Founder & plastic surgeon
Saiqa Khan, MD, FACS
Board-certified by the American Board of Surgery · Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
A Harvard-trained plastic surgeon, Dr. Khan completed her plastic surgery research fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital and a three-year dedicated plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at Beth Israel Lahey Health. She founded Empowered Plastic Surgery in Sugar Land to give every patient a surgeon who plans around their anatomy and goals, speaks candidly about what is realistic, and offers a real choice in how surgery feels.
- CertificationAmerican Board of Surgery
- FellowAmerican College of Surgeons (FACS)
- FellowshipPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Beth Israel Lahey Health
- Research fellowshipHarvard Medical School / Massachusetts General Hospital
- Care offered inEnglish and Spanish
Her approach
Listen first. Plan precisely. Leave you looking like you.
Dr. Khan's practice centers on facial and body rejuvenation, body contouring, breast surgery and mommy makeovers, with a particular focus on performing select procedures while patients are awake under local anesthesia.
Every plan starts with an hour-long conversation. She examines, asks what you want to change and what you want to keep, and tells you honestly which procedure fits, which does not, and what recovery will ask of you. Natural-looking results come from restraint and proportion, not from doing the most.
Comfort is part of the plan, too. For appropriate candidates and procedures she offers an awake approach under local tumescent anesthesia; for others, general anesthesia is the right choice. Either way, you decide with her, not for her.
Signature procedures
Plus facial surgery, breast lift and reduction, body lifts, MedSpa treatments and after-weight-loss care. All procedures
Education & training
Dallas, Harvard, Sugar Land.
After medical school at UT Southwestern, Dr. Khan trained in general surgery at Baystate Medical Center, completed a two-year plastic surgery research fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, and completed a three-year dedicated plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at Beth Israel Lahey Health before returning to Texas to found the practice.
- 2018 – 2021Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship (three-year dedicated fellowship)Beth Israel Lahey Health
- 2011 – 2018General Surgery ResidencyBaystate Medical Center (University of Massachusetts)
- 2013 – 2015Research Fellowship in Plastic SurgeryHarvard Medical School / Massachusetts General Hospital
- 2007 – 2011Doctor of MedicineUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas
- 2003 – 2007B.S. Biochemistry, cum laudeSouthern Methodist University
Research & publications
A surgeon who has published as well as practiced.
Dr. Khan's research fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital produced peer-reviewed work on wound healing, scar remodeling and skin regeneration, and she continued publishing clinical reports through her plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at Beth Israel Lahey Health: 15 peer-reviewed publications, 3 as first author, each linked to its PubMed or journal record. She has also taught surgical residents and served on American Society of Plastic Surgeons committees.
- Sparing the Paramedian Forehead Flap for Reconstruction of Large Nasal and Cheek DefectsDermatologic Surgery, 2021 · first author
- Dermatologic Biopsy of Silicone Nasal Implant and Revision Rhinoplasty in the Asian Patient, A Cautionary ReportAnnals of Plastic Surgery, 2019 · first author
- Eradication of multidrug-resistant pseudomonas biofilm with pulsed electric fieldsBiotechnology and Bioengineering, 2016 · first author
- Ethnic Disparities in Thrombotic and Bleeding Diatheses Revisited: A Systematic Review of Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction across the East and WestJournal of Reconstructive Microsurgery, 2022
- Skin regeneration with all accessory organs following ablation with irreversible electroporationJournal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 2018
Recognition
- Top Doctor in Houston2021
- Exceptional Woman in Health Care2021
- First place, basic science — Harvard Surgery Research DayHarvard Surgery Research Day (Harvard Medical School teaching hospitals) · 2015
- Best paper, Best of State and Regional Societies — Plastic Surgery The MeetingAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons · New England Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons · 2015
- Joseph E. Murray, MD Award2015
- Outstanding Academic Achievement in Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryBeth Israel Lahey Health · 2019
Earlier recognition and scholarships
- Golden Apple Teacher of the Year2018Teacher of the Year recognition during her surgical training years.
- Southern Regional Meeting research awardAmerican Federation for Medical Research (Southern region) · 2009Trainee research recognition at the AFMR / Southern Society for Clinical Investigation regional meeting while a medical student at UT Southwestern.
- Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program — Parkland internConrad Leadership Program / Parkland Health · 2005A Dallas leadership and internship programme for college students, named for physician and school-board leader Dr. Emmett J. Conrad; recognised for leadership and commitment during the Parkland placement.
- Leadership Scholar Award (scholarship)Southern Methodist University · 2003–2007Undergraduate scholarship award.
- Bertha M. Huffington Award (scholarship)Southern Methodist University · 2003–2007Undergraduate scholarship award.
Recognition as confirmed by Dr. Khan and recorded in her professional record; the 2015 ASPS presentation is also documented in the public meeting programme.
Professional affiliations
Part of the profession, not just the practice.
Membership in a society reflects participation in the specialty's professional community; it is not a certification and does not imply a society's endorsement. Board certification is listed separately above.
Professional societies
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- The Aesthetic Society (ASAPS)
- Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Houston Society of Plastic Surgeons
- American College of Surgeons
- Association of Women Surgeons
- American Federation for Medical Research
Membership as recorded by the practice, with the year it began.
Mentorship and leadership
- Women of Color in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
During training
- Massachusetts Medical Society
- Texas Medical Association
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Society, UT Southwestern
Honor societies and alumni
- Alpha Epsilon Delta (pre-health honor society)
- Alpha Lambda Delta (first-year honor society)
- Society of the Sacred Heart
Community and mentorship
Service has run alongside surgery from the start.
- 2024Founder, MotherWifeSurgeonAn initiative Dr. Khan founded to support and empower families in the special-needs community, drawing on her own experience as a mother.
- 2021Career Day mentor and panelistMentoring and speaking to high-school students interested in science, technology and medicine.
- 2020Founder, Charity Art Shop · proceeds donated to Lahey Hospital & Medical CenterDuring COVID-19 she founded a charity art shop to support frontline healthcare workers, donating the proceeds to her training hospital.
- 2014Medical mission trip · Mission to HealVolunteer surgical mission work during her MGH research fellowship years.
- 2009Volunteer medical mission tripVolunteer medical mission as a medical student.
- 2007–2011Volunteer, Monday ClinicA student-run free clinic providing healthcare to uninsured patients during medical school in Dallas.
- 2005Volunteer, Bryan’s House · DallasA Dallas nonprofit caring for children with medical and developmental needs.
- 2004Volunteer, LoveLife Youth Center and Acres of Love · South AfricaYouth-centre and orphanage volunteering as an undergraduate.
A mother of two, with a dog and two ball pythons at home.
FAQ
About Dr. Khan
Every answer here is general information. Your own plan, risks and recovery are discussed in person at your consultation.
Is Dr. Khan board certified?
Dr. Khan is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery, a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). She completed a three-year dedicated plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at Beth Israel Lahey Health and a plastic surgery research fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. You can verify certification directly with the American Board of Surgery.
What does "Harvard-trained" mean here?
Dr. Khan completed a two-year plastic surgery research fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital (2013–2015). Her medical degree is from UT Southwestern Medical School, her general surgery residency was at Baystate Medical Center, and her three-year dedicated plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship was at Beth Israel Lahey Health.
Does Dr. Khan perform every procedure herself?
Yes. Empowered Plastic Surgery is a solo-surgeon practice. Dr. Khan conducts your consultation, plans your procedure and performs it.
Why do patients choose a woman surgeon?
Many patients say they feel more comfortable talking candidly about their body and their goals with a woman who shares that perspective. Dr. Khan founded the practice to be a space where those conversations are easy to have, whoever you are.
Does Dr. Khan see patients from outside Houston?
Yes. Patients come from across Greater Houston, from other states and from outside the country. A virtual consultation can be a useful first step for anyone traveling, subject to applicable rules; in-person evaluation is required before surgery is scheduled.
Is care available in Spanish?
Patient care at the practice is offered in English and Spanish.
Request a consultation
Meet Dr. Khan in person.
Consultation fees are currently waived. Plan on about an hour with Dr. Khan, in person in Sugar Land or virtually, to talk through goals, candidacy and the approach that fits you.
New patients can book a consultation; existing patients can book a treatment, follow-up or post-op visit. Opens PatientNow’s secure booking page in a new tab.
Call (281) 716-3224 · Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sugar Land, Texas · Virtual consultations available