Busting one of the biggest myths in body contouring, this episode of Plastic Surgery Untold dives into the modern mommy makeover. Dr. Franco is joined by Dr. Reis and Dr. Weinfeld to unpack why liposuction and tummy tucks aren't an either/or decision, and how a truly modern abdominoplasty is about sculpting a natural, three-dimensional shape rather than just a flat abdomen.

Far from being unsafe, combining the two has been refined over more than a decade of technique and training. Done properly, it protects blood supply, reduces complications, and takes results from good to exceptional.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why the belief that you can't combine liposuction with a tummy tuck is a myth
• How liposculpting creates natural contours and definition instead of a flat, "operated" look
• The biggest telltale signs of a tummy tuck and how to avoid them
• How power-assisted and ultrasound-assisted liposuction have elevated modern results
• The role of post-operative care, from lymphatic massage to compression garments

The big takeaway: a modern tummy tuck almost always involves liposuction. The two go hand in hand, like peanut butter and jelly, and in the right hands, that combination is what separates a great result from an excellent one.

Busting the "fake news" head-on, this episode of Plastic Surgery Untold dives into preservation breast augmentation. Dr. Franco is joined by Dr. Reis and Dr. Weinfeld to unpack why this technique is anything but the "brutal blunt dissection" critics claim, and how placing the implant where the breast actually lives is changing the game for natural, lifted results.

Far from a step backward, preservation is precision surgery, using fine cannulas, ultrasound guidance, and balloon dissection to spare ligaments, vessels, and muscle. The result is a cleaner pocket, an easier recovery, and an implant that works with the breast instead of underneath it.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why the "brutal blunt dissection" criticism of preservation breast augmentation is a myth
• How preserving the ligaments allows the implant to lift the breast for a more natural result
• Busting the myths around rippling, implant size limits, and incision options
• Who's a great candidate for the transaxillary (armpit) approach, from keloid-prone patients to underboob fans
• Restoration preservation: switching patients from under-the-muscle implants to a preserved approach
• Why combining preservation augmentation with a breast lift delivers better results with less downtime

The big takeaway: if you're going to augment the breast, augment it where the breast lives. Preservation isn't a knock on traditional techniques, but in the right hands, it solves problems surgeons have worked around for decades, and this is only the beginning of where it's headed.

Tackling one of the newest phenomena in aesthetics, this episode of Plastic Surgery Untold dives into "Ozempic breast." Dr. Franco is joined by Dr. Reis and Dr. Weinfeld to unpack why losing the weight doesn't mean losing your options, and how a whole new patient population, often in their 20s, is coming in with deflated breasts and mature-patient problems after dramatic weight loss.

Far from having "nothing to do," these patients have more options than ever, from sixth generation implants to preservation techniques, internal bra support, and fine-tuning with products like AlloClae. The key is a thoughtful plan that accounts for skin quality, future changes, and long-term support.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why "lost the weight, lost the boobs, nothing to do" is fiction
• How rapid weight loss creates unique challenges like thin skin, stretch marks, and volume loss
• Why sixth generation cohesive implants are a game changer for these patients
• The addition-subtraction philosophy: augmenting with an implant while lifting or reducing at the same time
• How the internal bra and absorbable mesh provide long-term support for attenuated tissue
• Why waiting for a stable weight and planning for future life changes matters

The big takeaway: an implant alone usually isn't the answer for the Ozempic breast. Most patients will need some degree of lift or reduction with their augmentation, and with modern techniques like preservation, surgeons can do more with less and set patients up for long-term success on their weight loss journey.

Answering one of the questions they get asked every single day, this episode of Plastic Surgery Untold breaks down Sofwave versus Avava. Nurse Sarah and Esthetican Nici walk through two of the practice's most popular treatments, explaining how each one works, who's the ideal candidate, and why you don't always have to choose between them.

From the "invisible lift" of Sofwave to the resurfacing power of Avava, both treatments stimulate collagen with minimal downtime and work on the face and body alike. The key is matching the technology to your concern, whether that's sagging, texture, or both.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Sofwave uses ultrasound to lift and tighten with zero downtime, safe for all skin types
• How Avava resurfaces and tightens in one, targeting pores, texture, fine lines, and scars
• Why Sofwave results build over 12 weeks and keep improving, like investing in a collagen bank
• What Avava recovery really looks like, from a few days of redness to fresh, glowing skin
• "Skin stacking": combining both treatments in the same day for the best non-surgical results
• Real before-and-afters on jawlines, weight-loss patients, knees, thighs, and body

The big takeaway: you don't have to pick just one. If sagging is your concern, Sofwave delivers a natural lift with no downtime; if texture and skin quality are the goal, Avava resurfaces and tightens at once. Together, and layered with bio-stimulants, they're a powerful way to tighten and refresh, because you can't stop aging, but you can absolutely maintain that lifted, refreshed look.

