Last week was an exceptional week. Not only did I get to do what I love, plastic surgery, but I also filmed a plastic surgery documentary for the ASAPS and my TV show Body Beautiful on KRON 4.
The next episode of Body Beautiful was filmed last week and will air on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at noon on KRON 4 TV.
ASAPS Documentary
When I first decided I wanted to be a plastic surgeon, I knew I had to be an active member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). The ASAPS is the world’s leading organization for Cosmetic Plastic Surgery with over 2,600 Board Certified Plastic Surgeons devoted entirely to aesthetic plastic surgery. All members worldwide adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and must meet stringent membership requirements.
About a year ago, the Aesthetic Society announced they were creating a documentary film centered on patients’ after cosmetic plastic surgery. The focus was not on before and afters, like so many other shows, but on the patient’s journey. From decision making, through the surgery, healing, the dialogue centers around the motivation, desires, experiences and rewards centering around their experience. A particular patient immediately came to mind, and he wanted to participate and share his amazing transformation.
Filming the ASAPS documentary, following patients before, during and after cosmetic surgery. Hey ASAPS, notice the new logo on the tie?
The selection process was in stages. An application was submitted, and after a careful review, and some time for COVID cases to settle down, his story was selected for the second round – an interview with his plastic surgeon, yours truly. Early in March, I had a zoom call with the producers to talk about my patient and his story. It only took a few weeks and we were on to round two. In this round the interview was with my patient, and they liked him too.
Production was held until August, with hopes that COVID would be better controlled. Unfortunately, as the date approached, the number of COVID cases spiked, so adaptations were necessary for everyone’s safety. After all, as the saying goes, “the show must go on.” It is amazing what can be accomplished with a dedicated team and an Internet connection.
Extreme COVID-19 protocol. Our director was across the country safely behind the screen of a smartphone. But I have to say, it worked really well.
So, last Monday it happened. After COVID-19 testing, my patent and I got together. The cameraman set up the equipment, and then stepped out for the filming. The producer and director took over and communicated via an Internet connection from separate remote locations. The director interviewed us via a cellphone, and it worked remarkably well. My part in the story is small. As I told my patient, he did all the hard work and continues to maintain his results. He made the cake; I just supplied the icing. I’ll give more details in a future post, so stay tuned.
Body Beautiful On KRON 4
The documentary was shot on Monday. On Wednesday, we shot the next episode of Body Beautiful. COVID has changed how we record the TV show also. The March 2020 episode was the last one filmed in the KRON studios. In fact, other than the news and one Gavin Newsom Recall governors’ debate, the studio remains closed to production.
The Body Beautiful Team: Sydney, Todd, Janelle, myself and not pictured Art, the cameraman plus plus plus.
But the show must go on. So for the last year and a half we have been recording the show in my Walnut Creek Plastic Surgery office. The show will air on Wednesday, September 15th and noon on KRON 4. But more about that next week.
Why I Do TV and Documentaries
The reason I have a website, a TV show and film documentaries is to share what I love and to get the word out that qualifications and proper training matters. For every Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, just over 7000 in the USA, there are many more claiming to be cosmetic surgeons. They range from well trained surgeons in other specialties, like Otolaryngologists doing Rhinoplasty and Ophthalmologists doing eyelid surgery, to completely unqualified frauds injecting hardware-store silicone into their clients’ buttocks in a hotel room for “cheap”.
Unfortunately, some patients don’t do their homework until after sustaining disfiguring injuries. I see the bad results that are sometimes impossible to correct, not to mention very costly.
So yes, I love my job, and I love talking about it. I want people to know what plastic surgeons can do, but most importantly, I want everyone to know how to pick a qualified plastic surgeon.
If you are considering cosmetic surgery, always seek the experience and expertise of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. In the San Francisco Bay Area, call (925) 943-6353 to schedule your appointment.
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