HKB Uncut | A Cosmetic Surgery Podcast

Dr. Bill Kortesis & Dr. Gaurav Bharti

Welcome to HKB Uncut: the Health, Knowledge, and Beauty Podcast. On this show, Dr. Bill Kortesis & Dr. Gaurav Bharti unpack the newest techniques and trends in cosmetic surgery, how to tune out the social media noise to make empowered decisions about your appearance, and what you need to know before you book a procedure. 

  1. 3d ago

    27. Why Mentorship Matters in Plastic Surgery | The H/K/B Fellowship Experience with Dr. Harley Moit

    Behind every great surgeon is training, mentorship, collaboration, and a commitment to getting better. In this episode, Dr. Bill Kortesis and Dr. Gaurav Bharti sit down with Dr. Harley Moit to talk about the H/K/B aesthetic surgery fellowship, what it means to train the next generation of plastic surgeons, and how mentorship shapes surgical skill, judgment, precision, and patient care. They also discuss what patients should know about fellows in the operating room, why collaboration can improve outcomes, and how young surgeons continue growing long after fellowship ends. Dr. Harley Moit is a plastic surgeon at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery in Charleston, South Carolina – Mount Pleasant and a former H/K/B aesthetic surgery fellow. His training includes general surgery residency at the University of Illinois at Peoria, plastic surgery residency at Indiana University, and advanced fellowship training in facial, breast, and body cosmetic surgery at H/K/B. Connect with Dr. Moit: Harley Moit, D.O. at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery, Charleston, SC – Mount Pleasant Resources mentioned: ASAPS Fellowship Program - Advanced Cosmetic Surgery Training at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery In this episode you’ll learn: Why fellowship training can help young plastic surgeons build confidence, technical skill, and sound surgical judgmentWhat patients should know about the role of fellows in surgery and how H/K/B maintains high standards of careHow mentorship, collaboration, and open case discussion help surgeons continue improving throughout their careersWelcome to HKB Uncut: the Health, Knowledge, and Beauty Podcast. On this show, Dr. Bill Kortesis & Dr. Guarav Bharti unpack the newest techniques and trends in cosmetic surgery, how to tune out the social media noise to make empowered decisions about your appearance, and what you need to know before you book a procedure.  Dr. Bill Kortesis and Dr. Guarav are board certified plastic surgeons and Co-Founders of HKB Cosmetic Surgery, an award-winning practice with eleven locations across six states.  Connect with HKB:  WebsiteYouTubeInstagramBefore & After GalleryBlogTikTok

    24 min
  2. May 28

    26. My Breast Implants Don’t Feel Like Me Anymore… Now What? | Breast Implant Revision Surgery with Dr. Wu

    For a lot of women, breast implants matched a different phase of life. Years later, priorities shift, bodies change, and what once felt right may not feel like the best fit anymore. In this episode, Dr. Bill Kortesis, Dr. Gaurav Bharti, and Dr. Cindy Wu talk through the growing trend of downsizing or removing breast implants, why more patients are asking for a natural look, and what breast implant revision surgery actually involves. They break down common concerns like rippling, implants shifting into the armpit, capsular contracture, animation deformity, and implant longevity, while also explaining how newer techniques and devices are changing revision surgery outcomes. The conversation is honest, practical, and focused on helping patients understand their options without fear or pressure. Dr. Cindy Wu is a double board-certified plastic surgeon at HKB Cosmetic Surgery in Greensboro and Chapel Hill, specializing in breast surgery, breast implant revision and removal, body contouring, fat grafting, and aesthetic procedures. With advanced fellowship training and over a decade in private practice, she brings a thoughtful, personalized approach to helping patients feel comfortable and confident in their results. Connect with Dr. Wu: Cindy Wu, M.D. at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery, Greensboro & Chapel Hill In this episode you’ll learn: Why more women are downsizing or removing their breast implantsWhat surgeons mean when they talk about “ballerina breasts” and the shift toward more natural resultsHow to know when breast implants may need to be replaced or revisedThe difference between aesthetic concerns and true implant complicationsWhat revision surgery can involve, including lifts, fat grafting, mesh support, and pocket changesWhy revision surgery is more complex for surgeons, but often easier for patients during recoveryWhat information to bring to a breast revision consultation and how to think through your goals before surgeryWelcome to HKB Uncut: the Health, Knowledge, and Beauty Podcast. On this show, Dr. Bill Kortesis & Dr. Guarav Bharti unpack the newest techniques and trends in cosmetic surgery, how to tune out the social media noise to make empowered decisions about your appearance, and what you need to know before you book a procedure.  Dr. Bill Kortesis and Dr. Guarav are board certified plastic surgeons and Co-Founders of HKB Cosmetic Surgery, an award-winning practice with eleven locations across six states.  Connect with HKB:  WebsiteYouTubeInstagramBefore & After GalleryBlogTikTok

