DOPE AS USUAL PODCAST

Episode: Reality Check w/ Dr. Dubrow

Hosts: Thomas "Dope As Yolo" Araujo & Marty O'Neill
Guest: Dr. Terry Dubrow
Date: December 9, 2025

EPISODE OVERVIEW

In this highly engaging episode, Thomas and Marty welcome renowned plastic surgeon and TV personality Dr. Terry Dubrow for a wide-ranging conversation that blends humor, life stories, stark realities of modern medicine and plastic surgery, and a “reality check” on health, AI, and success. From candid discussions about the medical uses (and abuses) of drugs, to insight into Dr. Dubrow’s career, reality TV, body image, and financial wisdom—this episode goes deep and wide, maintaining an authentic, light-hearted tone throughout.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Drug Culture, Then and Now

• Opening Banter ([00:20–09:41])

  • Dr. Dubrow reminisces about weed culture in college, noting the shift in societal attitudes and legality (“I was glad it became legal...I grew up in the 70s when it became like a thing.” – [02:59])
  • Discusses the normalization and risks of drugs like MDMA (ecstasy), ketamine, cocaine, referencing both recreational and medical applications.
  • Ketamine’s clinical usage, including pediatric anesthesia and dissociation, is explained in depth (“You can take a kid...give them one shot of ketamine...they just go and they lie there, and it doesn’t change your vital signs at all.” – [06:01])

• Modern Risk Management ([08:11–09:53])

  • The group discusses the prevalence of fentanyl and the use of drug testers, highlighting the increased risk of overdose in modern party culture.

2. Dr. Dubrow’s Family, Early Career, and Reality TV

• Growing Up in an Era of Excess ([09:53–18:18])

  • Candid stories about Dr. Dubrow’s brother, Kevin Dubrow (lead singer of Quiet Riot), shed light on the contrasting paths the brothers took—rock star vs. surgeon.
  • “It was weird being a med student with a brother who’s a rock star with an album number one on the charts.” – [14:31]
  • Uncanny predictions about his brother’s death (“That’s exactly how he died...we’re living in a simulation.” – [16:02]).

• Simulation Theory & Manifestation ([16:18–24:44])

  • Dr. Dubrow and Thomas dive into simulation theory and the idea of controlling one's narrative, referencing the uncanny feeling of living in a “typed-up” reality (“Do you ever take it to the next level and think, how can I interact with the controller and take me to the next level?” – [17:15])

3. The Surge of Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact

• Anxiety and Opportunity in the Age of AI ([18:00–30:42])

  • Dr. Dubrow, Thomas, and Marty discuss the rapid evolution of AI, the proliferation of deepfakes, and the challenges AI poses for content authenticity.
  • Notable cases include scam AI-generated videos, language deepfakes, and music composed by AI bands.
  • “There’s a band that no one KNEW they were AI and in one month, they got 800,000...they did a song that’s like an instant hit, and it’s AI.” – [19:39]

• Authenticity in Content Creation

  • Discussions around the struggle for human creatives to stay relevant as AI advances, concern for deepfakes, and fraud in business using AI tools (e.g., scams using Dr. Dubrow’s likeness).

4. Health, Medicine, and Modern Weight Loss

• Skincare Truths ([33:58–35:30])

  • Dr. Dubrow dispels myths about skincare, emphasizing scientifically-validated routines (use of retinol, collagen, and the importance of balancing effectiveness with tolerance).

• GLP-1s, Ozempic, and Modern Obesity Medicine ([35:30–55:37])

  • Dr. Dubrow educates on Ozempic (semaglutide) and other GLP-1 agonists, placing them in the context of treating obesity as a medical disease, not a willpower issue.
  • Notable quote: “When you give them these medications, it’s like giving someone who’s got cancer chemo, it’s like someone diabetes giving them insulin...it treats the disease.” – [41:55]
  • Pros and cons, muscle mass loss, the future of weight loss drugs, and societal attitudes (“There’s still a little bit of a shame associated with [obesity]... That’s your physiology. It’s not your fault.” – [42:38])
  • Light-hearted moment: “Ozempic penis, baby. There’s the ad!” – Dr. Dubrow [55:08]

• Broader Wellness Topics

  • Intermittent fasting, peptides, testosterone, and the role of exercise vs. medical intervention.

5. Plastic Surgery: Regrets, Trends, and Hard Truths

• Botched and Plastic Surgery Rewind ([56:33–59:45])

  • Dr. Dubrow elaborates on his TV projects, where many patients seek reversal of previous enhancements due to changing tastes or life phases.

• Red Flags and Psychological Screening ([87:38–98:14])

  • The importance of mental health evaluation before surgery, especially when body dysmorphia or external influence (partners, fame) is suspected.
  • “If the why is not cool...there’s a way to not be as someone’s plastic surgeon.” – [90:24]
  • Risks of operating on patients with body dysmorphia, and the limitations of surgical “fixes.”

