Meet Dr. Lauren Crawford

Female Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in Austin, TX

As a former college athlete, Dr. Lauren Crawford brings a unique perspective to the rigorous demands of becoming a surgeon. Her work ethic and leadership have propelled her to the top of her field, but her dedication and collaborative team spirit have endeared her to her patients. Learn more about what makes Dr. Crawford one of the best female board-certified plastic surgeons in Austin, Texas.

Credentials At A Glance

Education

• Residency – University of Missouri
• Doctor of Medicine (MD) – University of Texas School of Medicine
• Undergraduate – Texas A&M University

Society Memberships

• Board Certification – The American Board of Plastic Surgery
• Licensure – Physician and Surgeon, State of Texas

Credentials

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• Austin Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
• Travis County Medical Society

View Dr. Crawford’s CV

A Track Record of Educational Excellence

On the pre-med track from day 1 of college, Dr. Crawford’s time at Texas A&M is marked by 2 particularly impressive achievements: She was an All-American track and cross-country runner, letter-winner, and Big 12 Academic First Team member, and she graduated cum laude with a zoology major and a chemistry minor in just 3 years.

The former collegiate athlete earned numerous scholarships and academic accolades, including memberships in multiple honor societies. Dr. Crawford carried her impeccable performance in and out of the classroom to medical school, studying at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio’s School of Medicine.

Not only was she inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society, but Dr. Crawford also earned the Glasgow-Rubin Achievement Award, which honors female students who graduate in the top 10% of their medical school class.

Top-Tier Training and Research

Dr. Crawford relocated to Columbia, Missouri, to begin her post-graduate training. She completed a rigorous 6-year integrated plastic surgery residency program at the University of Missouri. During this time, Dr. Crawford was active in publishing and presenting novel research to advance understanding in both the aesthetic and reconstructive areas of plastic surgery.

Her body of work centered on enhancing surgical outcomes, particularly in breast reduction, fat grafting, and cleft lip and palate repair. A grant she received further supported her research on nerve repair protocols, contributing to a broader understanding of nerve healing. Dr. Crawford also developed risk assessment tools to help surgeons better anticipate and manage potential complications, further advancing care in her field.

I love the versatility of [plastic surgery]. We are operating all over the body and tailoring surgical needs to those best suited for our patients. There is no other specialty in medicine quite like that. … We plan a surgery, execute it, and get to see results almost immediately. It makes our work satisfying in so many ways.”

– Dr. Lauren Crawford

Special Clinical Interests

“All the surgeries I perform are important and enjoyable to me,” says Dr. Crawford, and her impressive breadth and depth of experience reflect her talent in all areas of plastic surgery. However, she has a particular passion for helping women restore their bodies after pregnancy and weight loss, which frequently involves the following procedures:

She is also one of the few plastic surgeons in the area trained in nonsurgical FaceTite and BodyTite technology, which can help with skin tightening in the right patient.

A Vibrant Professional Life

After completing her residency, Dr. Crawford returned to her home state of Texas and settled in Austin, where she has been in private practice since 2010. From the very beginning of her career, Dr. Crawford has distinguished herself, earning a “Woman of the Year” award from the National Association of Professional Women in 2011 and being invited as a guest expert for DocTalk, a local television program.

Dr. Crawford has also been featured in Austin Monthly as a Top Doctor. This recognition is conferred by her fellow surgeons and acknowledges her excellence in the medical field. With both print and television appearances under her belt, Dr. Crawford continues to be a trusted source of sound medical advice and warm, approachable care through the educational content she creates on social media.

I have true friendships with some of the best surgeons in Austin, and it is a privilege to operate and see patients alongside them. It makes me proud to be a part of this group who has served patients in such a consistently great and safe manner for so many years.”

– Dr. Lauren Crawford

Outreach

Since her return to Austin, Dr. Crawford has frequently volunteered her surgical skills and time. For over a decade, she has participated in annual humanitarian trips to Guatemala and El Salvador through Austin Smiles, an organization that sends plastic surgeons to Central America to treat children with cleft lips and palates. Dr. Crawford even served on their board from 2017 to 2019.

In addition to Austin Smiles, Dr. Crawford’s philanthropy extends to a number of deserving organizations supporting the arts and vulnerable populations:

• SAFE Alliance
• NPR
• Sonic Guild (formerly Black Fret)
• Meals on Wheels

She also adopted her beloved dog, Josie, from Austin Pets Alive in 2019.

I find that being a female helps me instantly connect to [my patients’] stories and develop an easy empathy for concerns regarding the contouring of the female form.”

– Dr. Lauren Crawford

Creating a Sisterhood

As one of the few female plastic surgeons in the area, Dr. Crawford started a networking group for women physicians called Lady Docs of Austin in 2015. She currently serves as the organization’s administrator and is heavily involved with Travis County Medical Society’s Women in Medicine committee.

When it comes to her patients—the vast majority of whom are female—Dr. Crawford brings her own lived experience and compassion to each consultation. She explains:

As a mother of two, I also carry a deep understanding of the body changes associated with pregnancy. Shared experiences always help in forming that initial bond and trust with my patients. I treasure that.”

In turn, her patients treasure their time with Dr. Crawford, praising her soft touch, focus on patient education, and how she makes them feel heard and cared for at every step of their surgical journeys. See for yourself what her patients say on our Reviews page.

A Holistic Patient Approach

Dr. Crawford sees her role as more than just a plastic surgeon. She sees herself as an advocate and coach for her patients, adopting a “whole patient” mentality when planning treatment. This nonjudgmental approach may entail talking patients through their menopause concerns or guiding them in setting realistic health goals with sustainable eating and fitness practices to suit their lifestyles.

As she puts it:

There is so much that happens in life that prevents us from being our healthiest selves. If I can offer some gentle advice to help people get on track to better health, I love being part of that aspect of their care, too.”

Dr. Crawford strives to offer an exceptional care experience from start to finish. She designs surgeries around her patients’ individual goals, always carefully honoring their natural body proportions and keeping a long-term perspective in mind. Her specialty is creating surgical results that can age gracefully with her patients.

A Hobbyist at Heart

A self-professed “chronic hobbyist,” Dr. Crawford has an array of interests, ranging from reading and rock music to running and hiking with her husband and 2 kids. She enjoys writing, speaks conversational Spanish, plays bass and guitar, cooks, fly fishes, and is an amateur photographer. And, of course, she remains active with hiking, long-distance running, and swimming.

Dr. Crawford is also an avid traveler, counting Guatemala, Argentina, and Spain among her favorite countries to visit. She has a passion for live music and can often be found supporting local musicians at concerts big and small throughout Austin.

To get to know Dr. Crawford in person and explore your surgical options, please request a consultation or call Synergy Plastic Surgery at (512) 244-1439 today.

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