Meet Dr Wei-Han Chen

Where art and surgery meet

Long before he became a surgeon, Dr Chen wanted to be an artist. He grew up with a passion for painting and sculpture, fascinated by the way shape, proportion and form can communicate — an interest deepened by exhibitions of artists such as Picasso and Warhol, and by the collections of the Louvre in Paris.

Running alongside it was an equally strong desire to help people in a direct and meaningful way. Plastic and reconstructive surgery is where those two threads finally met: a discipline that demands scientific knowledge, technical discipline and precise judgement, yet is inseparable from an appreciation of symmetry, contour and three-dimensional form.

For Dr Chen, surgery is not art in the abstract. It is the careful application of aesthetic judgement and surgical skill in the service of another person's function, confidence and wellbeing — the idea at the heart of WHC Plastic Surgery.

Elegance that heals

Elegance is not an exaggerated or artificial appearance. It is found in proportion, restraint and thoughtful attention to detail — a result that complements the patient rather than overwhelming their identity.

Healing, too, means more than physical recovery. It can mean restoring function after illness or injury, addressing a concern that has quietly affected confidence, or simply helping someone feel more at home in their own body.

A successful result should respect the patient's anatomy and preserve what makes them individual. The aim is never to replace a person's identity with a standardised ideal, but to enhance what they already have — helping each patient move towards a version of themselves that feels restored, confident and authentic.

A journey through medicine and surgery

Dr Chen completed his MBChB at the University of Cape Town, followed by his internship in Pietermaritzburg and early surgical training in Potchefstroom, before moving to Johannesburg to complete the examinations that prepared him for specialist training.

He undertook his registrar training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery through the University of the Witwatersrand, rotating through three of Johannesburg's major academic hospitals — Charlotte Maxeke, Chris Hani Baragwanath and Helen Joseph. This broad exposure to both reconstructive and aesthetic surgery shaped his understanding of the specialty as one that must balance function, form and the individual needs of every patient. During his training he was selected as the registrar representative for the Wits Department of Plastic Surgery.

Skin oncology, teaching and a wider perspective

His Master of Medicine research at Wits focused on skin oncology and the reconstruction of defects following skin-cancer treatment — an interest that remains central to his practice, where removing the disease is only half of the task, and the resulting defect must be rebuilt with careful attention to function, expression and appearance.

Teaching has been an important part of his work, contributing to the training of medical students, junior doctors and future plastic surgeons. In 2021 he represented the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Wits Surgical Society, where he was awarded Best Speaker.

He has also sought perspective beyond South Africa through clinical observerships and professional visits — including University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire in the United Kingdom, the University of Queensland in Australia, Tri-Service General Hospital in Taiwan, and private plastic-surgery practices in Seoul — part of a continuing commitment to learning.

Areas of special interest

Facial aesthetic surgery

Facial harmony comes not from any single feature but from the relationship between the eyes, nose, lips, chin, jawline and the overall shape of the face. Dr Chen treats the face as a whole, improving balance while preserving expression, character and identity — often finding that restraint achieves more than a dramatic change.

Breast surgery

More than size alone, breast surgery balances shape, symmetry, projection and nipple position against a patient's chest, shoulders and overall proportions. Each plan is shaped by anatomy, stage of life and personal preference, with the aim of a result that feels proportionate and aligned with how the patient wishes to see themselves.

Body contouring

Body contouring is about the silhouette — the relationship between the waist, abdomen, hips and back when the body is viewed as a whole. After pregnancy, weight change or ageing, the aim is to restore proportion and continuity while respecting the patient's natural frame, so they feel more at home in their own body.

Skin cancer treatment and reconstruction

Informed by his master's research in skin oncology, Dr Chen treats skin cancer with reconstruction planned around both function and appearance — preserving important anatomical structures, respecting facial boundaries and placing scars as thoughtfully as each case allows.

What patients can expect

Patients meet a compassionate, meticulous and detail-oriented surgeon who takes the time to understand who they are — not only which procedure they are considering. Every consultation begins with listening: to concerns, motivations, medical history, lifestyle and expectations, before any treatment is recommended.

Good surgical care also depends on honest communication — a frank discussion of what can realistically be achieved, the limitations of a procedure, the expected recovery and the potential risks. At times it also means advising against surgery, when a procedure is unlikely to serve the patient's best interests.

From the first consultation through surgery and follow-up, patients can expect thoughtful guidance, clear communication and a treatment journey centred on their safety, dignity and personal goals — with the aim, always, of enhancing what they already have.

Qualifications and professional standing

FC Plast Surg (SA) — Fellow of the College of Plastic Surgeons of South Africa, awarded through the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, where Dr Chen is an active Fellow and member in good standing.

MMed (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery), University of the Witwatersrand — with research focused on skin oncology and reconstruction following skin-cancer treatment.

MBChB, University of Cape Town.

Registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.

Consulting at Netcare Rosebank Hospital, Netcare Krugersdorp Hospital and Lenmed Randfontein Hospital.