Kao Plastic Surgery

Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery in Santa Monica

Kao Plastic Surgery is an aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery clinic based in Santa Monica, California, also serving patients from Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. It is led by Dr. Chia Chi Kao, an aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, with more than twenty years of experience. The clinic presents itself as a space dedicated to precision, artistry, and patient transformation, and also integrates medspa services under the name Kao Aesthetics.

Dr. Chia Chi Kao and His Surgical Approach

Dr. Kao was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and moved to Seattle, Washington, at the age of eleven. He graduated in medicine from the University of Washington, completed a five-year general surgery program at the same university, and obtained certification from the American Board of Surgery in 1997. He developed an early interest in surgical endoscopy, a technique he went on to teach as a clinical professor at the University of Washington's Center for Video Endoscopic Surgery. He later completed a three-year plastic surgery program at the University of Southern California.

He is a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Vogue magazine has recognized him for his innovative approach to modern facelift surgery. Dr. Kao himself describes his work as a balance between the emotional and the physical, aimed not only at rejuvenating appearance but at helping the patient feel attractive and vibrant.

Signature Techniques: Ponytail Lift™ and Ponytail Facelift™

Dr. Kao is the creator of the Ponytail Lift™ and Ponytail Facelift™ techniques, which the clinic presents as a staged system of endoscopic deep-plane facial rejuvenation. According to the information published, this is not a thread lift or a marketing name applied to a mini facelift, but a staged procedure tailored to each patient. The clinic states that the technique has 22 years of development and 600 cases. Dr. Kao has designed specific techniques for each procedure with the goal of minimizing tissue disruption, preserving surrounding structures, and maintaining the health and quality of the skin.

Facial Procedures

• Ponytail Lift™
• Ponytail Facelift™
• Limited Incision "Massai" Neck Lift
• Rhinoplasty
• Chin Augmentation
• Facial Detailing and Bio-Grooming With Regenerative Cells
• Non-Excisional Eyelid Lift

Breast Procedures

• Breast Augmentation
• Breast Implant Revision
• Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
• Breast Reconstruction
• Breast Reduction
• Implant Removal With Breast Lift
• Internal Bra Mastopexy
• Breast Enhancement w/ Fat Transfer
• Mastectomy

Body Procedures

• Brazilian Butt Lift
• Liposuction
• Tummy Tuck
• Skinny Bikini Tuck™ Technique
• Fat Transfer
• Stem Cell Fat Transfer
• Scar Revision

Clinical Cases and Educational Activity

The clinic publishes detailed clinical cases on its blog. These include the revision of a previous tummy tuck performed in Beverly Hills, with scar revision, muscle tightening, and waistline refinement; the reconstruction of breast asymmetry caused by pectus excavatum through implant revision, fat grafting, and structural support of the chest wall; and the development of the Ponytail Lift technique over 22 years and 600 cases. The website also offers a gallery with hundreds of before and after photos, published with the consent of past patients, and notes that results vary from person to person.

Clinic Structure

Dr. Kao is the founder of the KAO Center in Santa Monica, California. The practice is organized into several lines: Kao Plastic Surgery, Kao Aesthetics, Kao Regenerative Therapies, and KAO Skin Store, in addition to the educational blog. The clinic serves patients from Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills.

Location and Contact

900 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 100, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · Phone: (310) 315.9211 · Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 09:00-18:00