Secret Services: The DC Plastic Surgery Podcast

She Went In For a Mommy Makeover And Never Came Home

A woman calling for her pre-op consult had one question before anything else: is the surgeon going to leave as soon as the surgery's over? Jackie's answer was no. But the question itself is now what every woman wants answered — because in Cincinnati, a 47-year-old mom of three went in for a mommy makeover and never came home. Rachel Tussey documented her surgery prep on TikTok for weeks before going in at Journey Light Surgery Center in February. Her husband was told everything went great. Minutes later she was unresponsive. Dr. Chang and Jackie pull apart what the family was actually told — "without oxygen for six minutes" — and why that phrase probably came from the hospital later, not the recovery room.  They get into why anesthesia is the layer of surgery you should trust most rather than fear, how pain medicine absorbing too quickly in fat can change a recovery room in seconds, who's actually at risk for a clot or embolism, and why outpatient surgery is not the safety downgrade people assume. Plus: the surgeon is now suing the surgery center. Source: Rachel Tussey's TikTok account, @racheltussey [https://www.tiktok.com/@racheltussey] HOSTS Jackie O'Brien RN, BSN, CNOR Clinical Director at Cedar Lane Surgery Center With 12 years of OR experience and training at Georgetown University Hospital, Jackie brings expert-level knowledge in plastic, trauma, general, vascular, and ophthalmic surgery. A proud George Mason alum and CNOR-certified perfectionist, she leads with passion, precision, and a love for all things surgical. Off the clock, she's exploring new restaurants, hitting concerts and wineries, or hanging out with her cat — Biggie Smalls, the real boss at home. Christopher Chang, MD Plastic Surgeon Considered to be one of the top plastic surgeons in DC, Dr. Chang specializes in facial and breast augmentation surgery and has acquired several advanced degrees and training from some of the most selective universities in the country. Double board certified in plastic and facial plastic surgery, with specialized experience in facial surgery and pediatric reconstruction, Dr. Chang prioritizes precision over trends and thoughtful care over pressure. Based in Washington, DC, he serves a diverse community, respecting each patient's preferences for discretion, communication, and natural-looking results. About Secret Services In DC, everyone has secrets — especially when it comes to cosmetic surgery. Plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Chang and his sharp-witted team see everything and say nothing — except on this podcast, where every week you'll get answers to confidential patient questions. Because in an era when aging gracefully and looking natural is easier than ever, it all depends on who you know — and what they're willing to tell you. Links Learn more about Washington, D.C. plastic surgeon [https://www.congressionalplasticsurgery.com/] Dr. Christopher Chang Follow Dr. Chang on Instagram @dcplasticsurgeon [https://www.instagram.com/dcplasticsurgeon/]@congressionalplasticsurgery [https://www.instagram.com/congressionalplasticsurgery/] And on TikTok @congressionalpsurgery [https://www.tiktok.com/@congressionalpsurgery] Host: Christopher Chang, MD Producer: Eva Sheie @ The Axis Assistant Producer: Mary Ellen Clarkson  Engineering: Chris Mann Theme music: Harry's Perfume - Harry Edvino Cover Art: Dan Childs Secret Services is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io [https://www.theaxis.io/]

