Plastic Surgeon Dr. Dahlia Rice: Aging on Your Terms: Beauty Standards After 40, Breast Cancer Reconstruction & Body Changes
I sat down with plastic surgeon Dr. Dahlia Rice to uncover why the beauty industry's biggest lies are keeping you from aging on your own terms.
This conversation explored the evolution of plastic surgery from dramatic transformations to natural, undetectable enhancements. The discussion covered how celebrity influence, particularly Kris Jenner's recent facelift, has normalized conversations about aesthetic procedures while highlighting the shift toward subtlety over obvious results.
A major focus was the reality of dermal fillers contrary to marketing claims about 12-16 month dissolution, many patients retain fillers for years due to individual metabolism differences. This has led to overfilled appearances and the need for ultrasound guided dissolution techniques.
The conversation highlighted practical anti-aging strategies, particularly upper eyelid surgery as a high impact, low downtime procedure that can dramatically improve appearance without looking artificial. Fat transfer emerged as a game changing technique that provides natural volume while improving skin quality through growth factors.
The discussion addressed modern challenges like "Ozempic face" from rapid weight loss and the limitations of non-surgical skin tightening. We also discussed the importance of rejecting societal pressure around aging and aesthetic choices, framing these decisions as personal autonomy rather than vanity.
Throughout, the conversation challenged stigmas in both plastic surgery and women's health, advocating for patients to address what bothers them rather than suffering in silence. The overarching message was about empowering women to make choices that improve their quality of life without shame or judgment.
Highlights:
Celebrity influence on plastic surgery trends (Kris Jenner's facelift analysis).
The shift from "overfilled" to natural aesthetics in modern plastic surgery.
Breast reconstruction for cancer survivors and body image.
Filler dissolution and the truth about how long they really last.
AI filters vs. realistic surgical expectations.
Ozempic face/body and massive weight loss surgery.
Small procedures with big impact (upper eyelids, lip lifts).
