Dr. Khiem D. Lai, MD, DABFP, MMed, MSurg (Aesthetic)

Plastic Surgeon

12502 Brookhurst Street Garden Grove CA, 92840 Show map

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About

Dr. Lai is a master aesthetic plastic surgeon at Garden Grove Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery in Orange County, California. He has formal education and trainings with Masters' degrees in both aethetic medicine and aesthetic plastic surgery. He is also a Diplomate of American Board of Family Practice. He considers himself a generalist in all the specialties that he has been trained. He is still learning more about the art and science of surgery and is now commited to doing aesthetic surgery.

Education and Training

California State University Long Beach B.S. in Biochemistry 1995

California State University Long Beach Health Care Administration Master of Science Program 2001

Queen Mary, University of London School of Medicine and Dentistry Post-graduate Diploma in Clinical Dermatology Program 2009

Instituto de Estudios Superiores en Medicina Master’s Degree in Aesthetic Surgery 2017

TECH Universidad Tecnologica, Mexico/Spain Professional Master’s Degree in Aesthetic Medicine 2003

TECH Universidad Tecnologica Professional Master’s Degree in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2023

Ross University School of Medicine MD 1999

Board Certification

American Board of Family Practice—2004-2011

BLS

ACLS

Provider Details

Male Spanish, German, Vietnamese

Dr. Khiem D. Lai, MD, DABFP, MMed, MSurg (Aesthetic)

