Episode 44: Top plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Linkov on toxic beauty standards, facelifts at 20 & why he tells patients ”no”

In this episode, we're diving deep into society's obsession with beauty—and the surprising truth behind it.

Last year, Americans underwent over 25 million cosmetic procedures—a staggering 1,400% increase since 1997. With over 90% of people feeling dissatisfied with their appearance, clearly something deeper is happening.

To explore this, we sat down with Dr. Gary Linkov, a globally renowned plastic surgeon with over 1 million YouTube subscribers. Double board-certified and trained at Cornell and Columbia, Dr. Linkov is recognized by USA Today as one of the top cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons in the U.S., leading one of New York City's most respected practices.

In this candid conversation, Dr. Linkov shares unique insights into what's truly driving the surge in cosmetic procedures—whether it's personal expression, societal pressures, or deeper emotional struggles. We examine:

* Is beauty inherent or culturally shaped?
* Why do modern beauty standards feel so overwhelming, and how are they affecting us?
* Does plastic surgery genuinely solve our body image issues or just offer temporary relief?
* The deeper connections between self-worth, acceptance, and our pursuit of beauty.

This episode isn't just about appearance—it's about understanding ourselves better. It might fundamentally shift how you view beauty, your self-image, and your place in the world.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
3:22 - Addressing taboo around plastic surgery
7:53 - Are plastic surgeons profiting off insecurities?
10:59 - Dr. Linkov’s personal journey with body image
17:57 - Is beauty objective or subjective?
23:23 - Chasing beauty trends
28:04 - The unspoken rules of beauty
32:22 - Plastic surgery must be “naturally unnatural”
35:39 - People are getting facelifts at 20?!
42:43 - Sometimes it’s a mental health issue
44:56 - How can Megan Fox have body dysmorphia?
47:07 - Will being beautiful actually make you happy?
52:03 - The pressure to get surgery for Hollywood roles
56:22 -  “People who are beautiful get treated better”
1:01:08 - Women are at a disadvantage with body image
1:03:58 - Most dangerous plastic surgeries
1:08:46 - How far is too far with body modification?
1:15:35 - Deciding whether to get plastic surgery

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Related Episodes:
https://youtu.be/IIThL9H6Ees?si=5kVnIsV3vCW5l23M
https://youtu.be/CVmpnx-yTro?si=TblESsUsYOlZLW-D
https://youtu.be/X70wKwSoOpA?si=y65pM42cCJMLwstt

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Dr. Gary Linkov Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgarynyc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drgarylinkov

Visit our Body Image Hub:
https://mightypursuit.com/body-image

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