    35 min
  3. May 21

    25. Modern Facelift Guide with Dr. Richard Kao: Deep Plane, Recovery, Scars & Natural Results

    Facelift conversations have changed. Today’s patients are asking better questions: Am I ready for surgery, or can non-surgical treatments still help? What does a deep plane facelift actually do? Will I still look like myself? What should I expect from recovery, scarring, and long-term maintenance? In this episode, Dr. Kortesis and Dr. Bharti sit down with Dr. Richard Kao to talk through the modern facelift experience: from deep plane techniques and natural-looking results to revision facelifts, men’s facial surgery, direct neck lifts, buccal fat removal, and the treatments that can support results over time. It’s a conversation about what facial rejuvenation can do, what it cannot do, and how surgeons think about creating balance across the whole face. Dr. Richard Kao is a facial plastic surgeon and facial plastic surgery leader at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery, bringing expertise in facelift and neck lift surgery, facial rejuvenation, and individualized treatment planning. Connect with Dr. Kao: Richard Kao, M.D. at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery, Huntersville & Southpark In this episode you’ll learn: What is a deep plane facelift, and why does it matter?How do you know when you may be ready for a facelift?What does recovery really look like?Where are facelift scars placed?Can you have a second facelift later in life?How are facelifts different for men?When are non-surgical treatments still the better option?Welcome to HKB Uncut: the Health, Knowledge, and Beauty Podcast. On this show, Dr. Bill Kortesis & Dr. Guarav Bharti unpack the newest techniques and trends in cosmetic surgery, how to tune out the social media noise to make empowered decisions about your appearance, and what you need to know before you book a procedure.  Dr. Bill Kortesis and Dr. Guarav are board certified plastic surgeons and Co-Founders of HKB Cosmetic Surgery, an award-winning practice with eleven locations across six states.  Connect with HKB:  WebsiteYouTubeInstagramBefore & After GalleryBlogTikTok

    45 min
  4. May 14

    24. Smaller Breast Implants, Faster Recovery with Dr. Trent Douglas | Is the Preservé® Technique Right for You?

    Breast augmentation is changing. More patients are asking for smaller, more natural-looking results, less downtime, and options that fit their lifestyle instead of feeling overly “done.” In this episode, Dr. Kortesis and Dr. Bharti sit down with Dr. Trent Douglas to talk about the Preservé® technique, a less invasive approach to breast enhancement using Motiva® implants that may be a fit for certain patients looking for subtle volume, natural proportions, and a faster recovery. Dr. Trent Douglas is a plastic surgeon at HKB Cosmetic Surgery in Knoxville, Tennessee and an incoming president of The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, bringing deep expertise in aesthetic breast surgery, patient-centered care, and emerging surgical innovation. Connect with Dr. Douglas: Trent Douglas, M.D., FACS at HKB Cosmetic SurgeryH/K/B Cosmetic Surgery in Knoxville, TN In this episode, you’ll learn: Why are more patients asking for smaller, more natural-looking results?Who is the Preservé® technique actually right for?Can breast enhancement be done with less downtime?How does local anesthesia change the patient experience?When is a more traditional breast augmentation or lift still the better option?Welcome to HKB Uncut: the Health, Knowledge, and Beauty Podcast. On this show, Dr. Bill Kortesis & Dr. Guarav Bharti unpack the newest techniques and trends in cosmetic surgery, how to tune out the social media noise to make empowered decisions about your appearance, and what you need to know before you book a procedure.  Dr. Bill Kortesis and Dr. Guarav are board certified plastic surgeons and Co-Founders of HKB Cosmetic Surgery, an award-winning practice with eleven locations across six states.  Connect with HKB:  WebsiteYouTubeInstagramBefore & After GalleryBlogTikTok

