Art of surgery, music

Dr. Arian Mowlavi derives pleasure from writing songs and composing music because it’s an artistic outlet. He has devoted his life to a career in cosmetic surgery for the same reason.

“I always knew I wanted to be a surgeon,” he said. “During med school, I decided plastic surgery was special because you must be creative — every face and feature you work with is different.”

Most of the time, Mowlavi can be found at Cosmetic Surgery Clinics in South Laguna, where he’s practiced solo as a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon for nearly four years.

He prefers to perform solo on stage as well. One or two nights per month, Mowlavi can be spotted at The Gypsy Lounge in Lake Forest, strumming his 1943 Martin guitar and belting lyrics to “Rusted and Weathered,” one of 16 songs he wrote himself.

Martins are the only guitars that appreciate with age, and the antique brown instrument is Mowlavi’s most cherished of the seven he owns.

“As the wood ages, it gains warmth,” he said. “The older the guitar, the sweeter the sound.”

Having played with various bands at the lounge over the past year, Mowlavi has decided he enjoys playing alone because it’s more challenging.

“You can’t hide behind anyone when it’s just you,” he said.

Mowlavi’s passion for music and medicine both began around age 6 — when he got his first “baby” guitar.

He comes from a family of musicians, including a sister who sings opera.

Mowlavi grew up listening to classical, folk and jazz music and playing cover songs through his undergraduate years at UC Berkeley and San Diego State medical school.

After his seven-year plastic surgery residency in southern Illinois, he began writing his own music under the inspiration of artists like Jack Johnson and Led Zeppelin.

He is also heavily influenced by The Beatles, U2 and Amy Winehouse.

Ultimately, Mowlavi would like to alternate between months of performing surgery and performing music on the road.

“Ideally, I would spend six months in surgery and six months touring,” he said.

For now, he combines the two by incorporating music into his daily life as a surgeon.

At his clinic, patients are even allowed to select their own tunes to listen to while in surgery, as a method of relieving stress and healing.

For more information about Mowlavi’s performances, visit www.thegypsylounge.com.

ASHLEY BREEDING covers sports and features. She can be reached at (949) 494-5462 or at [email protected].