My Surgeon Says...
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
Join Melbourne-based plastic surgeons Richard and Kim for a fortnightly D&M on health, surgery, and wellness. We answer real patient questions about cosmetic surgery, explain operations and surgical techniques, and chat to other experts for anything else.
Episodes
- Facelifts: What’s Overrated, Underrated, and Misunderstood
Plastic Surgeon Dr Richard Bloom details facelift surgery, discussing overrated trends, technically challenging facial areas, and factors creating natural-looking results. The episode also addresses surgical planning and common misconcepti…
- Life After Massive Weight Loss: What Patients Should Really Expect
This episode discusses the patient experience following massive weight loss, covering expectations, the influence of weight loss methods on surgical needs, Medicare's policies on weight stability, and outcomes if weight is regained after s…
- Plastic Surgeons Expose Viral Cosmetic Procedures: Real vs Hype
Plastic surgeons Richard Bloom and Kim Taylor examine popular cosmetic surgery trends seen on social media, distinguishing between genuine advancements and marketing hype. They discuss procedures like Brazilian Butt Lifts and fat freezing,…
- Price vs. Value: What Goes Into Your Surgery Quote?
This episode of My Surgeon Says... explains what costs are included in surgical quotes, discusses cost-cutting methods used by some providers, and addresses the perception that higher prices equate to greater surgeon training or experience.
- Facelift Myths and Misconceptions
This episode addresses common myths and misconceptions about facelifts, including ideal timing, expected results, and the persistent stigma surrounding the procedure. It compares facelifts to other cosmetic surgeries.
- Repair or Refresh? Let's Chat Reconstructive vs Cosmetic Surgery
This episode of My Surgeon Says... delves into reconstructive versus cosmetic plastic surgery. Hosts Richard and Kim discuss operations to repair or rebuild body parts damaged by illness or accidents, including unexpected consequences of c…
- Facelift Facts
Dr Richard Bloom joins 'My Surgeon Says...' to discuss facelift techniques, particularly the deep plane method. The conversation covers the realities of post-surgery recovery and the durability of facelift results.
- It's Not All Cosmetic: The Personal Side of Plastic Surgery
This episode of My Surgeon Says... (formerly Keeping It Re.al) marks a rebranding with a new name and format, while staying rooted in plastic surgery. Hosts Richard and Kim share personal anecdotes about their early days, running marathons…
- Biggest Mistakes in Surgery
This week on the podcast, Richard and Kim are running us through the most common mistakes that patients make and how to avoid them. They also tell us about the most important things they learned during their early doctor days and explain t…
- Twice the Baby, Twice the Stretch: Your Body After Twin Pregnancy
Today we're talking twins and more specifically, the impact on the women who birth them. Did you know that the average woman's uterus grows to 500 times its usual size in pregnancy, and that's just single births! Today, Kim and Richard dis…
- "Cosmetic Surgery Was Viewed As Very Selfish" w/ Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kourosh Tavakoli
Today we're joined by Plastic Surgery Superstar, Dr. Kourosh Tavakoli. Kourosh is based in Sydney and has over 20 years experience in breast and body contouring surgeries. In this episode, Richard and Kourosh revealed just how much disdain…
- Bye Bye Back Fat
We often have patients coming in complaining about back fat, and quite a lot of the time it's actually not back fat at all, but an excess of loose skin that has become uncomfortable and cumbersome under their clothes. Today, Richard and Ki…
- Lower Body Lift or Tummy Tuck?
