Dr. Giriraj Sharma

Dr. Sharma is a Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in Newport and Redondo Beach, California. His practice is devoted specifically to cosmetic surgery of the face and neck, with specialization in deep plane face and neck lift, complex brow and eyelid surgery, lip lift, rhinoplasty and a range of cutting-edge surgical and non-surgical treatments.

Education and Training

Dr. Sharma began his journey in medicine at Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned a degree in Chemistry and received numerous academic scholarships. Next, he pursued his medical degree at the George Washington University School of Medicine, where his outstanding research contributions earned him the prestigious Ammerman Foundation Scholarship.

Following this, Dr. Sharma completed a five-year residency in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), where he served as Chief Resident. To further refine his skills, he was selected for one of North America’s most competitive fellowships in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto, a globally recognized healthcare institution.

Under the mentorship of renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jamil Asaria, Dr. Sharma developed his expertise in complex facial procedures. His exceptional performance during the fellowship earned him the esteemed Kris Conrad Merit Award in Facial Plastic Surgery, recognizing his skill and dedication.

Philosophy and Approach

Dr. Sharma believes facial plastic surgery is a profound decision requiring precision, artistry, and trust. His meticulous attention to detail and dedication to achieving natural, balanced outcomes have established him as a trusted name in facial plastic surgery. As he says, “In enhancing facial aesthetics, preserving one’s identity and maintaining a natural appearance is paramount. The mark of an excellent surgeon is leaving no mark at all.”

BOARD CERTIFICATION

American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS)
American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS)

MEMBERSHIP

Fellow, American College of Surgeons
American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
California Society of Facial Plastic Surgery
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

AWARDS and HONORS

Kris Conrad Merit Award in Facial Plastic Surgery | University of Toronto (2021)
First Place, Triological Society Research Award | Pediatric Otolaryngology (2015) Sections Meeting
First Place, Charles F. Ferguson Clinical Research Award | American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) (2014)
Ammerman Foundation Scholarship | George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (2008)
Stone Memorial Scholarship | Carnegie Mellon University (2004)
Presidential Scholar | Carnegie Mellon University (2004)
National Merit Scholar Finalist (2000)

