Meet Ankit Desai, MD, FACS

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in Jacksonville, Florida

Dr. Ankit Desai is a board-certified plastic surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) with more than 15 years of experience in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. As Lead Plastic Surgeon at the Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Desai brings a rare level of expertise in complex microsurgical reconstruction alongside advanced cosmetic surgery techniques.

Dr. Desai is known for his precision, artistic eye, and commitment to delivering natural, individualized results. His practice blends innovation, safety, and patient-centered care, making him a trusted choice for both reconstructive and aesthetic procedures.

Dr. Ankit Desai, plastic surgeon in Jacksonville, Florida

Education, Training, and Credentials

A Jacksonville native, Dr. Desai began his academic journey at The Bolles School before attending Johns Hopkins University, where he studied biomedical engineering. He went on to the University of Florida through the highly selective Junior Honors Medical Program, earning his Doctor of Medicine while serving as class president for four consecutive years—an early reflection of his leadership and dedication.

He completed rigorous surgical training, including:

Doctor of Medicine – University of Florida College of Medicine
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Residency – Saint Louis University
General Surgery Training – Saint Louis University
Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship – University of Alabama at Birmingham

Dr. Desai is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has maintained continuous certification since 2009. He became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 2011.

View Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Ankit Desai’s Leadership, Clinical Excellence & Academic Contributions

In addition to his role at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Desai has held numerous leadership positions, reflecting both surgical excellence and peer respect:

Chief of Plastic Surgery – Baptist Jacksonville, Baptist Beaches, and St. Vincent’s Riverside
Chief of Surgery – Baptist South Hospital
Chief of Staff – Baptist South Hospital
Surgical Service Line Medical Director – Baptist Health

He also serves as Owner and Plastic Surgeon at Florida Plastic Surgery Group.

Dr. Desai has been actively involved in education and research throughout his career. He previously served as a Clinical Instructor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and has delivered lectures on advanced topics, including DIEP flap breast reconstruction, breast augmentation, and facial rejuvenation.

His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, and he has presented at national plastic surgery conferences, contributing to advancements in both reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.

Areas of Expertise & Procedures Performed

Dr. Desai offers a comprehensive range of surgical procedures, with particular expertise in both advanced reconstruction and aesthetic refinement.

Breast Surgery

Microsurgical breast reconstruction, including DIEP flap and advanced free flap techniques
Implant-based breast reconstruction
Breast augmentation (silicone, saline, and fat transfer/composite augmentation)
Breast lift
Breast reduction
Revision breast surgery

Body Contouring

Facial Rejuvenation

Facelift surgery, including Deep Plane Facelift and Deep Plane Neck Lift
Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)

Additional Procedures

Leadership, Teaching & Research

Dr. Desai has served as Chief of Plastic Surgery at Baptist Jacksonville, Baptist Beaches, and St. Vincent’s Riverside, as well as Chief of Surgery and Chief of Staff at Baptist South Hospital. He maintains privileges at Baptist South, Baptist Jacksonville, Baptist Beaches, St. Vincent’s Riverside, and St. Vincent’s Southside.

An accomplished author and educator, Dr. Desai has published peer-reviewed research, presented at national plastic surgery conferences, and provides patient education through his website, videos, and RealSelf Q&A contributions.

Professional Memberships

Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Desai’s dedication to excellence has earned him consistent recognition locally and nationally:

Jacksonville Magazine Top Doctor in Plastic Surgery – 15+ years running
Castle Connolly Top Doctor in Plastic Surgery – 10+ years
Newsweek America’s Best Plastic Surgeons (multiple years, with highlights in Breast Augmentation, Facelift, and Liposuction)
Vitals Patients’ Choice Award
Vitals Compassionate Doctor Award
RealSelf Verified Doctor and RealSelf Top Doctor Recognition

Logos of Dr. Desai's achievements

Community Involvement

Dr. Desai is deeply committed to giving back to the Jacksonville community. He has served on the Board of Directors for Susan G. Komen North Florida and as its President. He also supports organizations such as Bosom Buddies and the Pink Ribbon Symposium, helping to advance breast cancer awareness, education, and early detection.

A Personalized Approach to Care

Dr. Desai believes that every patient deserves a customized surgical plan tailored to their anatomy, goals, and lifestyle. Whether performing complex microsurgical reconstruction or aesthetic enhancement, his approach prioritizes safety, precision, and natural-looking outcomes.

Introducing Dr. Ankit Desai, FACS: Leading Surgeon at Florida Plastic Surgery Group

On a Personal Note

Outside of his surgical practice, Dr. Desai is a devoted husband and father of two. He enjoys traveling with his family, spending time outdoors, and relaxing on the golf course.

I no longer feel self-conscious.

I am extremely happy with the result. The actual surgical procedure was easy. I was only out of work for a couple of days. I was careful with lifting a lot longer but got right back to living my life quickly. I no longer feel self-conscious. Dr Desai is a compassionate person. His staff is kind. I can’t say thank you enough!!

I feel like me again! Thank you, Dr. Desai!

Dr. Desai gave me my life back! After having a double mastectomy in March of 2017, he performed the Diep Flap procedure on me on Dec. 8, 2017, as part of my breast reconstruction. I can’t express how thankful I am to have had him as my surgeon. He is so professional and caring about his patients, and his staff is also excellent! Before I went to sleep in sur...

I took his advice! He knows best!

Before the surgery, I was a 34A cup and now I’m wearing 34D. I’m so happy with my results, they look and feel very natural. They are the perfect size for my body. I went with a 400 cc silicone gel, which ended up being the perfect implant size for my body. My body looks more proportional now than it did before the surgery. I am so glad that I didn’t pick a s...

To say I am extremely pleased with my results is an understatement.

Let me first begin by stating that anyone in Jacksonville, FL or within a 200 mile radius should not think twice about selecting Dr. Ankit Desai as their choice of Plastic Surgeon! After having bariatric surgery and losing 150 lbs., I was referred to Dr. Desai by the physician who performed my surgery. I had 3 other consultations with various well known surg...

Extremely gifted…

Dr. Desai is an amazing surgeon who is caring and empathetic. He is also extremely gifted when it comes to his craft, and I am very pleased with my results. I would definitely recommend Dr. Desai to anyone needing reconstructive surgery.

I can’t say enough glowing things…

Dr. Desai, Alana and all of the staff at this office are knowledgeable, compassionate and patient. It’s evident the entire team shares a similar philosophy on patient care. Let’s face it, finding people who will consistently go above and beyond at every level within an organization isn’t always easy, however they’ve nailed it. I can’t say enough glowing thin...

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