Meet Dr. Kenneth Kim

Dr. Kim pictureDr. Kenneth Kim is a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon born in South Korea, and raised in both Seoul and Southern California. As an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons, and one of Korea’s leading plastic surgery groups – Dream Medical Group – Dr. Kim has extensive knowledge and experience in Asian cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. In addition to running his practice where Dr. Kim specializes in Korean aesthetic surgery, Dr. Kim also devotes his time teaching others as Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA School of Medicine and as Clinical Instructor at Seoul National University.
  • Assistant Clinical Professor – UCLA School of Medicine
  • Clinical Instructor – Seoul National University
  • Partner – Dream Medical Group
  • Specialty – Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Diplomate – American Board of Plastic Surgery
  • Fellow – American College of Surgeons
  • Peer Reviewer – Medical Journal Archives of Plastic Surgery
  • Medical Staff – Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Dr. Kim picture

Dr. Kenneth Kim earned his degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from University of California, Berkeley, where he was nominated for a Rhodes Scholarship based on outstanding academic performance. He then pursued a medical degree from Yale University, where he was presented with the distinguished Yale Department of Surgery Research Award. At Yale, Dr. Kim was inducted into the Howard Hughes Medical Institute with a research fellowship, with which he conducted research on tissue regeneration.

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Dr. Kim has mastered the most innovative techniques in Asian aesthetic surgery.

Following Yale, Dr. Kenneth Kim served as a resident for seven years in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Northwestern University. During his residency, he completed a prestigious fellowship on facial trauma and reconstruction at University of California, Davis, as well as a Craniomaxillofacial Research and Development Fellowship at the AO Institute in Switzerland. Over the years, Dr. Kim’s training encompassed all aspects of plastic surgery, including non-incisional Asian blepharoplasty (double-eyelid surgery), rhinoplasty, rhytidectomy (facelifts), breast augmentation/reconstruction, and body contouring.
Dr. Kim picture
Dr. Kim has worked with other highly skilled surgeons while training abroad in South Korea, mastering the most innovative techniques in Asian aesthetic surgery. He received special training in both double eyelid surgery and eye-enlargement surgery (ptosis repair). Since then, he specializes in double eyelid surgery to change the entire appearance of the eye – size, tilt, depth – by altering the deepest underlying structures of the eyelid. His exceptional techniques do not parallel conventional techniques in that they combine sophisticated methods in biomechanical modeling and analysis and Dr. Kim’s own aesthetic sensibility and surgical experience. His experience and unique surgical approach are truly state-of-the-art. His advanced methods, flawless techniques, and experiences working with Asian patients make him the ideal plastic surgeon for patients interested in Asian aesthetic surgery.

Dr. Kim’s compassionate personality, calming nature, and dedication to serving his patients that truly set him apart

Furthermore, Dr. Kim has published numerous peer-reviewed journals on double eyelid surgery, eyelid ptosis surgery, and other aesthetic surgery. He often presents both locally at UCLA and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to globally at conferences including the Korean Society of Plastic Surgeons in Seoul, covering topics such as the functional and physiological restoration of the eyes and face to patient safety. Dr. Kim serves as a chairman of the Upper Blepharoplasty and Visual Field Loss Guideline Task Force of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  Within the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Kim also serves as member of the Quality and Performance Measurement Committee and Patient Safety Subcommittee.

While Dr. Kenneth Kim’s academic background, professional training, and surgical talents are noteworthy, it is his compassionate personality, calming nature, and dedication to serving his patients that truly set him apart. Aside from his clinical and academic pursuits, Dr. Kim also sets aside time each week to help elderly patients who are in need of reconstructive surgery. It is an integral part of his practice and fuels his passion for providing first-rate patient care. Ultimately, Dr. Kim’s own personality, innovative technique, and extensive skill are all evidenced in his exceptional surgical results and are attested to by patients worldwide.

Academic Appointment

  • Assistant Clinical Professor – University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine
  • Clinical Instructor – Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea

Hospital Affiliation

  • UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles
  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles

Residency

  • Northwestern University, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Dr. Kim completed a 7-year residency program in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Education

YALE UNIVERSITY

Dr. Kim received a 4-year scholarship to Yale University School of Medicine.
  • Yale University School of Medicine, Dean’s Award
  • Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery Research Award

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY

Dr. Kim received a 4-year scholarship to UC Berkeley.

  • Rhodes Scholarship Nominee
Dr. Kim was a Rhodes Scholar nominee based on his stellar undergraduate academic career at University of California, Berkeley.
  • Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society

Dr. Kim was inducted as a junior into the Phi Beta Kappa honors society for ranking in the top twenty of his junior class. Dr. Kim was recognized as having the highest cumulative GPA in the Berkeley Junior Phi Beta Kappa society members of his graduating year.

