Allison Gross

For years, medical tourism promised patients access to cosmetic procedures at a fraction of the cost. From hair transplants to body contouring and mommy makeovers, patients traveled abroad hoping to save money and speed up results. But in 2026, that trend is shifting—and according to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Steven Davis, the reason is simple: surgery doesn’t end when the procedure does.

One of the clearest examples is hair restoration. Hair transplants require months of follow-up, scalp care, growth monitoring, and sometimes additional treatments to optimize results. Patients who travel overseas often return home without guidance during this critical phase, unsure whether shedding is normal, how to improve growth, or when intervention is needed.

The same issue appears with body contouring procedures like tummy tucks, liposuction, and Brazilian butt lifts. When complications, scar concerns, or drain management arise, patients are frequently told to visit an emergency room—where providers may have no knowledge of the original surgery or recovery plan.

Dr. Davis emphasizes that the quality of surgery is not always the issue. Many international surgeons are skilled. The problem lies in the absence of structured follow-up, accountability, and continuity of care. Healing is a process that requires communication, reassurance, and sometimes adjustment.

This challenge is becoming even more apparent with the rise of GLP-1 weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound. Rapid weight loss often leads to skin laxity, requiring a long-term strategy that includes skin tightening, maintenance treatments, and careful timing—not a single intervention.

Plastic surgery, whether surgical or non-surgical, is a journey. Procedures like facelifts, hair transplants, and skin tightening treatments all require staged care to reach their best outcome. When patients skip that process, results often fall short.

As transparency increases through social media and patient experiences, more people are realizing that saving money upfront can cost far more later. In today’s aesthetic landscape, access to follow-up care, expert guidance, and continuity matters just as much as the procedure itself.

Thread lifts have earned both praise and criticism over the years, often leaving patients unsure whether they’re worth considering. According to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Steven Davis, the truth lies in proper patient selection, precise technique, and smart treatment planning.

Modern thread lifts use dissolvable sutures with tiny barbs that anchor beneath the skin. These barbs gently lift tissue while stimulating the body to produce collagen in the direction of the lift. Over time, the threads dissolve—but the collagen remains, maintaining results long after the material is gone.

One of the most common mistakes Dr. Davis sees is treating threads like fillers. Unlike filler, threads require post-procedure protection. Excessive chewing, vigorous exercise, or facial movement too soon can dislodge the barbs and compromise results. Proper placement, stabilization, and short downtime are critical.

Threads are most effective for patients with mild to moderate skin laxity. They are not designed to replace a full facelift in patients with significant excess skin—but for the right candidate, they can deliver impressive lift with minimal downtime.

Dr. Davis also emphasizes the power of a three-pronged approach:

1. Fillers (or fat grafting) to restore volume and soften hollows
2. Threads to reposition and lift tissue along youthful vectors
3. Laser or energy-based treatments to tighten skin and stimulate collagen

This layered strategy can create a natural, refreshed appearance—often avoiding surgery altogether.

The takeaway? Thread lifts aren’t a shortcut—they’re a sophisticated tool. When performed by an experienced surgeon and integrated into a comprehensive plan, they can deliver elegant, long-lasting results.

Hair restoration has become one of the most requested cosmetic procedures worldwide. With social media, international clinics, and aggressive marketing promising fast results, many patients focus on one thing: filling in bald or thinning areas as quickly as possible. But according to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Steven Davis, the most important question isn’t how to restore hair—it’s how that decision will affect you years from now.

When an area of the scalp is completely bald or significantly thinning, treatments like PRP, supplements, or LED devices can improve scalp health—but they won’t create new hair. In these cases, a hair transplant is the only true solution. The challenge lies in how that hair is harvested and placed.

Historically, many patients underwent strip graft (FUT) procedures, where a long strip of scalp is removed from the back of the head and divided into grafts. While effective in the short term, this technique leaves a permanent scar and limits future donor options. Scar tissue can also compromise hair quality if another transplant is needed later—which is common as balding patterns progress with age.

Modern follicular unit extraction (FUE) offers a more refined, long-term approach. Individual hair follicles are harvested selectively under magnification, allowing surgeons to choose the ideal grafts for specific areas—single hairs for a natural hairline, multi-hair grafts for density. FUE avoids long scars, preserves donor zones, and keeps future transplant options open.

Dr. Davis emphasizes that hair loss is progressive. There is currently no way to permanently stop balding, meaning many patients will seek additional procedures over time. Making thoughtful choices early—especially for younger patients—can prevent regret later.

The takeaway is simple: hair transplantation should always be viewed as a long-term strategy, not a one-time fix. Protecting healthy donor hair today ensures better, more natural results tomorrow.

In this episode of The Plastic Surgery Revolution, Dr. Steven Davis tackles one of the most common concerns tied to rapid, GLP-1–assisted weight loss: unexpected loose skin in areas patients never anticipated—from the arms and abdomen to even the genital region.

Dr. Davis explains why fast weight loss paired with muscle loss leads to laxity, and why protein intake, strength training, and monitored weight-loss pacing are essential for maintaining skin quality.

