Dr. Kenneth Kim
N/a
Los Angeles
Dr. Kenneth Kim Plastic Surgery
© Dr. Kenneth Kim. 2025 | All rights reserved.
Dr. Kenneth Kim is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in Los Angeles. A graduate of Yale University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School, he is internationally recognized for his expertise in awake plastic surgery and advanced Asian aesthetic surgery. Dr. Kim performs face and body procedures using local anesthesia (awake anesthesia) and is a pioneer of minimal bleeding techniques, resulting in safer surgeries, enhanced surgical precision, and more optimal results.
Dr. Kenneth Kim earned his undergraduate degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. In his junior year, he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, ranking in the top twenty students of his class and having the highest cumulative GPA at UC Berkeley upon induction. He was nominated for a Rhodes Scholarship and was a University Medal Finalist.
Dr. Kim then earned his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine, where he received the Dean’s Award and Department of Surgery Research Award. He was also inducted into the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Fellowship, where he studied tissue regeneration at the molecular and cellular levels. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute supports cutting-edge research and has sponsored more than 30 Nobel Prize recipients.
After Yale, Dr. Kim completed a seven-year plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at Northwestern University. He received the AO Craniomaxillofacial Research and Development Fellowship, the first U.S. plastic surgery resident to be inducted as a fellow into the Institute’s headquarters in Switzerland. AO is the leading institute in the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. In Switzerland, he researched bioengineering and methods to improve minimally invasive surgery.
Both fellowships allowed him to understand surgery from the microscopic to macroscopic levels, from the cellular mechanisms of tissue repair to larger-scale bioengineering technology, providing him with a uniquely comprehensive command of surgery.
Born in South Korea and raised in both Seoul and Southern California, Dr. Kim brings an international perspective to plastic surgery. Following his residency and fellowships, Dr. Kim continued to pursue surgical training and work across the globe—including in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Dubai, Canada, and Switzerland. Dr. Kim’s global training allows him to deliver highly customized results for patients of all ethnic backgrounds.
South Korea is often regarded as the plastic surgery capital of the world, performing more procedures per capita than any other country, and it has played a particularly influential role in Dr. Kim’s surgery. There, he has worked and collaborated with the most renowned surgeons to master the most advanced techniques in Asian aesthetic surgery, including incisional and non-incisional Asian blepharoplasty (double eyelid surgery), blepharoptosis (eyelid ptosis) surgery, Asian rhinoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, and facial bone surgery.
In addition, Dr. Kim is a partner of Dream Medical Group, the leading plastic surgery group in Seoul, South Korea, trusted by high-profile Korean celebrities. In recognition of his advanced training and surgical expertise, Dr. Kim was also selected as the sole Clinical Instructor at Seoul National University College of Medicine, where he teaches plastic surgery residents.
As a leading expert in awake plastic surgery, Dr. Kim performs face and body procedures using local anesthesia, avoiding the risks associated with general anesthesia and intravenous (IV) sedation (e.g., blood clots, memory loss). This allows patients to remain awake during surgery, maintaining normal breathing, blood pressure, and brain function.
In addition, Dr. Kim has pioneered minimal bleeding techniques that create a clear surgical field with minimal visual obstruction. This enhanced visibility allows for greater precision and more comprehensive surgical outcomes, so patients can experience faster recovery and better, long-term results.
Dr. Kim’s drive to constantly elevate the current state of surgery has led to transformative innovations. Being a former U.S. Junior National water polo athlete instilled in him a deep work ethic, discipline, and determination that continue to fuel him.
His commitment to patient safety and surgical improvement led him to pursue a Master of Science from Harvard Medical School, where he studied factors and systematic approaches to improve safety and quality in healthcare across medical and surgical specialties. His thesis focused on reducing the risk of cognitive decline caused by general anesthesia.
In addition to his practice, Dr. Kim is an educator who is devoted to teaching. He serves as:
He serves as a reviewer for the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal (PRS) and PRS Global Open. He has published in numerous peer-reviewed journals. He was also a video editor for a cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery textbook.
Dr. Kim is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), where he serves on multiple committees.
He has lectured at academic institutions, including:
Dr. Kim became a surgeon to best help patients. That calling has taken him across the world in pursuit of surgical knowledge and technical mastery. Along the way, he came to understand that skill alone is not enough—that advancing surgery requires innovation, deeper scientific understanding, and utmost dedication. He holds the responsibility of being a surgeon with deep respect and has devoted his life to that purpose.
Dr. Kim completed a 7-year residency program in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Northwestern University, one of the nation’s top plastic surgery programs and recognized for pioneering advancements in deep plane facelift surgery.
Dr. Kim received a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety from Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Kim received his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine with a 4-year scholarship.