Your "Board Certified" Surgeon Might Not Be Who You Think

A woman in Richmond went in to have her implants removed. She came out of surgery without her breasts. Dr. Chang and Jackie pull apart what actually happened — and what it reveals about how the words "board certified" can mean almost anything. The anonymous question this episode answers: how do you evaluate a surgeon when your insurance only covers a handful of options? Dr. Chang breaks down the difference between the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the half-dozen other "boards" out there (yes, he could make one called the Board of Chang Plastic Surgery), why breast cancer care needs two surgeons with opposite goals, and the quiet local nurse network that already knows who's good. Jackie weighs in on what it feels like in an OR when something is going wrong. Plus: how Dr. Sasa Grae Espino reportedly kept operating while the Virginia Medical Board sat on multiple complaints, before 29 women filed suit. Source: WTRV, Nurse files $25M lawsuit against Virginia breast surgeon: 'I see Frankenstein' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fzO2IKQWIA] HOSTS Jackie O'Brien RN, BSN, CNOR Clinical Director at Cedar Lane Surgery Center With 12 years of OR experience and training at Georgetown University Hospital, Jackie brings expert-level knowledge in plastic, trauma, general, vascular, and ophthalmic surgery. A proud George Mason alum and CNOR-certified perfectionist, she leads with passion, precision, and a love for all things surgical. Off the clock, she's exploring new restaurants, hitting concerts and wineries, or hanging out with her cat—Biggie Smalls, the real boss at home. Christopher Chang, MD Plastic Surgeon Considered to be one of the top plastic surgeons in DC, [https://www.congressionalplasticsurgery.com/about/dr-chang/] Dr. Chang specializes in facial and breast augmentation surgery and has acquired several advanced degrees and training from some of the most selective universities in the country. Double board certified in plastic and facial plastic surgery, with specialized experience in facial surgery and pediatric reconstruction, Dr. Chang prioritizes precision over trends and thoughtful care over pressure. Based in Washington, DC, he serves a diverse community, respecting each patient's preferences for discretion, communication, and natural-looking results. About Secret Services In DC, everyone has secrets — especially when it comes to cosmetic surgery. Plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Chang and his sharp-witted team see everything and say nothing — except on this podcast, where every week you'll get answers to confidential patient questions. Because in an era when aging gracefully and looking natural is easier than ever, it all depends on who you know—and what they're willing to tell you. Links Learn more about Washington, D.C. plastic surgeon [https://www.congressionalplasticsurgery.com/] Dr. Christopher Chang Follow Dr. Chang on Instagram @dcplasticsurgeon [https://www.instagram.com/dcplasticsurgeon/] @congressionalplasticsurgery [https://www.instagram.com/congressionalplasticsurgery/] And on TikTok @congressionalpsurgery [https://www.tiktok.com/@congressionalpsurgery] Host: Christopher Chang, MD Producer: Eva Sheie @ The Axis Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Laura Mayusa Engineering: Chris Mann Theme music: Harry's Perfume - Harry Edvino Cover Art: Dan Childs Secret Services is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io [https://www.theaxis.io/]

Her Breast Lift Just Made People Magazine

Influencer Darcy McQueeny tried to outcount the anesthesia on her way under. She lost. Then she woke up and vlogged the next three weeks of her breast lift recovery to her two million TikTok followers — and People Magazine ran the result. Through Darcy's story, Dr. Chang and Jackie work through what it actually feels like when the woman on your operating table is filming everything and has 700,000 Instagram followers waiting on the reveal. They cover auto augmentation — a breast lift that uses a woman's own tissue instead of implants — answer a 26-year-old who has been talking herself out of a breast lift for four years, and explain why a 15-year-old with severe macromastia can ethically get a reduction before college. Plus: how to tell genuine readiness from cold feet, why three-week results aren't the finished result, and the powerlessness a surgeon feels when comments roll in and HIPAA keeps him from defending the work. People, Influencer Darcy McQueeny Reveals the Results of Her Breast Lift: ‘Best Decision of My Life’ [https://people.com/influencer-darcy-mcqueeny-reveals-results-of-breast-lift-11945408] HOSTS Jackie O’Brien RN, BSN, CNOR Clinical Director at Cedar Lane Surgery Center With 12 years of OR experience and training at Georgetown University Hospital, Jackie brings expert-level knowledge in plastic, trauma, general, vascular, and ophthalmic surgery. A proud George Mason alum and CNOR-certified perfectionist, she leads with passion, precision, and a love for all things surgical. Off the clock, she’s exploring new restaurants, hitting concerts and wineries, or hanging out with her cat—Biggie Smalls, the real boss at home. Christopher Chang, MD Plastic Surgeon Considered to be one of the top plastic surgeons in DC, [https://www.congressionalplasticsurgery.com/about/dr-chang/] Dr. Chang specializes in facial and breast augmentation surgery and has acquired several advanced degrees and training from some of the most selective universities in the country. Double board certified in plastic and facial plastic surgery, with specialized experience in facial surgery and pediatric reconstruction, Dr. Chang prioritizes precision over trends and thoughtful care over pressure. Based in Washington, DC, he serves a diverse community, respecting each patient’s preferences for discretion, communication, and natural-looking results. About Secret Services In DC, everyone has secrets — especially when it comes to cosmetic surgery. Plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Chang and his sharp-witted team see everything and say nothing — except on this podcast, where every week you’ll get answers to confidential patient questions. Because in an era when aging gracefully and looking natural is easier than ever, it all depends on who you know—and what they’re willing to tell you. Links Learn more about Washington, D.C. plastic surgeon [https://www.congressionalplasticsurgery.com/] Dr. Christopher Chang Follow Dr. Chang on Instagram @dcplasticsurgeon [https://www.instagram.com/dcplasticsurgeon/] @congressionalplasticsurgery [https://www.instagram.com/congressionalplasticsurgery/] And on TikTok @congressionalpsurgery [https://www.tiktok.com/@congressionalpsurgery] Host: Christopher Chang, MD Producer: Eva Sheie @ The Axis Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Laura Mayusa Engineering: Chris Mann Theme music: Harry’s Perfume - Harry Edvino Cover Art: Dan Childs Secret Services is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io [https://www.theaxis.io/]

