Story by Lynne Hayes

Heather Pena, MD and Kyle Kimura, MD

Become the Best Version of Yourself

Heather Pena, MD

Raise your hand if you sometimes dislike what you see in the mirror. If your hand is up, you’re in good company. Studies show that 83% of women and 74% of men are dissatisfied with how their body looks. It seems most of us have that one thing (or multiple things) we’d love to change, whether it’s our thighs, smile lines, tummy, neck – you name it. Does that make us vain?

“Absolutely not,” insisted Dr. Heather Peña, a plastic surgeon focused on breast and body rejuvenation with Ascentist Plastic Surgery (APS), which opened in Overland Park in 2021. “We all deserve to feel good about ourselves and confident about our looks at every age.”

“That’s not to say we should all strive to look like a celebrity,” she added. “Our team believes in helping our patients become the best version of themselves.”

Kyle Kimura, MD

Colleague, Dr. Kyle Kimura, who specializes in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, agrees and is not shy about discussing what he calls “total transparency” with patients. “All of us believe in this idea,” he noted. “That means offering only what we feel like will actually help the patient (not necessarily just the newest laser or device) and sometimes that means saying no and helping patients come to terms with that. That being said, that happens far less often than you’d think. The truth is, there’s a stigma in our society about plastic surgery that I think is unfair. It’s okay to want to feel better about yourself and the good news is, you have options to make that happen.”

State-of-the-Art Options Performed by Experts

Peña and Kimura, who both joined the practice in 2023, are part of a team of four highly trained plastic surgeons. Their team is supported by a robust staff of advance practice providers, nurses, physician’s assistants, and front office staff all dedicated to delivering exceptional, personalized care for their patients. While APS functions as a solo entity, it shares many services and facilities with its parent health organization, Ascentist Healthcare Group.

The team at APS offers patients a wide range of options for rejuvenation and reconstruction.  They offer state-of-the-art surgical interventions for face and body including non-invasive procedures which cover everything from fillers to Botox, laser treatments, IV therapies, and more.

“The key to our success,” Peña theorized, “is that while we are four separate individuals, we all share a common goal – to do our very best on behalf of our patients.  We’re a very collaborative team. I can reach out to anyone with a question, or to explore different approaches. We also love to see each other socially, which I think contributes to our close bond.”

Patients Always Come First

Peña describes Ascentist Plastic Surgery as a “patient first” practice.

“When you come in for a consult, you’ll never feel rushed,” she said. “We understand that these are big decisions, so we always take the time to answer all of your questions and provide complete information about what to expect. We typically spend well over an hour with patients for this.”

Kimura added that it’s not just the consultation where APS shines.

“Even after that first visit, our team supports our patients every step of the way. We call patients before and after their procedures, and we have a great text messaging system that allows patients to reach someone in our office 24/7 if needed before and after the procedures.”

Kimura and Peña even share their personal cell number with their patients. “If you have a concern, I want to know about it” says Kimura.

“People see and respond to that level of care and compassion,” added Peña. “That’s why we get so many word-of-mouth referrals. We’re personally invested in all of our patients’ outcomes, and it shows.”

Committed to Excellence

Peña, who has been in practice for six years, earned both her undergraduate degree and medical degree through the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s highly regarded accelerated 6-year combined program. She furthered her pursuit of excellence by completing her residency at the University of South Florida.

“People often ask how I chose surgery and then plastic surgery. I didn’t have doctors in my family, but as a child, I was fascinated by medical TV shows and books about surgeons,” she recalled. “During medical school, I became interested in plastics. It’s such an exciting and vast field with so much potential. We’re true innovators with so many amazing procedures coming on board every year.”

Peña said what she especially loves is the fact that plastic surgeons don’t own any one part of the body. “We can address every part and have to be the best in several areas. I’m constantly growing and learning because I want to meet my patients’ highest expectations.”

At APS, Peña focuses on breast and body rejuvenation. “Patients come to me after pregnancy, following massive weight loss, or after a mastectomy, for example. I regularly collaborate with several breast surgeons for these procedures. My passion is in the broad range of body contouring. I perform surgeries to reduce excess skin from all areas of the body to create a more favorable contour and allow patients to fit more comfortably in clothing. My favorite combination of procedures is what is colloquially known as a “mommy makeover”, which is basically combining any breast procedure with a tummy tuck. It is such a powerful operation for women, and it is so satisfying to see the impact that it makes for them.”

Kimura took a different path to APS. He grew up in Kansas City, attending the University of Kansas for Medical School followed by Vanderbilt University for his residency in Head & Neck Surgery. While there, he excelled in clinical care and earned accolades for his groundbreaking research that ultimately led to being selected for a prestigious Fellowship at Stanford in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

“I chose this profession for many reasons,” Kimura said, adding with a smile. “For one, I’m super competitive; I want to be the best at what I do. In the field of plastic surgery, you can always grow, you can always find new ways to be better and are constantly striving to be the best.”

“I also enjoy the opportunity to really get to know my patients on a personal level and develop relationships over time so I can truly meet their needs. At the end of the day, if I can help them feel better about themselves, that’s something that truly means a lot to me.”

Exciting Advancements Ahead

Both Peña and Kimura look forward to the innovations and trends on the horizon for the field of plastic surgery.

“We’re in a golden era in terms of new techniques, technology, and advancements in the field,” Kimura said.

He indicated that the biggest area of growth in the future will likely be in the non-surgical realm which should be great news for patients who seek more affordable, less invasive forms of rejuvenation, often with quicker recovery times.

“There are new devices and interventions being introduced all the time that we continue to learn about,” he added. “As a group, we vet each option on behalf of our patients. We choose the innovations we believe in and meet our high standards. If we don’t use it here, it’s because we’ve found something better.”

Peña is particularly excited about two practice features in development.

“A number of our patients travel to us from out-of-town for procedures. Some come because they have no local options. Others want the privacy of having their procedures away from their hometown. We’ve built relationships with local Boutique Hotels to provide accommodations, but we’re also actively planning to create recovery suites so that these patients can heal right here inside our facility.”

Additionally, Peña is also spearheading a move toward a holistic approach to feeling and looking well.

“Attending to the whole body by living a healthy lifestyle is important when it comes to maintaining results,” she added. “For example, I’ve begun to develop partnerships with yoga instructors, nutritionists, I.V. therapists, and lymphatic drainage experts so I can connect my patients to a broader team of practitioners who can help ensure both pre-and post-surgery success.”

Both Peña and Kimura are well aware that patients have numerous options to choose from when it comes to plastic surgery in the area.

“We see that as a good thing,” Kimura said. “Competition drives everyone to be their best, and at the end of the day, I want what is best for patients. I encourage patients to get as many opinions as they need to feel comfortable. Just know that if you come to us you’ll be coming to a place that genuinely values you as a person – and that will be felt from the moment you enter our front office to how our entire surgical and procedural teams make you feel.”

Added Peña, “We are the only surgeons that patients actually have fun going to!”

 For more information on Ascentist Plastic Surgery and these talented Physicians, please call

(913) 285-5662 or visit ascentistplasticsurgery.com.