Dr. Kim earned his undergraduate degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. He received a four-year merit scholarship and was on the Dean’s List for four years. As a junior, he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society for ranking in the top twenty of his class and held the highest cumulative GPA at UC Berkeley upon induction. He was a Rhodes Scholarship nominee and a University Medal Finalist, a nomination for valedictorian of his graduating class (5800 students).
Dr. Kim received the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Fellowship, a non-profit medical research organization recognized as one of the nation’s largest philanthropies. He studied tissue regeneration at the molecular and cellular levels. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) boasts over 300 investigators who play a significant role in advancing biomedical research and science education by pushing the boundaries of knowledge as research pioneers. HHMI has supported more than 30 Nobel Prize recipients.
Dr. Kim received the AO Craniomaxillofacial Research and Development Fellowship. AO is the leading institute in the field of biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. He was the first U.S. plastic surgery resident to be inducted as a fellow into the AO Institute’s headquarters in Switzerland, where he researched bioengineering and surgical methods to improve minimally invasive surgery.
Dr. Kim was a facial trauma and reconstruction fellow at UC Davis Medical Center, where he received advanced training on complex facial bone reconstruction. He worked with real-time 3D CT image-guided surgery to facilitate surgical precision. He used ultra-high resolution 3D renderings to build customized implants for patients requiring specialized reconstruction.
Dr. Kim trained with the top plastic surgeons specializing in eyelid, nose, and bone contouring surgery in South Korea. He worked with surgeons at the forefront of advances in modern Asian plastic surgery and operating on Korean celebrities. Dr. Kim has continued to work and collaborate with colleagues in Korea to publish and present the latest advancements in plastic surgery.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2025 Mar; 155(3):502e-503e.
Park YY, Kim KK, Park B. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Glob Open, 2024 Aug; 12(8):e6055.
Kang JK, Kim KK, Han J, Park B. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 2024 Jun; 35(4):1225-1230.
Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 2023 Nov; 35(2):378–83.
Seol JY, Kim KK. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Glob Open, 2023 Oct; 11(10):e5304.
Kim KK, Granick MS, Baum GA, Beninger F, Cahill KV, Donnelly KC, Kaidi AA, Kang AS, Loeding L, Loyo M, Patel PA, Roostaeian J, Taghva GH, Varkarakis GM. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2022 Aug; 150(2):419e-434e.
Kim HS, Kim KK. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2020 Dec; 44(6):2119-2126.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018 Dec; 42(6):1447-1456.
Byun JS, Hwang K, Lee SY, Kim HT, Kim KK. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 2017 Oct; 28(7):1849-1851
Kim KK, Kim WS, Oh SK, Kim HS. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2017 Apr; 78(4):365-370.
Oh YH, Seo JW, Oh SJ, Oum IT, Kim G, Kim J, Kim SY, Shin SW, Park DE, Kim KK. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2016 Sept;138(3):571-82
Han HH, Kim KK, Lee KH, Park D, Rhie JW, Ahn ST, Lee PK. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2015 Mar; 135(3):517e-525e.
Jeong JY, Oh SH, Suh MK, Kim CK, Kim KK. PRS Global Open, 2014 Jul; 2(6):e172.
Baik BS, Ha W, Lee JW, Ji SY, Yang WS, Kim KK. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2014 Apr; 133(4):887-896.
Byun JS, Kim KK. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 2013 Oct; 1(6):e45.
Kim HS, Hwang K, Kim CK, Kim KK. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Glob Open, 2013 Jun; 1(2):1-9.
Cho IC, Kang JH, Kim KK. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2012 Jul; 130(1): 73-81.
Ahn TJ, Kim KK. Archives of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2012; 18(1):15-20.
Kim P, Kim KK, Casas LA. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2010 Mar; 30(2):201-10.
Kim KK, Zhao L, Belafsky P, Patel PK, Strong EB. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 2008 Feb;105(2):168-72.
Kim KK, Mueller R, Huang F, Strong EB. Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 2007 Apr; 136(4):568-72.
Kim KK, Ji C, Chang W, Wells RG, Gundberg CM, McCarthy TL, Centrella M. Gene, 2006 Sep; 379:175-84.
Strong EB, Kim KK, Diaz RC. Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 2004 Nov; 131(5):683-95.
McCarthy TL, Ji C, Chen Y, Kim KK, Centrella M.
McCarthy TL, Ji C, Chen Y, Kim KK, Imagawa M, Ito Y, Centrella M.
Chang DJ, Ji C, Kim KK, Casinghino S, McCarthy TL, Centrella M.
Chen Y, Shu H, Ji C, Casinghino S, Kim KK, Gundberg C, Centrella M, McCarthy T.
