Meet Dr. Usha Rajagopal

Top-Rated plastic surgeon in San Francisco

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon - Dr. Usha Rajagopal
dr usha rajagopal san francisco plastic surgeon

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

  1. C02 and Laser Treatment in Improving Your Facelift Technique – American Society of Plastic Surgeons Spring Meeting, 2024

  2. Chin Correction: Osteotomy, Alloplast or Fat Transfer? – American Society of Plastic Surgeons The Meeting, 2023

  3. Perioral Surgery: Lifting, Filling, Resurfacing and Combining Techniques – American Society of Plastic Surgeons The Meeting, 2023

  4. Keep it Simple: My Approach to Common Breast Surgeries – American Society of Plastic Surgeons The Meeting, 2023

  5. Upper Blepharoplasty Eyelid Surgery – Biennial UCSF Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Symposium, 2023

  6. Liquid Rhinoplasty (Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty) – American Society of Plastic Surgeons Spring Meeting, 2023

  7. The Use of Social Media in Attracting Aesthetic Breast Surgery Patients – American Society of Plastic Surgeons Spring Meeting, 2023

  8. Upper Eyelid Surgery – The Aesthetic Society Meeting, 2023

  9. High Impact Procedures in Under One Hour – UCSF Plastic Surgery Grand Rounds, 2022

  10. Can I Get a Lift? Mastopexy in Aesthetic Surgery – American Society of Plastic Surgeons The Meeting, 2022

  11. Fat Grafting to the Hand and Hand Rejuvenation – American Society of Plastic Surgeons The Meeting, 2022

  12. Beyond the Breast: Comprehensive Aesthetic Breast Surgery Pearls from the Experts – American Society of Plastic Surgeons The Meeting, 2022

  13. Facial Balancing & Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty – California Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2022 

  14. Female Genital Rejuvenation: More Than Just a Labiaplasty – American Society of Plastic Surgeons Spring Meeting, 2022

  15. Non-Surgical Options for Women – American Society of Plastic Surgeons Spring Meeting, 2022

  16. Non-surgical Options for Women in their 20s to 60s and Beyond - California Society of Plastic Surgeons (Women in Surgery Event), 2022

  17. How we can best support the canthus- The Aesthetic Meeting, 2021

  18. Risk vs Reward in Lower Blepharoplasty – The Aesthetic Meeting, 2021

  19. Top 5 Most Impactful Surgical Technologies – American Society of Plastic Surgeons Spring Meeting, 2021

  20. Thoughtful Approaches to the Mommy Makeover Patient – American Society of Plastic Surgeons Spring Meeting, 2021

  21. Trending: Lip Lift and Brow Lift – Women Plastic Surgery Retreat, 2021

  22. Vaginal Rejuvenation: Patient Assessment and Technique – Women Plastic Surgery Retreat, 2021

  23. Supporting the Canthus: How and Why? – Practical & Effective Approaches to Facial Rejuvenation, The Aesthetic Society, 2021

  24. Advances in Laser Hair Removal, UCSF Plastic Surgery Annual Meeting, 1999

  25. Role of Plastic Surgery in Clinical Medicine, CRNA quarterly meeting, St. Rose Hospital, 1997.

  26. Advances in Cosmetic Surgery, Nursing Staff Education, St. Rose Hospital, 1996

  27. What’s new in Plastic Surgery, Medical Grand Rounds, St. Rose Hospital, 1996

  28. Role of Plastic Surgery in Clinic Practice, Grand Rounds, Washington Hospital, 1996

  29. Congenital Giant Melanocytic Nevus – Outcome study using tissue expansion. California Society of Plastic Surgeons. Napa, 1995

  30. Current topics in Plastic Surgery – Plastic Surgery Update Meeting, San Francisco, 1995

  31. Principles of Wound Healing – Life Medical Corporation, San Francisco, 1994

  32. Lip & Ear Reconstruction -- Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Grand Rounds, San Francisco, 1994.

  33. Wound Healing, Local Anesthetics & Sedatives -- Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Grand Rounds, San Francisco, 1994.

  34. Augmentation Mammaplasty -- Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Grand Rounds, San Francisco, 1994.

  35. Congenital Hand Anomalies -- Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Grand Rounds, San Francisco, 1993.

  36. Rhinoplasty – Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Grand Rounds, San Francisco, 1993.

  37. Iloprost Enhances Survival in Axial Pattern Skin Flaps – Surgery Research Council Dallas, 1993.

  38. Cushing’s Syndrome – Dept. of General Surgery, Grand Rounds, Dallas, 1992

  39. Chronic Pancreatitis – Dept. of General Surgery, Grand Rounds, Dallas, 1992

Publications

  1. Rajagopal, U (2025). Local Office Procedures (pending publication)

  2. Rajagopal, U (2022). Non Surgical Rhinoplasty

  3. 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

  4. Carlin J, Cassidy S, Rajagopal U et. al. Non-invasive Diffusing Capacity & Cardiac Output in Exercising Dogs. American Physiological Society; pp. 669-674, 1998.

  5. 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.

  6. Rajagopal U, Li Li, Robison J et. al. Visualization of Fetal Arterial Vasculature. (in press) J. Pediatric Surgery.

Abstracts

  1. 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.

  2. Rajagopal U, Mileski W, Weigelt J et. al. Hepatobiliary injury in Blunt Trauma. Southwestern Surgical Society, Monterey, 1993.

  3. 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. 

  4. 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

Media/Press

Awards + Recognition

  • Top Renuva Provider in the United States, 2024

  • 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.