The narrative of Dr. Michael Kwame Obeng, one of the most sought-after Black plastic surgeons in the United States, is a testament to unwavering ambition, chronicled during a 24-hour immersion by Steven Ndukwu's Channel. Born and raised in Ghana, Dr. Obeng’s journey from extreme poverty to the pinnacle of cosmetic surgery in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles—known as the cosmetic capital of America—is "just unbelievable". He grew up without basic amenities like a toothbrush or indoor toilet, famously recalling that he once grew up "wiping their butt with corn husk". Fast forward 33 years, he is now "driving around in Beverly Hills in a Rolls Royce".
The decision to leave Ghana was made at an early age, around 13 or 14, fueled by the conviction that "if I was in Ghana, I don't think I would be a doctor". Obeng described his arrival in the U.S. as a "miracle" and "a dream for most Africans". His entry into the country was strategic: despite math being his strongest field, and having been placed in engineering school in Ghana, he told U.S. immigration officials he was coming to study agriculture engineering, claiming his father owned a farm and wanted him to return to take over. This calculated move secured his visa in 1993.
Upon arrival in America, Dr. Obeng immediately deferred his schooling plan, recognizing that he needed to work first. He found employment quickly, often working "under the table," which he acknowledged is what most immigrants do. Within a week of arriving, he secured a job at a Mediterranean bakery, and by his second week, he was cutting meat—a task he loathed, having grown up in Ghana disliking meat due to unsanitary conditions. His trajectory changed when a Ghanaian woman recognized him at the meat counter, telling him in his native language, "Young man, you're so handsome this job doesn't suit you" and offering to help him find a better job.
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Dr. Obeng's medical career ultimately flourished in Beverly Hills, a market fueled by Hollywood’s “obsession with beauty” and the “constant demand for camera ready perfection”. He achieved board certification, an exclusive league of less than 10,000 surgeons globally. His office itself is reflective of his stature, boasting sophisticated equipment, including access to a mini-C-arm for X-rays, a procedure room for smaller cases like "weight liposuction," and his Harvard diploma displayed prominently. He is known not only for cosmetic enhancements but also for complex reconstruction and revisions, earning him the nickname "the surgeon's surgeon" from colleagues—meaning "if the surgeon can't fix the problem, they'll call me".
During consultations, Dr. Obeng emphasizes realistic expectations and turns away patients suffering from "body dysmorphia" who seek fixes for problems that do not exist. He explained that it’s not about the money, as God has "blessed" him with enough. He showcased a patient consultation where he recommended liposuction (lipo 360), buttock augmentation, arm tightening, and potentially even the removal of the 11th and 12th ribs to streamline the waist. Following a successful three-hour breast reduction surgery, which removed breast tissue that is typically 40 to 60% fat, the patient was expected to be awake, in recovery for 45 minutes to an hour, and then ready to go home.
Dr. Obeng also uses his skills for profound humanitarian work through his organization, Restore, which performs free reconstruction surgery on the continent and in South America. He cites the case of Onyi, a young lady from Nigeria involved in a life-altering car accident in Lagos, as one of his most memorable transformations. After four surgeries, Onyi was nominated as a "patient of courage" by the American Society of Plastic Surgeon, a recognition that awards $5,000 for charity and uses her story to "uplift people encourage and motivate".
The surgeon’s ultimate success in Beverly Hills was hard-won. When he decided to leave his previous high-paying job as the youngest chief of plastic surgery in Ohio, his financial planner warned him he was "committing career suicide" and wouldn't last six months in California, especially coming after the 2008 financial crash. His response was resolute: "If I can't believe in myself, who's gonna believe in me?". Now in his 14th year in Beverly Hills, he attributes his ability to overcome challenges to breaking down large goals into "prison sentences" of manageable time periods—such as four years of medical school or six years of plastic surgery—and always keeping the end result in sight.
For aspiring Africans dreaming of similar opportunities, Dr. Obeng’s advice is clear: "don't give up" and find a good mentor. He affirms that America is still the "land of opportunities," but success demands perseverance, hard work, and unshakeable belief, emphasizing that "when you tell me that I can't do something, that's all I need to hear".