Today, we’re answering the age old question – what’s the difference between a lower body lift and an abdominoplasty, aka a tummy tuck? Richard and Kim explain what’s involved in each operation, who the ideal candidates are, and what recove…
- Is Your Surgery Covered By Medicare?: Part 2
The concept of being covered by Medicare for plastic surgery is undeniably confusing. To help, we've recorded a two part series explaining what an item number is, why they exist, and we go through operation by operation to break down who q…
- Is Your Surgery Covered By Medicare?: Part 1
The concept of being covered by Medicare for plastic surgery is undeniably confusing. To help, we've recorded a two part series explaining what an item number is, why they exist, and we go through operation by operation to break down who q…
- Deep Dive with Plastic Surgeon Dr Richard Bloom
Today, we’ve got a one-on-one chat with Richard to learn more about what makes him tick. We cover a lot, including the proudest moment in his career, something he wished more people knew about plastic surgery, and a memorable moment from h…
- The Dark Side of Medical Investigation
This week, Richard and Kim join me to chat about the dark side of over-investigating normal post-op bumps and twinges. They share some of the most harrowing patient stories we’ve heard on the podcast, explain why seeing patients in person…
- Compression Garment FAQs
We get a lot of questions about post-op garments so here’s a quick little episode answering the FAQs. We chat about whether it’s okay to take your compression garment off in the early weeks after surgery, why surgeons have such differing o…
- Spitting Sutures
Today, we’re talking about spitting sutures, which is when your internal stitches pop up through your skin… not exactly where we want them to be. It’s not as harrowing as it sounds and can often get misdiagnosed as something more nefarious…
- Bottoming Out Breasts
Today we’re talking about breasts bottoming out. Never heard of it? Well, welcome. We go through the technicalities of it all, which patients are more at risk, and why we’d never tell you to stop doing chest workouts at the gym.
- 5 Biggest Scams In Plastic Surgery
The world of cosmetic surgery is rife with tricks, dodgy practice, and misleading images so today, Richard and Kim join me to expose the 5 biggest scams in plastic surgery. They explain how to make sure your surgeon is legit now the guidel…
- Preparing For Surgery
Today on the pod, we get practical. Richard and Kim chat about the must do’s before going into theatre, which common advice you should actually ignore, and their top tips to ensure surgery goes as smoothly as possible.
- Why We Audit Each Other's Work
If you’re a bit surprised by this topic, you’ve obviously never met Mr Richard Bloom, a man fuelled almost exclusively by data sets. Today, we chat about why the surgeons audit each other’s work, how it started, and how it improves patient…
- Ask An Anaesthetist w/ Dr Arturo - Part 2
This week we’ve got part 2 in our 'Ask An Anaesthetist Series' with our fantastic anaesthetist Dr Arturo Gomez. If you haven’t listened to part 1 stop right now and check that one out first. In this episode, Arturo reveals how patients can…
- Menopause Revamp
A lot of our patients come to see us after big hormonal changes like puberty and pregnancy, and today we’re focussing on a third one – menopause. We chat about what kind of changes women experience during perimenopause, whether hormone rep…
- Ask An Anaesthetist w/ Dr Arturo Gomez - Part 1
Today, I’m joined by anaesthetist Dr Arturo Gomez to answer all your questions about going under. This is such an informative episode we split it across two episodes to make sure nothing was missed. In Part 1, Arturo walks us through what…
- Unpacking Plastic Surgery Guilt
The attitudes around plastic surgery have shifted massively over the last decade, but we still see plenty of patients who feel guilty about going under the knife. In this episode, Richard and Kim reveal the most common reasons people have…
- Busting Breast Reduction Myths
Today we’re busting myths about breast reductions. If you’re a long time listener you might be thinking, "hey haven’t you done this before", but the myths, they keep on a coming so I promise you’ll learn something new. It’s a shorter episo…
- Back To Basics: Explaining Plastic Surgery Jargon
To make sure we're all on the same page, today we’re defining the terms and concepts we use all the time on this podcast and other videos. If you’re a dedicated listener to the pod, don't worry this is still worth a listen – Richard and Ki…
- Gimmick or Game Changer?
The cosmetic industry is rife with claims of miracle cures and devices that'll change your life. So today, I’ve brought in the experts to reveal what’s a gimmick and what’s a game changer. From laser liposuction, to deep plane face lifts a…
- Preventing Complications: A Comprehensive Guide To Minimising Surgical Risks
Today, Richard and Kim explain all the different ways we minimise risk in surgery, both as surgeons and patients. We run through the safest way to prepare for your operation and debunk common misconceptions that may actually increase your…
- Plastic Surgery at Different Stages of Life
This week, we're chatting about what plastic surgery looks like at different stages of life. Richard and Kim reveal the main differences between our typical patient demographics—both in types of surgery and patient attitudes—and maybe more…
- Psychology of Postponing Surgery
Today, Kim and Richard chat about the psychology of postponing surgery. There are plenty of reasons patients delay surgery, from deep seated anxieties to unexpected pregnancies. We discuss the most common reasons and why sometimes, the sur…
- Facial Harmony: When To Combine Facial Procedures
Today on the podcast, Richard joins me to explain how best to achieve facial harmony when going under the knife. We chat about why some facelifts look like a patient’s been caught in a wind tunnel, how combining facial procedures can lead…
- Nipple Sensation After Breast Surgery
This week, we're chatting about changes in nipple sensation after breast surgery. Kim and Richard explain why there can be a change in nipple sensation after breast surgery, if there's anything that , and why some people could maintain ero…
- 3D Imaging In Plastic Surgery: A Game Changer?