Dr. Khiem D. Lai, MD, DABFP, MMed, MSurg (Aesthetic)'s Expert Contributions

My Answers

What pain medication will I be prescribed after the facelift procedure?
Thank you for your question! I usually give my patients Tylenol #3 since most of them don't have allergic reactions to codeine. They take it for only a few days; and many report to me that they feel no pain or minimal pain that they don't need to take it. I want to take this opportunity to share with you my experience about postoperative pain. You know, I have learned a lot from my patients since I started doing Aesthetic Surgery. Thanks to my patients who have put their trust in me! Thinking back to the days I was doing surgery rotations in medical school and residency, and then at the courses and workshops on skin cancer or breast cancer surgery, you know, we operate on diseased tissues. We need to cut the tumors out and very often including the surrounding skin and soft tissues. This triggers inflammation process that causes pain during the healing, so we need to treat postoperative pain. We use this experience to apply to Aesthetic Surgery. Because of this when you think about surgery, you are afraid of the pain after the surgery. Another reason for postoperative pain is that sometimes we have to cut the blood vessels and the nerves in the field to remove the tumors. To control bleeding we need to burn the tissue with cauterization. This will cause pain. And strangling the tissue also causes pain. Doing Aesthetic Surgery we operate on healthy and living tissues; so we just need to be very careful not to cut and burn blood vessels and surrounding tissue to control bleeding. You don't want to kill the blood supply to the tissue and to the skin or damage it directly. This will cause more pain and prolong the healing process. Most of you have some experience cutting yourself on your hand when you were chopping vegetables or cutting a piece of meat_I often did it to myself when I learned cooking, preparing a meal for myself. You know, you feel an acute pain; and if you don't cut through the muscle and traumatize the soft tissue under your skin, or get an infection after, you don't need to take pain med during the healing process. Your skin will heal uneventfully. If you need stitches to close the skin, you may feel some pain because the sutures may cause irritating and inflammation. When I cut your skin, I will cause an acute pain; so I need to anesthetize the area when doing it. I try not to cause a big bleeding, so I don't need to cauterize or tie off the severed vessel. In fact, I rarely need cauterization when doing surgery now. You don't ask me this, but for liposuction and fat grafting procedures, most of my patients don't take pain med after the surgery. Now fat grafting and liposculpting are often parts of my facelift procedure. I may give you a bit more information than you want. Thank you for listening! Khiem Lai, MD Aesthetic Physician and Surgeon READ MORE
What are the options for rhinoplasty, and what can I realistically expect?
Thank you for your question! I am sorry to learn that you are not happy with the appearance of your nose. You have not had a rhinoplasty, have you? You know, it would be hard on you when the outcomes were not what you expected, not what you had pictured in your mind; when just a little change here and there were all that you wanted. Rhinoplasty has a higher revision rate; some people have had it more than twice and are still unhappy. You know, rhinoplasty is a complex operation; and aesthetically, it is difficult to predict the final contours of your nose as it is being formed. Even experienced surgeons could not be so sure how your new nose would finally look on your face. The software that some surgeons use to explain to you comparing the before-and-after photos does not give you a reliable prediction. It just shows what changes may likely happen and can be used as a guide. It is complex since the nose is structurally complex; so the procedure can be quite complicated and unpredictable. And, it depends a lot on the operator and your individual nose, and yes, on your expectations, how you want it to look. You have asked me about your options. I don't know if you don't like the appearance, the shape of your nose in general, or just some parts of it. Your surgeon may need to do an open or closed rhinoplasty to modify and/or reconstruct the bone-and-cartilage frame; he may need to remove or rearrange soft tissues under the skin envelope to shape it. Your doctor will use appropriate techniques for each step of the procedure. Then you need to get used to the appearance of your new nose. You are going to look at it even more critically. You feel fantastic when it comes out so much better than you have expected. Of course, you feel disappointed and sad if it now looks so different, not what you have had in your mind when you had it done. But sometimes it is subjective, everyone has an opinion. Just believe in yourself. You need to communicate with your surgeon how you want your nose to look, the more specific the better, and if your doctor is confident to deliver the results. This makes rhinoplasty so difficult for both of you. As an aesthetic surgeon, I will look at your face first then your nose to see how your nose could make you look more attractive. I will picture it in my mind what changes should be done to make it look better on your face. This is only my subjective evaluation. Then I will listen to your concerns to see if I can meet your expectations. So, in the end I will try my best to make the changes that you want. I will tell you if I cannot deliver it. I will try but I usually plan to do some touch-up latter if necessary to make a bit of an improvement. I hope I have answered a part of your question! Khiem Lai, MD Aesthetic Physician and Surgeon READ MORE
