Dr. Kenneth Kim
Board-certified plastic surgeon and Associate Clinical Professor at UCLA, Dr. Kenneth Kim is internationally recognized for his expertise in awake plastic surgery with local anesthesia, advanced Asian surgical techniques, and minimal-bleeding methods that support faster recovery and exceptionally refined results. He also teaches at Seoul National University and leads Dream Medical Group in Los Angeles and Seoul.
Dr. Kim is known for his surgical precision, cutting-edge techniques, and commitment to safety—expertise he applies in his practice and teaches globally to advance the field of plastic surgery.
1. Awake Surgery
Dr. Kenneth Kim specializes in awake surgery using local anesthesia (awake anesthesia), allowing patients to remain awake and comfortable during surgery. This technique minimizes the risks associated with general anesthesia and promotes smoother, faster recovery and greater safety.
2. Minimal Bleeding Technique
Dr. Kim’s minimal-bleeding technique minimizes disruption to blood vessels and maximally preserves healthy circulation to the tissues, supporting healthier skin and enhanced results. His approach helps reduce swelling, bruising, and postoperative discomfort. His clean, controlled technique allows for greater surgical precision and safety and promotes accelerated healing.
3. Globally Advanced Techniques
Through his partnership with Dream Medical Group in Korea and his international training, Dr. Kim has developed comprehensive expertise in advanced surgical techniques from around the world. He remains at the forefront of global innovation—integrating leading-edge methods into his practice and advancing the field internationally as a recognized expert. His experience allows him to tailor each procedure with greater precision and customization, offering patients world-class, cutting-edge care.
Statistics and insights
Cutting Edge, Safe Surgery
Dr. Kim’s approach to surgery is grounded in science, innovation, and patient safety. He holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety from Harvard Medical School, giving him a formal foundation in clinical quality improvement, risk reduction, and patient safety.
Dr. Kim pursues a higher standard of plastic surgery—one that prioritizes safety, surgical precision, and natural, long-lasting results. His awake plastic surgery maintains your natural physiology, protects cognitive function, and minimizes the risks of general anesthesia and IV sedation. Guided by this philosophy, he continually advances surgical safety and technical innovation, redefining modern surgical care.
Published Articles
Dr. Kim has authored numerous articles in leading peer-reviewed journals, including Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS), Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open (PRS Global Open), Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. His publications span a broad range of topics such as upper blepharoplasty, double eyelid surgery, ptosis surgery, rhinoplasty, breast surgery, facial bone contouring, and facelift techniques, reflecting both the depth and breadth of his expertise in plastic surgery.
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Before and Afters
What Are Patients Saying?
International Surgeon
Dr. Kim received his formal medical training in the United States, after which he pursued further training and conducted clinical research in Korea, Japan, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Brazil, and the USA, to name a few. Always active in the international community, Dr. Kim collaborates with medical professionals worldwide in his search for the latest surgical innovations and advancements. His international, widely educated background enables him to deliver his patients results that are refined, cutting-edge, and natural-looking.