PUBLICATIONS

SHARMA, GK, Asaria J. The impact of COVID-19 on patient interest in facial plastic surgery. Plast Recontr Surg Glob Open 2021; 9(10):e3890.
SHARMA, GK, Chen LY, Chou L, Badger C, Hong E, Rangarajan S, Chang TH, Armstrong WB, Verma SP, Chen Z, Ramalingam R, Wong BJ. Surface kinematic and depth-resolved analysis of human vocal folds in vivo during phonation using optical coherence tomography. J Biomed Opt 2021; 26(8):086005.
Hakimi AA, SHARMA, GK, Ngo T, Heidari AE, Badger CD, Tripathi PB, Hong EM, Chen Z, Wong BJ. Coupling pressure sensing with optical coherence tomography to evaluate the internal nasal valve. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2021; 130(2): 167-172.
Hakimi AA, Dunn BS, SHARMA, GK, Bhandarkar ND, Wong BJ. Telelecture educational series in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Facial Plast Surg 2020; 36(2) 211-214.
Kozlowski KM, SHARMA, GK, Chen JJ, Qi L, Osann K, Jing JC, Ahuja GS, Heidari AE, Chung PS, Kim S, Chen Z, Wong BJ. Dynamic programming and automated segmentation of optical coherence tomography images of the neonatal subglottis: enabling efficient diagnostics to manage subglottic stenosis. J Biomed Opt 2019; 24(9) 1-8.
Tripathi PB, Majd P, Ngo T, Gu JT, SHARMA, GK, Badger C, Bhandarkar ND, Wong BJ. Evaluation of safety and efficacy for an intranasal airway device in nasal surgery. JAMA Fac Plast Surg 2019; 21(1): 38-43.
Saez N, SHARMA, GK, Barnes CH, Lu Y, Hsu FP, Huoh KC, Djalilian HR, Lin HW. Solid variant of aneurysmal bone cyst of the temporal bone. Ann Oto Rhinol Laryngol 2018; 127(4): 285-290.
SHARMA, GK, Foulad A, Shamouelian D, Bhandarkar ND. Inefficiencies in Computed Tomography sinus imaging for management of sinonasal disease. Oto Head Neck Surg 2017; 156(3): 575-582.
SHARMA, GK, Sofferman RA, Armstrong WB. Evaluation of the American College of Surgeons thyroid and parathyroid ultrasound course: results of a web-based survey. Laryngoscope 2017; 127(8):1950-1958.
SHARMA, GK, Chin Loy A, Su E, Jing J, Chen Z, Wong BJ, Verma SP. Quantitative evaluation of adult subglottic stenosis using intraoperative long-range optical coherence tomography. Ann Oto Rhinol Laryngol 2016; 125(10): 815-822.
Coughlan C, Chou LD, Jing JC, Chen JJ, Rangarajan S, Chang TH, SHARMA, GK, Cho K, Lee D, Goddard JA, Chen Z, Wong BJ. In vivo cross-sectional imaging of the phonating larynx using long-range Doppler optical coherence tomography. Sci Reports 2016; 6: 22792.
SHARMA, GK, Ahuja GS, Wiedmann M, Osann KE, Su E, Heidari AE, Jing JC, Qu Y, Lazarow F, Wang A, Chou L, Uy CC, Dhar V, Cleary JP, Pham N, Huoh K, Chen Z, Wong BJ. Long-range optical coherence tomography of the neonatal upper airway for early diagnosis of intubation-related subglottic injury. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2015; 192(2):1504-1513.
SHARMA, GK, Foulad A, Verma SP. A novel device for measurement of subglottic stenosis during suspension laryngoscopy. JAMA Oto Head Neck Surg 2015; 141(4):377-381.
SHARMA, GK, Verma SP. Is nebulized lidocaine adequate topical anesthesia for transnasal tracheoscopy? Ann Oto Rhinol Laryngol 2015; 124(7):545-549.
Volgger V, SHARMA, GK*, Peaks YA, Loy AC, Lazarow F, Jing J, Wang A, Qu Y, Su E, Chen Z, Ahuja GS, Wong BJ. Long-range Fourier domain optical coherence tomography of the pediatric subglottis. Int J Peds Otorhinol 2015; 79(2):119-126.

*Co-first author

Lazarow FB, Ahuja GS, Chin Loy A, Su E, Nguyen TD, SHARMA, GK, Wang A, Jing J, Chen Z, Wong BJ. Intraoperative long range optical coherence tomography as a novel method of imaging the pediatric upper airway before and after adenotonsillectomy. Int J Peds Otorhinol 2015; 79(1): 63-70.
SHARMA, GK, Dhillon VK, Masood R, Maceri DR. Overexpression of EphB4, EphrinB2 and epidermal growth factor receptor in papillary thyroid carcinoma: a pilot study. Head and Neck. 2014; 37(7):964-969.
Kakarla UK, Kalani MY, SHARMA, GK, Sonntag VK, Theodore N. Surgical management of coccidiomycosis of the spine. J Neurosurg Spine 2011; 15(4):441-446.
SHARMA, GK, Eschbacher JM, Uschold TD, Theodore N. Neuroblastoma-like schwannoma of lumbar spinal nerve root. J Neurosurg Spine 2010; 13(1):82-86.
SHARMA, GK, Gilson MM, Nathan H, Makary MA. Needlestick injuries among medical students: incidence and implications. Academic Medicine 2009; 84(12):1815-1821.
Chang SW, Kakarla UK, SHARMA, GK, Spetzler RF. Posterior inferior cerebellar artery origin thrombosis with aneurysm of collateralized posterior meningeal artery presenting as subarachnoid hemorrhage: case report. Neurosurgery 2009; 65(4):E818-9.
SHARMA, GK, Kucia EJ, Spetzler RF. Spontaneous intramedullary hemorrhage of spinal hemangioblastoma: case report. Neurosurgery 2009; 65(3):627-628.
SHARMA, GK, Deshmukh VR, Albuquerque FC, Wolf TR, McDougall CG. Resolution of mydriatic pupil after angioplasty and stenting of cervical internal carotid artery dissection: case report. Neurosurgery 2009; 64(3):562-563.
Clemo HR, SHARMA, GK, Allman BL, Meredith MA. Auditory projections to extrastriate visual cortex: connectional basis for multisensory processing in ‘unimodal’ visual neurons. Exp Brain Research 2008; 191(1):37-47.
Vates JR, Hetrick JL, Lavin KL, SHARMA, GK, Wagner RL, Johnson JT. Protecting medical record information: start your research registries today. Laryngoscope 2005; 115(3):441-444.