They Took This Lady To Court While She Was In Labor

Cherise Doyley had refused a fourth C-section, and the hospital took her to court mid-labor to override her decision.  There was a judge on Zoom, a state attorney, and a dozen doctors and lawyers on screen — and she was alone, no lawyer.  Through the Doyley case, Dr. Chang and Jackie work through what consent actually looks like — when someone can refuse a procedure, when the hospital can override them, and why Florida is the only state where pregnancy is the legal exception to that.  They answer a question from an anonymous listener who came in for a consultation for one procedure and walked out with a quote for four — and break down the difference between a surgeon upselling and a surgeon trying to deliver the result you actually came in for.  Plus: the Jehovah’s Witness emergency exception, the surgical timeout that catches everyone before the first incision, and the woman who woke up with implants bigger than she signed for. News coverage, Cherise Doyley refuses fourth C-section, Florida [https://www.propublica.org/article/florida-court-hearing-c-section] HOSTS Jackie O’Brien RN, BSN, CNOR Clinical Director at Cedar Lane Surgery Center With 12 years of OR experience and training at Georgetown University Hospital, Jackie brings expert-level knowledge in plastic, trauma, general, vascular, and ophthalmic surgery. A proud George Mason alum and CNOR-certified perfectionist, she leads with passion, precision, and a love for all things surgical. Off the clock, she’s exploring new restaurants, hitting concerts and wineries, or hanging out with her cat—Biggie Smalls, the real boss at home. Christopher Chang, MD Plastic Surgeon Considered to be one of the top plastic surgeons in DC, [https://www.congressionalplasticsurgery.com/about/dr-chang/] Dr. Chang specializes in facial and breast augmentation surgery and has acquired several advanced degrees and training from some of the most selective universities in the country. Double board certified in plastic and facial plastic surgery, with specialized experience in facial surgery and pediatric reconstruction, Dr. Chang prioritizes precision over trends and thoughtful care over pressure. Based in Washington, DC, he serves a diverse community, respecting each patient’s preferences for discretion, communication, and natural-looking results. About Secret Services In DC, everyone has secrets — especially when it comes to cosmetic surgery. Plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Chang and his sharp-witted team see everything and say nothing — except on this podcast, where every week you’ll get answers to confidential patient questions. Because in an era when aging gracefully and looking natural is easier than ever, it all depends on who you know—and what they’re willing to tell you. Links Learn more about Washington, D.C. plastic surgeon [https://www.congressionalplasticsurgery.com/] Dr. Christopher Chang Follow Dr. Chang on Instagram @dcplasticsurgeon [https://www.instagram.com/dcplasticsurgeon/] @congressionalplasticsurgery [https://www.instagram.com/congressionalplasticsurgery/] And on TikTok @congressionalpsurgery [https://www.tiktok.com/@congressionalpsurgery] Host: Christopher Chang, MD Producer: Eva Sheie @ The Axis Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Laura Mayusa Engineering: Chris Mann Theme music: Harry’s Perfume - Harry Edvino Cover Art: Dan Childs Secret Services is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io [https://www.theaxis.io/]