  • University Medal Finalist
Dr. Kim received a nomination for valedictorian of his graduating class (5800 students).
  • Dean’s List (4 years)

Research Fellowship

  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Fellowship
Dr. Kim was a member of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Fellowship, a non-profit medical research organization recognized as one of the nation’s largest philanthropies. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) boasts 350 investigators who play a significant role in advancing biomedical research and science education by pushing the boundaries of knowledge as research pioneers. The current group of investigators includes 14 Nobel Prize winners and 131 members of the National Academy of Sciences.
  • AO Craniomaxillofacial Research and Development Fellowship, Switzerland
Dr. Kim spent one year studying abroad on surgical instrumentation design and development as part of his seven-year residency program. Dr. Kim was given the honor of being the first U.S. plastic surgery resident to be inducted into the AO Craniomaxillofacial Research and Development Fellowship. As an AO Fellow, Dr. Kim investigated minimally invasive orbital – eye, eyelid, and surrounding bone structures – surgery techniques. Dr. Kim’s research included ways to prevent injury during surgery, and led to multiple publications in various scientific journals.

Clinical Fellowship

  • University of California, Davis Medical Center

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.

  • Seoul, South Korea

Dr. Kim trained with the top plastic surgeons specializing in eyelid, nose, and bone contouring surgery in South Korea. He worked with surgeons who were at the forefront of advances in modern Asian plastic surgery and operating on Korean celebrities. After his fellowship, he has continued to collaborate with colleagues in Korea to publish and present the latest advancements in plastic surgery.

Publications

  • Kim HS, Kim KK

Subbrow Lift Using Frontalis Sling to Correct Lateral Orbital Laxity
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2020 Jul:1-8

  • Han HH, Kim KK, Lee KH, Kim IB, Lee PK

The Use of a Retromammary Adipofascial Flap in Breast Augmentation for Patients with Thin Soft Tissue
Aesth Plast Surg, Dec;42(6):1447-1456. 2018

  • Byun JS, Hwang K, Lee SY, Kim HT, Kim KK

Levator Aponeurosis and Muller Muscle Plication Reinforced With Levator Sheath Advancement for Blepharoptosis Correction
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 2017: Vol 28(7): 1849-1851

  • Kim KK, Kim WS, Oh SK, Kim HS

High Double Eyelid Fold Correction Using Wide Dual-Plane Dissection. Ann Plast Surg. 2017;78:365-370.

  • Oh YH, Seo JW, Oh SJ, Oum IT, Kim G, Kim J, Kim SY, Shin SW, Park DE, Kim KK

Correction of Severely Contracted Nose
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2016 Sept; 138(3):571-82

  • Kim HS, Hwang K, Kim CK, Kim KK

Double-Eyelid Surgery Using Septoaponeurosis Junctional Thickening Results in Dynamic Fold in Asians
Plast Reconstr Surg 2013 May; Vol 1, Issue 2, 1-9

  • Jeong JY, Oh SH, Suh MK, Kim CK, Kim KK

Effective Use of a Silicone-induced Capsular Flap in Secondary Asian Rhinoplasty PRS Global Open June 17, 2014

  • Baik BS, Ha W, Lee JW, Ji SY, Yang WS, Kim KK

Adjunctive Techniques to Traditional Advancement Procedures for Treating Severe Blepharoptosis
Plast Reconstr Surg 2014 Apr; 133(4): 887-96

  • Han HH, Kim KK, Lee KH, Park D, Rhie JW, Ahn ST, Lee PK

Transareolar-Perinipple (Areolar Omega) Zigzag Incision for Augmentation Mammaplasty
Plast Reconstr Surg 2015 Mar; Vol 135, No. 3, 517e-525e

  • Cho IC, Kang JH, Kim KK

Correcting upper eyelid retraction by means of pretarsal levator lengthening for complications following ptosis surgery
Plast Reconstr Surg 2012 Jul; 130(1): 73-81.

  • Byun JS, Kim KK

Correction of Asian Short Nose with Lower Lateral Cartilage Repositioning and Ear Cartilage Grafting
Plast Reconstr Surg 2013 Sept; Vol 1, Issue 6, e45

  • Ahn TJ, Kim KK

Cases of Mild Ptosis Correction with Suture-Method
Archives of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2012; Vol 18, No.1, 15-20.

  • Kim KK, Zhao L, Belafsky P, Patel PK, Strong EB

Technical note: “Look-ahead” navigation method for K-wire fixation in rhinoplasty

  • Kim KK, Ji C, Chang W, Wells RG, Gundberg CM, McCarthy TL, Centrella M

Repetitive exposure to TGF-beta suppresses TGF-beta type I receptor expression by differentiated osteoblasts
Gene2006 Sep 1;379:175-84. Epub 2006 May 19.

  • McCarthy TL, Ji C, Chen Y, Kim KK, Centrella M

Time- and Dose-Related Interactions between Glucocorticoid and Cyclic Adenosine 3*,5*– Monophosphate on CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein- Dependent Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Expression by Osteoblasts*

  • McCarthy TL, Ji C, Chen Y, Kim KK, Imagawa M, Ito Y, Centrella M

Runt Domain Factor (Runx)-dependent Effects on CCAAT/ Enhancer-binding Protein d Expression and Activity in Osteoblasts*

  • Chang DJ, Ji C, Kim KK, Casinghino S, McCarthy TL, Centrella M

Reduction in Transforming Growth Factor b Receptor I Expression and Transcription Factor CBFa1 on Bone Cells by Glucocorticoid*

  • Chen Y, Shu H, Ji C, Casinghino S, Kim KK, Gundberg C, Centrella M, McCarthy T

Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins Localize to Discrete Cell Culture Compartments in Periosteal and Osteoblast Cultures From Fetal Rat Bone

  • Kim P, Kim KK, Casas LA

Superior Pedicle Autoaugmentation Mastopexy: A Review of 34 Consecutive Patients
Aesthetic Surgery Journal 2010 Mar; 30(2):201-10.

  • Kim KK, Mueller R, Huang F, Strong EB

Endoscopic repair of anterior table: frontal sinus fractures with a Medpor짰 implant.
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2007 Apr; 136(4):568-72.

Recent Presentation

  • American Society of Plastic Surgeons, San Diego 2019

Dr. Kim gave a presentation on Facelifts for Asians and Heavy Faces and a presentation on Wide Awake Anesthesia in Facial Surgery.

  • American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Professional Liability Insurance and Patient Safety Committee Meeting 2018, The Doctors Company, and Napa, California

Dr. Kim gave a presentation on Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and a presentation on Limiting Operative Time.

  • Plastic Reconstructive Surgery Korea 2018

Dr. Kim gave a presentation on Correction of Severe Ptosis with CFS.

  • American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Chicago 2018

Dr. Kim gave a presentation on Deep Wide Plane Facelift.

  • American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Chicago 2018

Dr. Kim gave a lecture on Eyelid Ptosis Repair and Deep Plane Facelift Surgery: Functional and physiologic restoration of the eyes, face, and neck.

  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, Plastic Surgery Grand Rounds, Continuing Medical Education (CME) Lecture 2015

Dr. Kim gave a presentation on Eyelid Ptosis Correction.

  • Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2013

On Apr 27th and 28th, Dr. Kim gave a presentation at the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery conference that was taken place in Coex Converntion Center, Seoul, Korea.

  • Seoul Rhinoplasty Forum 2012

On June 16th and 17th, Dr. Kim was given the honor to lecture as a guest speaker at the first ever Seoul Rhinoplasty Forum .

  • The Rhinoplasty Society

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.

Advanced Teaching to Specialized Surgeons

  • AO North America – Table Instructor

Advances In Minimally Invasive Techniques, 2004

  • AO Research and Development Institute, Switzerland – Instructor

Innovations in Minimally Invasive Techniques in Craniomaxillofacial Reconstruction, 2004

Milestones

american society of plastic surgeons logo
American Board of Plastic Surgery

Diplomate

American College of Surgeons logo
American College of Surgeons

Fellow

american board of plastic surgery logo
American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Member

Industry Collaboration

  • Medtronic

USA; 2003 – 2005

  • Porex Surgical

USA; 2003

  • Synthes Maxillofacial

USA; 2002 – 2003

  • Implantech

USA; 2009 – Present

Video Editor

“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.

Reviewer

Archives of Plastic Surgery
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.

Certificates & Awards

2019 Certificate of Appreciation, presented to Dr. Kim, Kenneth by the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

 

2019 Certificate of Appreciation, presented to Dr. Kim, Kenneth by the Asian Blepharoplasty Forum.

 

2019 Certificate of Recognition, presented to Dr. Kim, Kenneth by the City of Los Angeles.

 

2018 Certificate of Appreciation, presented to Kenneth Kim, M.D. by the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

 
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Meet Dr. Kenneth Kim