Plastic Surgery Decoded

Rarely do we realize the significant impact (positive or negative) that the overall physical, mental, and emotional health of a patient can have on the success of their procedure. Overlooked factors may also include a person’s habits, their stressors, nutritional status, and even spiritual concerns.

Enter Dr. Jerry Chidester. He is one of a growing number of plastic surgeons embracing a holistic approach to the care of their patients, and he’s really onto something! In this episode, after elucidating the “big picture” concept he has adopted for his practice, he goes on to tell a poignant patient story that may leave you with a tear in the eye.

Take a listen to what he has to say...

When there is a long-standing mismatch between a person’s gender identity and their gender assigned at birth, it can be a source of great distress, impacting virtually all facets of one’s life.

 Using his vast knowledge and experience, Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Loren Schechter enlightens listeners about the spectrum of gender-affirming procedures that are possible, ranging from the smallest changes to much more complex ones. He also explains the importance of thorough pre-operative consultations, and comprehensive post-operative care & support. Plus, he gives us a little primer on the proper terminology we should be using!

 Whether these concepts affect you or someone you know, or you just wish to be better informed, this episode is a great start.

Exosomes…have you heard of them? 

If not, I’m sure you will soon. They are indeed the buzzword in the plastic surgery and skin rejuvenation worlds. They’re touted to be able to help reverse the signs of skin aging, and to enhance recovery from treatments, as well.

Sounds wonderful, right? But what’s the story on these? Is it hype? Or is there a true effect here?

 In this episode, we go to a helpful source… we speak with plastic surgeon Dr. Spencer Anderson, who researched this very topic, and co-published a journal article highlighting the medical community’s current knowledge on the subject.

There’s really some exciting potential here, yet there is much to still be discovered. 

Let’s go to that conversation, right now…

Menopause is not just a reproductive phenomenon! The perimenopausal years set off a cascade of changes that can affect a woman’s appearance from body contour to skin quality.  Many women at this stage are surprised and frustrated to find that the daily routines they have to keep in shape and to manage their skin, no longer work very well.

So what can be done? Enter Dr. Ashley Amalfi and Dr. Smita Ramanadham, the plastic surgeon team who publish the Lipstick & Lipo podcast. This engaging duo share their expertise about options for Menopause Makeovers and leave listeners with better information about rejuvenation at a time in life that many can find challenging. Take a listen to the fun conversation we had!

Academic medical centers make up only a small percentage of all medical facilities, but what IS an academic institution?  And how is it different from standard community hospitals and surgery centers?

 Are there advantages to them?   Drawbacks?

And would a resident be involved in your surgery?  What IS a resident, anyway?

 In this episode your curiosity will be satisfied as plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Korentager explains everything in an easy-to-understand way. You’ll be armed with good information now, when you need to be at a medical facility in the future.

Here’s our conversation...

Microsurgery – sounds cool, but what is it?Basically it's surgery at a microscopic level, using a microscope to assist. But how did that come about? When would you use it?

 Well, we’ve got expert Dr. Meredith Collins with us in this episode to explain what microsurgery is all about, and how it can help with reconstruction of the body in general, as well as in her sub-specialty breast reconstruction.

Also! Listen in to hear how microsurgery saved the day for a patient with a frustrating problem.

 Here we go...

A new era of facelift… What could that mean? Well, time and technology allow us to improve methods for almost anything. And facelifts are no different!

Yes we’re in a new era of facelifts… one that highlights more natural results while decreasing downtime and risks.

Want to hear more about it?

Well it’s great that we have Dr. Artur Diaz-Carandell all the way from Barcelona, Spain to discuss this topic with us today.  He’s done a huge number of facelifts using more modern techniques, so he definitely has wisdom to share.

Plus at the end he tells us a poignant story of how this procedure changed someone’s life. Listen in now.

You may know that a woman’s breast appearance can psychosocially impact her greatly. So if chosen, what are the options for breast rejuvenation, especially after pregnancy, aging, weight loss, etc? How involved are they? In episode 88 we speak with Dr. Richard Bene to get answers to these questions. Listen in!

Okay, you’ve lost weight, whether through diet and exercise, or weight-loss surgery, or even new drugs like Ozempic. But after going through that lengthy process, what you may not realize is that stretched-out skin will not necessarily shrink back !

Curious about that? Listen to my conversation with Dr. Brian Derby who’s got great explanations of the options for treatment. He imparts important information all throughout this episode, even to the very last  bit.

So be in the know by listening to the episode right now…

A breast reduction can be life-changing!

Yes, a surprising number of women suffer from heavy breasts, and we’re not just talking about endless back and neck pain. Longstanding suffering can lead to mental strain, as well.

But what does a breast reduction really involve? And what happens to sensation? Can you still breast-feed? Plus, will it be covered by insurance?

 In this episode we have Dr. Dinu Mistry (mistrymd.com) the Northwestern US, sharing her thoughts about breast reductions, which she performs frequently.  Listen in as she explains the essentials in such an understandable way.