Interview with Dr. Tony Youn

In between his busy schedule of surgeries, consultations and spending time with his family, Dr. Tony Youn, 35, answered a few questions for the readers of LoveToKnow Celebrity.

Becoming a Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Tony Youn practices at the Hills Plastic Surgery and Laser Centre in Rochester Hills, Michigan. And while he doesn't necessarily cater to celebrities, he operated on a few during his fellowship in Beverly Hills, California. Unfortunately, confidentiality laws prohibit Youn from divulging their names. His company Web site, Beverly Hills Beauty, speaks more to his career as a board certified plastic surgeon.

Why did you decide to specialize in plastic surgery?

I’ve always had an interest in both art and surgery. Plastic surgery is a nice combination of both.

Is the education different than that of other medical specialties?

To become a board-certified plastic surgeon, I had to go through four years of undergraduate studies, four years of medical school, three years of general surgery residency training, two years of plastic surgery residency and finally a year of aesthetic plastic surgery fellowship in Beverly Hills, California. Plastic surgery is one of the most difficult fields of medicine to enter, and therefore you see a lot of non-plastic surgeons trying to take the shorter, easier route by training in another field (such as ER) and masquerading as a plastic surgeon.

What kind of services do you offer?

We offer a comprehensive array of both surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures, ranging from facelifts, breast augmentations and tummy tucks to chemical peels, Botox and laser treatments.

Celebrities and Cosmetic Surgery

Why do you think so many celebrities undergo different plastic surgery treatments?

There is an overwhelming pressure in Hollywood for celebrities to look good. We put celebrities on a pedestal, and expect that they don’t have bad hair days, pimples or cellulite. The Hollywood culture is so obsessed with beauty that it can push a person to undergo treatments in an attempt to look as good as he or she did five, 10 or 20 years ago. Sometimes this becomes a sad attempt at achieving what is permanently lost.

Do you think celebrities go overboard with the type and amount of treatments they receive?

There is definitely a trend with some celebrities to have too much plastic surgery. This trend is not limited to celebrities only. I think we have all spotted overly done plastic surgery in people we see on the street, in the mall and elsewhere. It is a responsibility of board-certified plastic surgeons to “know when to say no” to patients who have had too much plastic surgery. Sometimes the risks of plastic surgery outweigh the benefits, and patients need to understand this.

What kind of message, if any, do you think this is sending to the general public?

It is unfortunate that many people, especially young women, feel that they have to live up to a standard that Hollywood has set which is basically unattainable. In real life, we don’t have professional makeup artists or airbrushing to make us look good.

A Celebrity Himself

Youn appeared on E! Entertainment's Dr. 90210 when the show was being filmed in his office in Beverly Hills. Since that time, he has also appeared on television and radio broadcasts regarding cosmetic surgery, as well as another E! show regarding celebrities and plastic surgery.

Tell me about your experience on "Dr. 90210."

I was involved with Dr. 90210 on the first season, back in 2004. At the time, they were filming some plastic surgeons in our office, and they got to know me and my story. The producer decided that it would make an interesting episode to focus on my leaving Beverly Hills to return back home to Michigan.

How did you feel about doing the show?

Working under the glare of the camera was both nerve-racking and fun. It’s amazing how many hours of footage they can film yet only about one percent actually makes it on TV!

Do you see yourself having a future in television or would you do this type of reality show again?

I’ve recently been featured as a plastic surgery consultant on an E! Entertainment special Celebrity Plastic Surgery: The Good, The Bags, and the Ugly. I flew out to Los Angeles, California to film it, and was the only plastic surgeon outside the L.A. area whom they used for the program. Otherwise, I’ve been featured on local TV, and am open to another reality program. A good friend of mine (a psychiatrist) and I are considering applying for The Amazing Race.

Dr. Tony Youn's Celebrity Blog

Youn and his nurse consulting with a patient at his Michigan office.

In January 2006, Dr. Tony Youn expanded his interest in celebrities and his love of plastic surgery by creating his blog, Celebrity Cosmetic Surgery. Since its inception until this interview in May 2007, it has received more than 1.3 million hits and has featured celebrities such as:

• Britney Spears
• Burt Reynolds
• David Copperfield
• Demi Moore
• Beyonce
• Sharon Osbourne
• Teri Hatcher

When and how did you get started writing your blog?

I am pretty Internet-savvy, and had become acquainted with blogs through Trent Vanegas’ Pink is the New Blog. He’s also from Michigan and a friend of mine. His blog has become one of the most prominent celebrity blogs in the world. After becoming a plastic surgery consultant for various celebrity magazines such as In Touch and Life & Style Weekly, I thought that it would be fun to write a blog on the subject of celebrity plastic surgery myself. Although there are many plastic surgeon blogs, none of them focus solely on celebrity plastic surgery. To my knowledge, in the past year and a half, it has grown into the most visited blog [written] by a plastic surgeon.

Where do you get your information?

I frequent various plastic surgery and celebrity Web sites to keep up with the latest news. I am also contacted quite often by celebrity magazines, which give me photos and information on the latest in celebrity plastic surgery.

Have you ever been contacted by a celebrity featured on your site?

Yes, but it is very unusual.

Good or bad reaction?

The celebrity was happy with the comments I made, but not so happy with comments left by a blog reader.

Why did you choose to write about celebrities?

Ever since I was a boy growing up in a small town in Michigan, I’ve been interested in Hollywood and pop culture. I’ve been blessed that I am now able to practice medicine and correlate it somewhat with my interest in popular culture.

Who do you think you will be writing about a decade from now?

I think the ones with obvious talent will remain in the spotlight. Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani and Scarlett Johansson will most definitely be around. Sorry, Paris Hilton!

Personal Life

Youn has no regrets about leaving California for Michigan.

After his aesthetic plastic surgery fellowship in California, Youn decided to move back to his home state of Michigan where he lives with his wife, child and dog.

According to your blog, you have had reconstructive/plastic surgery done on your face? Can you explain the situation behind that?

Growing up I developed overgrowth of my jaw, causing it to look protruded and making it difficult to chew food. Between high school and college I had it surgically repaired (called a sagittal split osteotomy) and have not looked back since. If my jaw still looked like it did back in high school, I am afraid Dr. 90210 would have rejected me!

Do you have any regular treatments done now?

I regularly have my aesthetician perform lunchtime laser treatments and microdermabrasion to keep my skin looking smooth and youthful. Maintenance is very important for anyone in their 20s to 40s who haven’t aged enough for real surgery.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I see myself working one day less a week and spending more time with my family and friends. I see my practice dynamic not changing much, since I am doing what I love to do (cosmetic plastic surgery) almost exclusively now. I would like to continue to be involved with the media, and maybe have a regular commenting position on TV or a national magazine.