Dr. Kao Plastic Surgeon Santa Monica, California 90401

Name: Chia Chi Kao, MD
Last name: Kao
Gender: male
Began aesthetic medicine in: 1997
Years experience: 26
Primary Specialty: Plastic Surgeon
Business: Kao Plastic Surgery
Address: 900 Wilshier Blvd.
Address suite: Ste. 100
Phone: +1 310-315-9211
City: Santa Monica
State: California
Zip Code: 90401
Country: US
Statement: Chia Chi Kao, MD is a board-certified aesthetic plastic and reconstructive surgeon with over fifteen years of experience whom Vogue claims “is single-handedly revolutionizing the future of facelifts”.
Consulting Fees: 500$
Consultation note: All consult fees applied towards surgery. Offers virtual consultation via Skype for Out of State and International Patients.
Has Sponsored Offer : No

Clinical Privileges: 
  • Saint Johns Health Center, Santa Monica, CA
Education: 
  • Undergraduate: BS, Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1987
  • Medical: MD, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1991
Postdoc Training: 
  • Internship: University of Washington, 1992
  • Residency: General Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle WA, Chief Resident, 1996
  • Fellowships:
  • Video Endoscopic Surgery, United States Surgical, 1997
  • Craniofacial Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital – Taipei, Taiwan, 1997
Member of: 
  • American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
  • American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Board Certification: 
Chia Chi Kao (ABMSUID -06)

Viewed: 8/18/2008
Day of birth: 5/8/1965

Status: Alive
Certification: American Board of Plastic Surgery
Plastic Surgery – General

Status: Certified
Active Time-Limited Initial Certification: 9/8/2001 – 12/31/2011
American Board of Surgery
Surgery – General

Status: Not Certified
Expired Time-Limited Initial Certification:
2/11/1997 – 7/1/2007
Education: 1991 MD (Doctor of Medicine)
Location: 1301 20th St Ste 530Santa Monica, CA 90404-2088 (United States)

GPS coordinates on map: 34.0229945,-118.4931523

Chia Chi Kao, MD

Primary location: 
Location name: Los Angeles
State: CA
Country: US
Map point: 34.0522,-118.2429962
Treatments: 
  • Botox
  • Brazilian Butt Lift
  • Breast Augmentation
  • Breast Fat Transfer
  • Breast Implant Removal
  • Breast Implant Revision
  • Breast Implants
  • Breast Lift
  • Breast Lift with Implants
  • Breast Reconstruction
  • Breast Reconstruction Revision
  • Breast Reduction
  • Brow Lift
  • Butt Augmentation
  • Cheek Augmentation
  • Cheek Lift
  • Chemical Peel
  • Chin Implant
  • Chin Liposuction
  • CO2 Laser
  • CoolSculpting
  • Dermabrasion
  • Eyelid Surgery
  • Facelift
  • Facelift Revision
  • Facial Fat Transfer
  • Fractional Laser
  • Genioplasty
  • Gynecomastia Surgery
  • Hair Loss Treatment
  • Hand Rejuvenation
  • Laser Hair Removal
  • Laser Liposuction
  • Laser Resurfacing
  • LED Light Therapy
  • Lip Fillers
  • Lip Lift
  • Lip Reduction
  • Lip Surgery
  • Liposculpture
  • Liposuction
  • Liposuction Revision
  • Lower Facelift
  • Male Tummy Tuck
  • Microneedling
  • Mini Tummy Tuck
  • Mole Removal
  • Mommy Makeover
  • Neck Lift
  • Nipple Surgery
  • Phenol Peel
  • PRP for Hair Loss
  • Radiesse
  • Restylane
  • Restylane Defyne
  • Restylane Lyft
  • Restylane Refyne
  • Restylane Silk
  • Revision Rhinoplasty
  • RHA Collection Fillers
  • Rhinoplasty
  • Sculptra
  • Septoplasty
  • Smart Lipo
  • TCA Peel
  • Thigh Lift
  • Tumescent Liposuction
  • Tummy Tuck
  • Tummy Tuck Revision
  • VI Peel
  • Xeomin

RealSelf Info

Rating: 3.8
Profile views: 46982
Answer count: 44
Review count: 13
1 star count: 3
2 star count: 1
5 star count: 7
Total star count: 11
Star rating: 2.7448127675335
Anonymous votes: 40
Offer count: 0
Profile created: Nov 17, 2007
Profile modified: Aug 25, 2021
Profile promotion: No
Profile inactive: No
Premier status: Free
Tier: Pro
RealCare Promise: No
Directory link: Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
RealSelf’s PRO: No
Doctor Designation Start Time: Nov 1, 2011
Doctor Designation End Time: Jan 1, 2033

