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Terry Dubrow: The Truth About Plastic Surgery | E176

About this episode

World-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow (Botched, The Swan, RHOC) joins Randall Kaplan on In Search of Excellence to talk about fame, the realities and risks of plastic surgery, Brazilian Butt Lift dangers, choosing the right surgeon, pricing myths, breast implants (Motiva), AI in surgery, GLP-1s (Ozempic/Mounjaro) for longevity, and the mindset of extreme preparation that fueled his success. If you care about healthspan, aesthetics, safety, and high performance, this episode is packed with “can’t-Google-this” wisdom from the most recognized plastic surgeon on TV. 

What You’ll Learn:
•The double-edged sword of fame: why reality-TV notoriety is “hypnotic—and dangerous,” and how it changed Terry’s practice overnight.
•Behind The Swan & Botched: from a wild casting journey to the pitch that became Botched (and why “It’s a scalpel, not a magic wand” still matters).
•The hardest saves: a jaw-dropping case involving illegal facial injections and how Terry engineered a safe, creative fix.
•Safety over trends: the real risk profile of BBLs (fat embolism), why Terry won’t do them, and smart alternatives.
•How to choose a great surgeon: the 3 non-negotiables—board certification (ABPS/ABFPS), hospital privileges, and credible word-of-mouth—plus why “before/afters” can mislead.
•Pricing myths: why paying $40k–$80k+ for basic procedures (e.g., primary breast aug) doesn’t guarantee better results.
•Breast implants 101: capsular contracture reality, why some results feel “like coconuts,” and promising data on Motiva’s lower hardness rates.
•Celebrities & surgery: reputational risk calculus—and why Terry often says no.
•Family patients & objectivity: when he’ll operate (and when he won’t).
•AI in plastic surgery: why robot “hands” are still the bottleneck.
•GLP-1s & longevity: Terry’s board certification in Obesity Medicine, why micro-dosing GLP-1s may benefit metabolic health, and emerging indications.
•Extreme Preparation: the mental reps that saved trauma patients—and how he studied his way to a 94th-percentile board score.
•Housewives, fame traps, and kindness: cultural takes, life boundaries, and why kindness is a high-leverage success habit. 

Guest Bio — Dr. Terry Dubrow
Dr. Terry Dubrow is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, star of the hit TV show Botched, and a nationally recognized expert in complex reconstruction and cosmetic surgery. He trained at UCLA and completed advanced academic work at Yale, where he honed a research mindset that led to dozens of publications early in his career. Today, he practices in Newport Beach, CA, while educating millions on surgical safety, outcomes, and ethics.

Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching
 
Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs
 
Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XIC...
 
For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/
 
Follow Randall!
Instagram: @randallkaplan 
LinkedIn:  @randallkaplan 
TikTok:  @randall_kaplan 
Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
Website: https://www.randa


Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn 

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Terry Dubrow: The Truth About Plastic Surgery | E176

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