How can I maintain the results of my plastic surgery?
Thank you for your question! This is a good one. You had a facelift a few months ago; so it is still in the healing process. I guess everything went well with your surgery and you are happy with your results since you now want to know how to maintain your look. Be patient. You may see your best results in three months or six months or even longer; and it can still improve with time, but sometimes it is quickly getting back to the old shape or an altered look that you don't like much. When you are happy with your results after six months or so, you may want to maintain your look by eating healthy, having enough sleep, and doing exercises as you want to maintain your general health. You know, you look younger and feel younger when you maintain your good health and optimism, having a positive attitude about life. Everyone is aging differently and you may age faster or slower at some period of time in your life. So after you have reverted your age many or just a few years with you facelift, you need to keep maintaining a healthy life. And, it is also important for you to care for your skin to prevent sun damage and moisten it daily. You will look good for a longer time after your facelift. One thing I want to share with you: know your face and learn how to do makeups to make you look more attractive as you yourself the way you want to... Again, a facelift can only help that much... Khiem Lai, MD Aesthetic Physician and Surgeon READ MORE
What are the risks and benefits of a facelift?
Thank you for your question. You may find your answers in my other posts. Someone here has asked me if facelift is safe. You know, we are all concerned about this when considering a facelift. I don't know if you or your loved ones have ever had any surgery. There are risks in every surgical procedure. Your physician will address your concerns when you need to have it done. About the benefits of having a facelift, you know, what do you want when you do your makeups, have a tattoo, take some vitamins or herbs that you don't have to go seeing a medical professional? You probably want to look younger and healthier or a bit more attractive if it is possible. Otherwise, there is no benefit of having any cosmetic procedures done. We all hope having a facelift will make you look a bit younger or more attractive, not a dramatic change of your appearance. You can never look like some other people that you so admire: their skin, the shape of their face, their eyes, their nose, and their chin, and... And, I don't think you want that either. A facelift gives you the benefits that you want if it is reasonable. You know, I have started doing more than a facelift since many of my clients don't look much younger with a tight lifted skin no matter how well you have done it. And I do think, it is usually overdone and lifted too much in some parts of the face, not where only a bit of skin or fat, being removed, can make much improvement. I also put back the fat where needed if I could havest some during my contouring process. To me a facelift is more than skin tightening or even soft tissue lifting. We will see what parts of your face that we need to do something about it; and not just your facial skin but your eyes, your nose, your cheeks, your chin, and your lips. I wouldn't do anything if I don't think you could look better... Khiem Lai, MD Aesthetic Physician and Surgeon READ MORE
Is the facelift procedure safe?
Thank you for your question! It is safe when you find a well-trained physician who likes doing it. You know, you may damage a facial nerve or inadvertently cut a blood vessel, causing profuse bleeding. Then you are not safe. I don't use general anesthesia, so there is no risk associated with it. I control the pain with local injections and a mild sedation to make you feel relaxed, the techniques I have learned doing lots of skin excisions and liposuction. Most of my patients have reported minimal or no pain during the surgery, and very little post-operatively if there is any. Yes, it is a safe but challenging operation since you want to look younger and more attractive when you are considering it. It will depend much on your expectations and the surgeon's if the outcomes make you both feel satisfied with the work. There are multiple factors that will affect the aesthetic results. I have already discussed with you in my other posts. To me it is a safe procedure, still you need to be careful and chose the right physician to meet your expectations. READ MORE
How long do the effects of a facelift last?
Dear Friend! Thank you for your question. I just want to take this opportunity to apologize to other Friends for not being able to answer your questions. I have been a bit busy with my personal stuff recently. To your question: how long do the effects of a facelift last? This is the question that we ask ourselves when we consider performing a facelift. The procedure has been evolving since I started doing it. Some surgeons think five years more or less, and it depends more on the surgeon who does it than on the techniques. I think it also depends on the individual aging process as much as, if not more than, the lift itself. You know, there is a science of facelift as of any other surgical procedures, still we do aesthetics here. I don't think I can measure and be precise, or predict the results accurately. There are so many factors that may affect the outcomes. I do think it is an