Gary J. Alter M.D.
A Pioneer in Male and Female Aesthetic Genital Procedures
When we talk about pioneers in the field of plastic surgery, we’re not just talking about someone who discovers a new way to perform surgery. A true pioneer is a surgeon who recognizes areas for growth and pushes the boundaries of the previously accepted limits of plastic surgery to give patients better results that more closely reflect their needs. Dr. Gary Alter is one such surgeon, and as the leading authority on male and female aesthetic genital procedures, his invaluable contributions over the past three decades have completely transformed the field.
Throughout his career, Dr. Alter has utilized his unique skillset and diverse training to forge unprecedented progress in male and female aesthetic genital procedures. As one of the first physicians with Board Certification by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Urology, Dr. Alter’s contributions include inventing the central wedge labiaplasty, or Alter “V” labiaplasty, which revolutionized aesthetic and functional results for patients. He improved upon and invented new techniques for scrotum reduction, created surgical techniques for buried penis, and was an essential founding contributor to modern male-to-female gender confirmation surgery.
Dr. Alter’s breadth of work encompasses numerous research publications, professional speaking engagements, teaching at the UCLA School of Medicine, and treating patients in his bi-coastal and international practice. Revered by his peers and the plastic surgery community at large, Dr. Alter is an active member of multiple prestigious medical associations, including the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, the American Urological Association, and the Sexual Medicine Society of America, just to name a few. His prominence both at home and abroad brings patients to his office from all over the world to seek his uncontested expertise.
Published Work
Along with another esteemed physician, Dr. Richard M. Ehrlich, Dr. Alter published a medical text, Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery of the External Genitalia: Adult and Pediatric, which remains one of the most influential works on the subject. Composed of hundreds of surgical guidelines from urogenital experts both domestically and internationally, Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery represents a wholly comprehensive reference for plastic surgeons. This text was singular at the time, providing the only all-in-one reference that thoroughly explored genital surgery from both a plastic and urologic perspective, offering surgeons and students the most complete look at these nuanced procedures. Paired with hundreds of illustrations and detailed, varied perspectives, Dr. Alter’s text is considered one of the most vital works on plastic and urological genital surgery still today.
National and International Presentations
Today, Dr. Alter is a pillar in the community of plastic surgeons and is a champion of improvement in male and female aesthetic genital procedures, providing crucial educational works to others in the field. He is a regular contributor to national and international conferences, sharing his vast knowledge and expertise to continue the progress in these complex procedures.
Recent Presentations
The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
ISAPS Resident Webinar
April 26, 2025
“Female Genital Aesthetic Surgery” – Gary Alter, MD (USA)
PLASTIC SURGERY “THE MEETING” (ASPS)
The Meeting, San Diego, CA
October 28, 2024
“Female Aesthetic Genital Surgery” – Gary Alter, MD (USA)
The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
World Congress, Cartagena, Colombia
June 11 – 15, 2024
“Reconstruction of Failed Labiaplasties” Gary Alter, MD (USA)
“Treatment of Buried Penis” Gary Alter, MD (USA)
The Argentine Association of Aesthetic Surgery
Asociación Argentina de Cirugía Estética
November 20, 2023
“Female Genital Aesthetic Surgery” Dr. Gary Alter (USA)
The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
Global Leader in Athens, Greece
September, 2023
“Alter Central Wedge Labiaplasty with Anatomical Variations” Gary Alter, MD (USA)
“Management of Buried (Hidden) Penis” Gary Alter, MD (USA)
