The Truth About Social-Famous Surgeons: “He Had a Million Followers, So I Thought He Was Good”
Would you see a plastic surgeon who’s on TikTok? Instagram? YouTube? Many doctors are amassing major followings, and that’s a scalpel that cuts both ways.
By Jolene Edgar
November 15, 2023
In 2004, Anthony Youn, MD, had his first brush with fame — a three-minute spot on Dr. 90210. At the time, he was pursuing a plastic surgery fellowship with his mentor, a star of Dr. 90210’s season one. After the filming, but before the segment aired, Dr. Youn returned home to Detroit, a rookie surgeon launching a fledgling practice. He spent months attempting to drum up business — “Bringing bagels to family doctors’ offices, giving local talks to the Lions Club, just hoping to get someone to consider me for their doctor,” he recalls. Then his episode aired. The next day, Dr. Youn booked 14 new consultations. Says the board-certified plastic surgeon, “My practice exploded from there.”