• Risks and Fatalities in Trend Surgeries ([100:54–103:53])

  • The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is highlighted as the most fatal elective plastic surgery, with detailed explanation of the risk of fat embolisms.
  • “That operation is the most fatal in plastic surgery anyway. The BBL.” – [101:02]

6. Career, Success, and Financial Advice

• Compound Interest & Investing ([128:02–143:41])

  • Dr. Dubrow emphatically encourages young listeners to save and invest early, specifically in blue-chip tech stocks for compounding returns (“Take that cash flow, take 20 off the top and put it into stocks. Put it into the top seven tech stocks.” – [128:59])
  • Personal anecdotes about his real estate successes and setbacks, flipping mansions, and high-profile sales (“A Chinese billionaire knocked on the door and made us an offer we couldn’t refuse.” – [132:24])
  • Warnings about business, dishonesty, and always double-checking partners—even long-time accountants.

• Changing Landscape for Surgeons

  • Contrary to popular belief, Dr. Dubrow notes that surgical reimbursement has plummeted, making passion the main motivator rather than money.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS & NOTABLE QUOTES

On Drug Use & Medical Trends

• “I believe in trying everything once.” – Dr. Dubrow [04:18]
• “Ketamine for pain...you can give them one shot and they just go...It’s called dissociative.” – Dr. Dubrow [06:01]

Obesity and Weight Loss Drugs

• “It’s not anybody’s fault who’s overweight...It’s a disease.” – Dr. Dubrow [41:29]
• “Ozempic is AI for the body, man. This is like the biggest...change in the history of medicine.” – Dr. Dubrow [39:38]
• “There’s a thing, and it’s a good thing. Ozempic penis.” – Dr. Dubrow [55:08]
• “Abs are made in the kitchen anyway. Right.” – Dr. Dubrow [50:17]

On Plastic Surgery Risks and Regret

• “You died just for a fashion statement.” – Dr. Dubrow on the risks of BBL [104:07]
• “There’s a component of plastic surgery regret...maybe what was great for me at 20–25 is not great for me at this stage of my life anymore. So can you take it away?” – Dr. Dubrow [57:25]
• “If you’re doing it because you think it’s going to save your life, it never works. If it’s to fix your relationship, that’s not going to work.” – Dr. Dubrow [89:04]

On AI, Technology, and Simulation

• “AI’s going to be the best doctor, best lawyer.” – Dr. Dubrow [24:22]
• “We have to insert AI in our brains. We have to become hybrids.” – Dr. Dubrow [25:00]
• “Living in a simulation. I don’t believe any of this is real.” – Dr. Dubrow [16:18]

Financial Wisdom

• “Take that cash flow, take 20 off the top and put it into stocks.” – Dr. Dubrow [128:59]
• “Compounding interest, Einstein called it the eighth wonder of the world.” – Dr. Dubrow [130:01]
• “Assume everybody’s going to rip you off. Check and recheck.” – Dr. Dubrow [138:46]

Pop Culture, Humor & Surprising Realness

• “My wife went on Real Housewives, and I impregnated her. She had four kids.” – Dr. Dubrow [63:07]
• “He was massively coked out...but what other med student goes ‘I just woke up, David Lee Roth’s in the yard’? What the **** is happening?!” – Dr. Dubrow [13:34]
• “If I make you normal, that’s going to be good enough. Normal is the goal.” – Dr. Dubrow [94:03]

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Dr. Dubrow's views on drug use and society | 00:20–09:41 | | Quiet Riot & family history | 09:41–18:18 | | Simulation theory and AI’s rise | 16:18–30:42 | | Social Media Scams & AI Deepfakes | 19:39–32:49 | | Medical insights: Skincare, GLP-1s, Obesity | 33:58–55:37 | | Risks in Plastic Surgery and BBLs | 100:54–104:07| | Mental health and plastic surgery screening | 87:38–98:14 | | Nuances of the surgical career & success | 120:17–121:44| | Finance: Investing, real estate, compound interest | 128:02–143:41| | Entertaining pop culture discussions | 60:49–80:34 |

FINAL TAKEAWAYS

• Plastic Surgery is Not a Magic Wand: Regret can follow trends, and medical dangers (like BBLs) are real and under-discussed.
• Obesity Is a Treatable Disease: Modern medicine offers powerful pharmaceutical tools, and the “willpower” narrative needs to shift.
• AI Has Changed the Game (and the Risks): From healthcare to music, AI is both an opportunity and a threat—a recurring anxiety in the episode.
• Invest In Your Future: Start early, save, invest in blue-chip stocks, and always double-check your business partners. The eighth wonder of the world—compounding interest—shouldn’t be underestimated.
• Embrace Luck, Stay Authentic, Remain Flexible: Dr. Dubrow’s journey from surgeon to reality star, and his blend of relentless curiosity and old-school honesty, provides a blueprint for resilience and reinvention.

Listen to Between Us with Terry & Heather Dubrow (drops Wednesdays on iHeartRadio)

“Plastic Surgery Rewind” streaming on Peacock

“Assume everybody’s going to rip you off. Check and recheck, check and recheck.” – Dr. Terry Dubrow [138:46]

“When you give them these medications, it’s like giving insulin for diabetes...treat the disease.” [41:55]

“Ozempic penis, baby.” [55:08]

For anyone wanting a wild ride through medicine, celebrity, AI, and the future of health, this Reality Check delivers it with humor, depth, and plenty of memorable moments.