Christopher M. Reid, MD
Board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon focused on microsurgical breast reconstruction, limb salvage, and oncologic reconstruction — pioneering the most advanced techniques and protocols to improve patient outcomes and recovery.
At the forefront of reconstructive surgery
Dr. Reid spent nearly two decades at UC San Diego — through medical school, general surgery and plastic surgery residency, and a reconstructive microsurgery fellowship at UCLA — before rising to Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery and Medical Director of UC San Diego Plastic Surgery in La Jolla. In September 2026 he officially joined Scripps Clinic Medical Group, part of Scripps Health, bringing his academic reconstructive practice to a new home in La Jolla.
Pioneered the next-day discharge protocol after microsurgical free flap breast reconstruction, since adopted at multiple institutions.
Author of 87+ peer-reviewed publications and numerous book chapters on reconstructive and oncologic surgery.
Holds three patents for surgical instrumentation, including an automated tissue expander pump and 3D-printed microsurgical clamps.
Led multicenter research on infection prevention in implant-based breast reconstruction.
Board Certification
American Board of Plastic Surgery
Education
B.S., Summa Cum Laude — San Diego State University
M.D. — UC San Diego School of Medicine
Training
General Surgery Residency — UC San Diego
Plastic Surgery Residency — UC San Diego
Reconstructive Microsurgery Fellowship — UCLA
Society Memberships
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgeons
Plastic Surgery Research Council
California Society of Plastic Surgeons — Executive Council, South
Areas of focus
Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
DIEP and PAP flaps using a patient's own tissue without muscle sacrifice, plus other perforator-based techniques.
Next-Day Discharge After Free Flap Surgery
Pioneered and published the protocol enabling postoperative day-one discharge after microsurgical free flap breast reconstruction.
Implant Reconstruction & Infection Prevention
Multicenter infection-prevention research; the PLATE technique, drain-free tissue expander reconstruction, and negative pressure wound therapy.
Limb Salvage
Complex reconstruction for limbs threatened by tumor, trauma, or vascular disease, using free tissue transfer and regenerative techniques.
Oncologic Reconstruction
Restoring form and function after tumor resection, including oncoplastic approaches such as the ICAP flap.
Honors & awards
- 2025Castle Connolly Top Doctor — Plastic Surgery; Best Presentation, Plastic Surgery the Meeting 2025
- 2024Castle Connolly Top Doctor — Plastic Surgery; Best Oral Presentation, 74th Annual CSPS Meeting
- 2021Teacher of the Year — UC San Diego Division of Plastic Surgery
- 2014–18Outstanding Clinical Research Award — UC San Diego Dept. of Surgery (four-time recipient)
- 2012–14ABSITE Score Award — 97th–99th national percentile, three consecutive years
Publications & academic work
Dr. Reid has authored more than 87 peer-reviewed articles, multiple book chapters, and has presented at leading national and international meetings, with research spanning microsurgical outcomes, perioperative innovation, infection prevention, oncologic reconstruction, and healthcare systems research.
- Microsurgical Recovery
Next-day discharge after DIEP flap reconstruction — Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 2025
- Infection Prevention
The PLATE technique for tissue expander breast reconstruction — Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2025
- Implant Salvage
Efficacy of NPWTi-d for infected breast prostheses — Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 2025
- Outcomes Research
Comparative analysis of breast implant illness symptoms across reconstruction types — Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2026
Now with Scripps Health
Dr. Reid has officially joined Scripps Clinic Medical Group, part of Scripps Health, and is welcoming both new and returning patients at his new La Jolla office. His clinical focus, surgical team, and reconstructive care philosophy remain the same — now backed by the resources of one of San Diego's leading health systems.
La Jolla, CA 92037
Get in touch
For appointments or referrals, reach the office directly, or visit Scripps Health online to learn more about scheduling.
- Phone
- Address9834 Genesee Ave, Suite 320
La Jolla, CA 92037 - Email
- PracticeScripps Clinic Medical Group — Scripps Health