Locations

  • Los Angeles, CA, US. GPS coordinates: 34.0522,-118.2429962

Latest ratings of treatments

  • Facelift (May 2018) – Overall rating: 1/5 (Wait times: 3/5, Doctor’s bedside manner: 3/5, Phone or email responsiveness: 4/5, Payment process: 1/5, Time spent with patient: 3/5, After care follow-up: 1/5, Staff professionalism & courtesy: 1/5, Answered questions: 3/5)
  • Facelift (Nov 2023) – Overall rating: 2/5
  • Facelift (Oct 2019) – Overall rating: 1/5
  • Breast Implant Revision (May 2014) – Overall rating: 1/5 (Wait times: 1/5, Doctor’s bedside manner: 1/5, Phone or email responsiveness: 1/5, Payment process: 2/5, Time spent with patient: 2/5, After care follow-up: 1/5, Staff professionalism & courtesy: 1/5, Answered questions: 2/5)
  • Facelift (Aug 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
  • Facelift (May 2019) – Overall rating: 5/5
  • Breast Reduction (Feb 2019) – Overall rating: 5/5
  • Facelift (Apr 2015) – Overall rating: 5/5 (Wait times: 5/5, Doctor’s bedside manner: 5/5, Phone or email responsiveness: 5/5, Payment process: 5/5, Time spent with patient: 5/5, After care follow-up: 5/5, Staff professionalism & courtesy: 5/5, Answered questions: 5/5)
  • Breast Implant Revision (May 2014) – Overall rating: 1/5 (Wait times: 1/5, Doctor’s bedside manner: 1/5, Phone or email responsiveness: 1/5, Payment process: 2/5, Time spent with patient: 2/5, After care follow-up: 1/5, Staff professionalism & courtesy: 1/5, Answered questions: 2/5)
  • Breast Lift (Mar 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
  • Breast Implant Revision (May 2014) – Overall rating: 1/5 (Wait times: 1/5, Doctor’s bedside manner: 1/5, Phone or email responsiveness: 1/5, Payment process: 2/5, Time spent with patient: 2/5, After care follow-up: 1/5, Staff professionalism & courtesy: 1/5, Answered questions: 2/5)
  • Facelift (Oct 2019) – Overall rating: 1/5
  • Breast Lift (Mar 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
  • Breast Lift (Mar 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
  • Facelift (Aug 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
  • Facelift (Aug 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
  • Facelift (Aug 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
  • Facelift (Aug 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
  • Facelift (Aug 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
  • Facelift (Aug 2021) – Overall rating: 5/5
  • Hand Rejuvenation with Fat Transfer (Jul 2019) – Overall rating: 5/5 (Wait times: 5/5, Doctor’s bedside manner: 5/5, Phone or email responsiveness: 5/5, Payment process: 5/5, Time spent with patient: 5/5, After care follow-up: 5/5, Staff professionalism & courtesy: 5/5, Answered questions: 5/5)
  • Eyelid Surgery (Jun 2021) – Overall rating: 2/5
  • Eyelid Surgery (Jun 2021) – Overall rating: 2/5
  • Eyelid Surgery (Jun 2021) – Overall rating: 1/5
  • Eyelid Surgery (Jun 2021) – Overall rating: 1/5
  • Eyelid Surgery (Jun 2021) – Overall rating: 2/5

Latest Prices

Facelift Prices

  • $47999 – May 22, 2018
  • $70000 – Apr 1, 2015 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $40000 – Nov 30, 2019
  • $40000 – Nov 30, 2019
  • $40000 – Nov 30, 2019
  • $40000 – Nov 30, -0001
  • $40000 – Nov 30, -0001
  • $40000 – Mar 2020
  • $47999 – May 22, 2018
  • $48000 – May 22, 2018
  • $40000 – Apr 11, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $40000 – Apr 11, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $40000 – Apr 11, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $40000 – Apr 11, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $40000 – Apr 11, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $40000 – Apr 11, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $40000 – Apr 11, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $25000 – Apr 11, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $70000 – Apr 1, 2015 – Santa Monica, CA

Breast Implant Revision Prices

  • $21000 – May 30, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $21000 – May 30, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $21000 – May 30, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $21000 – May 30, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $21000 – May 30, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $21000 – May 30, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $17000 – May 30, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $17000 – May 30, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA
  • $17000 – May 30, 2014 – Santa Monica, CA

