Kao Plastic Surgery, Santa Monica CA

I am an actual patient of Dr. Kao's, so I can speak of my personal experience with his work.

In 2020, I found weird hard spot in my right breast. I had assumed it was my breast implant edge that got traumatized from a Mammogram. It hurt a bit when I pressed on it so I decided to seek medical advice. My aesthetic nurse, who does my PRP facials recommended Dr. Kao. She said she sends all her clients that have botched jobs from other surgeons to him. She said "he is a MAGICIAN" and no one does what he does technically. He has about a 1 year waiting list but I was fortunate enough to get in with due to someone else's last minute cancellation. His staff are all courteous, kind, and professional.

During my consultation, Dr. Kao was a consummate professional and very personable. He did a thorough exam and found that I had a Grade 4 encapsulation. He recommended I have a breast explant as soon as possible for it was not healthy to leave it in much longer. I did not want to get new implants, instead I wanted a fat transfer. I did my research on him and his special techniques. I asked if he could do the "Alexandria" breast lift after my explant. He said "you are not a good candidate for this particular procedure. It cost more money and you will not have a good result with it. I recommend the Origami Lift instead. It will be more cost effective and a much better result based on your shape and current situation. It will be in two parts. First the explant and then we can do a second procedure at a separate time to do a fat transfer to create the size you desire. You cannot get too lean otherwise I will not have enough to work with. " I really appreciated his ethical recommendations and care factor.

I went in and had my breast explant, with the Origami lift. He had originally prognosed my surgery for about 5 hours. He went in to do the explant and got an unexpected HOT MESS situation. He found a mass, about the size of a thumb, in my right breast with my nerves and blood vessels all tangled up around the mass. He had to meticulously remove the mass without causing and injury to my nerve or vascular structures. Then he had to do the Origami lift with meticulous stitching. My whole process took 12 hours, due to the complexity of it all, BUT I was in GREAT hands with experts. His anesthesiologist, Dr. Shaw did a great job as well.

I had to wait several months for my tissues to heal and be ready for the fat transfer. He moved fat from my flanks and tummy, and let me tell you he IS a MAGICIAN. He completely gave me a new, BEAUTIFUL sculpted shape in my waist. Even when I am down to my leanest 12% body fat when I compete in bikini fitness, I still looked boxy due to my genetics. Because of Dr. Kao's ARTISTIC SKILLS I am beyond ecstatic with my results. My breast look AMAZING (without implants) and now I have a shapely waistline! THANK YOU DR. KAO!

I had met with Dr. Kao in March via facetime and had a 2nd consult with him in June of 2020. After my 2nd consult I knew 100 percent that he would be the doctor that I would "one day" do my ponytail lift because I was looking into it for 2 years already. He is the one Dr.that just looks at you can start imagining all the things he can change and approve on your face and make you look so much better.

I started doing more research and started watching his youtube BEFORE and AFTER photos of his patients which made me want to schedule my surgery ASAP.

So, I scheduled my surgery for 9/28/20 which was exactly two weeks ago. I CANNOT put into words how happy and satisfied I am with my results so far and its only been two weeks. From the minute I walked in to the surgery center I felt at ease and completely trusted him 100 percent. He is such a MASTER at what he does that you dont even question him. All I know is when I saw myself in the mirror the next day at the aftercare facility I was already so happy and surprised.

If anyone is thinking about this procedure please just go to him! No one else has ever made me feel so confident! Thank You Dr. Kao, Carol, Nicole, Gail and all the wonderful ladies there. You all are such a great team. I feel so honored that Dr. Kao took me as his patient. Can't thank you enough Dr. Kao. Forever humble!

Elective surgery comes with risks. Even when we choose the best surgeons, patients need to know they assume a risk. Most important is whether your surgeon is able to identify and fix a problem once one arises. Dr. Kao performed a breast lift and tummy tuck on me in March of 2021. The transformation was miraculous and I look beautiful. Regrettably I developed an rare and idiosyncratic reaction to the sutures, requiring three subsequent surgeries in the following 7 months after surgery. Dr. Kao and his team have gone above and beyond to give me the best follow up care and are committed to seeing this through to the end. Not only is he the best from a surgical perspective (his technique speaks for itself) he is genuinely caring. As evidenced by his wonderful staff, in particular the surgical nurses who are incredible, the practice exudes warmth and professionalism. Although he is expensive, I would say after my experience and knowing how much has been invested in me and my follow up care that it would be a bargain at double the price.

Extremely expensive doctor, look for better prices.
I called for lip lift they charge $12K to $25K just for lip lift.

Dr. Kao is the best…his methods are cutting edge and so genuine and caring – a rare combination. He is HONEST with you on what you need to look better than ever. It is easy to see that HIS WORK IS HIS LIFE, which in turn, makes you and the outcome of your surgery a priority to him. The entire staff is very dedicated and have gone above and beyond to take care of me in my after surgery care. (my recommendation is to listen to him and his team and do what they say).
I’m a woman that tries to take care of myself and aging is a privilege with the choice on how I do it. Thank you Dr. Kao!