He walks listeners through today’s most effective solutions, including:

• When to consider arm lifts, tummy tucks, or body lifts
• How technologies like Renuvion (J-Plasma), radiofrequency tightening, and ultrasonic liposuction can improve results
• Mini-surgical options for patients with moderate excess skin
• Why being proactive with RF treatments during weight loss can minimize loose skin later
• How maintaining muscle mass and proper nutrition influences outcomes

Whether you’re using GLP-1 medications, losing weight on your own, or supporting a patient through the process, this episode highlights the safest, most strategic ways to manage loose skin—and when to consider surgical vs. non-surgical solutions.

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In this episode of The Plastic Surgery Revolution, Dr. Steven Davis shares insights from his recent national teaching events—highlighting the cutting-edge techniques, injectables, and energy-based technologies shaping modern facial and body rejuvenation.

Dr. Davis breaks down how today’s best results often come from mixing multiple modalities, not relying on just Botox, filler, or devices alone. From advanced neuromodulator strategies and targeted fillers to radiofrequency tightening, microneedling, ultrasonic energy, and even facial threads—he explains how combining the right tools can create impressive, natural-looking outcomes without surgery.

You’ll learn:

• How Botox works beyond wrinkle reduction to rebalance facial muscles
• The importance of placing fillers in the right anatomical zones
• Why patients on GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic) often need extra skin-tightening support
• How RF microneedling, ultrasound, and devices like AgeJet enhance lift and contour
• When non-surgical approaches work—and when surgery may be the better option

Whether you’re a patient exploring options or a provider learning the latest techniques, this episode highlights the true power of personalized, multi-layered rejuvenation.

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In this episode of The Plastic Surgery Revolution, Dr. Steven Davis breaks down one of today’s hottest topics in aesthetic surgery—the Deep Plane facelift—and explains why it’s not the only option for restoring a youthful appearance.

With everyone online buzzing about Deep Plane procedures, it’s easy to assume it’s the universal “gold standard.” But Dr. Davis shares why the best facelift is always the one tailored to your anatomy, history, lifestyle, and goals—not the one trending on social media.

He explores:

• Why Deep Plane facelifts are popular—and where they fit
• How previous procedures (from traditional facelifts to the old Lifestyle Lift) influence what’s possible now
• When a “tweak” or secondary lift may be all you need
• How weight loss medications and dramatic changes in facial volume are leading more young patients to need skin-tightening surgeries
• The importance of a personalized consultation—especially with major variability in age, health, weight changes, and skin quality

Dr. Davis emphasizes that no single technique is right for everyone. Whether you’ve had surgery years ago or are facing new skin laxity from weight loss, today’s facelift options are more customizable than ever.

As the holiday season approaches, it may be the perfect time to explore what’s truly best for your face—not the Internet’s favorite.

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In this episode of The Plastic Surgery Revolution, Dr. Steven Davis sits down with Physician Assistant Taylor to unpack key insights from the 2024 Global Aesthetics Conference in Miami — one of the industry’s biggest gatherings for surgical and non-surgical innovation.

From the rise of regenerative medicine and peptide therapy to the evolving “multimodality” approach that combines injectables, lasers, and biostimulatory treatments, Dr. Davis and Taylor explore how today’s most natural, long-lasting results come from blending science, sequencing, and patient health.

They also dive into:

• How peptides and GLP-1 medications are changing the conversation around functional health and cosmetic outcomes
• The best timing and sequencing for injectables, radiofrequency, and laser treatments
• Why collagen regeneration starts with nutrition, protein, and overall wellness
• The importance of “low and slow” when using GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy
• How at-home skin care and consistency enhance in-office treatments

The takeaway? There’s no single magic bullet in modern aesthetics — real transformation comes from a balanced, regenerative approach that treats the whole patient, inside and out.

Listen to The Plastic Surgery Revolution wherever you get your podcasts and stay ahead of what’s next in beauty, health, and science.

In this episode of The Plastic Surgery Revolution, Dr. Steven Davis explores one of the most exciting shifts happening in modern aesthetics — the fusion of surgical expertise with advanced technology.

Gone are the days of choosing between a “surgery” or a “non-surgical” treatment. Today, leading plastic surgeons are combining procedures in new, innovative ways to deliver next-level results with the same — or even less — downtime.

Dr. Davis shares real examples from his operating room, including patients who combine blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) with Renuvion® skin tightening and micro-liposuction, achieving dramatic yet natural rejuvenation in a single session. He also discusses how regenerative science — like stem cells, exosomes, and growth factors — is transforming recovery and long-term results.

From facial rejuvenation to hair restoration, Dr. Davis explains how this integrated approach helps patients heal faster, look better, and enjoy results that last longer — all while maximizing the power of their own biology.

Listen now to hear how Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery is staying ahead of the curve with personalized, combination-based treatments designed around you.

If you found this episode insightful, share it with a friend who’s curious about modern aesthetics — and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app so you never miss the latest from The Plastic Surgery Revolution.