Other Prices

  • $3000 – Apr 5, 2018
  • $3000 – Apr 5, 2018

Eyelid Surgery Prices

  • $1000 – Jun 14, 2021
  • $1000 – Jun 14, 2021
  • $1000 – Jun 14, 2021

Facelift Revision Prices

  • $70000 – Mar 2019
  • $70000 – Mar 2019
  • $70000 – Mar 2019
  • $70000 – Jan 2019

Scars Treatment Prices

  • $3000 – Apr 5, 2018

Practice Locations

Name & Website
Kao Plastic Surgery – Santa Monica, https://www.kaoplasticsurgery.com/
Address
1301 20th St.Ste. 150A, Santa Monica, California, US, 90404 (GPS coordinates: 34.0300298,-118.4810131)
Phone
+13103159211
Working Hours
Created / Modified
Jan 22, 2019 / Jan 10, 2020
Name & Website
KAO Aesthetics – Santa Monica, https://www.kao-center.com/
Address
900 Wilshire Blvd.Ste. 100, Santa Monica, California, US, 90401 (GPS coordinates: 34.0229973,-118.4931484)
Phone
(310) 315-9211
Working Hours
Created / Modified
Sep 30, 2019 / Jul 12, 2023

Doctor’s answers

Question
Answer Header & Date
Answer Snippet
What options do I have for lifting my breasts?
Breast implant Revision and Lift
May 5, 2018
You don’t have ptosis of the nipple areolar complex.
Your implants are above the muscle and they are too low on your chest wall. With pregnancies you lack upper pole fullness.
My recommendations are : removal of implants . Elevate the breast pocket with capsule work. Place the new (maybe larger to give good upper pole fullness) implant in the subpectoral pocket. Maybe a circumareolar Mastopexy to tighten the skin
Hope this helps
Would a dual plane augmentation or donut lift w/augmentation be enough to lift me or do I need a lolli
The Alexandra Breast Lift May help
May 5, 2018
An implant does not lift the breast and will significantly increase your size.
I understand all of the concerns with the donut lift and how it is limited in the amount of Lift (no more than 2 cm) and the complications of areolar expansion, flattening of the breast etc.etc. It is a very difficult operation to master. Most surgeons shy away from it unless the ptosis is bery minor. The operation is tricky to do and requires meticulous work. The biggest challenge is to lift the…
What would be my best option to fix my neck, Smart Lipo/lipo or micro neck lift?
Deep Fat
Mar 28, 2018
Ok I know you are going to get lots of different opinions on this. It will range from Kybella to straight liposuction to laser Lipo (Smart Lipo) to some kind of high energy device (Ultheta thermage RF etc etc). The problem with hereditary type of ‘turkey neck” is that you gather fat under the platysmal muscle. You also have sub cutaneous fat . So to get a sharp contour you either remove the deep fat or sub Q fat or both.
Kybella, liposuction or energy devices are not goi…
I am 23 with droopy cheeks. Been planning a facelift .Is there an alternative?
Ponytail lift with Endo PSCS can taper the lower face
Mar 25, 2018
I agree you are too young for a facelift. You don’t have droopy or excess skin that need large incisions around the ears. It’s not a worthy tradeoff.
I hesitate with the whole idea that fillers can effectively “lift” the face, either placed on the cheek bone area or along the prejowl area. You would need ALOT of volume from the top to “lift” the jowls and will widen your face. Fillers along the jawline and prejowl sulcus are benificial in older patients because of…
What can be done to weak cheeks? (25 year old female).
Ponytail lift is for facial shaping
Mar 22, 2018
Based on your photos , you have shallow malar bones and unwanted fullness in your lower face/Jowl areas. What you prefer is a higher cheek mound and more tapered lower face. Just adding volume in your cheeks, either with fillers, implants or fat only solve half of the problem, it does not create a concovity in the Lower third of the face (heart shaped face).
When you put your fingers on the temples and pull up, that rotate the tail of the brow, lifts the cheeks, and the jowls….
Will a crescent or donut lift give me sufficient lift to achieve my goal? Or would I need a lollipop l
Alexandra Breast Lift: hybrid Benelli/T
Feb 15, 2018
Hi there:
I understand all of the concerns with the donut lift and how it is limited in the amount of Lift (no more than 2 cm) and the complications of areolar expansion, flattening of the breast etc.etc. It is a very difficult operation to master. Most surgeons shy away from it unless the ptosis is bery minor. The operation is tricky to do and requires meticulous work. The biggest challenge is to lift the nipples high enough while managing the large circular wound,…
I want natural looking breasts, which procedure would be best in my case: breast implants or a breast
Mastopexy with minimal scar
Feb 15, 2018
Based on your photos, you have ample amount of breast tissue and an implant will make you too large for your frame and not to mention it will not lift your nipple position. I think a Mastopexy with a minimal scar would be your best option . Good luck!
