Meet The Doctor

Patients from all but a few of the 50 states travel to see double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kristopher Hamwi in sunny Florida for his cutting-edge techniques, from awake liposuction to deep plane facelifts.

Unlike most surgeons who only address excess skin, Dr. Hamwi takes a full-picture approach to arm lifts. By combining liposuction with skin tightening, he sculpts, reduces volume, and enhances the lift, all under local anesthesia. Patients stay awake, swap stories with him, and walk out feeling like nothing happened.

With extra training in facial aesthetics, Dr. Hamwi is always refining his skills. He’s passionate about advanced techniques like deep plane facelifts, helping patients look as youthful as they feel.

Since many of his patients fly in from out of town, he ensures smooth recoveries by sending them home with PICO negative pressure dressings. These high-tech wound vacs speed up healing and improve results—because great surgery deserves great aftercare.

To learn more about Florida plastic surgeon Dr. Kristopher Hamwi

Follow Dr. Hamwi on Instagram @flplasticsurgery

ABOUT MEET THE DOCTOR 

The purpose of the Meet the Doctor podcast is simple.  We want you to get to know your doctor before meeting them in person because you’re making a life changing decision and time is scarce. The more you can learn about who your doctor is before you meet them, the better that first meeting will be.
 
When you head into an important appointment more informed and better educated, you are able to have a richer, more specific conversation about the procedures and treatments you’re interested in. There’s no substitute for an in-person appointment, but we hope this comes close.

Meet The Doctor is a production of The Axis.
Made with love in Austin, Texas.

Are you a doctor or do you know a doctor who’d like to be on the Meet the Doctor podcast?  Book a free 30 minute recording session at meetthedoctorpodcast.com.

After years of seeing patients frustrated by ineffective treatments and wasting money on beauty products and treatments that don’t deliver, Dr. Jason Hall decided to set the record straight. 

To cut through the noise and expose the truth behind skincare scams, influencer marketing, and underqualified providers, he wrote his book The Art of Aging: Look Great, Not Fake.

Dr. Hall breaks down what actually works, what’s worth the investment, and how to make informed choices. He helps readers spot untrained providers, avoid overhyped trends, and build a skincare routine tailored to their biology—not just the latest fads.

Knowing that good skincare is the foundation of any anti-aging plan, he also includes a science-backed framework to guide readers toward real results.

His passion for education extends beyond the book. His podcast, The Trillium Show, has transformed the way he approaches consultations, with patients coming in better informed and ready for more productive discussions. 

For Dr. Hall, great results start with teamwork, which is why every first visit is about understanding a patient’s goals before anything else.

Purchase Dr. Hall’s book, The Art of Aging

Listen to Dr. Hall’s podcast, The Trillium Show

To learn more about Knoxville plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Hall

Follow Dr. Hall on Instagram @drjasonhall

ABOUT MEET THE DOCTOR 
The purpose of the Meet the Doctor podcast is simple.  We want you to get to know your doctor before meeting them in person because you’re making a life changing decision and time is scarce. The more you can learn about who your doctor is before you meet them, the better that first meeting will be. 

When you head into an important appointment more informed and better educated, you are able to have a richer, more specific conversation about the procedures and treatments you’re interested in. There’s no substitute for an in-person appointment, but we hope this comes close.

Meet The Doctor is a production of The Axis.
Made with love in Austin, Texas.

Are you a doctor or do you know a doctor who’d like to be on the Meet the Doctor podcast?  Book a free 30 minute recording session at meetthedoctorpodcast.com.

For Dr. Shannon Kuruvilla, building long-term relationships and making patients feel comfortable and heard is at the heart of her practice. 

As a mom of two, she connects deeply with mommy makeover patients—she gets it. From breast augmentation to labiaplasty, she loves helping moms feel confident again. She’s also passionate about body contouring for patients who have lost significant weight and are ready for that final step to fully enjoy their transformation.

Beyond aesthetics, Dr. Kuruvilla improves the lives of migraine sufferers through migraine surgery, offering trigger site decompression. She discovered her passion for it during residency and has seen firsthand how life-changing it can be.