Dr. Kim presented at the Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Teaching Didactics. His presentation was entitled “The Optimal Facelift: Awake and Bloodless Technique for Safety and Longevity.” He also presented at the Harvard Plastic Surgery Grand Rounds. His presentation was entitled “Advances in Asian Eyelid Surgery and Ptosis Correction: Improving Function and Aesthetics.”
Dr. Kim presented at The Johns Hopkins Hospital Plastic Surgery Residency Teaching Didactics. His presentation was entitled “Rationale for Awake Bloodless Deep Plane Facelift.” He also presented at The Johns Hopkins Hospital Plastic Surgery Grand Rounds. His presentation was entitled “Asian Eyelid Surgery and Ptosis Surgery: Redefining Relevance Across All Ethnicities.”
Dr. Kim gave a presentation on Asian Aesthetic Surgery.
Dr. Kim presented on Decreasing the Risk of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction.
Dr. Kim presented on the Uniqueness of Asian Facelift
Dr. Kim gave a presentation on the Anterior vs Posterior Approach to Blepharoptosis (Eyelid Ptosis) Correction for Mild, Moderate, and Severe cases.
Dr. Kim presented on Awake Bloodless Deep Plane Facelift.
Dr. Kim presented on Unrecognized Upper Eyelid Ptosis as well as Facial Contouring.
Dr. Kim gave a presentation on the wider use of Local Anesthesia in Cosmetic Surgery and the Unspoken Complications of General Anesthesia.
Dr. Kim presented on the Ethnic Considerations in Facial Cosmetic Surgery specifically Face and Neck Lift.
Dr. Kim gave a presentation on Facelifts for Asians and Heavy Faces and a presentation on Wide Awake Anesthesia in Facial Surgery.
California Dr. Kim gave a presentation on Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and a presentation on Limiting Operative Time.
Dr. Kim gave a presentation on Correction of Severe Ptosis with CFS.
Dr. Kim presented on Eyelid Ptosis Correction as well as Deep Wide Plane Facelift.
Dr. Kim gave a presentation on Eyelid Ptosis Repair and Deep Plane Facelift Surgery: Functional and physiologic restoration of the eyes, face, and neck.
Dr. Kim gave a presentation at the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery conference that was taken place in Coex Convention Center, Seoul, Korea.
Dr. Kim was given the honor to lecture as a guest speaker at the first ever Seoul Rhinoplasty Forum.
In 2005, Dr. Kim was invited by The Rhinoplasty Society to present on innovative surgical technique in rhinoplasty using one’s own cartilage to augment the tip and bridge of the nose.
Advances In Minimally Invasive Techniques, 2004
Innovations in Minimally Invasive Techniques in Craniomaxillofacial Reconstruction, 2004
“Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Breast”
Elsevier Medical Publishing; Amsterdam, Netherlands
Dr. Kim’s understanding and knowledge of the intricate aspect of breast augmentation and reconstructive surgery led to his role as video editor for Elsevier, the world’s leading publisher of science and health information. His collaborative work with plastic surgeons worldwide led to an in-depth video production of cutting-edge cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery in 2010.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) is the peer-reviewed medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. It publishes articles on all aspects of plastic and reconstructive surgery including operative techniques, clinical and laboratory research, and case reports. The journal highlights the latest advancements and innovative methods in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.
Archives of Plastic Surgery (Arch Plast Surg, APS) is the official journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and is published six times per year on the 15th of January, March, May, July, September, and November. It is a peer reviewed, open access journal that publishes articles in all fields of plastic and reconstructive surgery including aesthetic surgery, microsurgery, craniofacial surgery, hand surgery, burns, wound healing, and basic research related to all areas of plastic surgery. Dr. Kim is one of the reviewers of this peer-reviewed journal.
Based in Seoul, Korea, Dream Medical Group was founded by a team of graduates at Seoul National University dedicated to excellence and innovation in Asian aesthetic surgery. Dr. Kim was offered partnership affiliation with Dream for his in-depth scientific and technical background and serves as Dream Medical Group’s Director of Technology and Scientific Advancement.
The partnership between Dr. Kim and the Dream surgeons has led to increased expertise and innovation in Asian aesthetic surgery, which has benefited patients around the globe. Techniques have focused on blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, facial rejuvenation, and facial bone contouring and have been implemented in procedures for A-list South Korean celebrities.
Dr. Kenneth Kim is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in Los Angeles. A graduate of Yale University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School, he is internationally recognized for his expertise in awake plastic surgery and advanced Asian aesthetic surgery. Dr. Kim performs face and body procedures using local anesthesia (awake anesthesia) and is a pioneer of minimal bleeding techniques, resulting in safer surgeries, enhanced surgical precision, and more optimal results.
Dr. Kenneth Kim
N/a
© Dr. Kenneth Kim. 2025 | All rights reserved.