degree at Boston University and earned his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. During medical school, he was selected for a clinical subspecialty in lymphedema and vascular anomalies and conducted translational clinical research at the prestigious Boston Children’s Hospital of Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Couto completed his plastic and reconstructive surgery training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio, under the direction of Dr. James E. Zins, department chair and renowned expert in facial aesthetic surgery. The Cleveland Clinic has been consistently recognized among the world’s leading hospitals by Newsweek and Becker’s Hospital Review, and among the top hospitals in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. During his training, Dr. Couto joined a Department of Plastic Surgery distinguished for performing the first face transplant in the United States and, years later, the youngest face transplant patient to date. There, he gained extensive experience in aesthetic surgery, craniofacial surgery, reconstructive surgery, microsurgery, and hand and wrist surgery, while working closely with international leaders and participating in highly specialized procedures offered at only select centers worldwide. In his final year, he served as chief resident and helped numerous patients achieve their aesthetic goals through surgery and injectable treatments in his own cosmetic clinic.
He then completed advanced subspecialty training in aesthetic plastic surgery, minimally invasive technology, and cosmetic medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, under the direction of Drs. William P. Adams Jr. and Jeffrey M. Kenkel, internationally renowned authorities in aesthetic surgery. This program is one of the few subspecialties endorsed by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, also known as The Aesthetic Society, and is regarded among the most prestigious aesthetic surgery training programs in the country. During this fellowship, Dr. Couto trained with leading experts in aesthetic plastic surgery, with a refined focus on rejuvenation of the face, nose, breasts, body, and skin.
In July 2020, Dr. Couto returned to his homeland of Puerto Rico with his wife and their goldendoodle to establish his private practice. Outside of medicine, he enjoys playing beach tennis and golf, spending time with his family, and barbecuing. He also serves on the medical faculty of the San Jorge Children’s Hospital Foundation in San Juan, where he performs reconstructive surgery for children and adolescents with craniofacial deformities.
Specialty Certification Summary:
Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)
Plastic and reconstructive surgery residency: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Aesthetic plastic surgery subspecialty training: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) Research subspecialty in lymphedema and vascular anomalies: Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
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.
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.
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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