Deborah Watson, MD

Deborah Watson, MD, is a board-certified surgeon focusing on rhinoplasty (plastic surgery of the nose), nasal reconstruction, external ear reconstruction, and cosmetic facial plastic surgery.

Dr. Watson is a fellow in the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and was named a "Top Doc" in San Diego Magazine in the field of Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat).

Dr. Watson has an extensive research background and is currently pursuing research in tissue-engineered cartilage for its use in craniofacial reconstruction. The future application of this tissue technology will benefit individuals who have birth defects involving the cartilage framework of their nose or ears, or have acquired deformities of these facial areas from trauma, cancer resection or aggressive alterations from previous surgery.

Dr. Watson is a professor for the Department of Surgery at the University of California, San Diego, School Of Medicine, director of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the UC San Diego Medical Center, and residency director for the division of Head and Neck Surgical Training Program.

Dr. Watson earned her medical degree from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She completed her general surgery and otolaryngology head and neck surgery residencies at the UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Watson did a fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Illinois in Chicago, and had the privilege of training with internationally-renowned facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons.

When not at work, Dr. Watson enjoys drawing, painting, sculpting and calligraphy. She is a recognized artist and sculptor with her work displayed at art exhibitions and published in journals and magazine. She finds that her artistic talent enhances her surgical and reconstructive expertise.

UC San Diego Health Links
For more information, see ENT / Head and Neck.