    35 min
  5. May 7

    23. Why Do I Still Look Pregnant? Loose Skin, Muscle Separation, & What Actually Works

    A lot of women expect their body to bounce back after pregnancy, but for many, something still feels off. The stomach looks different, the core feels weaker, and no matter how consistent you are with workouts, it doesn’t fully change. In this episode, Dr. Bill Kortesis and Dr. Gaurav Bharti walk through what’s actually going on. They break down why the body changes the way it does after pregnancy, how to tell the difference between loose skin and muscle separation, and why that distinction matters when you’re thinking about treatment. The conversation covers everything from mini vs. full tummy tucks to small procedures like C-section scar revision, along with newer options that can be done with less downtime. If you’ve been trying to figure out what’s going on with your body, and what makes sense to do next, this is your place to start. In this episode you’ll learn: Why your stomach can still look pregnant months or years later, and why workouts alone don’t change itThe difference between a mini and full tummy tuck, and why the wrong choice can lead to disappointing resultsWhat muscle separation actually does to your core, posture, and strengthWhy that lower belly “ledge” or C-section shelf happens, and when a small procedure can fix itHow today’s approach to mommy makeovers focuses on natural, athletic results that feel like youWhat recovery really feels like, including the part most patients aren’t prepared forHow to think about timing, planning, and getting the right support in place before surgeryWelcome to HKB Uncut: the Health, Knowledge, and Beauty Podcast. On this show, Dr. Bill Kortesis & Dr. Guarav Bharti unpack the newest techniques and trends in cosmetic surgery, how to tune out the social media noise to make empowered decisions about your appearance, and what you need to know before you book a procedure.  Dr. Bill Kortesis and Dr. Guarav are board certified plastic surgeons and Co-Founders of HKB Cosmetic Surgery, an award-winning practice with eleven locations across six states.  Connect with HKB:  WebsiteYouTubeInstagramBefore & After GalleryBlogTikTok

    28 min
  6. Apr 30

    22. Do Men Get Plastic Surgery? What Men Are Really Asking For (and Why It’s Growing)

    Male plastic surgery is no longer a niche conversation, it’s a growing, but still under-discussed, part of aesthetics. In this episode, Dr. Kortesis and Dr. Bharti break down what men are actually seeking, how their goals differ from women, and why subtle, natural-looking results matter more than ever. They also unpack the shift toward aesthetic “maintenance” and how wellness, skin care, and hair restoration are becoming part of the conversation. Resources mentioned: Plastic Surgery Services at HKB Xtresse Hair Growth Gummies 3 ways men are approaching plastic surgery differently than you might expect are: Prioritizing subtle, “under-the-radar”, changes that don’t look obviousTreating aging with ongoing maintenance (skin care, injectables, hair restoration)Blending aesthetics with overall wellness instead of relying on one big procedureWelcome to HKB Uncut: the Health, Knowledge, and Beauty Podcast. On this show, Dr. Bill Kortesis & Dr. Guarav Bharti unpack the newest techniques and trends in cosmetic surgery, how to tune out the social media noise to make empowered decisions about your appearance, and what you need to know before you book a procedure.  Dr. Bill Kortesis and Dr. Guarav are board certified plastic surgeons and Co-Founders of HKB Cosmetic Surgery, an award-winning practice with eleven locations across six states.  Connect with HKB:  WebsiteYouTubeInstagramBefore & After GalleryBlogTikTok

