Podcast Summary: The blondEST – "The Truth About Plastic Surgery"

Host: Savanna Boda
Guest: Dr. Philip Dawa, Plastic Surgeon
Date: December 1, 2025

Episode Overview

In this open and insightful conversation, Savanna Boda (The Dallas Aesthetician) invites her plastic surgeon, Dr. Philip Dawa, for an unfiltered discussion on plastic surgery, confidence, healing, and the realities behind aesthetic procedures. Savanna shares her personal experiences with breast reduction, implants, neck liposuction, and labiaplasty, while Dr. Dawa provides medical perspectives, industry insights, and debunks persistent myths. The episode explores the intersection of self-image, societal judgment, and the true intention of cosmetic surgery as a tool for empowerment—not vanity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Personal Journeys

• Savanna’s Experience with Plastic Surgery ([00:18]–[05:44])

  • Openly shares her multiple attempts at scheduling a breast reduction, interrupted by events like COVID and a Dallas snowstorm, before finally getting the procedure after pregnancy.
  • Discusses dealing with insecurity postpartum, especially around her breasts, and how surgery jumpstarted her health and self-care journey.
  • “I just felt so confident that it really kick started this weight loss journey for me and just taking care of myself in a different way.” — Savanna ([05:19])

• Dr. Dawa’s Background ([01:36])

  • Trained at Parkland Hospital in Dallas and completed aesthetic surgery fellowship at USC.
  • Injects humor and relatability (attributes looking youthful to “maybe it’s the botox”).

2. The Empowering Side of Plastic Surgery

• Confidence Beyond "Vanity" ([00:18]–[16:19])
  • Explores societal judgments, emphasizing that aesthetic changes have ripple effects on self-image, relationships, careers, and parenting.
    • “It’s the whole look good, feel good.” – Savanna ([00:43])
  • Both highlight surgery as a path to align external appearance with personal identity and energy.
    • “Would it be fair to say that the surgery helped you with aligning your appearance with your identity?” – Dr. Dawa ([18:42])

3. Procedures Explained: Personal and Professional Perspectives

• Comprehensive Rundown of Savanna’s Procedures ([06:09]–[08:55])

  • Breast reduction, neck lipo, axilla (bra fat) lipo, and labiaplasty.
  • Labia minora reduction (labiaplasty) discussed as a quietly popular, rarely talked about surgery that carries both functional and aesthetic benefits.
    • “Labiaplasty tends to be one of those sort of unspoken operations that people don’t really promote very much but is quietly very popular.” – Dr. Dawa ([08:55])

• Technical Insights: Distribution of Body Fat ([06:48]–[07:41])

  • Explanation of gender differences in fat locations and why these guide different surgical approaches for men and women.

4. Opening a New Spa & Transitioning Roles

• Savanna shares her evolution from operator to manager, and how growth brings new managerial challenges. ([10:43]–[12:19])

• Quote: “You get into business because you’re like, I’m so good at what I do. And then you become so good... you need people to help you do what you do. And then you have to manage those people.” – Savanna ([11:41])

5. Navigating Social Media, Criticism, and Transparency

• The Experience of Online Hatred ([12:26]–[16:19])

  • Discusses the double standard for women on social media and the impossibility of pleasing everyone.
    • “If you share it, it’s too much information… If you don’t share it, then you’re a gatekeeper and you’re dishonest.” – Savanna ([13:06])
  • Savanna’s philosophy of empathizing with haters and not letting outside opinions affect her self-worth.

• Empowerment Over Shame ([15:28])

  • Dr. Dawa encourages focusing on those helped by Savanna’s openness: “It’s very empowering to a lot of women... who are probably sitting on the sideline exactly where you felt when you were in grade school.” ([15:48])

6. Reality Checks: What Surgery Can and Can't Do

• Surgery Isn't a Cure-All ([22:05]–[26:34])
  • Stresses the importance of self-love; surgery boosts, but doesn't create, inner confidence.
    • “You can’t go in and just absolutely… hate yourself… surgery is not going to fix the insides.” – Savanna ([22:05])
  • Dr. Dawa on vetting patient motivations to avoid reinforcing insecurities.

7. Medical Myths, Breast Implants, and Procedure Details

• Gummy Bear Implants & Types ([26:35]–[36:11])

  • Explains “gummy bear” (cohesive gel) implants, implant profiles, and sizing. High, moderate, and low profile implants described.
  • Addressing breast implant myths—no need to replace every 10 years unless there’s a problem. ([31:58]–[33:09])
  • Details about under-the-muscle (“dual plane”) and over-the-muscle placements, implications for breastfeeding and longevity of results.

