Massachusetts General Hospital

Biography

When you consult with Dr. Liao, it will be apparent that he is focused on providing you the best outcome with the safest approach. Dr. Liao has expertise in breast and facial surgery, where techniques utilized in complex reconstructive surgery are applied to enhance cosmetic outcomes, and vice versa. Dr. Liao has expertise in the latest proven cosmetic procedures and performs the most challenging microsurgical reconstruction. It is this depth of clinical experience and versatility of practice that makes his skill set unique, enabling him to optimize care for both cosmetic and reconstructive patients.

His practice includes 1) all aspects of breast surgery: breast lift (mastopexy), breast augmentation, reduction mammaplasty, reconstruction (DIEP, TMG/TUG, SIEA, SGAP, TRAM), 2) all aspects of facial aesthetic surgery: blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, face and neck lift, otoplasty, Botox and fillers, 3) body contouring: tummy tucks, liposuction.

Dr. Liao is a graduate of Stanford University (B.S., M.S.), Harvard Medical School / M.I.T. (M.D., Ph.D.), and trained in plastic surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Liao's clinical and academic excellence have earned numerous prestigious awards:  American Surgical Association Fellowship, Basil O'Connor Scholar Award, MGH 100 Honoree.

Dr. Liao is an Assistant Professor in Surgery at Harvard Medical School and the MGH Site Director for the Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency. He also directs research as the Principal Investigator of his laboratory at the Center for Regenerative Medicine, and is a Principal Faculty of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.

When Dr. Liao is involved in the care of a patient, it is a personal and expert relationship. He reciprocates the trust of a patient and her loved ones with great technical skill, aesthetic sense and the best science has to offer.

Research

Dr. Liao strives to improve patient care through clinical and basic research innovation. He has contributed numerous original works on various topics in breast surgery, such as novel techniques in cosmetic breast surgery as well as reconstruction. His work is often focused on patient safety, such as prevention of deep vein thrombosis in breast reconstructive patients and how to manage challenging reconstructive problems.

Dr. Liao is active at the national and international level, through major surgical organizations, such as the American Society of Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery Research Council, American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons.  He and his research fellows present at national meetings regularly, on topics ranging from breast reconstruction to craniofacial developmental genetics.  

Dr. Liao is a Principal Investigator and Faculty of the Center for Regenerative Medicine, and Affiliate Faculty of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.  His laboratory investigates the genetic regulation of craniofacial development. Fellowship positions in basic and clinical research can be arranged with Dr. Liao. Full funding (2-year minimum tenure) can be guaranteed for candidates with the appropriate experience and references. For more information about the Craniofacial Developmental Biology Laboratory, see the research lab website.

Publications

View my most recent publications at PubMed

Please see link to Pubmed for selected publications.
Clinical topics:
Aesthetic breast surgery, breast reduction.
Breast reconstruction, techniques, safety.
Breast reconstruction, multidisciplinary approach, textbook chapter.

Basic research topics:
Craniofacial genetics
Stem cell biology