Dissecting Plastic Surgery

Cognition

When Botox Masks More Than Wrinkles

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on August 17, 2026

For most patients, Botox serves a cosmetic purpose. For deaf signers, the same injection can rewrite grammar. Here's why that conversation may belong in the counseling room.

For most patients, Botox serves a cosmetic purpose. For deaf signers, the same injection can rewrite grammar. Here's why that conversation may belong in the counseling room.

Relationships

Plastic Surgeons Operating on Family: Where to Draw the Line

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on April 5, 2025

You’ve seen your surgeon family member carve the Thanksgiving turkey with precision, but would you trust them to carve you? Dive into the ethical debate of operating on loved ones.

You’ve seen your surgeon family member carve the Thanksgiving turkey with precision, but would you trust them to carve you? Dive into the ethical debate of operating on loved ones.

Health

Botox’s Surprising Influence on Mood and Sex

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on January 8, 2025

Can Botox aimed at diminishing your frown lines have the unintended consequence of diminishing sexual satisfaction?

Can Botox aimed at diminishing your frown lines have the unintended consequence of diminishing sexual satisfaction?

Body Image

How Popular Cosmetic Procedures Are Making You Look Older

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on August 9, 2024

The quest for youth might be aging you. Uncover how popular cosmetic procedures could backfire, making you look older instead of younger.

The quest for youth might be aging you. Uncover how popular cosmetic procedures could backfire, making you look older instead of younger.

Deception

Picture Imperfect: Unmasking Plastic Surgery Before/After Photos

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on January 4, 2024

Edited before-and-after photos can embellish actual surgical outcomes. Patients should advocate for a more authentic portrayal of the plastic surgery experience.

Edited before-and-after photos can embellish actual surgical outcomes. Patients should advocate for a more authentic portrayal of the plastic surgery experience.

Diet

How Weight Loss Increases Cravings for Cosmetic Surgery

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on September 26, 2023

Diabetes medications are trending for their potential role in weight loss, but why is cosmetic surgery following suit?

Diabetes medications are trending for their potential role in weight loss, but why is cosmetic surgery following suit?

Beauty

Do Aging Men Stay Attractive Longer Than Women Do?

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on August 14, 2023

A new study uses A.I. and machine learning to predict the aging penalty on attractiveness.

A new study uses A.I. and machine learning to predict the aging penalty on attractiveness.

Confidence

Why We Trust Doctors More When They Wear a White Coat

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on March 30, 2023

Does the style of clothing a physician wears alter patient perception?

Does the style of clothing a physician wears alter patient perception?

Depression

Bell’s Palsy and Mental Health

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on January 31, 2023

Underlying depression and anxiety can negatively impact quality of life for patients with facial paralysis.

Underlying depression and anxiety can negatively impact quality of life for patients with facial paralysis.

Depression

Social Perception After Facial Paralysis

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on June 29, 2022

Facial paralysis has a negative impact on social perception. Here's why—and what to do to mitigate the risks and consequences.

Facial paralysis has a negative impact on social perception. Here's why—and what to do to mitigate the risks and consequences.

Stress

COVID, Stress and Hair Loss

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on March 22, 2022

How the pandemic has led to a sharp increase in hair loss.

How the pandemic has led to a sharp increase in hair loss.

Anxiety

Is Botox Good for Mental Health?

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on January 10, 2022

“Medical meditation” may help anxiety and depression.

“Medical meditation” may help anxiety and depression.

Media

Cosmetic Surgery and the Importance of Communication

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on November 26, 2021

Communication is key for optimizing outcomes of cosmetic surgery.

Communication is key for optimizing outcomes of cosmetic surgery.

Gender

Facial Gender Dysphoria

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on September 28, 2021

Analyzing the impact of facial feminization surgery on mental health outcomes for male to female transgender patients.

Analyzing the impact of facial feminization surgery on mental health outcomes for male to female transgender patients.

Beauty

Reading Your Lips

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on July 28, 2021

Lip perception and how it can be enhanced.

Lip perception and how it can be enhanced.

Addiction

When Plastic Surgery Becomes an Addiction

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on June 15, 2021

Plastic surgery should aim for improvement rather than perfection.

Plastic surgery should aim for improvement rather than perfection.

Health

The Psychological Impact of a Facelift

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on April 6, 2021

There can be surprising differences between immediate and long-term mental health outcomes.

There can be surprising differences between immediate and long-term mental health outcomes.

Artificial Intelligence

Can You Tell Who Is Real or Fake Just from a Picture?

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on January 12, 2021

Human image synthesis is testing our skills.

Human image synthesis is testing our skills.

Beauty

How Do We Perceive Beauty Without the Ability to See?

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on December 22, 2020

New research finds that blind individuals have an enhanced ability to appreciate beauty via senses other than vision.

New research finds that blind individuals have an enhanced ability to appreciate beauty via senses other than vision.

Media

How Happy Are People With the Way They Look?

Michael Reilly, MD, and Priyanka Tripuraneni, MD on October 27, 2020

Social media and video conferencing are impacting self-esteem.

Social media and video conferencing are impacting self-esteem.