Dr. James Chao

James Chao is co-founder and chief medical officer of VedaNu Wellness, a plastic surgery and wellness practice based in San Diego. He is board-certified as a plastic surgeon by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has more than 25 years of experience in plastic, reconstructive and hand surgery. He was previously a Clinical Professor of Surgery at UC San Diego, where he taught future surgeons. He graduated with honors from Stanford University and received his medical degree from NYU School of Medicine. His surgical training took place at NYU Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital, followed by a fellowship in hand and microsurgical procedures, and he has microsurgical expertise. He is recognized nationally for surgical skill and bedside manner. He has appeared on Botched and The Doctors. His focus is facial plastic surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, facial rejuvenation and advanced skin resurfacing. He performs brow lifts, facelifts and rhinoplasty, and also offers deep plane facelifts. Before recommending a facelift, he assesses skin quality, tissue laxity, health and expectations. Brow lift candidacy is judged on anatomy, skin quality, degree of brow descent and overall health. Each rhinoplasty is tailored to the patient's anatomy, facial proportions and aesthetic goals. He personally performs every body procedure at the practice, including extended tummy tucks, for which he evaluates anatomy, surgical history and goals. At the first consultation he reviews medical history, examines the areas to be treated and discusses which procedures match the patient's goals. He guides weight loss and aesthetic care using evidence-based strategies aimed at long-term health and natural-looking results.