BOOK CHAPTERS

SHARMA, GK, Boeckmann JO, Wong BJ. Evidence-Based Medicine. In Wong BJ, Arnold MG, Boeckmann JO (eds): Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: A comprehensive study guide. Springer, 2016. ISBN-10: 3319180347.
SHARMA, GK, Rubinstein M, Betz CS, Wong BJ. Optical coherence tomography of malignancies of the head and neck. In Wong BJ (ed): Biomedical Photonics in Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Springer, 2016. ISBN-10:
SHARMA, GK, Wong BJ. Optical coherence tomography of the oral cavity and pharynx: normative anatomy and benign processes. In Wong BJ (ed): Biomedical Photonics in Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Springer, 2016. ISBN-10:
SHARMA, GK, Wong BJ. Optical coherence tomography of the larynx: normative anatomy and benign processes. In Wong BJ (ed): Biomedical Photonics in Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Springer, 2016. ISBN-10:
Venbrux AC, SHARMA, GK, Jackson ET, Harper AP, Hover L. Pelvic Varices Embolization. In Ignacio EA, Venbrux AC (eds): Women’s Health in Interventional Radiology. Springer, 2012. ISBN-10: 1441958754.

Research and Innovation

Dr. Sharma’s dedication to advancing the field of facial plastic surgery is evident in his robust portfolio of research publications and national presentations. His work spans topics such as optical coherence tomography in facial surgery, innovations in rhinoplasty, and pediatric airway imaging.

A Personal Touch

Beyond the operating room, Dr. Sharma is known for his approachable demeanor and genuine patient care. He does not take patient’s trust lightly, and his holistic approach ensures that each patient’s unique goals and concerns are addressed with compassion and precision.

NATIONAL PRESENTATIONS

“High-resolution in vivo coronal cross-sectional imaging of the vocal fold during phonation using long-range optical coherence tomography: first report of a novel diagnostic tool to evaluate vocal fold morphometry and kinematics”. American Laryngological Association (ALA) 2018 annual meeting at COSM | April 19, 2018
“Incidence of post-operative hemorrhage following total tonsillectomy and coblation intracapsular tonsillectomy: results of a single, tertiary care pediatric hospital”. SENTAC 2017 Annual meeting. Toronto, CA | December 1-3, 2017
“A novel image analysis approach to Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography of the neonatal airway to quantify early structural and histopathological mucosal changes associated with neonatal subglottic stenosis: relative “fuzzy” connectedness”. ASPO 2015 annual meeting at COSM | Boston, MA
“Vertical cavity surface emission laser-based optical coherence tomography and optical Doppler tomography of the vocal folds”. BiOS 2015 at SPIE Photonics West | San Francisco, CA. February 7-8, 2015
“Office-based long-range optical coherence tomography of the pediatric upper airway: objective analysis of airway obstruction”. The Society for Ear, Nose and Throat Advances in Children (SENTAC) 2014 annual meeting | St. Louis, MO. December 4-7, 2014

“In vivo high-speed optical coherence tomography of the neonatal subglottis for early identification of subglottic stenosis”. American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) 2104 annual meeting at Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM) | Las Vegas, NV. May 18, 2014
“High-speed swept source optical coherence tomography and optical Doppler tomography of vibrating vocal folds”. American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS) | Phoenix, AZ. April 5, 2014
“Digital 3-D modeling of the pediatric subglottis based on optical coherence tomography: a preliminary investigation”. Biomedical Optics Conference (BiOS) 2014 at SPIE Photonics West | San Francisco, CA. February 1-6, 2014
"HIPAA and its far-reaching impact on patients’ rights”. The Triological Society, Eastern Section annual meeting. New York, NY | January 24, 2004