art form, so it depends on the performer and his or her work at that particular time when it is being formed. It may therefore vary a bit. We have learned a lot about face-lift as an aesthetic procedure. Yes, we remove the redundant skin as we pull it up and sew it back along a designed curve to hide the cut. Yes, we also lift the sagging tissue under the skin after we have separated it from the skin. There are areas where the skin anchors deep to the bone. Here are where some surgeons do release it to slide the skin over it. I am not sure if it helps much, since now the skin is under greater tension over a continous wider area. And, it will alter the 3-dimensional shape and become flatter over it when you redrape the skin. The flatness may improve the look in some cases, so it can be a good technique. You don't see the effect of the lifted soft tissue under but you see the contours over the skin. This procedure is not a lift for me per se. I do facial contouring. I do cut and pull the skin and the sagging soft tissue up and anchor them to a higher point. You know, it is so safe now to do this type of surgery. I can take my time to do the work. I see the face as a whole with separated areas that need to improve. I usually start with removing fat where needed and notice where there is some loss of volume. Every person is different in shapes and forms here. Then, I cut the skin along the lines that I think I can remove the skin where needed. This may not be a good analogy, but like you fix anything you may open it up totally and re-assemble it. This is a difficult task for me since everything is in its place originally. I just spend time on the particular areas that I think I can improve it and leave other areas as they are, so I don't screw up the other areas. If I need to do a revision, it is easier and will improve. I try not to make mistakes where there is no need to touch it. Liposuction and fat-grafting are so effective. Although some fat graft may not live, the skin over it always improves its tone and elasticity. I appy the same principles as I do lipoabdominoplasty, but it is more complex, more difficult and time consuming to do facial contouring and rejuvenating it at the same time. I may not have answered your question directly. If you only want to know on the average how long a face-lift lasts. I would say around five years. If you are the right person for a facelift technique, it may last longer. However, you should look younger naturally, not a tight facial skin. Khiem Lai, MD Aesthetic Physician and Surgeon READ MORE
Will my double chin go away if I lose weight?
Thank you for your question. The answer is no. You will not lose your double chin if you don't have any procedure done to change the shape or size (volume) of your chin. But your weight loss may change how your face looks in general. READ MORE
Can eyelid plastic surgery do any harm?
Thank you for your question. I may have answered this question before. I don't think there is any harm. Still there are risks when you do any surgical procedure. Since I only do aesthetic surgery, the thing that I often see is the altered shape of your eyelid. And if it is not done well, there may be complications that affect your eyelid functions such as closing and opening your eyes. READ MORE
Will my eye shape change after blepharoplasty?
Thank you for your question. Answering to you directly, Yes, I believe so since some skin and soft tissue may be removed and where you make the cut. It will always become less volume. It is important to have the best shape that makes your eyes look more pleasing, and it also depends on your eyes shape. You may not see the results after weeks or months. So be patient. Rember we can always improve the results if you don't screw up the shape at your first surgery. Don't rely on before and after photos. Every eye is different on every individual. READ MORE
How long does a blepharoplasty surgery take?
Thank you for your question. It takes me at least an hour and a half to complete the procedure that I prefer, upper or lower eye lid surgery. I don't ever over-correct, removing too much skin or soft tissues (usually some fat). And I do the local anesthesia myself, so it may take me a bit of time. It's a safe procedure and I try my best to get the aesthetic results that both the patient and I are happy about. READ MORE
What should I avoid after ear plastic surgery?
Thank you for your question. Please discuss with your doctor what change do you want with your ear (or ears) as you are seeking a plastic procedure? I am not sure what specific concerns you have considering plastic surgery. As with other plastic surgeries, there are risks and a wound healing process. And I guess you are considering an aesthetic procedure. Ask your surgeon if he can do and get the results that you expect. To answer your answer directly, you need to avoid the things that you should when you have any plastic procedure done. You need to let your surgeon know your concers, the more specific, the better. I do facelift and I try not to alter the natural shape and size of your ear on both sides. READ MORE
How can I speed up healing after eyelid plastic surgery?
Thank you for your question. I don't think you can't speed up the healing process but may prolong it if you don't follow your post-op care instructions. The healing process is different depending on each individual and the procedure done. I think I have talked about this in my other posts. Just be patient, your wound is healing naturally if the procedure was done well. READ MORE
How can I change the shape of my nose?
