Meet Dr Gabriel Chiu of Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr Gabriel Chiu.

Hi Dr Gabriel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I started medical school, I wanted to be a pediatrician. But like many students going through their clinical rotations, I changed my mind (the average was 2.5 times), first to radiology, and then to surgery. I trained during a time when it was typical for surgeons to have a God complex and many I had known were demeaning to staff and non-surgical colleagues. This was not the culture that I wanted to join, and it was a dermatologist, Dr. David Gorsulowsky, and an ear- nose- throat surgeon, Dr. Dale Elleson, who convinced me that I could become a surgeon and still be myself.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My surgical residency was personally challenging, as I was seen as the laid-back California boy as opposed to a cut-throat surgical resident. This was mild compared to the racist undertones that would sometimes surface. I became conditioned to believe that this was the norm and just a part of surgical residency that you had to endure and survive. But it was quite disheartening when I made a request to rotate in plastic surgery for my elective and was denied. My only recourse was to ask if I could have my two weeks of vacation together. My program thought it was a strange request but allowed me to do it. I was able to secure a two-week rotation with the surgeon who would end up being my chief of plastic surgery, Dr. Sherman Leis. Though I knew it was unlikely that it would go anywhere, I was determined to make the most of my two weeks. At the end of it, Dr. Leis was upset that I didn’t schedule a typical 4 week rotation. After explaining the circumstances, he was surprised that I would go to this extent to gain the experience. He agreed that my chances were slim, but he encouraged me to apply for the fellowship. Thankfully, Dr. Leis thought enough of me to be my flagbearer, and I was fortunate enough to be offered the position.

My fellowship years were the best years of my training. I took nothing for granted and every situation was an opportunity to learn. To me, I only had this time to learn everything I could about plastic surgery. When I was done with my duties on my rotation, I would call the other attendings and ask if they were still in surgery and if I could come to help. I would also find out which attendings were on call and offer to take their call at the hospital. By the time I was chief resident, I was well known to the staff, who were used to contacting me to triage and schedule emergency surgeries.
After completing my chief residency, life led me to Los Angeles, where I’ve been ever since.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My wife, Christine Chiu and I co-founded Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery (trademarked!) in 2007, after I had spent many years working at a large medical corporation as the senior plastic and reconstructive surgeon. When we embarked on this concierge-oriented aesthetic surgery practice, we endeavored to provide the most elevated client services, personalized attention, proven advanced technologies and refused to cut any corners. Visually, we designed the space to feel like a luxury boutique on Rodeo Drive, rather than a stale doctor’s office. Our concierge staff assist with lodging, dining and activities reservations and we also have patients’ favorite beverages and snacks on hand. After nearly 20 years, we have not veered from our initial concept of service and care. We are now 50,000 clients strong and expanding to the east coast and internationally.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I know that most would argue otherwise when they hear the further details of my story, but I don’t consider myself a risk taker. I just don’t like to live in regret and wonder what-if. “What if I never get an opportunity to experience this field?” drove me to using my vacation time for a rotation. If you don’t try to be proactive in making your dream a reality, it will remain a dream.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beverlyhillsplasticsurgeryinc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchiubhps/