Advertise on podcast: Lipstick & Lipo: Your Unfiltered Guide to Plastic Surgery

You often hear women say take a photo of me from this side because they think they have a better side. And while that might be true, those differences are part of what makes your face recognizably yours and overcorrecting them can make you look distorted rather than refreshed. This week on Lipstick and Lipo we are talking about facial asymmetry. It is a topic we have not covered much but as board certified plastic surgeons it is a big part of what we do every day. Whether you are getting fillers or considering facial surgery, making sure you still look like you is always the goal. No one has a perfectly symmetric face and that is not something we want to change. Your asymmetry is part of what makes you look like you.  What You’ll Learn: As board certified plastic surgeons we understand the face from the inside out the muscles, the layers and the underlying structure and this is why you want this level of skill when working on your face. What we are trained to see during a consultation that most people would never notice. Why going to someone who truly knows the face protects you from results that work against you. Why the goal is always for you to walk out looking like yourself, only better. Connect with Dr. Ashley Amalfi: Website - https://www.quatela.com/about/our-surgeons/dr-ashley-n-amalfi/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drashleyamalfi/   Connect with Dr. Smita Ramanadham: Website - https://www.drsmita.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thedrsmita/

This week on Lipstick and Lipo we are answering your questions about compression after surgery and what actually happens if you skip it. Compression is one of the most important parts of recovery after body surgery and one of the most misunderstood. As board certified plastic surgeons we see the difference it makes and we see what happens when patients do not wear it consistently. We cover why compression works, how long you actually need it, why finding the right fit matters more than the brand, and why skipping it or wearing the wrong garment can permanently affect your results. What You'll Learn Why compression is a non-negotiable part of recovery after body surgery. Why compression should feel supportive not torturous. Why uniform compression matters and what happens when your garment does not fit properly. Why skipping compression or wearing the wrong garment can permanently change your contour. Why consistency matters more than the brand you choose. Why your compression needs will change as your swelling goes down and your body changes. Why timing your surgery around the season can make compression more manageable.

This week on Lipstick and Lipo we are answering a viewer question that a lot of patients want to ask but do not always feel comfortable bringing up. When can you resume intimacy after surgery? As board certified plastic surgeons we treat physical intimacy the same way we treat any other physical activity and the risks of doing it too soon are very real. We cover the general timeline, what can actually happen if you rush it, why certain procedures require a longer wait, and why protecting your recovery protects your results. What You'll Learn: Why physical intimacy is treated the same as any other physical activity during recovery. The general timeline for resuming intimacy after plastic surgery. What actually happens when patients are intimate too soon after surgery and why bleeding is a real surgical risk. Why rushing intimacy can send you back to day zero of your recovery. Why certain procedures like breast augmentation and labiaplasty require a longer wait for intimacy specifically. Why your body will tell you when it is too soon even if you want to push through it. Why these are general guidelines and why your surgeon may have specific nuances for your procedure. Why protecting your recovery means protecting your results long term. Connect with Dr. Smita Website Instagram Connect with Dr. Amalfi Website Instagram

This week on Lipstick and Lipo we are covering something that does not come along often in plastic surgery a truly new and innovative technique that is changing the way we think about breast augmentation. The Preserve technique is minimally invasive, uses your natural anatomy, requires no general anesthesia and has a remarkably quick recovery. We cover how it compares to traditional breast augmentation, who the right candidate is, what recovery looks like, and why this is bringing in a whole new group of patients who never thought breast augmentation could fit into their lives. What You'll Learn: What the Preserve technique is and how it differs from traditional breast augmentation. Why not cutting the tissue changes everything about recovery. What recovery looks like with Preserve versus traditional augmentation. Why the lack of general anesthesia is a significant part of the appeal. Why the procedure feels almost too easy and what patients still need to be careful about. Who the ideal candidate is for Preserve including moms, busy professionals and active patients. Why Preserve only works with implants 315cc and below and what that means for you. Why traditional breast augmentation is still a great option and how both surgeons decide which is right for each patient. Connect with Dr. Smita Website Instagram Connect with Dr. Amalfi Website Instagram

This week on Lipstick and Lipo we are continuing our tribute to Dolly Parton and covering the philosophy she lived by when it came to plastic surgery. In her own words, it was all about doing it in little bits and pieces. As board certified plastic surgeons, that philosophy is exactly what we practice and recommend for aging gracefully. We cover what that timeline actually looks like from your twenties all the way through your sixties, when non-surgical treatments fit in, when surgery makes sense, why revisions are normal and not a sign that something went wrong, and why starting a relationship with your surgeon early is the real secret to aging like Dolly. What You'll Learn: What Dolly meant when she said she did it in little bits and pieces and why that approach works. Why getting a revision does not mean your first surgery went wrong. Why starting with good skin quality gives you a better foundation for surgical results. Why building a relationship with your surgeon early is the key to aging gracefully. Connect with Dr. Smita Website Instagram Connect with Dr. Amalfi Website Instagram

This week on Lipstick and Lipo we are honoring Dolly Parton, the woman who was arguably the first celebrity to truly own her plastic surgery decades before it was accepted or celebrated. From facelifts and eyelid surgery to liposuction and her iconic breast implants, Dolly was refreshingly honest every single time she was asked. We talk about what she had done, why her openness mattered then and still matters now, and what every woman can take from her legacy when it comes to owning her choices without apology. What You'll Learn: Why doing a little at a time delivers the best long term results. Why her appearance was a personal aesthetic choice and not a standard to compare yourself to. How her openness helped break down the stigma around plastic surgery decades before social media. Why celebrities who deny having work done set up unrealistic expectations for women everywhere. What her legacy means for the conversation around transparency in plastic surgery today. Why board certified plastic surgeons matter and why Dolly herself talked about that. Connect with Dr. Smita Website Instagram Connect with Dr. Amalfi Website Instagram

This week on Lipstick and Lipo we are answering a viewer question about celebrity plastic surgery and the opinions that come with it. From Emily Blunt to Simone Biles, celebrities are constantly in the spotlight and their procedures spark a lot of conversation. But the real takeaway is not whether you agree with their choices it is what those choices reveal about the importance of finding a surgeon whose aesthetic aligns with your own goals. We talk about why no two patients want the same result, why you want a surgeon who will say no to you, and how to do your research before you ever sit down for a consultation. What You'll Learn: Why a viewer question about celebrity plastic surgery opened up a bigger conversation about aesthetic goals. Why celebrities normalize plastic surgery and why that is largely a good thing. Why there is no judgment when it comes to what someone chooses to do with their own body. Why your surgeon's aesthetic matters as much as their credentials. What to look for before booking a surgeon. Why you want a surgeon who will say no to you. How repeated injections reset your baseline over time. Why even unlimited resources do not guarantee the right result. Dr. Smita Ramanadham Connect with Dr. Smita Website Instagram Connect with Dr. Amalfi Website Instagram

This week on Lipstick and Lipo we are discussing a topic we do not cover enough facial procedures. Specifically eyelid surgery and under eye filler. The eyes are often the first area to show signs of aging, and the options for addressing that range from a quick in-office procedure all the way to surgery. We cover who is a good candidate for each, why under eye filler is not right for most people, what eyelid surgery actually involves, and why patients who have it done are so consistently happy with their results. What You'll Learn: Why the eyes are the first area to show signs of aging and why that happens earlier than most people expect. The difference between upper and lower eyelid surgery and who needs which. Why under eye filler is not the right solution for most people and what can go wrong. What the Tyndall effect is and why it happens with under eye filler. The specific candidate who is actually right for tear trough filler. Why your cheek may be the real issue when you think you need under eye filler. What eyelid surgery recovery actually looks like and why it is faster than most people expect. Why patients in their thirties are already having this conversation with their surgeons. Connect with Dr. Smita Website Instagram Connect with Dr. Amalfi Website Instagram

This week on Lipstick and Lipo we are answering a viewer question that opened up a conversation we think a lot of you have been wanting to hear. Is labiaplasty purely aesthetic or are there real physical reasons to consider it? We cover everything from the anatomy of why discomfort happens, to who is a candidate, to why patient satisfaction for this procedure is unlike almost anything else we do. Whether you have been living with irritation, visibility in clothing, hygiene concerns, or you simply do not like the way things look, this is a judgment free conversation about a procedure that deserves to be talked about more openly. What You'll Learn: Why labiaplasty is not just a cosmetic procedure and what physical symptoms it addresses. How labia are no different from breasts when it comes to normal variation in shape and size. What causes discomfort including friction, irritation, hygiene issues and visibility in clothing. Why some women are born with excess tissue and others develop changes through pregnancy, hormones and menopause. Why patient satisfaction for labiaplasty is among the highest of any procedure we perform. Why choosing an expert in this specific procedure matters and why it may be worth traveling for. What to look for when researching a surgeon for labiaplasty. Why once it is done correctly most patients never need to think about it again. If you have questions about labiaplasty that we did not cover, drop them in the comments. And make sure you subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple we have several episodes about this procedure and you will not want to miss any of them. Dr. Smita Ramanadham Connect with Dr. Smita Website Instagram Connect with Dr. Amalfi Website Instagram

If you just had a breast lift and your breasts look or feel bigger than you expected, this episode is for you. And if you are considering a breast lift and wondering whether it will change your size, this episode is also for you. A breast lift cannot make you bigger. What you are seeing and feeling is swelling, and it is completely normal. Board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Smita Ramanadham and Dr. Ashley Amalfi answer this exact viewer question and walk through everything you need to know, from what swelling actually looks like after a lift, to the recovery timeline, to what you can do right now to heal faster. Including one tip about your post-surgery diet that most patients have never heard. What You'll Learn: Why a breast lift can never make you bigger and what's actually happening when it feels that way. The difference between a lift, a reduction. Why asymmetric swelling can happen when different procedures are done on each side. The two most important time markers in breast surgery recovery: three weeks and three months. How compression, sleep position, and lymphatic massage help reduce swelling. Why your diet after surgery matters more than you think — and the sodium connection most patients miss. Connect with Dr. Smita Website Instagram Connect with Dr. Amalfi Website Instagram

This week on Lipstick and Lipo we're talking Botox but not the way you might expect. Yes it's the most popular cosmetic treatment out there, but did you know it has legitimate medical uses too? From excessive sweating and TMJ to Bell's palsy and nerve asymmetry, we're discussing down all the ways board-certified plastic surgeons are using Botox beyond the cosmetic side. Plus Dr. Ashley shares her own personal experience with Bell's palsy after her first pregnancy, and why Botox was part of managing it. What You'll Learn: How Botox treats hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and who it's most life-changing for. How Botox helps TMJ, teeth grinding, and jaw clenching — and why it outlasts other treatments. What Bell's palsy is, why Dr. Ashley developed it after pregnancy, and how Botox helps manage facial asymmetry. Why Botox is used across nearly every medical specialty not just plastic surgery. How often you actually need masseter and armpit Botox compared to facial Botox. If you learned something new today, share this episode with a friend. New episodes launch every week find us on Spotify, Apple and Youtube so make sure you're subscribed. Connect with Dr. Ashley Amalfi: Website - https://www.quatela.com/about/our-surgeons/dr-ashley-n-amalfi/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drashleyamalfi/ Connect with Dr. Smita Ramanadham: Website - https://www.drsmita.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thedrsmita/

This week on Lipstick and Lipo we're switching gears instead of talking about recovery, we're talking about what happens before you even get to the operating table. This episode came from a viewer question about blood work, and it opened up a whole conversation we don't normally cover. From medical clearance and blood work to mammograms, GLP-1 medications, supplements, and why telling your surgeon about everything including things you might not think matter. We're walking you through everything you need to know to get yourself to surgery safely. What You'll Learn: Why cosmetic surgery requires the same level of pre-op preparation as any other surgery. What blood work and medical clearance most patients need before going under. Why Dr. Amalfi now recommends a mammogram for every breast surgery patient regardless of age. What additional labs GLP-1 and weight loss patients need before surgery. Why your supplements, vitamins, and peptides are just as important as your medications. How diabetes, thyroid issues, and other conditions affect your surgical clearance. When surgery might need to be postponed — and why that's actually a good thing. Why there is no such thing as too much information when it comes to your pre-op history. Make sure you subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple so you never miss a new episode of Lipstick and Lipo. Connect with Dr. Smita Website Instagram Connect with Dr. Amalfi Website Instagram

This week on Lipstick and Lipo we have exciting news Dr. Smita is back, and she's a new mom! With a seven-week-old at home, Smita is sharing what it was like to be on the other side of surgery for the very first time. As surgeons, we talk our patients through recovery every single day, but experiencing it firsthand is a whole different story. We're comparing C-section recovery to tummy tuck recovery, talking about why having a support system matters so much in that first month, and getting into what it was really like for Smita to return to the OR just five weeks after giving birth. What You'll Learn: How C-section recovery compares to a tummy tuck and why they're not the same surgery. Why tummy tuck patients get more recovery support than new moms (and how that changes healing). Why the recovery advice we give patients turned out to be accurate firsthand. How to know when you're ready to return to activity after surgery and why easing in matters. What options exist if you don't have a support network at home. What going back to the OR five weeks post-C-section was actually like. Don't forget to subscribe we've got lots more plastic surgery content headed your way. Connect with Dr. Smita Website Instagram Connect with Dr. Amalfi Website Instagram

This week on Lipstick and Lipo we're answering one of your questions about lipo recovery. As our name states, we use lipo consistently in our practices. Now, there are differing opinions about healing, and like many things, it's super personal. Every person has a different pain tolerance, and that's something that's really hard to compare. Even though the incisions are small, lipo is still something major don't assume you'll be back at work the next day. We're going through what recovery actually looks like, what affects it, and how we set our patients up to heal well. Highlights: The misconception small incisions create: this isn't a "lunchtime" procedure. Why bruising and swelling are completely normal no matter who your surgeon is. Pain tolerance is personal why some patients bounce back fast and others need more time. The supplements that can make your bruising worse. How anxiety plays into what you feel during recovery. Why good skin quality matters for your final result. This episode came straight from your comments keep the questions coming! Send us a DM on Instagram on what you want us to cover and make sure you subscribe so you don't miss a brand new episode of Lipstick and Lipo every week. Dr. Smita Ramanadham Connect with Dr. Smita Website Instagram Connect with Dr. Amalfi Website Instagram

Some celebrities like Kate Winslet and Sarah Jessica Parker are publicly rejecting plastic surgery and swearing off Botox and fillers. Some are still getting it done. What's really happening in Hollywood, and does it matter for you? Board certified plastic surgeons discuss the growing divide among celebrities, why some are rejecting procedures, and why neither choice should be judged. Your decision about plastic surgery is personal and it shouldn't be influenced by what anyone else is doing. What you'll learn: The misconception about what plastic surgery actually does. How Hollywood pressure to chase youth affects treatment trends. Why you don't have to pick a camp and stick with it forever. The importance of making your own decision, not following celebrities. How to approach plastic surgery safely without judgment. Why both choices - doing something or doing nothing are equally valid. This is your decision and nobody else's business. Talk to your doctors, figure out what's right for you, and remember you can change your mind anytime. Make sure you're subscribed so you get real information and current trends. Dr. Smita Ramanadham Connect with Dr. Smita Website Instagram Connect with Dr. Amalfi Website Instagram