Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa
Episode: Dr. David Rosenberg: Kelly’s Plastic Surgeon Returns!
Date: September 10, 2025

Overview

In this lively and candid episode, Kelly Ripa welcomes back her own plastic surgeon, Dr. David Rosenberg, for a no-holds-barred discussion about facial plastic surgery. The episode serves as a live “free consultation”—fielding live questions from callers about everything from finding a reputable surgeon, recovery expectations, motivations behind cosmetic procedures, and the cultural factors shaping trends in aesthetic enhancement. Kelly’s signature humor and transparency are front and center as she demystifies the cosmetic process, recounts friends’ experiences (including that of her colleague Kelly Burkhardt), and discusses the psychological side of surgical “transformations.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why Does "Bad Plastic Surgery" Stand Out?

• Obvious vs. Invisible Results ([03:00]):
  • Dr. Rosenberg emphasizes that poor surgical results are simply more noticeable, but well-done work goes undetected:
    • "They don't see the great work. The great work walks by and nothing’s noticed. We see the disasters." (Dr. Rosenberg, 03:16)
  • Overdoing procedures, lack of updated aesthetic judgment, and post-surgery overuse of fillers/Botox often cause unnatural results.

The “Waddle” and the Reality of Neck Aging

• Terminology & Procedures ([05:26]):
  • The “waddle” refers to neck laxity, often dubbed “turkey neck.” Correcting it usually involves a lower facelift, not just a necklift.
  • The neck ages quickly—like “dog years.” Dr. Rosenberg quips:
    • "It lets go pretty quickly…within a few years of being great, it looks terrible." (06:03)
  • Ripa jokes about inventing a surgery that would “lift my ass cheeks from my neck,” highlighting the limits of current procedures.

Real Patient Experience: Kelly Burkhardt’s Journey

• Recovery & Results ([07:22]):
  • Burkhardt recounts her positive surgical experience: minimal bruising, rapid recovery, no drains—"It was the best I've ever looked. It was the best I've ever felt." (Kelly Burkhardt, 08:06)
  • Dr. Rosenberg’s practice uses specialized IV medications pre-surgery for swift healing and minimal post-op discomfort.
  • Ripa highlights the contrast between expectation and reality: “Your nurse was like, 'You are not going out to dinner and you are going back to bed.'” (09:15)
  • The absence of pain and quick social integration post-surgery are underscored.

Quitting Smoking for Surgery

• Risks & Motivation ([09:59]):
  • Nicotine (from smoking or vaping) is “disastrous for healing” after a facelift.
  • Dr. Rosenberg required Burkhardt to quit vaping prior to surgery, resulting in her quitting altogether.
  • Ripa: "It is a known fact that quitting smoking is harder than getting off heroin." (Kelly Burkhardt, 11:17)
  • Burkhardt’s willingness to quit reflects the powerful motivation tied to cosmetic aspirations.

The Hidden Challenge of Facial Fillers

• Complications During Surgery ([12:17]):
  • Older, persistent fillers can interfere with surgery. "You have to milk it out... it's not very appealing," says Dr. Rosenberg.
  • Fortunately, Burkhardt’s fillers had dissolved; in other patients, long-lasting fillers can obscure facial structure.

The Psychological and Social Impact

• Self-Perception & Societal Change ([14:03]):
  • Dr. Rosenberg reflects on the deeper meaning of his work: "People who poo-poo it... they don't understand the power that waking up in the morning and looking in the mirror and feeling that you look good has on one's psyche."
  • Ripa: "Having your outsides match your insides..." (14:25)
  • Cosmetic surgery is not for everyone, but for those whose appearance doesn’t reflect their self-perception, it can be transformational.

Notable Caller Questions & Dr. Rosenberg's Responses

Shift in Prioritizing Aesthetics Over Material Goods ([15:07]–[22:49])

• Perry from Palm Beach observes a trend: women in their 40s-50s prioritize spending on health and beauty over luxury items.
• Ripa identifies with this, especially as someone remaining on camera into her mid-50s:
  • "My face is what serves me. I'm not a naturally vain person, but... I'm constantly judged for how I look." (16:03)
• Dr. Rosenberg says he's seeing more clients choose “baby facelifts” in their late 30s/early 40s as a return on their self-investment.
• Both agree: money spent on appearance offers more lasting personal satisfaction than fleeting designer purchases.