Thank you for your question. This is a very very difficult question that you have asked to me. I haven't the shape of your nose in relations to other structures of your face and more importantly what shape you want, how it makes you look more aesthically attractive. Then I can see if I can do anything to make you happy, not much that I really think it looks good on you. So ask yourself why you want to change your nose shape. Remember you could not see how that shape looks on your face until it was done. You might not like it then. I don't use software to show you before and after pictures, and I don't rely on it. There are so many factors that may affect the outcome. So just work with your surgeon and he can do his best to get the shape that you want if it is in his ability. I don't think I have really answered your question but hopefully made you think more about it. READ MORE
How to fix scars from eye plastic surgery?
Thank you for your question. It is tough to fix scars anywhere on the body. We want scars to be less noticeable, flat and more like skin tone. You ask eyelid scars. If you still have enough skin there, I will try to remove the skin with the scars and reshape your eyelids but you need to wait for 6 months after your previous surgery. If you don't have enough skin there, I cannot do much. We may try to inject steroid to flatten the scars and soften them and wait until we can do the revision. Usually the scars get better with time; so If your eyelid shape is good, just be patient. As with any aesthetic surgery, you should not expect perfection. There are many factors that affect the outcome. Your skin and soft tissue are living things, not a piece of plastic or clay. They change with time. And like a sculptor, your doctor can only do that much considering safety first. READ MORE
Is eyelid plastic surgery safe?
Thank you for your question. Yes, aesthetic plastic eyelid surgery is safe. Still any surgical procedure carries some risks and complications. I only do aesthetic blepharoplasy; so I can say it safe. The problem that I may have to deal with is the aesthetic outcome. It depends on so many factors, not the surgical technique itself. READ MORE
How long after eye plastic surgery will I see results?
Thank you for your question. To answer your question directly, it takes 3 to 6 months to really see the results. It depends on the particular patient and the procedure done. The healing process varies a lot. I try not to injure the soft tissues and control the bleeding without so much cauterization and minimize the damage to the skin. Normally you may have swelling for the first few days; if you have bruises, it takes a week or two to resolve. I do remove sutures that I do to close the skin in a week or so. You look pretty OK in 2 to 3 weeks. Be patient. If there is a adverse problem or complication, especially aesthetic concerns, we can always deal with it, since I do it conservatively and can improve the results later if we need to. READ MORE
When can I swim after neck plastic surgery?
Thank you for your question. There are a few techniques to do necklift and it may be combined with facelift. I don't do deep necklift. So you should always communicate with your doctor if you have any concerns. I just give you my post-op care instructions that I tell my patients. You may expect swelling especially in the first few days; and if there are bruises, it will take a couple weeks to resolve. I do remove the sutures in a week to 10 days. You should be able to move your neck almost fully in 2 weeks but be aware the wound is still healing. If you don't move your neck side to side a lot when swimming, you can start doing it in 2 weeks. I advise you to go back to swimming in 6 weeks. READ MORE
How long after rhinoplasty can I breath normal?
Thank you for your question. In general you breathe better as the swelling is going down. It may take a few days or sometimes weeks. I don't know how your surgeon dressed your wounds and if he or she needed to remove some sutures. The inflammation and healing process may be different from person to person. If you didn't have any breathing problem before surgery and the procedure was done well (no complications), you should breathe almost normally now after 10 days post-op. A sure thing is asking your doctor and may have him or her have a look (and make an exam) of your nose. READ MORE
How long after rhinoplasty can I swim?
Thank you for your question. It depends on the specific procedure you have done and the style of your swimming. In general, if your head is above the water, you can start swimming after 2 weeks or so; but if you swimming butterfly style, I would advise at least 3 months. You just need to be aware that you have had the procedure done, don't let too much sudden pressure on it. So anywhere about 6 weeks you may enjoy swimming again. READ MORE
How long after eyelid plastic surgery can I wear sunglasses?
Thank you for your question. I guess you mean aesthetic plastic eyelid surgery. To my patients, I advise to wear sunglasses the day of surgery when they are good to go home but on the day of surgery and maybe the next day too, if it is still swollen a lot, you have to have someone to drive you. Since eyelid surgery does not affect your vision, you just need to wear your reading glasses if you need to and you should put on teardrops if your eyes are dry. Sunglasses you can wear whenever you want to wear to protect your eyes from the bright light. And makeup you can wear whenever you want just keep the wound clean and moist. Don't touch the wound too much if you don't have to. And try to avoid makeup powder get in the wound, it may irritate it or cause allergic reactions. READ MORE

