Meet Dr. Usha Rajagopal
Top-Rated plastic surgeon in San Francisco
Dr. Usha Rajagopal is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and the Medical Director of the San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center. For over 20 years, Dr. Rajagopal has utilized her unique perspective of cosmetic surgery to educate and empower her patients. She specializes in cosmetic surgery of the face, breast and body, and her office is a premier center for cosmetic dermatology, medical skin care, and laser treatments.
Her office is located in the heart of the city in beautiful Nob Hill. Dr. Rajagopal is in the forefront of the latest in medical technology to achieve the best results for her patients. Vectra 3D Imaging creates simulations for nose and breast augmentations, Coolsculpting and SmartLipo are used for fat reduction, and VBeam, Alex-Trivantage and CO2 lasers are ideal for skin rejuvenation procedures.
Over the years Dr. Rajagopal has garnered a loyal following and has become the go-to specialist for Mommy Makeover procedures which usually include a trifecta of breast augmentation/breast lift, tummy tuck, and Brazilian butt lift. She is also a pioneer in female rejuvenation procedures, having performed hundreds of labiaplasty, vaginoplasty, FemiLift, and O-Shot procedures.
Dr. Rajagopal graduated from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and did her Fellowship in Plastic Surgery at the University of California at San Francisco. She is a member of American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and California Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Rajagopal’s research has been published in The Journal of Plastic Surgery, she has presented at plastic surgery conferences, run clinical trials and moderated guest panels for medical product and laser companies, as well as mentored other physicians and nurses on advanced injectable and surgical techniques for Allergan.
“With the growing popularity of cosmetic surgery, it is now more important than ever to have the utmost confidence in your plastic surgeon. At a minimum, you should be sure to research the doctor’s qualifications and be aware of “look-alike” board-certifications: only the American Society of Plastic Surgeons represents the highest degree of professional certification.”
Medical Credentials & Membership
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) is the leading organization of board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in cosmetic plastic surgery. ASAPS Active-Member plastic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Whether you’re considering cosmetic or reconstructive plastic surgery, you want the skill of an ASPS Member Surgeon—a doctor with more than six years of surgical training and experience, with at least three years specifically in plastic surgery. Their training and experience make them uniquely qualified to perform your cosmetic or reconstructive procedure.
California Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS) is an organization of practicing, board-certified plastic surgeons committed to the highest ethical standards.
Education
University of California at San Francisco (1993-1995) – Fellowship Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
University of Texas Southwestern (1992-1993) – Research Fellowship Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas (1988-1992) – Residency Department of Surgery
Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas (1987-1988) – Internship Department of Surgery
Nominated to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (1983-1987) – M.D.
University of Texas at Dallas (1980-1982) – Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Biological Sciences
Alpha Omega Alpha – Honor Society
Board Certification
Board Certified American Board of Plastic Surgery – Recertified, 2017
Board Certified American Board of Plastic Surgery, 1997/2000
Board Certified General Surgery, 1993
Hospital/Surgery Center Affiliation
San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center, San Francisco, CA
Seton Medical Center, Daly City, CA
St. Francis Hospital, San Francisco, CA
Professional Associations (Past/Present)
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Member, California Society of Plastic Surgeons
Member, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
Associate Fellow, American College of Surgeons
Member, Parkland Surgical Society
Member, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Alumni
Member, Texas Indo-American Physicians Society
Member, Phi Delta Epsilon Fraternity
Member, American Medical Student Association
Member, International Physicians Association
Member, American Associations of Physicians of Indian Origin
Presentations/Panels
Chin Correction: Osteotomy, Alloplast or Fat Transfer? – American Society of Plastic Surgeons The Meeting, 2023
Perioral Surgery: Lifting, Filling, Resurfacing and Combining Techniques – American Society of Plastic Surgeons The Meeting, 2023
Keep it Simple: My Approach to Common Breast Surgeries – American Society of Plastic Surgeons The Meeting, 2023
Upper Blepharoplasty Eyelid Surgery – Biennial UCSF Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Symposium, 2023
Liquid Rhinoplasty (Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty) – American Society of Plastic Surgeons Spring Meeting, 2023
The Use of Social Media in Attracting Aesthetic Breast Surgery Patients – American Society of Plastic Surgeons Spring Meeting, 2023
Upper Eyelid Surgery – The Aesthetic Society Meeting, 2023
High Impact Procedures in Under One Hour – UCSF Plastic Surgery Grand Rounds, 2022
Can I Get a Lift? Mastopexy in Aesthetic Surgery – American Society of Plastic Surgeons The Meeting, 2022
Fat Grafting to the Hand and Hand Rejuvenation – American Society of Plastic Surgeons The Meeting, 2022
Beyond the Breast: Comprehensive Aesthetic Breast Surgery Pearls from the Experts – American Society of Plastic Surgeons The Meeting, 2022
Facial Balancing & Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty – California Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2022
Female Genital Rejuvenation: More Than Just a Labiaplasty – American Society of Plastic Surgeons Spring Meeting, 2022
Non-Surgical Options for Women – American Society of Plastic Surgeons Spring Meeting, 2022
Non-surgical Options for Women in their 20s to 60s and Beyond - California Society of Plastic Surgeons (Women in Surgery Event), 2022
How we can best support the canthus- The Aesthetic Meeting, 2021
Risk vs Reward in Lower Blepharoplasty – The Aesthetic Meeting, 2021
Top 5 Most Impactful Surgical Technologies – American Society of Plastic Surgeons Spring Meeting, 2021
Thoughtful Approaches to the Mommy Makeover Patient – American Society of Plastic Surgeons Spring Meeting, 2021
Trending: Lip Lift and Brow Lift – Women Plastic Surgery Retreat, 2021
Vaginal Rejuvenation: Patient Assessment and Technique – Women Plastic Surgery Retreat, 2021
Supporting the Canthus: How and Why? – Practical & Effective Approaches to Facial Rejuvenation, The Aesthetic Society, 2021
Advances in Laser Hair Removal, UCSF Plastic Surgery Annual Meeting, 1999
Role of Plastic Surgery in Clinical Medicine, CRNA quarterly meeting, St. Rose Hospital, 1997.
