Episode 8: The Importance of Fat in Plastic Surgery

In this episode of Beauty and the Beasts, plastic surgeons Dr. Sam Jejurikar and Dr. Salvatore Pacella discuss how fat has become one of the most valuable tools in modern plastic surgery.

Once considered something to remove and discard, fat is now recognized for its regenerative properties, growth factors, and ability to restore youthful volume in both the face and body. Advances in fat harvesting, processing, and injection techniques over the past decade have significantly improved outcomes and consistency, making fat transfer a core component of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.

The conversation explores how fat loss contributes to facial aging and why fat transfer plays a key role in natural facial rejuvenation. The surgeons discuss patient selection, skin quality, and why careful handling of fat is essential for long term success. They explain what patients should realistically expect after fat transfer, including typical retention rates and how fat behaves over time.

Dr. Jejurikar and Dr. Pacella also address potential complications such as asymmetry, cyst formation, and fat necrosis, along with strategies used to minimize risk. The episode expands into fat transfer for the breast and body, including historical concerns about breast safety and current evidence that has shaped modern practice.

The discussion concludes with a candid look at Brazilian Butt Lifts, including how cultural trends influenced demand, why safety concerns emerged, and how ultrasound guidance and strict technique standards have improved outcomes.

This episode is ideal for patients researching fat transfer, facial fat grafting, natural facial rejuvenation, and BBL safety, as well as clinicians interested in the science and evolution of fat grafting in plastic surgery.

Male Plastic Surgery What Works, What Fails, and Why Subtlety Matters

In this episode of Beauty and the Beasts, plastic surgeons Dr. Sam Jejurikar and Dr. Salvatore Pacella tackle the growing and often misunderstood topic of male plastic surgery.

Cosmetic surgery for men has become increasingly common, yet many male patients still worry about stigma, visibility, and looking unnatural. In this conversation, the hosts explain why male aesthetic surgery requires a different mindset, different techniques, and a strong emphasis on preserving masculine features.

They discuss the most common procedures men seek today, including liposuction for the abdomen, flanks, and chest, treatment of gynecomastia, upper eyelid blepharoplasty, neck lifts, facial surgery, and hair restoration. The episode highlights why procedures that work beautifully in women can look feminizing or overdone in men if not carefully adapted.

The discussion also explores scar placement challenges in male patients, how surgeons approach jawline definition and neck contouring, and why volume must be used sparingly in the male face. Real world examples are used to illustrate how subtle changes can dramatically affect how natural or noticeable a result appears.

The episode concludes with a deep dive into hair restoration, including modern follicular unit extraction techniques, candidacy, limitations, and why hair transplantation has become one of the most sought after procedures among men.

This episode is ideal for men considering cosmetic surgery, patients researching male specific procedures, and clinicians interested in sex specific aesthetic planning and outcomes.

Mommy Makeover What It Is, What It Is Not, and How Surgeons Think About It

In this episode of Beauty and the Beasts, plastic surgeons Dr. Sam Jejurikar and Dr. Salvatore Pacella take a practical look at the mommy makeover and explain why the term is often misunderstood by patients.

Rather than being a single procedure, a mommy makeover typically refers to combining breast surgery and abdominal surgery to address the physical changes caused by pregnancy. The discussion focuses on how surgeons decide which procedures make sense for each patient and why efficiency, safety, and realistic expectations matter just as much as the final aesthetic result.

Dr. Jejurikar and Dr. Pacella walk through common breast options such as augmentation, lift, fat transfer, and reduction, along with abdominal procedures ranging from liposuction to mini, traditional, extended, and circumferential tummy tucks. They explain what actually happens to the abdominal muscles during pregnancy, why muscle tightening is often necessary, and how that repair impacts posture, strength, and recovery.

The episode also addresses some of the most common patient questions, including recovery timelines, fatigue and swelling, exercise and weight loss expectations, and concerns about scarring. The surgeons share how they counsel patients about scars, why they cannot be avoided in most tummy tuck procedures, and how thoughtful incision placement allows scars to be easily hidden.

This episode is designed for patients considering a mommy makeover, anyone researching tummy tuck or breast surgery after pregnancy, and clinicians interested in how experienced surgeons think about combined procedures, safety, and patient education.

Is 40 really too young for a facelift, or is that an outdated way of thinking?

In this episode of the Beauty and the Beasts Podcast, Dr. Sam Jejurikar and Dr. Sal Pacella explore how facial aging actually works and why the right timing for facial rejuvenation has far less to do with age than most people think.

They discuss how volume loss, tissue laxity, weight changes, and overall health contribute to an aging appearance, and why modern facelift techniques allow for more personalized and natural results than ever before. The conversation breaks down commonly used terms like deep plane facelift and mini facelift, explaining what they really mean and why procedure names should never drive decision making.

The episode also covers realistic recovery timelines, the emotional ups and downs patients often experience after surgery, and how social media and celebrity culture have reshaped expectations around facial rejuvenation. Rather than promoting a one time solution, the discussion reframes facelifting as a thoughtful, long term approach to aging well.

This episode is designed for patients seeking clarity, surgeons thinking critically about technique, and anyone curious about what facial rejuvenation looks like in the modern era.

In this episode of Beauty and the Beasts, Dr. Sam Jejurikar and Dr. Sal Pacella break down the major trends that are reshaping plastic surgery in 2025 and 2026. From the explosion of GLP 1 medications and the rise of younger facelifts to the emerging role of artificial intelligence in aesthetic medicine, they discuss what is changing, why it matters, and what patients should understand before choosing a procedure.

They explore how GLP 1 drugs influence body contouring, fat transfer, and surgical planning, including the challenges of skin elasticity and muscle loss. They also discuss why patients in their forties are seeking facelifts earlier than ever, the benefits of early intervention, and how new technology is improving facial analysis and surgical outcomes.

The conversation also dives into the rapid growth of AI in cosmetic surgery, including imaging, patient communication, clinical documentation, and future possibilities in diagnostics and planning.

If you want to understand where plastic surgery is headed and how new innovations may affect your care, this episode offers a clear and honest look at the future of aesthetics.

Should you choose facial fillers or consider cosmetic surgery? In this episode of the Beauty and the Beasts Podcast, Dr. Sam Jejurikar and Dr. Sal Pacella break down the real differences between injectables and surgical facial rejuvenation. They discuss when fillers make sense, why younger patients often prefer treatments with minimal downtime, and when surgery offers longer-lasting, more predictable results.

Dr. Pacella explains the limitations of fillers around the eyes and in patients with significant sun damage, while Dr. Jejurikar highlights both the benefits and challenges of facial fat grafting. They also explore the growing trend of dissolving overfilled lips and the potential complications that semi-permanent fillers create during facelift surgery.

If you’ve ever wondered whether fillers, fat grafting, or facelift surgery is right for you, this episode offers an honest, practical roadmap for choosing the best option based on age, anatomy, goals, and cost.

Tags

facial fillers, facelift, fat grafting, cosmetic surgery, injectables, lip filler dissolving, under-eye fillers, aging face, facial rejuvenation, plastic surgery podcast, Dr Sam Jejurikar, Dr Sal Pacella, Beauty and the Beasts Podcast

Breast augmentation is everywhere on social media, but what’s real and what’s filtered? In this episode, Dr. Jejurikar and Dr. Pacella break down the trends shaping 2025, from the “Kylie Jenner effect” to why Motiva implants are dominating patient conversations. We cut through myths, compare implant technologies, and share what every patient should know before surgery. A must-listen for anyone curious about breast implants, safety, and modern aesthetic trends.