• Favorite Procedures & Outcomes ([54:05]–[56:34])

  • Dr. Dawa most enjoys surgeries with big, positive changes (mommy makeovers, tummy tucks), influenced by community demand and feedback.

8. Addressing Body Shaming & Societal Double Standards

• Tall trees catch the breeze: The more visible you are, the more criticism you receive—especially as a successful, attractive woman. ([39:32])

  • “If you are a beautiful person and you already gain a lot of attention, I think you are more of a target for body shaming.” – Dr. Dawa ([39:32])

• Plastic Surgery ≠ Vanity: The Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Analogy ([43:44]–[46:56])

  • Dr. Dawa explains that pursuing beauty after basic needs are met is a sign of vitality and health, not vanity.
    • “Beauty is not a sign of vanity. Beauty is a sign of vitality.” – Dr. Dawa ([44:16])

9. The Importance of Choosing Qualified Surgeons

• Medical Regulation & Credentialing ([63:08]–[68:44])
  • Warnings about non-board-certified “cosmetic surgeons” who lack appropriate training.
    • “Any doctor… can perform a breast augmentation.” – Dr. Dawa ([64:00])
    • "If you're a board certified cosmetic surgeon, you've essentially taken a course… but you're not a (board-certified) surgeon." ([65:23])
  • Savanna and Dr. Dawa encourage listeners to check board certification and not shop on price alone.

10. Candid Surgical & Recovery Experiences

• Savanna recounts healing, pain thresholds, and areas that were most uncomfortable.
• Both discuss complications, lipo technologies, and the marketing of “branded techniques.” ([58:14]–[62:00])
• Functional and Aesthetic Satisfaction: Labiaplasty and breast reduction consistently bring high patient satisfaction due to their combined functional and cosmetic benefits. ([51:22]–[52:13])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I always say, you know, God prepares you for the hardest things in life… I went through a lot of bullying and a lot of haters in high school.” – Savanna ([14:34])
• “It’s not vanity, it’s vitality.” – Dr. Dawa ([77:04])
• “Have you ever put an 800cc in someone?”
  “I have.” – Dr. Dawa ([29:48])
• “I’ve always just been an open book to a point where it’s gotten me in a lot of trouble many times, because I think the more you share, the more you can help other people…” – Savanna ([13:15])
• “You treat every patient like it’s your first. And I think that goes a long way.” – Savanna, to Dr. Dawa ([75:40])

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------|------------------| | Savanna’s breast surgery journey | 02:04–06:09 | | Addressing bra fat & gendered fat distribution | 06:09–07:41 | | Labiaplasty facts & openness | 08:55–10:41 | | Social media, haters, and transparency | 12:26–16:19 | | Psychological before/after of body changes | 18:42–22:05 | | Surgery, self love, & patient vetting | 22:05–26:34 | | Breast implant types (gummy bear, profile) | 26:35–30:37 | | Myths about implant lifespan | 31:58–33:09 | | “Tall trees catch the breeze” & body shaming | 39:32–41:53 | | Maslow’s hierarchy: beauty as vitality | 43:44–46:56 | | Qualified surgeons vs. cosmetic certificates | 63:08–68:18 | | Lipo pain & new technologies | 57:36–62:00 | | Functional benefits: labiaplasty, breast red. | 51:22–52:13 | | Dr. Dawa’s most fulfilling case | 69:09–70:55 | | Patient care philosophy & ethics | 75:40–76:16 | | Closing thoughts on confidence & vitality | 77:04–77:22 |

Closing Takeaways

• Empowerment ≠ Vanity: Surgery, when thoughtfully pursued, promotes confidence and alignment between self-image and identity.
• Transparency Matters: Honest discussions about procedures (from breast reduction to labiaplasty) reduce stigma, provide informed choices, and build a supportive community.
• Choose Surgeons Wisely: Board certification and ethical practice are critical; don’t be swayed by price or superficial titles.
• Body Positivity & Societal Pressure: Criticism often stems from insecurity or projection; thriving and pursuing beauty is natural—and even healthy.

"Beauty is not to be something that is shamed. Beauty should be rejoiced because it’s a sign of wellness."
— Dr. Dawa ([45:22])

Find Dr. Dawa on Instagram: @doctor.philipdawa
Listen to more: The blondEST podcast, new episodes Mondays.