Training and board certification
| Years | Training | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 1983-1987 | B.S., Microbiology, with honors, cum laude | University of Washington |
| 1987-1991 | M.D. | University of Washington School of Medicine |
| 1991-1996 | General surgery residency; chief resident 1995-1996 | University of Washington Department of Surgery |
| 1996-1997 | United States Surgical Fellow in Video Endoscopic Surgery | University of Washington |
| 1997 | International Fellow in Craniofacial Surgery | Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei |
| 1997-2000 | Plastic surgery residency; cosmetic surgery chief resident 1998-2000 | University of Southern California |
Source: Meet Dr. Kao.
- Board certification: American Board of Surgery (1997) and American Board of Plastic Surgery (Meet Dr. Kao).
- Staff plastic surgeon, Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica (Meet Dr. Kao).
- Memberships: ASAPS, ASPS, ISAPS, IFATS, California Society of Plastic Surgeons, Los Angeles Society of Plastic Surgery (Meet Dr. Kao).
- Former clinical professor at the University of Washington Center for Video Endoscopic Surgery; faculty, Endoscopic Facial Plastic Surgery Educational Seminars 2000-2003 (Meet Dr. Kao).
- Experience stated on the site: over 20 years (Meet Dr. Kao).
Facelift and neck lift work
- Ponytail Lift: endoscopic approach to the outer brow, temples, eyes, upper cheeks and lateral midface through incisions in the scalp (Ponytail Lift).
- Ponytail Facelift: extends the approach to the lower face, jowls, jawline and neck (Ponytail Lift).
- Published series: Kao CC, Duscher D. "The Ponytail Lift: 22 Years of Experience in 600 Cases." Aesthetic Surgery Journal 2024;44(7):671-692 (Ponytail Lift). The blog describes it as a stepwise system of endoscopic deep-plane facial rejuvenation (blog).
- Kaogee: jowl lift for younger patients with early jowling, named for the ogee S-curve (Kaogee).
- Limited incision "Massai" neck lift: addresses loose neck skin, vertical bands and jawline definition through smaller incisions (neck lift).
- The general facelift page lists mini, deep plane and traditional facelift as options chosen at consultation (facelift).
- Galleries: Ponytail Facelift, Ponytail Lift, Male Ponytail Facelift, Male Ponytail Lift.