Meet Dr. James Chao — Board Certified, World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon
Finding the best surgeon for your procedure starts with understanding who is behind the work. Dr. James J. Chao, MD, FACS, brings more than 25 years of experience in plastic, reconstructive, and hand surgery to every patient he sees. A nationally recognized, board-certified plastic surgeon and fellowship-trained specialist in hand and microsurgical procedures, Dr. Chao holds deep expertise in breast surgery, body contouring, facial rejuvenation, and advanced skin resurfacing.
As the founding surgeon of VedaNu Wellness in San Diego, he built this practice around a standard he has held throughout his entire career: precise technique, thoughtful planning, and results that look genuinely natural.
Where Excellence Begins
Dr. Chao’s academic and clinical training represent the highest levels of surgical education in the United States. He graduated with honors from Stanford University, earned his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine, and completed his surgical training at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital, one of the most respected programs in the country.
His certifications and memberships reflect that same standard:
- Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
- American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH)
- American Microsurgical Society (AMS)
- Plastic Surgery Research Council (PSRC)
A Career Built on Surgical Leadership
Dr. Chao’s professional history spans elite clinical practice, academic leadership, and healthcare innovation. Prior to founding VedaNu Wellness, he served as a Clinical Professor of Surgery at UC San Diego, where he shaped the training of surgeons entering the field while maintaining an active practice.
Dr. Chao also co-founded Pacific Healthcare Alliance, a healthcare platform that delivers premium, integrated care across multiple specialties. That same commitment to integrated, high-quality care continues to define VedaNu Wellness today.
His expertise has earned recognition well beyond the operating room. Dr. Chao served as the team plastic and hand surgeon for the San Diego Chargers and ESPN X Games, and his work has appeared on The Doctors, in the San Diego Union-Tribune, and in other respected national publications.
Where Skill Meets Genuine Care
What separates a good surgeon from the best surgeon is not credentials alone. It is the quality of attention each patient receives before, during, and after a procedure.
Dr. Chao begins every case with a thorough, unhurried consultation. He listens carefully, clarifies what is achievable, and builds a surgical plan around your specific anatomy and goals. Patients with complex revision cases, specialized aesthetic needs, or procedures requiring advanced technique find a surgeon who engages directly with those challenges rather than working around them.
Dr. Chao remains committed to advancing plastic surgery through ongoing innovation, research, and education, ensuring that every patient benefits from the most current, evidence-based techniques.