The Only Good Reason to Bring Us a Photo of Your Mom

A viral Reddit post lined up Angelina Jolie, her mother Marcheline Bertrand, and her daughter Vivienne Pitt side by side, and the internet hasn’t stopped talking about inherited bone structure.  Here’s what facial genetics actually mean once you’re considering plastic surgery, why the facial skeleton is the foundation everything else sits on, and what we mean when we call jawline work an “addition-and-subtraction problem.”  Plus the guy who once asked Dr. Chang for Natalie Portman’s nose. Reddit, Three generations of face cards — Marcheline Bertrand, Angelina Jolie, Vivienne Jolie-Pitt [https://www.reddit.com/r/popculturechat/comments/1sca2b6/three_generations_of_face_cards_marcheline/] Questions answered by this episode: * Why do some people inherit their parent's strong bone structure while others don't? * How does weight and body composition affect facial features across generations? * When a patient brings in a photo of their mom, how do surgeons use that in a consultation? * What procedures can address a "softer" face that lacks definition? * What does the Angelina Jolie three-generation photo reveal about facial genetics? * Are some people just structurally privileged — and can surgery replicate that? * What feature from Angelina Jolie's face has driven the biggest cosmetic trends? * Is it realistic to bring in a celebrity photo and ask to look like that person? * How does having a supportive family member present affect a patient's surgical experience? * Should you bring photos to your consultation — and what are the limits? HOSTS Jackie O’Brien RN, BSN, CNOR Clinical Director at Cedar Lane Surgery Center With 12 years of OR experience and training at Georgetown University Hospital, Jackie brings expert-level knowledge in plastic, trauma, general, vascular, and ophthalmic surgery. A proud George Mason alum and CNOR-certified perfectionist, she leads with passion, precision, and a love for all things surgical. Off the clock, she’s exploring new restaurants, hitting concerts and wineries, or hanging out with her cat—Biggie Smalls, the real boss at home. Christopher Chang, MD Plastic Surgeon Considered to be one of the top plastic surgeons in DC, [https://www.congressionalplasticsurgery.com/about/dr-chang/] Dr. Chang specializes in facial and breast augmentation surgery and has acquired several advanced degrees and training from some of the most selective universities in the country. Double board certified in plastic and facial plastic surgery, with specialized experience in facial surgery and pediatric reconstruction, Dr. Chang prioritizes precision over trends and thoughtful care over pressure. Based in Washington, DC, he serves a diverse community, respecting each patient’s preferences for discretion, communication, and natural-looking results. About Secret Services In DC, everyone has secrets — especially when it comes to cosmetic surgery. Plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Chang and his sharp-witted team see everything and say nothing — except on this podcast, where every week you’ll get answers to confidential patient questions. Because in an era when aging gracefully and looking natural is easier than ever, it all depends on who you know—and what they’re willing to tell you. Links Learn more about Washington, D.C. plastic surgeon [https://www.congressionalplasticsurgery.com/] Dr. Christopher Chang Follow Dr. Chang on Instagram @dcplasticsurgeon [https://www.instagram.com/dcplasticsurgeon/] @congressionalplasticsurgery [https://www.instagram.com/congressionalplasticsurgery/] And on TikTok @congressionalpsurgery [https://www.tiktok.com/@congressionalpsurgery] Host: Christopher Chang, MD Producer: Eva Sheie @ The Axis Assistant Producer: Mary Ellen Clarkson Engineering: Chris Mann Theme music: Harry’s Perfume - Harry Edvino Cover Art: Dan Childs Secret Services is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io [https://www.theaxis.io/]