Areas of expertise and specialization

Face and Body Surgeryskills in skin cancer surgery and facial reconstruction with skin grafts and local flaps

Faculty Titles & Positions

Locum Physician Delta Locum Tenens, Dallas, Texas 2007 - Present
Per-diem Physician Kaiser Permanente Southern California Permanente Medical Group 2007 - 2010
Center, Las Vegas, Nevada R Concentra Medical Center, Las Vegas, Nevada 2002 - 2003
Analytical Chemist Stason Pharmaceuticals, Irvine, California 1994 - 1995

Professional Memberships

American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
European College of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery
American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine
National Association of Cosmetic Physicians
American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery
American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Association of Public Health Physicians
American Medical Association
American Geriatrics Society
American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine

Dr. Khiem D. Lai, MD, DABFP, MMed, MSurg (Aesthetic)'s Practice location

Khiem D. Lai, MD, Garden Grove, California

12502 Brookhurst Street -
Garden Grove, CA 92840

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New patients: 714-590-1949

https://gardengroveaestheticsurgery.com

Mon:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tue:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wed:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thu:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Fri:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed

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Get to know Plastic Surgeon Dr. Khiem D. Lai, who serves patients in Garden Grove, California.

A master aesthetic physician and surgeon, Dr. Lai is the owner of Garden Grove Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery in California. With a commitment to excellence and a diverse skill set, he offers a comprehensive range of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures.

Dr. Lai possesses formal education and training in both aesthetic medicine and aesthetic plastic surgery, complemented by numerous postgraduate medical training courses and workshops in the United States and internationally. Despite not being a US residency-trained plastic surgeon, he has acquired a comprehensive education and extensive training in dermatologic, plastic, and reconstructive surgery, incorporating essential skills into his aesthetic work. Utilizing knowledge of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, he enhances results in facial rejuvenation procedures.

Specializing in a wide range of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures, Dr. Lai showcases expertise in various areas of interest. In the realm of laser treatments, he employs Nd:YAG/KTP Laser for non-ablative skin rejuvenation, acne treatment, hair removal, and addressing pigmented and vascular lesions. Additionally, he utilizes CO2 Laser for fractional skin resurfacing. His proficiency extends to Thermage® RF for skin tightening and Zerona® for body contouring.

In the realm of non-surgical facial rejuvenation, Dr. Lai offers Mesotherapy, Botox/Dermal fillers, and Laser/Fractional CO2 treatments. He is skilled in performing medical facelifts and PRP Plasmajuv, as well as medical rhinoplasty.

Moreover, his expertise encompasses aesthetic facial surgery, including procedures such as blepharoplasty, browlift, rhinoplasty, facial implants, facelift, neck lift, liposculpting, and fat grafting. In the realm of reconstructive facial surgery, Dr. Lai employs techniques such as local flaps and grafts to achieve optimal results.

His proficiency extends to aesthetic breast surgery, covering augmentation, reduction, and breast lift procedures. Furthermore, he excels in body contouring surgery, offering liposuction and fat grafting, as well as lipoabdominoplasty.

Born and raised in Saigon, South Vietnam, Dr. Lai initially pursued studies at the Institute of Financing and Accounting before fleeing the communist regime as a boat person. After arriving in the United States, he immersed himself in learning German while awaiting reunification with his family in Southern California. Driven by a passion for learning, he pursued studies in Math and Science at Community Colleges, initially aiming for a Degree in Electrical Engineering. However, his calling to become a healer redirected him toward a vocation in medicine. Adapting his major to Chemistry and Biochemistry at California State University Long Beach, he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry before working as an analytical chemist in the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Lai’s journey continued with a Medical Degree from Ross University School of Medicine and a subsequent Master of Science Program in Healthcare Administration at California State University Long Beach. Following residency in family practice at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Las Vegas, he returned to Orange County to practice family medicine. His interest in aesthetic medicine sparked during its early stages, leading him to explore lasers and injections for facial rejuvenation.

Recognizing additional possibilities, Dr. Lai pursued further education, including a Post-graduate Diploma Program in Clinical Dermatology at Queen Mary University of London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Practical skills in skin cancer surgery and facial reconstruction with skin grafts and local flaps were acquired during his time in Australia. Dr. Lai capped his educational journey with a Master’s Degree in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery from the Instituto de Estudios Superiores en Medicina, one of the pioneering programs in aesthetic surgery at the time.

Dedicated to continuous improvement, Dr. Lai is committed to aesthetic surgery as both a clinician and performer. Grateful to the patients who have contributed to his ongoing learning, he never ceases to enhance his craftsmanship.

Aesthetic surgery is a central component of plastic surgery and includes facial and body aesthetic surgery. Plastic surgeons use cosmetic surgical principles in all reconstructive surgical procedures as well as isolated operations to improve overall appearance.

Beyond his medical pursuits, Dr. Lai finds joy in playing guitar and electronic music, engaging in drawing and paper folding, exploring arts and crafts, and delving into interests such as cognitive neuroscience and linguistics. A multilingual individual, he has ventured to numerous places, yet Orange County is where he calls home and lives happily.