Chia Chi Kao, MD

Dr. Kao is an amazing plastic surgeon with the highest level of both expertise and character. I would highly recommend Dr. Kao for any cosmetic procedure. He truly cares about giving patients the most natural and best results possible!

In December 2010, I was diagnosed with DCIS. I had the option to undergo a lumpectomy coupled with radiation, however, I made the decision to have a nipple-​sparing double mastectomy the following spring. Choosing the right surgeon is crucial and, when under duress, is not an easy thing to do. I met with two surgeons who came highly recommended and are extremely credible but for some reason, I did not walk away from either meeting feeling confident that they were the one until I met Dr. Kao.
In our initial meeting, Dr. Kao really took the time to outline each and every step of the process. He patiently answered all my questions, provided me with detailed drawings and allowed me to really voice all my concerns & fears. His strive for perfection and attention to detail, coupled with his compassion, were key qualities that helped make it easy to choose him as my surgeon. I remember leaving his office feeling confident that I had put together the best surgical team possible.
During the entire experience, Dr. Kao and his team, especially Julie and Zamora, really helped me through the whole process by supporting all my needs. Julie managed all my insurance claims and I never had to deal with any issues/​problems with the insurance company. Zamora was amazing and took care of me through the hardest times by always being so kind and supportive each time I came in for a check-​up. And of course… Dr. Kao whose stellar surgical techniques are apparent in my results.
To this day, Dr. Kao is still striving for perfection and I feel very lucky that I made the right choice.

i had fat stem cells implanted in my breasts after breast cancer. i waited about 5 years and found dr. kao did this amazing new reconstruction with stem cells. i could not be happier. it takes a few months to settle but i am thrilled and highly recommend him.
the staff was wonderful and makes one feel very comfortable.
i am feeling whole again and i give much thanks to dr. kao.
i would use him again if i needed to.

I went to Dr Kao to in order to improve 2 minor scars that I have on my face that are relating to sports injuries. Unfortunately both scars look worse after he did the procedure, Especially one of the scars that is above my left eyebrow. That scar use to be about ¼ of an inch long going vertically from where the eyebrow is. For the life of me, I don’t understand why he cut the existing scar and continue to cut above it another ½″ going vertically. In another words the scar now is about ¾″ instead of a ¼″. It has been a couple years since that procedure, and the scar is more visible than it use to be.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. In the terrifying time between diagnosis and picking a medical team, I talked to several plastic surgeons. From my research, I knew that reconstructing my breasts after mastectomies would be a long road, and it was important to choose a plastic surgeon I trusted. I chose Dr. Kao because he took time to really talk to me, to listen and to answer my questions. Five years later, I am very glad I made that decision. I had several surgeries, which is standard for breast reconstruction after mastectomy and radiation.
I was, and am, far more concerned with staying alive than my breasts, but I sincerely believe that few other doctors would have been able to get the results that Dr. Kao has. He is a perfectionist, and he warned my husband and I at the outset that we would be ready to stop before he was. It’s true, after three years of cancer treatment and recovery, and letting my radiated tissue heal as much as it could, I really didn’t care much if I had re-​created nipples. But I had the surgery anyway (skin graft), and couldn’t believe how much more whole I felt after I healed. Not only did I have complete breasts, Dr. Kao had completely concealed my scars. I hadn’t know that was even possible, and the psychological benefit was enormous.
It’s true, his office is very chic, and you get the feeling that most of the cosmetic patients are very wealthy. However, I NEVER felt like my treatment was about money. In the five years since my initial surgery, I have never hesitated to call or visit the office if I had a question or concern for fear of getting a bill. Quite the opposite — during my treatment his office worked with my insurance company and I never got a bill I wasn’t expecting. Several years ago his office stopped accepting my insurance but I finished my reconstruction with him because when I got opinions from other plastic surgeons in the area they told me he had done an excellent job and I should stick with him! So I did, and his office always works something out with me.
A relationship with a plastic surgeon requires a high level of trust, and I’m sure not every doctor will click with every patient. I would urge anyone making such an important decision to get multiple opinions and choose the doctor that’s the right fit for them. Anyone considering Dr. Kao should know that he took excellent care of me and got results that I’m not sure many other surgeons could have achieved. I highly recommend him and his staff.

I have had 4 reconstruction surgeries (following a mastectomy which was not done by Dr Kao) with Dr Kao because each time there was a problem with the outcome of his work. And each time it has been the fault of this man who doesn’t listen, doesn’t make you feel special in any way. you cant even get in for an appt when you are a current patient. I wasn’t aware previously but evidently he has had to re-​do clients multiple times. He has caused me very unnecessary heartache, stress, wasted time, pain and money. He didn’t seem to know who I was each time I came in – he even said, when I showed him, with grave disappointment, my breast that he reconstructed, (not the affected breast): «Did I do that?» Another time, after the second surgery, he said that my breasts were not symmetrical because he couldn’t sit me up during surgery! That is a basic feature of this kind of surgery! How could this be? Amazing. Stay away. So sorry I didn’t know beforehand.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH DR. KAO
In 2004, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 lobular breast cancer of the right breast. I was devastated but marched forward vowing to beat this thing. After nine rounds of chemotherapy, six weeks of radiation and a mastectomy, I was «finished» and decided against reconstructive surgery.
In 2006, I found another suspicious lump in my left breast and my surgical oncologist recommended that it be removed as well. He referred me to Dr. Kao to discuss reconstructive surgery to both breasts. I contacted Dr. Kao’s office, explained my situation and they scheduled an appointment for me to see him soon thereafter.
I didn’t go alone. My dear husband (to whom I’ve been married for more than 43 years) and our three daughters went with me. I will never forget that first visit. We were greeted warmly by Dr. Kao. He asked about my history and treatment. He really listened to me and answered all my questions. He understood my concern about going through another mastectomy along with reconstructive surgery. When he examined me, he literally studied my flat, scarred chest for what had to be a solid three to four minutes without saying a word. He then looked up and explained what he could do for me. He was concerned about the irradiated right breast tissue but he came up with a very conservative multistage approach for both breasts which made total sense to us. I knew he was the right doctor for me. So did my husband and daughters. Dr. Kao also gave me something that day that I really needed and at a time when I needed it most. He gave me hope.
We have been working with Dr. Kao and his superb, understanding and supportive staff for six years now. Dr. Kao has that rare combination of expertise, dedication to excellence and empathy. This man is so highly skilled — he is as much an artist as he is a perfectionist. I am beyond pleased with the results. Dr. Kao all but magically restored what cancer took from me. While it took me six years, I am finally a «whole woman» again. I have referred a number of people to him over the years. They’ve had the same experience.
I have been cancer-​free now for eight years and life is good. I have been blessed by care of many fine doctors throughout my journey. I am honored to add my endorsement of Dr. Kao, clearly one of the finest plastic surgeons in the Los Angeles area.
Highly recommended by this grateful patient.
Sandy
February 8, 2012

There are so many excellent plastic surgeons in Los Angeles, I’m not sure why one would go to Dr. Kao. He is in practice with another plastic surgeon, Barbara Hayden, and the two of them cater to the very rich with facials, botox, fillers, you name it. If you are not very rich, you should really consider someone else. His work is adequate, not worth the extra money you will pay. He is hard to schedule. He does not cater to his clients except to offer a well decorated waiting room. He is young, lacking experience and maturity dealing with others. He will show you only his best pictures, not the ones where he has had to re-​do clients multiple times. Be forewarned.