    22 min
  7. Apr 23

    21. The Truth About Loose Skin After Weight Loss | What Surgery Can (and Can’t) Fix

    Losing a significant amount of weight is an incredible achievement, but what people don’t always expect is what comes next. For many patients, excess skin becomes the final barrier between how they feel and how they want to look. In this episode, we’re breaking down what massive weight loss surgery actually involves, what patients should realistically expect, and why this process is almost never “one and done.” Dr. Shawna Kleban joins Dr. Kortesis and Dr. Bharti to walk through the full journey: from timing your surgery to understanding staging, recovery, scars, and results. This is one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about body contouring: what works, what doesn’t, and why experience matters more than most people realize. Shawna R. Kleban, M.D. is a board-certified plastic surgeon and partner at HKB Cosmetic Surgery, specializing in massive weight loss body contouring and advanced 360-degree surgical techniques. Connect with Dr. Kleban: Shawna R. Kleban, M.D. at HKB Cosmetic Surgery Some key takeaways from this episode include: Why doing everything at once isn’t the goal, and how staging surgery actually leads to better resultsThe incision detail most patients overlook (and why it matters more than you think)How surgeons decide what can safely be combined in a single procedureWhat it’s really like to recover from body contouring surgery after massive weight lossWhy your body responds differently after weight loss… and what that means for your resultsThe real, behind-the-scenes of how surgeons plan complex, multi-stage transformationsHow the GLP-1 boom is quietly changing the future of body contouring surgeryDr. Kleban’s perspective on what it actually takes to become a plastic surgeon, and stay in itWelcome to HKB Uncut: the Health, Knowledge, and Beauty Podcast. On this show, Dr. Bill Kortesis & Dr. Guarav Bharti unpack the newest techniques and trends in cosmetic surgery, how to tune out the social media noise to make empowered decisions about your appearance, and what you need to know before you book a procedure.  Dr. Bill Kortesis and Dr. Guarav are board certified plastic surgeons and Co-Founders of HKB Cosmetic Surgery, an award-winning practice with eleven locations across six states.  Connect with HKB:  WebsiteYouTubeInstagramBefore & After GalleryBlogTikTok

    36 min
  8. Apr 16

    20. Not Happy With Your Results? What to Know About Revision Surgery

    When a result doesn’t feel right after surgery, most people immediately start questioning everything… what happened, who’s at fault, and whether they need to fix it right away. In this episode, Dr. Kortesis and Dr. Bharti walk through what revision surgery actually looks like in real life, and why it’s often more nuanced than people expect. They break down the different reasons patients end up needing a second procedure, from normal healing and changing preferences to truly needing a correction. They talk through how to approach that moment thoughtfully, including when to go back to your original surgeon, when to seek another opinion, and why timing is often the most important (and most overlooked) factor. The conversation also gets into the emotional side of the process, the role of trust and communication, and why “perfect” isn’t the goal. In this episode, we cover: Why revision surgery doesn’t always mean something went wrongWhat most patients don’t do before seeking a second opinionWhy “fixing it now” can actually make things worseWhat it really takes to correct a complex resultWhy “perfect” isn’t the goal… and never wasWelcome to HKB Uncut: the Health, Knowledge, and Beauty Podcast. On this show, Dr. Bill Kortesis & Dr. Guarav Bharti unpack the newest techniques and trends in cosmetic surgery, how to tune out the social media noise to make empowered decisions about your appearance, and what you need to know before you book a procedure.  Dr. Bill Kortesis and Dr. Guarav are board certified plastic surgeons and Co-Founders of HKB Cosmetic Surgery, an award-winning practice with eleven locations across six states.  Connect with HKB:  WebsiteYouTubeInstagramBefore & After GalleryBlogTikTok

    33 min

About

Welcome to HKB Uncut: the Health, Knowledge, and Beauty Podcast. On this show, Dr. Bill Kortesis & Dr. Gaurav Bharti unpack the newest techniques and trends in cosmetic surgery, how to tune out the social media noise to make empowered decisions about your appearance, and what you need to know before you book a procedure. 

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