The answer lives in this podcast
How should someone choose a plastic surgeon, and what financial cautions should they keep in mind?
Never choose a surgeon based on cost savings or the temptation to "cheap out." Wait until you can afford a genuinely skilled practitioner. The surgeon must have both the aesthetic vision aligned with your goals and a thorough understanding of internal functional anatomy—inadequate knowledge of the latter led directly to complications that required corrective surgery.
Why cost should never drive the decision
The financial pressure to cut corners in plastic surgery is real and widespread. Procedures that once cost $8,000 can now run $20,000 due to surging demand, and many people are tempted to seek bargains. But as Shani Suissa explains in this episode of Habits and Hustle, this is exactly where major complications begin.
A skilled, off-social-media surgeon performing a lower facelift might charge $24,000, while social-media-famous practitioners charge 10 to 20 times more for equivalent work. The price differential is real, but it reflects marketing reach, not necessarily superior results. The risk lies in chasing the cheapest option, which often correlates with less experience or shortcuts on foundational anatomy.
The hidden cost of anatomical ignorance
Shani Suissa underwent a rhinoplasty, septoplasty, and turbinate reduction approximately two years before this episode. The surgeon she selected may have had aesthetic credentials, but what followed was a septum perforation—a serious complication that required corrective surgery. The root cause: insufficient understanding of the internal functional anatomy involved in the procedure.
This outcome is not rare, and it highlights a critical distinction in surgeon selection. As discussed at length in Habits and Hustle, a surgeon who can create the look you want but lacks deep anatomical knowledge will inevitably cause harm. The two skill sets—aesthetic vision and structural understanding—are non-negotiable and equally important.
"If you are pretty before, you're going to be pretty after. If you're ugly before, you're going to be uglier with a tighter face after. It's not going to change what you are."
Shani Suissa — Co-host of Habits and Hustle and recurring guest expert. With direct experience of cosmetic surgery complications and recovery, she speaks from a position of hard-won insight into the real risks and emotional realities of elective procedures. Her perspective underscores that surgery is not a fix for insecurity, but a physical intervention that demands surgical excellence to avoid compounding existing problems.
Recovery timelines and the role of expertise
Many people underestimate how long true recovery takes. Shani Suissa still had visible swelling two years after her rhinoplasty, confirmed by her dermatologist during a laser facial appointment. This extended recovery period is normal, but it also means you must select a surgeon whose expertise is proven and whose track record demonstrates minimal complications.
The popularity of a surgeon on social media is often inversely correlated with the time they spend perfecting their craft. As noted in the podcast, a surgeon's social-media presence does not guarantee superior outcomes—and may indicate they are prioritizing marketing over surgical skill development.
Key takeaways
- Cost-cutting on plastic surgery almost always leads to complications; invest in proven skill rather than the cheapest option.
- Insist that your surgeon demonstrate both aesthetic vision for your desired outcome and deep knowledge of internal functional anatomy.
- Social-media fame and high fees do not guarantee quality; look for off-social practitioners with strong track records and realistic recovery expectations.
- Recovery takes longer than most people expect—choose a surgeon whose expertise minimizes the risk of requiring corrective procedures.
See also
What is the trend of celebrities going 'au naturel' as plastic surgery becomes more accessible to the general public?
A recent headline noted that as plastic surgery becomes increasingly accessible to lower-income demographics, celebrities are reversing course and returning to a more natural aesthetic.
Why has plastic surgery become so much more accessible and normalized in recent years?
The hosts point to multiple converging factors: the rise of Zoom during and after COVID forcing people to stare at their own faces constantly, social media filters normalizing edited appearances, and the increasing visibility of cosmetic procedures online.
Does plastic surgery actually resolve personal insecurities, or do people simply shift focus to new ones?
Shani Suissa states that insecurities that exist before a cosmetic procedure will still exist after it, and that patients often simply move their fixation to other perceived flaws rather than addressing the underlying psychological drivers of perfectionism.