Dr. Michael Niccole is happiest when he does a surgery to improve a person’s looks.
“I love what I do—I make people feel fabulous,” he said in a video on his website. “Every day, you walk into your office and you did a nose job, a mommy makeover, a liposuction, and that patient is smiling from earlobe to earlobe.”
Since 1982, when he opened his plastic surgery practice, he’s helped thousands of people improve their noses, eyelids, ears, and body. He has provided advice on national media shows including ABC’s Barbara Walters and CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
Niccole, founder of Corona del Mar-based CosmetiCare Plastic Surgery Center and MedSpa, was awarded in the medium-sized business category at the Business Journal’s 20th annual Family-Owned Business Awards on June 4 at Hotel Irvine (see other profiles, pages 1, 14, and 16). He told the audience of about 300 that he was surprised to win the award, calling it an honor.
“I lived in Orange County for 70 years—I’ve been in business for 40,” Niccole told the audience.
“All these years before, no one said anything—I was not expecting this. Everything we’ve done, we’ve done as a family. It was rewarding itself; (this prize is) like winning the lottery.”
War Stories
Five years after Niccole graduated from University of California-Irvine School of Medicine, he opened his practice with a few nurses.
“I initially got involved as a young man when I read a lot of war stories about soldiers coming back with deformities and these famous plastic surgeons who were putting them back together again like a puzzle,” he said in the video on his website. “It intrigued me.”
He is double-board certified as a plastic surgeon and an ear, nose, and throat specialist. He employs 35, including four other board certified plastic surgeons, while also running a spa and other facilities. Patients come from around the world, including Germany, Israel, and Costa Rica.
Niccole has built his practice to include family members, including son Devon Niccole as chief executive, wife Penny Niccole on the board of directors, and daughter Charm Niccole as digital content contributor.
“They all work with me on some aspect of the business,” Niccole said. “We are all very close.”
The main work is breast surgery—more than 1,000 a year. About 5% of the surgeries are “redos” to fix previously botched surgeries of other surgeons. He has a passion for facial rejuvenation, which are subtle facelifts that get rid of fine lines and wrinkles.
“I love to do noses, whether they are obstructed noses where they cannot breathe, or noses that want to look prettier.”
Bullied Makeovers
Niccole has a special place in his heart for helping the unfortunate such as people who are disfigured or have cancer. Humanitarian efforts are “extremely rewarding.”
“We still donate free surgery—we do bullied kids, domestic violence, we do all kinds of things,” he said. “We’ve been doing fundraisers—for how many years—from City of Hope to when they first opened Planet Hollywood with Arnold Schwarzenegger—that’s how long I’ve been doing this.”
He never imagined that his company would be recognized among the business community.
“I am just so honored to get this beautiful trophy here, I’m honored—I’m inspired,” he said.
However, Niccole quickly left the ceremony that honored him, saying he received a summons from his office that he was needed by a patient.