After six years of in-depth training at the University of Virginia, she’s back in her hometown of Houston, Texas, as a member of the team at Basu Aesthetics + Plastic Surgery.

To learn more about Basu Aesthetics + Plastic Surgery

Follow Dr. Kuruvilla on Instagram @shannon.kuruvilla 

ABOUT MEET THE DOCTOR 

The purpose of the Meet the Doctor podcast is simple.  We want you to get to know your doctor before meeting them in person because you’re making a life changing decision and time is scarce. The more you can learn about who your doctor is before you meet them, the better that first meeting will be. 

When you head into an important appointment more informed and better educated, you are able to have a richer, more specific conversation about the procedures and treatments you’re interested in. There’s no substitute for an in-person appointment, but we hope this comes close.

Meet The Doctor is a production of The Axis.
Made with love in Austin, Texas.

Are you a doctor or do you know a doctor who’d like to be on the Meet the Doctor podcast?  Book a free 30 minute recording session at meetthedoctorpodcast.com.

Women from across the country seek Dr. Danielle Dumestre out—whether discovering her on TikTok or through doctor referral — for her expertise in complex breast reconstruction. 

She helps women navigate options to achieve their aesthetic goals after breast cancer, often using staged DIEP flap reconstruction to restore volume.

Originally from Canada, Dr. Dumestre came to the U.S. for a breast microsurgery fellowship in Dallas. She later returned home for an academic role but missed the sunshine and joined Dr. Christine Fisher’s all-female practice in Austin, specializing in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Her approach is all about education, helping women understand their choices, timelines, and what’s best for them. 

She’s also passionate about aesthetics, particularly when it overlaps with reconstruction, often using lifts, reductions, and/or implants to correct asymmetry and tuberous breasts.

To learn more about Austin plastic surgeon Dr. Danielle Dumestre

Learn more about Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Follow Dr. Dumestre on Instagram @dumestre_plasticsurgery and TikTok @dumestre_plasticsurgery

ABOUT MEET THE DOCTOR 

The purpose of the Meet the Doctor podcast is simple.  We want you to get to know your doctor before meeting them in person because you’re making a life changing decision and time is scarce. The more you can learn about who your doctor is before you meet them, the better that first meeting will be. 

When you head into an important appointment more informed and better educated, you are able to have a richer, more specific conversation about the procedures and treatments you’re interested in. There’s no substitute for an in-person appointment, but we hope this comes close.

Meet The Doctor is a production of The Axis.
Made with love in Austin, Texas.

Are you a doctor or do you know a doctor who’d like to be on the Meet the Doctor podcast?  Book a free 30 minute recording session at meetthedoctorpodcast.com.

Psychotherapist Candace Smith has always been fascinated by people—how we think, how we feel, and what drives our behaviors.

Specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), originally designed for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), DBT helps people manage emotions, cope with stress, and build healthier relationships. Over time, it’s proven just as effective for anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders.

Candace’s work focuses on some of BPD’s most challenging symptoms: impulsivity, emotional outbursts, and self-destructive behaviors. These patterns can feel overwhelming, not just for those experiencing them but for the people around them too.

To create a safe, supportive space, Candace started a women’s DBT group. It’s a place for connection, skill-building, and open conversation. Each week, members check in, share experiences, and receive feedback (if they’re open to it) to feel heard, supported, and empowered to create real change.

Learn more about Austin psychotherapist Candace Smith at https://www.candacedbt.com/

ABOUT MEET THE DOCTOR 

The purpose of the Meet the Doctor podcast is simple.  We want you to get to know your doctor before meeting them in person because you’re making a life changing decision and time is scarce. The more you can learn about who your doctor is before you meet them, the better that first meeting will be. 

When you head into an important appointment more informed and better educated, you are able to have a richer, more specific conversation about the procedures and treatments you’re interested in. There’s no substitute for an in-person appointment, but we hope this comes close.

Meet The Doctor is a production of The Axis.
Made with love in Austin, Texas.

Are you a doctor or do you know a doctor who’d like to be on the Meet the Doctor podcast?  Book a free 30 minute recording session at meetthedoctorpodcast.com.