If a facelift did not sufficiently correct a sagging jawline, how long should I wait before having a r
Ideal time for facelift revision
Dec 10, 2017
Sorry to hear that you are disappointed. Without seeing your before and the current after, it’s hard to assess what happened. Early recureance of jowls or jawline after SMAS facefit can be due to technique, execution, or intrensic quality of your skin. The ideal time for revision is when all of the scar tissue remodeling changes have completed in your face. This may take up to year. This is important because when I do revisions facelift surgery, e…
Am I a candidate for mid lift and neck lift? I have used fillers for years, but would like to official
Consider the incisions for facelift
Dec 1, 2017
Yes I think uou are a great candidate for face and neck rejuvenation. A traditional facelift uses either Pre- tragal or post tragaal ( in front or behind the little Cartilage in front of the ear), and goes up into the temporal scalp or some surgeons prefer to go at the hair line of the sideburns and temples. So there is ALWAYS an incision from the temporal hairline in front of the ear they goes around the ear lobe and behind that ear and then back into the…
Mid face lift OR Lower Blepharoplasty Or Cheek Implants?
Ponytail lift may address facial shape issues
Dec 1, 2017
Based on your photos,here is what I understand of your concerns .
1)the high point of your cheeks is low
2) this exacerbates the appearance of nasolabial folds
3) your upper maxilla/ cheek bones are slightly shallow. This is perhaps why it doesn’t support the cheek fat pad as well.
This is most telling on your 3/4 view. I agree if you added fillers to your nasolabial fold, it would increase the heaviness of the lower face, the cheek mass would a…
Can a mid-facelift benefit someone who was born with a flat midface and a bottom heavy lower 1/3rd?
Midface Lift , Ponytail Lift
Nov 23, 2017
The short answer to your question is yes. A mid facelift can reposition a droopy cheek from a congenitally low position to a more aesthetically pleasing higher position. There are other issues to consider. If your cheek bone is so flat, a cheek implant may be considered. If the cheek bone is moderately flat and soft tissue is lacking then fat grafting is indicated (or even fillers if not too severe). I prefer to lift the cheek up first then address volume. If you try to…
Why aren’t endoscopic midface lifts done more?
Endomidface/Ponytail Lift
Nov 15, 2017
That is a very good question. I thinks midface aging definitely need to be addressed during facial rejuvenatjon. However, the dissatisfaction with Endo/midface stems from several issues.
Patient selection: Some patients age with deflation others such as middle eastern patients age with decent. For majority of the patients it’s both deflation descent. Some patients need more lift than fill, others need more fill than lift. I prefer endomidface as part of the Ponytail l…
Why do so many post-facelift patients have an indentation on the upper mid-cheek and strange jawline s
You are a keen observer
Nov 11, 2017
A traditional facelift is the SMAS facelift that was described in the 1970’s. It remain the “gold standard” today. There are many variations of it (high SMAS, SMAS-sectomy, SMAS plication , deep plane facelift. ). All involves separating the dermis from the underlying fat then dissecting the SMAS (along with the subcutaneous fat ) off is the facial muscles. Then SMAS/ fat is moved up and the skin is re-draped horizontally. While good results can be obtained, (especially in yo…
Endoscopic midface lifts aren’t AS good as facelifts, if you need very little correction of midface wh
Endoscopic Midface can be very effective
Nov 11, 2017
I agree with you . Endoscopic Facial rejuvenation has great advantages if properly executed in properly selected patients.
Most surgeons perform Endo midface in a subperiosteal plane of dissection. The amount of soft tissue mobility is limited because the periosteum is very stiff and does not translate the pulling effect onto the cheek fat pad very well. I prefer to lift endoscopically in a subSMAS plane. This plane is just below the cheek fat pad and very…
Most expensive facelift doctor says he makes literally invisible facelift scars by letting incisions h
Ponytail Lift incisions
Oct 21, 2017
That is a great question. The only guaranteed “invisible incision” is not to make one. A traditional facelift uses either Pre- tragal or post tragaal ( in front or behind the little Cartilage in front of the ear) . So there is ALWAYS an incision from the temporal hairline in front of the ear they goes around the ear lobe and behind that ear and then back into the hairline. Even if the incision is placed behind a tragus ( So is “hidden”) when the face skin moves back towards…

Latest Before And After Photos

Last updated on 11/23/2023