Advances in Cosmetic Surgery, Nursing Staff Education, St. Rose Hospital, 1996
What’s new in Plastic Surgery, Medical Grand Rounds, St. Rose Hospital, 1996
Role of Plastic Surgery in Clinic Practice, Grand Rounds, Washington Hospital, 1996
Congenital Giant Melanocytic Nevus – Outcome study using tissue expansion. California Society of Plastic Surgeons. Napa, 1995
Current topics in Plastic Surgery – Plastic Surgery Update Meeting, San Francisco, 1995
Principles of Wound Healing – Life Medical Corporation, San Francisco, 1994
Lip & Ear Reconstruction -- Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Grand Rounds, San Francisco, 1994.
Wound Healing, Local Anesthetics & Sedatives -- Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Grand Rounds, San Francisco, 1994.
Augmentation Mammaplasty -- Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Grand Rounds, San Francisco, 1994.
Congenital Hand Anomalies -- Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Grand Rounds, San Francisco, 1993.
Rhinoplasty – Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Grand Rounds, San Francisco, 1993.
Iloprost Enhances Survival in Axial Pattern Skin Flaps – Surgery Research Council Dallas, 1993.
Cushing’s Syndrome – Dept. of General Surgery, Grand Rounds, Dallas, 1992
Chronic Pancreatitis – Dept. of General Surgery, Grand Rounds, Dallas, 1992
Publications
Rajagopal, U (2022). Non Surgical Rhinoplasty (pending publication)
Rajagopal, U (2022). Thread Lifts--Theory, Technique, Results and Duration of Effect. Advances in Cosmetic Surgery, 5(1). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S254243272200008X?via%3Dihub
Carlin J, Cassidy S, Rajagopal U et. al. Non-invasive Diffusing Capacity & Cardiac Output in Exercising Dogs. American Physiological Society; pp. 669-674, 1998.
Rajagopal U, Friedman R, Robinson J et. al. Iloprost Enhances Survival of Axial Pattern Skin Flaps in an Ischemia Reperfusion Model. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Vol 95, #5, April 1995.
Rajagopal U, Li Li, Robison J et. al. Visualization of Fetal Arterial Vasculature. (in press) J. Pediatric Surgery.
Abstracts
Friedman R, Adams W, Rajagopal U et. al. Antineutrophil & Vasodilatory Effects of Iloprost in Axial Pattern Skin Flaps. Plastic Surgery Research Council, 39th Annual Meeting, 1994.
Rajagopal U, Mileski W, Weigelt J et. al. Hepatobiliary injury in Blunt Trauma. Southwestern Surgical Society, Monterey, 1993.
Hobar C, Slater D, Johns D, Rajagopal U., Introduction of the Monodelphis Domestica as a Model for Fetal Wound Healing & Craniofacial Development. Plastic Surgery Research Council, 38th Annual Meeting, 1993.
Rajagopal U, Johnson RL., Relationship between Oxygen Consumption & Oxygen Transport in Exercising Dogs. Clin. Research, 34(1):228A, 1986.
Clinical Research
Allergan – Co-Evaluator: Voluma Pivotal Clinical Trial 2009-2014
Affiliations
Allergan - Medical Facial Aesthetics Speaker / Trainer 2014-present
Alma Laser – Luminary Speaker / Trainer 2016
In the Media
Health Beat – Weekly Medical TV Show, Bay Area
The Edge – CNET New Technology Program
Marie Claire Magazine – Women Plastic Surgeons
Reader’s Digest – 13 Things Plastic Surgeons Won’t Tell You
Channel 5 – Eye on the Bay
Woman Now – TV Broadcast
Channel 4 – KRON4 Body Beautiful
Marina Times – Non Invasive beauty treatments that slim and sculpt
Haute Living - Dr. Usha Rajagopal Joins the Exclusive Haute Beauty Network
Haute Living - Labiaplasty 101 with Expert Dr. Rajagopal
Haute Living - 8 Things You Need To Know About The Sculptra Butt Lift
Haute Living - Dr. Rajagopal Shares The Biggest Misconception About Plastic Surgery
Yahoo News - Emsculpt Neo with Dr. Usha Rajagopal
The Beauty Balance Podcast hosted by Dr. Usha Rajagopal
Healthline Media - PRP for Hair Loss
Healthline Media - Everything to Know About Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty
Aedit - The Truth About Under Eye Filler
Aedit - 5 Things You Need To Know About Vaginal Rejuvenation
Awards + Recognition
San Francisco Examiner's 2017 "Best Plastic Surgeon Award"
RealSelf 2017 "Most Loved Injector Award"
RealSelf Top Doctor
Vitals Top Doctor Award
2022 “Best Plastic Surgeon in San Francisco” by Three Best Rated®
America’s Top 10 Plastic Surgeon (California, USA)
Q&A with Usha Rajagopal, MD on RealSelf:
View all answers from Usha Rajagopal, MD on RealSelf.com.
Notice to Consumers: Medical doctors are licensed and regulated by the Medical Board of California • 800-633-2322 mbc.ca.gov
If you have any questions, or wish to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rajagopal, please call the San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center at 415-392-3333.