Tackling another side effect of dramatic weight loss, this episode of Plastic Surgery Untold breaks down "Ozempic face." Nurse Sarah and Esthetician Nici explain why the real culprit isn't Ozempic at all, but the rapid weight loss that can leave you looking tired, hollow, and sagging, even when you feel amazing on the inside.

The goal isn't to refill the face and undo your weight loss, it's to tighten the canvas first and get you looking like yourself again, just refreshed. From skin tightening to bio-stimulants and natural filler options, there's a whole toolbox to restore that youthful bounce.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why "Ozempic face" is really just about weight loss, not the medication
• Why the goal is to tighten the canvas before adding any volume
• How Sofwave and Avava lift, tighten, and resurface for a refreshed look
• The "structural sandwich": combining skin tightening with a bio-stimulant like Sculptra
• Why you shouldn't wait until the end of your weight loss journey to start
• How to maintain results over time with smaller treatments like microneedling and peels

The big takeaway: don't wait until you've lost all the weight to start caring for your skin. Starting sooner makes the whole process gentler, and the goal is always to have you look just like you, refreshed and confident, not wider or "filled." Tighten first, add volume only if you want it, and maintain along the way.

Kicking off another forward-thinking conversation at Octane, this episode dives into how AI is reshaping the patient journey long before someone ever steps into the office. Sugam Aurora, founder of Ponce AI, breaks down how smarter, on-demand patient education is tackling one of the biggest challenges in aesthetics today: misaligned expectations, limited time, and inefficient consults.

Instead of replacing the provider relationship, this approach strengthens it. By educating patients ahead of time, AI helps remove confusion, hesitation, and guesswork so consultations can focus on strategy, personalization, and expertise rather than basic explanations.

In this episode, we cover:

• How AI can prepare patients before their consult without removing the human connection

• Why informed patients lead to better conversations, better trust, and better outcomes

• Turning consultations into focused, high-value discussions instead of feeling transactional

• How AI helps demystify aesthetics and lowers the barrier for patients who are curious but unsure

• Why patient engagement happens outside traditional office hours and how technology needs to meet them there

• How providers can reclaim time without sacrificing quality or care

The big takeaway is simple but powerful: AI is not here to replace doctors, it is here to support them. When patients arrive already educated on their options, providers can spend their time doing what they do best: guiding, refining, and delivering results. This is what smarter efficiency looks like, and it is quickly becoming the new standard for how aesthetic practices operate moving forward.

The latest episode of Plastic Surgery Untold brings us to Octane 2026 with Erik Haines of QSight, one of the clearest voices in aesthetic industry data and trend intelligence. This conversation zooms out from individual practices and looks at what's actually happening nationwide, using real transaction-level data to track patient behavior, spending, and where aesthetics, wellness, and weight loss are headed next.

Erik breaks down how GLP usage has shifted from explosive growth to a steadier plateau inside aesthetic practices, and why that doesn't mean opportunity is shrinking. Instead, access points are changing, and aesthetic care is becoming more integrated with weight loss, body contouring, and long-term wellness. The data shows that while patients may not always be purchasing GLPs directly through practices anymore, they are still investing heavily in complementary treatments that help them look as good as they feel.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• GLP spend within aesthetic practices has stabilized, but patient demand has not declined

• Weight loss is now fully embedded in modern body contouring conversations

• Post-weight-loss concerns like skin laxity and volume loss are driving aesthetic treatments

• Wellness, longevity, and aesthetics are merging into a single patient journey

• 2026 will continue pushing practices toward a "look good, feel good" model backed by real data

This episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to understand where aesthetics is actually going, not just where the hype says it's headed. Real numbers, real trends, and a grounded look at how practices can adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

At Octane, we sat down with Dr. Roy Kim, one of the leading voices in artificial intelligence within aesthetics, to talk about where AI is actually headed in 2026 and beyond. What's changing right now is not hype, it's usability. AI is moving from novelty tools into systems that genuinely improve how surgeons run practices, communicate with patients, and make better decisions faster, without losing the human element that matters most.

Dr. Kim breaks down how personalization is becoming the real game changer. Not personalization as a buzzword, but AI that understands your business, your patients, your outcomes, and even your communication style. From vibe coding and custom apps to AI-assisted consultations and education, this shift has the potential to reduce miscommunication, align expectations, and ultimately create happier patients and better outcomes.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• AI as a business equalizer, helping independent practices compete without private equity

• Smarter patient education tools that improve consultations and informed consent

• AI-driven visualization that aligns surgical planning with a patient's aesthetic goals

• The rise of AI avatars, chatbots, and personalized patient materials

• A future where efficiency improves without sacrificing emotional connection or trust

This conversation sets the tone for how artificial intelligence will shape aesthetics in 2026, not by replacing surgeons, but by amplifying expertise, clarity, and patient experience. Catch the full episode of Plastic Surgery Untold at Octanewherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube for the full discussion.