Today we’re talking about how 3D Imaging and virtual reality are shaping plastic surgery. If you’ve had a breast augmentation with us, then you probably already know about our swanky Vectra machine that uses a simulation to help patients t…
- Holistic Plastic Surgery - A Scam or The Way Forward?
If the term “holistic plastic surgery” immediately sets off alarm bells, that’s fair. Some practitioners use it as a way to describe what they do which is almost always *not* plastic surgery. But holistic medicine as a practice is about co…
- Stories From The Operating Theatre
We're back to our roots today, giving you a peek into the mysterious world of plastic surgery with anecdotes - think your favourite Reddit AMA thread. Richard and Kim reveal when they've been the most concerned in theatre, the funniest thi…
- Patient Story: My Battle With Endometriosis
We first met Jess after she lost 100 kilos and came to have her excess skin removed over multiple surgeries. What we didn’t know was Jess was in the midst of a decades long battle to be diagnosed with endometriosis. In today’s episode, Jes…
- Talking Transplants with Dr Angela Webb
This episode is a must listen! We're joined by Dr Angela Webb, a specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeon and she shares some amazing stories. As the Head of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Peter Mac—a renowned cancer centre in…
- Myth Busting: Tummy Tucks/Abdominoplasty
Today we’re back to busting myths, this time on tummy tucks/abdominoplasty. We chat about *reverse* tummy tucks (as wild as it sounds), whether you get a new belly button with an abdominoplasty, and if going to the gym is the alternative t…
- Breast Cancer Screening After Breast Surgery
Today we’re chatting about how breast surgery can impact screening for breast cancer, both before and after the operation. Every patient who has a breast reduction or lift with us has the removed tissue sent to pathology who test it for a…
- Scarless Surgery
Today we’re talking about scarless surgery. Right up top you should know: if you plan on having cosmetic surgery with effective, impactful results – you’re going to have scars. Instead we discuss how we conceal scars, how to minimise them…
- Travelling For Surgery
Today we’re talking about travelling for surgery. Recent AHPRA guidelines have drastically changed accessibility for patients who either live regionally or want to travel interstate for cosmetic surgery. Richard and Kim explain how the cha…
- How To Get Rid Of Under Eye Bags
Look, we’ve all woken up at some point with giant bags under your eyes – maybe from a big night or allergies just showing you who’s boss – but it’s definitely not an uncommon experience. But some people have really noticeable bags that jus…
- Labiaplasty FAQs
A labiaplasty is a surprisingly common surgery that doesn’t get the same airtime as our other operations so, it’s time to change that. There’s a misconception labiaplasties are the quest for a designer vagina, and while that may be the cas…
- C Section vs Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Patients who've had C Sections are always keen to hear how it compares to an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) or lower body lift. In this ep, Kim and Richard will explain the differences between the surgeries, what happens to a C Section scar d…
- Can you reverse surgery?
“Is it too late to go back???” This week, we chat about which trendy operations you can forget ever happened and which ones are forever (spoiler: it's bad news for buccal fat removal and BBLs) We also chat about how fashion can inform surg…
- Skin Deep with Dermatologist Dr Alice Rudd
Today I’m joined by dermatologist Dr Alice Rudd, founder of Skindepth in Melbourne. Skindepth is not your usual dermatology clinic – they focus heavily on holistic treatments so they can tackle skin from the inside and out. Alice has curat…
- What Is An Internal Bra?
Internal bra is probably a term you hear a lot, but what actually *is* it? Does everybody get an internal bra who has breast surgery? Which breast surgeries include an internal bra? Why do some people need one more than others?