For Dr. Jason Giles, addiction medicine isn’t just a profession—it’s a calling shaped by personal experience. In recovery himself, he knows firsthand what it takes to break free from substance dependence. 

With over 20 years in the field, he combines his deep understanding of addiction with extensive medical expertise to help others reclaim their lives.

Before specializing in addiction medicine, Dr. Giles worked in high-intensity trauma, cardiac, and transplant anesthesia. His journey took a turn during a fellowship in pain medicine, where his own recovery, now 25 years strong, led him to addictionology.

Today, Dr. Giles cares for patients through treatment centers across California and beyond. He specializes in detox care, helping patients safely transition from substances like alcohol and opiates. His patients value his expertise, empathy, and lived experience as proof that recovery is possible. 

For Dr. Giles, it’s not just about living longer, but living better.

To learn more about Los Angeles addictionologist Dr. Jason Giles

Follow Dr. Giles on Instagram @drjasongiles 

ABOUT MEET THE DOCTOR 

The purpose of the Meet the Doctor podcast is simple.  We want you to get to know your doctor before meeting them in person because you’re making a life changing decision and time is scarce. The more you can learn about who your doctor is before you meet them, the better that first meeting will be. 

When you head into an important appointment more informed and better educated, you are able to have a richer, more specific conversation about the procedures and treatments you’re interested in. There’s no substitute for an in-person appointment, but we hope this comes close.

Meet The Doctor is a production of The Axis.
Made with love in Austin, Texas.

Are you a doctor or do you know a doctor who’d like to be on the Meet the Doctor podcast?  Book a free 30 minute recording session at meetthedoctorpodcast.com.

After realizing true healing requires addressing the body as a whole, Dr. Joy Kong expanded from psychiatry to integrative medicine. Now a leader in stem cell therapy, she spends time uncovering root causes rather than just treating symptoms.

Unlike traditional medicine, where appointments are often rushed, Dr. Kong takes the time to deeply understand her patients, their history, and the complex interactions within their bodies. 

Her approach helps people of all ages, from young children with autism to seniors in their 90’s. She’s treated a 9/11 responder with severe lung damage, restoring lung function, and helped a patient with debilitating trigeminal neuralgia go from 30-50 pain episodes a day to completely pain-free.

But her mission doesn’t stop at patient care. Frustrated by how many doctors overlook new research, she founded the American Academy of Integrative Cell Therapy to educate other physicians on stem cell treatments. She even developed a 100% natural stem cell-based skincare cream.

Dr. Kong is also passionate about clearing up misconceptions. Through her podcast, she helps people understand the science behind regenerative medicine—so much so that many of her patients walk into their first appointment already informed from her episodes.

To learn more about Los Angeles anti-aging specialist Dr. Joy Kong

Follow Dr. Kong on Instagram @dr_joy_kong

Subscribe to Dr. Kong’s YouTube channel

Learn more about the American Academy of Integrative Cell Therapy

Shop Dr. Kong’s skin care line, Chara Omni

ABOUT MEET THE DOCTOR 

The purpose of the Meet the Doctor podcast is simple.  We want you to get to know your doctor before meeting them in person because you’re making a life changing decision and time is scarce. The more you can learn about who your doctor is before you meet them, the better that first meeting will be. 

When you head into an important appointment more informed and better educated, you are able to have a richer, more specific conversation about the procedures and treatments you’re interested in. There’s no substitute for an in-person appointment, but we hope this comes close.

Meet The Doctor is a production of The Axis.
Made with love in Austin, Texas.

Are you a doctor or do you know a doctor who’d like to be on the Meet the Doctor podcast?  Book a free 30 minute recording session at meetthedoctorpodcast.com.

A problem solver at heart, Dr. Hakim Said blends science, artistry, and technology in his approach to aesthetic surgery. 

Dr. Said is fascinated by the science of both facial and body aging and reshaping the body—working not just to restore but to "future-proof" results by strategically replacing fat to create long-term stability, preventing the common rebound effect.

With a background in computer science and a passion for innovation, he’s always exploring the latest advancements to deliver the best outcomes.