The Social Rewards of Looking Younger ([26:18])

• Kelly notes people treat her colleague Kelly Burkhardt nicer after surgery.
  • “People are kinder to youthful-looking people... they no longer feel invisible.” (Dr. Rosenberg, 26:44)

How to Research & Find a Great Surgeon ([27:27]–[34:20])

• Angela from NJ (a woman of color): "What advice would you offer for lay persons looking for reputable surgeons?"
  • Dr. Rosenberg recommends word-of-mouth, dermatologist referrals, consulting services like “the beauty broker,” and scrutinizing before/after galleries. Social media and online research should be combined with personal recommendations.
  • Burkhardt and Ripa highlight the anxiety among women—especially women of color—about finding safe, skilled, and attuned surgeons both locally and abroad.
  • Dr. Rosenberg cautions against traveling abroad solely for cost; suggests looking to lower-overhead U.S. cities for accredited surgeons (e.g., NC, SC, Midwest). The risk of post-op complications is lower when treated locally.

Timing & Durability of Facelifts ([34:20]–[43:49])

• Stacy from Ohio: What’s the out-of-town recovery process? Is it better to wait until older for a facelift for longer-lasting results?

  • Half Dr. Rosenberg's patients come from out of town; recovery is streamlined—luxury hotel, private nurse, virtual consults, social activity by day 6, fly home by day 10, full-confidence appearance by day 21. (35:54)
  • Durability varies by age:
    • Early 40s patients: 12-14 years
    • Late 50s: 10 years
    • 70s: 7–8 years
    • Most patients benefit from a “tuck up” (less invasive touch-up) years later.
    • "We set this clock back... 12 years." (Dr. Rosenberg, 38:50)

• Technical Insight: Why Some Surgeons Use Drains ([41:35]):

  • Dr. Rosenberg uses the deep plane technique, which generally does not require drains (unlike the more old-fashioned SMAS facelift which involves more skin elevation and thus more bleeding). If a “deep plane” surgeon uses drains, Ripa says: "That's a way... it's definitely suspicious." (43:40)

Neck-Focused Surgeries & Non-Facial Candidates ([47:58]–[54:56])

• Lori from Wisconsin, age 65: “I like my face, but my neck bothers me. Do I need a full facelift?”
  • Dr. Rosenberg: Majority of consultations are for “the loose neck,” but purely neck lifts are not usually durable for over-45.
    • "They're connected. So when a person comes in over the age of, let's say 45, if I do just a neck lift, they're going to be unhappy a year later because there's recurrence that's too significant to be satisfying" (50:04).
    • Solution: Lower facelift/jawline-neck lift—dramatic results, about a decade of improvement.
  • For finding surgeons in less populous regions: Ask trusted dermatologists for referrals; Dr. Rosenberg’s own fellows practice across the U.S.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the Culture of Cosmetic Enhancement:

  • "It’s just, within a few years of being great, it looks terrible. It wants to give up."
    —Dr. Rosenberg, on the neck's rapid aging ([06:03])

• On Social Shifts:

  • "I think people buy Birkins so other people can see their Birkins... there’s no better way to say look at me than your face."
    —Kelly Ripa ([21:12])

• On Motivation:

  • "If you're feeling down about it... and you wake up and look in the mirror and it makes you miserable, I would say do it now. Don't look at the age and just be happy."
    —Dr. Rosenberg ([40:20])

• On Transparency:

  • "My job is to make you feel really, really pretty and make you love your face... so we can find that happy place."
    —Dr. Rosenberg ([53:05])

• Comic Relief:

  • "No unnecessary conversations happening to my side or behind me. Just come around to the front."
    —Kelly Ripa, advising a caller how to avoid neck movement after surgery ([54:30])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:00] Why do we see so much bad plastic surgery?
• [05:26] The “waddle” and reality of neck aging
• [07:22] Kelly Burkhardt’s recovery story
• [09:59] Quitting smoking for surgery
• [12:17] Managing facial fillers in surgery
• [14:03] Cosmetic surgery and self-esteem
• [15:07] Perry from Palm Beach: Prioritizing beauty over luxury items
• [26:18] Social advantages of youthful appearance
• [27:27] Angela from NJ: How to find a reputable surgeon, especially for women of color
• [34:20] Stacy from Ohio: Out-of-town recovery, ideal timing, procedure longevity
• [41:35] The difference between facelift surgical techniques (deep plane vs. SMAS)
• [47:58] Lori from Wisconsin: Neck-focused surgery, fears, and expectations

Conclusion

This frank and entertaining episode blends practical advice with real-life testimonials, candidly exploring the realities of facial plastic surgery. Dr. Rosenberg’s direct, educational approach serves to empower listeners to make informed decisions, while Kelly Ripa ensures the tone remains accessible and relatable with her humor and vulnerability.

Whether you’re seeking a “baby facelift,” pondering the right age for a procedure, or seeking trusted referrals, this episode delivers expert insights—from the science behind the scalpel to the psychological and social dimensions of “putting your face forward.”