Dr. Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Expert Publications

• Sclerotherapy or laser treatment for spider veins.
• The evolution of wrinkle removal: use of lasers and other devices in facial rejuvenation.

Media Releases

Get to know Plastic Surgeon Dr. Richard H. Tholen, who serves patients in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

With over 30 years of experience in providing the highest-quality, innovative cosmetic surgery available in the Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota area and beyond, Dr. Tholen has strived to develop Minneapolis Plastic Surgery into one of the premier destinations for in-office, outpatient aesthetic plastic surgery in a nationally-accredited on-site office surgical facility. Thousands of patients seeking not only skill and experience, but also artistry and a caring personal touch in their plastic surgeon, have placed their trust and well-being in the skilled hands of Dr. Tholen.

The doctor’s experienced blend of science, artistry, and innovation have made him one of the most sought-after breast, face, and body surgeons in the country. He has hospital affiliations with full plastic surgical privileges at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, North Memorial Medical Center, and West Health. He is also the co-owner of Minneapolis Anti-Aging and Skin Clinic (formerly Carillon Clinic, Ltd.), a medically-based and physician-supervised skin and body care clinic that arose over twenty years ago from Minneapolis Plastic Surgery.

As a faculty member of Laser Centers of America, Dr. Tholen has taught numerous physician training courses nationally and internationally and has been an invited laser surgery instructor (multiple wavelengths) at Samsung Hospital in Seoul, Korea. He has authored multiple journal articles and two book chapters in the peer-reviewed plastic surgical literature, as well as has written and presented over 150 papers on all aspects of cosmetic surgery and other plastic surgical topics as visiting professor, invited lecturer and panelist at national plastic surgery meetings, and individually over the past thirty years.  

What’s more, he has served on several plastic surgical and medical/surgical committees, has been a case reviewer for Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Medicare, has served as President of the Minnesota Society of Plastic Surgeons and President of the Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons, as well as remains a strong advocate for advanced training, education, and certification for doctors who perform cosmetic surgery. 

In 1987, Dr. Tholen joined MPS after completion of seven years of post-MD surgical training (general surgery, plastic surgery, and reconstructive surgery) at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He also completed additional training in cosmetic surgery, breast surgery, advanced rhinoplasty techniques, suction-assisted lipoplasty (liposuction) including ultrasonic liposuction, laser surgery, and (non-genital) surgery for transgender patients.

A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons, the doctor is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Esthetic Plastic Surgeons, the Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons, the Minnesota Association of Plastic Surgeons, and the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgery.

While his education, experience, teaching, writing, presentations, and awards attest to his plastic surgical qualifications, the satisfied patients for whom he has operated serve as a true testament to his reputation, expertise, and dedication as an American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeon. 

Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty involving the restoration, reconstruction, or alteration of the human body. It can be divided into two main categories – reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery. A plastic surgeon’s primary responsibility is performing surgical and non-surgical procedures and they use a variety of reparative and reconstructive techniques to get the job done. 

Attributing his success to his enthusiasm and zeal for state-of-the-art plastic surgery, his superior training, and his strive for continuous education, Dr. Tholen has performed reconstructive cleft lip and palate surgery on multiple humanitarian mission trips for children in Peru, Venezuela, Philippines, Romania, and Honduras, as a plastic surgeon and a team leader for Operation Smile International and Children’s Surgery International.

Outside of the office, he enjoys traveling with his wife, Sami, and occasionally with one or more of their six children. He also enjoys playing golf, taking plastic surgery teaching trips at least once per year, as well as all things electronic, timepieces, and sporty automobiles. 

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