After 15 years leading the Reconstructive Microsurgery Program at the University of Washington specializing in breast cancer reconstruction, today his downtown Seattle practice is focused on reconstructive and aesthetic surgery of the breast, face, and body. 

To learn more about Seattle plastic surgeon Dr. Hakim Said

Follow Dr. Said on Instagram @hakimsaidmd

ABOUT MEET THE DOCTOR 

The purpose of the Meet the Doctor podcast is simple.  We want you to get to know your doctor before meeting them in person because you’re making a life changing decision and time is scarce. The more you can learn about who your doctor is before you meet them, the better that first meeting will be. 

When you head into an important appointment more informed and better educated, you are able to have a richer, more specific conversation about the procedures and treatments you’re interested in. There’s no substitute for an in-person appointment, but we hope this comes close.

Meet The Doctor is a production of The Axis.
Made with love in Austin, Texas.

Are you a doctor or do you know a doctor who’d like to be on the Meet the Doctor podcast?  Book a free 30 minute recording session at meetthedoctorpodcast.com.

Dr. Mike Van Thielen is upgrading the body, mind and life by objectively reversing biological age. Through his Limitless Lab program, he helps people from all walks of life feel superhuman, not just by living longer, but by enjoying a higher quality of life for more years.

Whether looking to level up as athletes, entrepreneurs, or professionals, Dr. Mike’s seven-step system pushes them out of their comfort zone and into peak performance.

Dr. Mike doesn’t just preach longevity; he lives it… in his free time he’s smashing freestyle swimming records in his age group while reversing his own biological clock.

Learn more about expert biohacker Dr. Mike Van Thielen

Follow Dr. Van Thielen on Instagram @drmike_health4life

ABOUT MEET THE DOCTOR 
The purpose of the Meet the Doctor podcast is simple.  We want you to get to know your doctor before meeting them in person because you’re making a life changing decision and time is scarce. The more you can learn about who your doctor is before you meet them, the better that first meeting will be. 

When you head into an important appointment more informed and better educated, you are able to have a richer, more specific conversation about the procedures and treatments you’re interested in. There’s no substitute for an in-person appointment, but we hope this comes close.

Meet The Doctor is a production of The Axis. 
Made with love in Austin, Texas.

Are you a doctor or do you know a doctor who’d like to be on the Meet the Doctor podcast?  Book a free 30 minute recording session at meetthedoctorpodcast.com.

Dr. Lee B. Daniel describes himself as “a plastic surgeon second, a good human being first.” With over three decades of experience helping people from all walks of life, he connects with patients on a personal level, ensuring they’re always treated as individuals, not just procedures. 

Growing up on a large Kentucky farm with four younger sisters, Dr. Daniel learned responsibility early, inspired by his father, a Marine drill sergeant turned doctor. Even in high school, he felt drawn to plastic surgery, combining his natural creativity, spatial awareness, and dexterity, a skill set that made the field feel like it chose him.

In 1999, Dr. Daniel moved to Eugene, Oregon, to open his private practice, introducing advanced techniques to the area. He later expanded with his med spa, The Spa Side, and soon after, The Guy Side, offering treatments specifically for men. These med spas complement his surgical expertise, offering non-surgical options to enhance results.

Dr. Daniel does it all: face, breast, and body, and loves every bit of it. 

To learn more about Eugene plastic surgeon Dr. Lee B. Daniel

Follow Dr. Daniel on Instagram @bestplasticsurgeon

ABOUT MEET THE DOCTOR 

The purpose of the Meet the Doctor podcast is simple.  We want you to get to know your doctor before meeting them in person because you’re making a life changing decision and time is scarce. The more you can learn about who your doctor is before you meet them, the better that first meeting will be. 

When you head into an important appointment more informed and better educated, you are able to have a richer, more specific conversation about the procedures and treatments you’re interested in. There’s no substitute for an in-person appointment, but we hope this comes close.

Meet The Doctor is a production of The Axis.
Made with love in Austin, Texas.

Are you a doctor or do you know a doctor who’d like to be on the Meet the Doctor podcast?  Book a free 30 minute recording session at meetthedoctorpodcast.com.